Category: Cameo

Steve Coogan to Star In BOSWELL FOR THE DEFENCE

steve coogan

Highland Film Group announced today at the Toronto film festival that Academy-nominated, BAFTA Award-winning actor Steve Coogan (“Philomena”, “The Trip”) has signed on to play the title role of James Boswell in a feature film adaptation of acclaimed West End play, BOSWELL FOR THE DEFENCE.

Gregor Jordan (“Buffalo Soldiers”, “Ned Kelly”) will direct from a script by Patrick Edgeworth, who also wrote the play. Mark Pennell and Steve Chasman will produce. Armyan Bernstein (Beacon Pictures) will executive produce. The project is represented by Highland Film Group Internationally.

Production is set for 2015.

BOSWELL FOR THE DEFENCE tells the true story of how James Boswell (Coogan), in the twilight of his career and life, takes on an impossible case – to save the life of the convict Mary Bryant from the gallows. A case no one else wants or cares about. The tragi-comic Boswell is the most unlikely hero from the most unlikely quarter. But he manages to find his past brilliance long enough to save the day.

Commenting on the casting, producers Mark Pennell and Steve Chasman said: “Whether it be ‘Lincoln’ or ‘Thatcher’, bringing a historical figure to life is always a challenge, but Steve’s (Coogan) extraordinary ability to blend humour and pathos make him the perfect artist to bring such a complex character like Boswell to the screen. We are excited to see him make this role his own.”

Coogan is repped by CAA and Independent Talent Group.

Highland Film Group is also releasing the Brett Ratner produced teen-action comedy BARELY LETHAL starring Hailee Steinfeld, Samuel L. Jackson and Jessica Alba; JACKIE & RYAN starring Katherine Heigl and Ben Barnes which premiered at the 2014 Venice International Film Festival; and THE TRUST starring Nicolas Cage and Jack Huston.

THOR to Feature Hawkeye Cameo

According to a report posted on thewrap.com, the May 6 release of the Kenneth Branagh directed THOR will feature a cameo  appearance by the Marvel superhero and Avengers co-member Hawkeye. Last summer at Comic Con it was announced that the 2012 Avengers film to be directed by Joss Whedon would include the master archer to be played by THE HURT LOCKER’s Jeremy Renner. In the articles, a source who had seen an early cut of THOR confirmed that Hawkeye is in the film, despite earlier quotes from Renner denying the character’s involvement. It’s speculated that he will introduced in a “tag” scene following the end credits as Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury was at the end of the first IRON MAN film in 2008. It was confirmed that Fury will not be in THOR, while S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Coulson played by Clark Gregg will be featured.

The Hawkeye character has been a part of the Marvel comics universe since the early 1960’s. Introduced in Tales of Suspense #57, Clint Barton was an orphan taken in by a traveling carnival and trained in the art of archery. Inspired by the exploits of Iron Man, he fashioned a blue and purple uniform and adapted the name Hawkeye. After stopping a jewelery store heist, the police mistakenly believe him to be part of the robbery gang. After being saved from capture by Natasha Romanova (AKA The Black Widow, then a Russian “Mata Hari” undercover agent), the smitten Barton aids her in battle against Iron Man. Later Clint clears his name and in The Avengers #16 he becomes part of the super team along with former X-Men villains Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch lead by Captain America. The hot-headed marksman finds a home with the team and in The Avengers #63 temporarily loses his bow and arrows to take one of Dr. Henry Pym’s growth formulas to become the towering hero Goliath for the next 34 issues. Returning to his Hawkeye identity, he later becomes the leader of the West Coast Avengers team and the Thunderbolts. Most recently he was thought to be dead twice(Marvel heroes don’t stay deceased too long), became romantically involved with the super heroine Mockingbird, assumed the persona of Ronin, and temporarily took up the shield of the dead(?) Captain America. That’s a pretty lengthy career for a character dismissed at first as a knock-off of DC Comics’ Green Arrow.

The bowman has also been part of the many Marvel animated shows for TV dating back to the syndicated Marvel Superheroes cartoons in 1966. Most recently Hawkeye as been part of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes airing on the Disney XD channel.In this incarnation Clint is a full fledged S.H.I.E.L.D. agent until being framed by his partner, The Black Widow. After clearing his name, Hawkeye decides to join the Avengers rather than return to the agency(much to the Hulk’s chagrin).

THOR is a Paramount Pictures release scheduled to open on May 6, 2011. THE AVENGERS is a Walt Disney Pictures release slated to open May 4, 2012.

Robert Downey’s Golden Globes Facial Hair Could Reveal Much

I knew there was a reason I tuned into the Golden Globes Sunday night.  It’s not so I could see who was wearing who or witness James Cameron unceremoniously beat ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow for Best Director.  It was to see Robert Downey Jr, his awesome acceptance speech, and his facial hair.  If you look closely, it resembles that of Tony Stark.  Some of you might not find this so odd, seeing as how Downey plays Stark in the IRON MAN movies, but the question has been raised as to why he was still sporting this look.

