Mission Impossible 5 Moving Forward?

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is already a financial and critical hit. Making the fourth installment one of the most rewarding films in the franchise according to many reviews and word of mouth. Putting together a solid cast including Jeremy Renner has paid off, not to mention bringing Simon Pegg into the spotlight.

MovieHole reports the studio is aiming to move forward with Mission Impossible 5, which isn't surprising. It had been rumored that Jeremy Renner was going to take over the franchise when Paramount first announced Ghost Protocol. Paramount mentioned then that there could be more Mission Impossible films in the future without Tom playing Ethan Hunt. Cruise seems to have won audiences over and the studio could want him to go on more missions. The question will be will the studio be able to bring back director Brad Bird or Renner/Pegg for the sequel? If Bird returned he would be the first director in the series to do so.

Tom Cruise Will Star In All You Need Is Kill

Variety reports that Tom Cruise has landed the lead role in the film All You Need Is Kill based on the Japanese manga. A lot of names had been attached or linked to the project which included Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Cruise is at the point in his career where he's still believable as an action star and is going all out with his next couple of films. He's already set to star in the science fiction action film Oblivion/Horizons and Mission Impossible 4 is about to be released this month. The latter is expected to be his last of the franchise handing it off to Jeremy Renner.

There are a few connections to Jeremy Renner with this project as well since the film's script was originally written by Dante Harper. Dante recently wrote Renner's upcoming horror comedy Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters that Renner co-stars with Gemma Arterton. It will be directed by Doug Liman (Mr. And Mrs. Smith) who directed the first Bourne film Identity. Another franchise that Renner will be taking over with Bourne Legacy.

Hayley Atwell, Kate Beckinsale & Diane Kruger Testing For Horizons

Deadline reports that actresses Hayley Atwell (Captain America), Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds) and Kate Beckinsale (Total Recall, Underworld 4) are currently testing for the second female role in Joseph Kosinski's (Tron Legacy) Horizons/Oblivion.

Tom Cruise and Jessica Chastain (The Debt) are already locked in as the leads. Oddly enough actresses who have been mentioned as possible options for the second role like Olivia Wilde, Brit Marling and Nooi Rapace aren't being listed.

Tom Cruise In Talks For All You Need Is Kill?

HollywoodReporter states that director Doug Liman (Bourne Identity) is now in talks with Tom Cruise for the lead in the adaptation of All You Need Is Kill for Warner Bros. Now apparently given the new terrible title We Mortals Are which I assume will get yet another title change soon. Originally when Doug Liman was hired, Ryan Gosling had been mentioned as a choice for the lead. Gosling would eventually pass and end up with Logan's Run another Warner Bros. sci-fi project with director Nicolas Winding Refn. Not too long ago Brad Pitt had been mentioned and seemed likely as Liman worked with him on Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Cruise is grinding out a number of action films likely to make hay while he can still do them. He's also doing Joseph Kosinski's (Tron Legacy) Horizons (Oblivion) starring alongside Jessica Chastain which is another massive science fiction action film. I'm not sure how interesting this manga adaptation will be considering how Warner Bros. has handled Akira another project that has had casting issues and is currently in limbo.

Jessica Chastain Joins Tom Cruise In Horizons

ShowBlitz reports that 2011's it-girl of the moment Jessica Chastain in now in talks to star alongside Tom Cruise in Joseph Kosinski's (Tron Legacy) Horizons (formerly Oblivion). Jessica has been taking over screens starring in a massive amount of buzzed films in the last year that include Tree Of Life, The Help, The Debt, Take Shelter, Coriolanus and Texas Killing Fields. It's unknown if she's either playing Tom's character's wife or the mysterious girl who sets all the events in motion. They say the other actresses who tested that included Noomi Rapace (Dragon Tattoo, Sherlock Holmes 2, Prometheus), Olivia Wilde and other it-girl Brit Marling (Another Earth) could also still be up for a role.

Actresses Testing To Star Alongside Tom Cruise In Horizons

ShowBlitz reports that actresses will be auditioning this weekend for Joseph Kosinski's (Tron Legacy) Horizons which stars Tom Cruise and is set for a July 19th 2013 release. The actresses in the running including Jessica Chastain, Noomi Repace (Prometheus), Brit Marling, Olivia Wilde (Cowboys & Aliens, Tron Legacy) and Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace). Jack, a man who lives in the clouds above Earth and heads to its surface to repair drones that essentially keep the planet safe from an alien race that has all but wiped out humanity.

Mission:Impossible 4 Ghost Protocol

Tom Cruise Confirmed For Oblivion/Horizions & Circling Del Toro's Pacific Rim

Deadline has confirmation that Tom Cruise has signed on for the lead in Joseph Kosinski's (Tron Legacy) Oblivion (aka Horizons). The science fiction action film that shoots this fall was originally setup at Disney but eventually moved over to Universal.

Oddly enough it's the same studio that passed on a Tom Cruise starring At The Mountains of Madness that would have been directed by Guillermo del Toro. Cruise is also circling a role in del Toro's Pacific Rim which shoots this summer and Charlie Hunnam is in talks for a part.

Universal Could Pickup Joseph Kosinski’s Horizons With Tom Cruise Attached To Star

HeatVision reports that Universal is in final talks to pickup Joseph Kosinski's Horizons (Oblivion). The science fiction action film had originally been setup at Disney but would eventually be dropped. Kosinski is currently working on Tron 3 along with a remake of the Disney classic Blackhole. So it's unlikely that Joseph will direct the film. They also confirm that Tom Cruise is attached to star with a script written by William Monahan (Departed) and Karl Gadjusek.

RUMOR: Cruise, Reeves & Depp In The Running For Robocop?

MovieHole is claiming rumblings of possible candidates for MGM's Robocop remake with José Padilha (Elite Squad 1-2) set to direct. They include some big names such as Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves and Johnny Depp. I'd call bullshit on this rumor but I could see any of these actors in the role of Alex Murphy. I'd rather see Cruise in the film as it would be pretty shocking to see him killed on screen then resurrected as a cyborg cop. Of course this could totally false as all three actors have upcoming films about to shoot but it's still interesting to think one of these actors could be the next Robocop.

Guillermo Confirms At The Mountains of Madness Is Dead

It's amazing how quickly these stories go from zero to sixty in a short amount of time. Just last night rumors were circling of a June start for Guillermo del Toro's At The Mountains of Madness. Along with that Universal had been pegged as passing on it because of the price tag and the rating. Now CriterionCast has confirmation from the director himself the project is indeed dead.

There aren't any details being released it's unknown at this point if the producers are able to move the project over to 20th Century Fox. Yet what is known is that this is crushing for the director as this was his dream project. This has to be the worst move by Universal as I think this could lead to del Toro walking from future films with the studio.

Guillermo del Toro Could Make Pacific Rim Before At The Mountains of Madness?

Last year everything looked good for Guillermo del Toro until he had to leave The Hobbit because of MGM's money issues. Then he went on to make At The Mountains of Madness with Tom Cruise attached in the lead role. Now there is word Universal isn't happy with the budget or the film's rating. Currently it would cost $150 million to make the R-rated horror film and that's not including the marketing fees. Universal has been plagued with many poor decisions lately and are not taking up any risky projects like Mountains. Even if del Toro is the creative mind behind the camera and script. Along with James Cameron as the producer and working on the film's 3D effects.

There is word from Deadline that they could move the project to the James Cameron friendly Fox who would be willing to shell out the $150 million needed. They also mention that if these problems keep persisting Guillermo might have to push pause on the project all together. This would mean he'd look to Legendary Pictures' (Warner Bros.) massive monster movie Pacific Rim as his next movie instead.

Universal really seems to have something against the genre as they bumped The Thing prequel from April to October and have yet to release a trailer which has already been played in theaters. Not to mention international markets would love this film as it's similar to Lord of The Rings in scope. Plus the bloated ticket prices for a 3D film would also bump up the box office takes. While it sounds risky on paper it's a dream project for Guillermo and Universal should be understanding of that if they want him to direct multiple films for the studio. Previously the director signed on to direct a bunch of films for the studio which includes a new Frankenstein film. Personally I'd rather see the film at another studio if it means the original vision is made.

James McAvoy Briefly Talks At The Mountains of Madness

It had been reported by Collider that James McAvoy had been Universal's choice the play the lead role in At The Mountains of Madness. While Guillermo del Toro had been campaigning to get Tom Cruise in the part. Tom and del Toro had been talking about making a new Van Helsing film before it got axed to make Mountains which was reported by Vulture. There is also word from Deadline that Cruise is aiming for supporting role in the musical Rock of Ages but is still attached to Mountains. Ron Perlman (Hellboy1-2, Blade 2) seems to be the only person currently cast in the film when Guillermo announced to MTV writing a role just for him.

Currently promoting a new film James McAvoy was asked by CinemaBlend about At The Mountains of Madness. He seems to playing it safe not coming out and confirming or denying his involvement.

"I don’t know anything about the story, but he’s an amazing director. I would be very lucky to be able to work with someone like that one day."

Based on the classic science fiction horror story by H.P. Lovecraft. A group of scientists and archaeologists travel to Antartica on an expedition in the early 1920's. There they stumble upon the ancient relics of an abandoned city hitherto completely unknown to mankind and uncover a prehistoric species that is awakened only to wreak havoc on their victims.

It's been a passion project for Guillermo del Toro and has even the caught the attention of long time friend James Cameron who is producing. Guillermo has written the film and will direct now that he's left The Hobbit. It's expected to be shot in 3D and it's effects are sure to be a blend of practical makeup, puppets and CGI. That along with his amazing touch of detail to his sets, characters and monsters it should be another quality horror film.

Lea Seydoux Joins Mission Impossible 4

TheHollywoodReporter says that French actress Lea Seydoux (Robin Hood, Inglorious Basterds) has been cast in Mission Impossible 4 directed by Brad Bird (Incredibles). She will join Michael Nyqvist (Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) as the film's villains. It's been rumored the role had originally been offered to Noomi Rapace (Sherlock Holmes 2). The film also stars Tom Cruise along with Jeremy Renner (Hurt Locker), Paula Patton,  Vladimir Mashkov, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg.

Michael Nyqvist To Play Villain In Mission Impossible 4

HeatVision reports Swedish actor Michael Nyqvist has signed on to play one of the villains in Mission Impossible 4. Nyqvist is best known for his role in the Millennium (Dragon Tattoo, Played With Fire, Hornet's Nest) trilogy playing journalist Mikael Blomkvist. The character is now being portrayed by Daniel Craig in David Fincher's remake. It looks like it's not just Noomi Rapace who is benefiting from the success of the films.

Vladimir Mashkov Joins Mission Impossible 4

     Mission Impossible 4 is looking to be one of the better of the series. They previously cast Jeremy Renner (Hurt Locker, Avengers) who is expected to keep the franchise going in future films. Russian actor Vladimir Mashkov has now been dded to the lineup. Vladimir is is best known for his villainous roles in Behind Enemy Lines and 15 Minutes. It's unknown if will keep his track record of playing villains or will be part of Hunt's team.

While this is exciting news and should mean we'll be hearing more casting information in the next couple of weeks. It doesn't look good for the involvement of Swedish actress Noomi Rapace. She had been rumored to have been in talks with producers for a role. Yet it looks like with her involvement in Sherlock Holmes 2 it's not likely she'll be in the film. Rapace is currently blowing up in Hollywood after her performance in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. She's been in talks and offered roles in many projects in the last month or two. They include the Alien prequels, Witch Hunters (with Renner) and the action comedy This Means War. Simon Pegg has yet to officially sign on too but is still being attached to press releases. It's expected that Pegg could easily do the film since his character's scenes are limited.

Guillermo del Toro's At The Mountains of Madness Updates

Guillermo del Toro announced back in July his next film would be an adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's At The Mountains of Madness. The film is being produced by James Cameron which will be shot in 3D May 2011. The story is written in first-person perspective by the geologist William Dyer, a professor from Miskatonic University. He writes to disclose hitherto unknown and closely kept secrets in the hope that he can deter a planned and much publicized scientific expedition to Antarctica. On a previous expedition there, a party of scholars from Miskatonic University, led by Dyer, discovered fantastic and horrific ruins and a dangerous secret beyond a range of mountains taller than the Himalayas.


Wired recently spoke to producer James Cameron about the project and he compares the film to his own Aliens. "In this particular case, I’m working with Guillermo because I enjoy his company, and a creative collaboration is something that we’ve talked about doing for a long time," Cameron tells Wired. "It’s going to be an epically scaled horror film and we haven’t seen anything like that in a really long time — I guess since ALIENS."


Collider has learned that Universal wants to hire James McAvoy for the lead while Guillermo wants Tom Cruise.

Paula Patton Joins Mission: Impossible 4

Paula Patton (De Ja Vu) has been cast in Mission Impossible: 4 she joins Cruise, Renner and Ving Rhames. MI4 is expected to introduce characters that will continue the franchise when Cruise exits.

Les Grossman Movie Gets Writer

Deadline reports Paramount will be making a Tropic Thunder spin-off focusing on Tom Cruise's Les Grossman and have hired Michael Becall to write the film. Becall recently wrote the screenplay for Scott Pilgrim and also had a cameo in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds. It will be interesting to see if Ben Stiller will return to direct.