Principal photography wrapped back in July, and Jon Favreau announced via his Twitter feed they were “‘locking reels’ today.”  So it more than likely doesn’t mean they are going back for touch-up shots.  Sure, Downey played the most method of actors in TROPIC THUNDER, but surely he isn’t wearing the Stark goatee for publicity on the film.

Really, the only reason Robert Downey Jr. would be wearing this facial hair now is if he is planning to shoot scenes for other pre-AVENGERS films that are currently in development.  At this stage of the game, the most likely one is THOR, which is set to begin shooting in the next week or two.  This isn’t that big of a surprise, either, when you consider how tightly wound Marvel Studios is keeping these movies leading up to THE AVENGERS.  Expect more and more cameos to pop up in films like THOR, CAPTAIN AMERICA, and even this May’s IRON MAN 2.

As indicated, this is strictly conjecture on my part based on Downey’s facial hair.  For all I know, he really likes the look and wanted to keep it.  It does make you wonder, though.

Anvil Set to Explode in GREEN HORNET

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The Canadian metal band, Anvil, has been waiting decades to explode, and, thanks to Michel Gondry and THE GREEN HORNET, they’ll get their chance to do just that.  An article in the LA Times about the documentary about the band, ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL, also makes mention the band has filmed a cameo for the Seth Rogen-starring superhero movie.  There is no mention who the band will be playing specifically, whether it be themselves or a made-up band for the film.  What the article does say, however, is that the band will (literally) explode during their cameo at a rock club.  Nothing like dying doing what you love, right?

While this news of Anvil’s cameo in THE GREEN HORNET was brought up as an aside in the article, the main focus is the fact that ANVIL! has become the first screener sent out to Academy Awards voters.  The film is available on DVD, and is deserving of any Oscar recommendations it can get.  It truly is a real life version of THIS IS SPINAL TAP.  You can check out Tom’s review of it right here, and you can order the DVD right here.

THE GREEN HORNET is set for release on December 22nd, 2010.

Patrick Swayze Would Have Been a Zombie

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Patrick Swayze, who sadly passed away late, last week, was going to cameo in ‘Zombieland’…as a zombie.  This bit of news on the film comes from screenwriter Rhett Reese, who sat down recently with Shock Till You Drop.  The initial plan was to have a large star pop up in a cameo as one of the undead, and their first choice was Swayze.

Explains Reese about the role:

That was many years ago, before he got sick.  It was [going to be] a Patrick Swayze zombie. They got attacked by him zombified and we had these wonderful moments where they found a potter’s wheel and there’s Columbus on the wheel and these other hands come up behind him and it’s Patrick Swayze the zombie. Ultimately, they fight and Patrick bull rushes Tallahassee who grabs him and lifts him into the air, a la Jennifer Grey, and smashes him into a pillar.

Sadly, Swayze had to step away from the role due to his declining health, and the people behind ‘Zombieland’ went to work to find another star to fill the role.  Among the actors who were groomed but didn’t work out were Sylvester Stallone, Joe Pesci, Mark Hammill, The Rock, Kevin Bacon, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Matthew McConaughey.  A choice was finally made, and the part still remains, but we’ll have to wait until the film releases on October 2nd to find out who took the part.

Charlie Sheen Cameo Confirmed for ‘Wall Street 2’

charlie sheen wall street

Bud Fox will be returning to the world of ‘Wall Street.’   Charlie Sheen will be returning to movie theaters.   It’s only a cameo, but Oliver Stone revealed in an interview with The New York Times, that Sheen will be reprising his role for ‘Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps.’

Sheen is making a cameo in a cast that includes the returning Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin, Frank Langella, and Susan Sarandon.

Filming begins this week in New York City.   The film is slated for release on April 23rd, 2010.

‘H2’ just got even more “Weird”

weirdalcameo

Not that the news from the set of ‘H2’ could get any more strange, this is coming from left field. Apparently Weird Al Yankovic will have a cameo in the movie as a guest on a talk show that is on before Dr Loomis who is on promoting his book.

I really dont know about this..at all. I want to be behind everything Zombie does, but I am starting to question some of the stuff i am seeing and hearing about it. What do you guys think about this cameo?

Jackson & Marvel bury the hatchet; Nick Fury appearing in ‘Iron Man 2’

ultimatenickfury

Samuel L. Jackson and Marvel have come to agreement regarding the actor reprising his role in ‘Iron Man 2’. Â  Nick Fury will be in the film!

Jackson’s deal is a long-term commitment to play Fury, the leader of the espionage unit the Shield. His deal contains an option to play the character in nine future Marvel superhero films, efforts that are expected to include ‘Captain America,’ ‘Thor,’ ‘The Avengers’ and ‘The Shield’ as well as potential sequels.

Funny how this news comes just days after Marvel, a publicly traded company, announced record results in their fourth quarter of 2008. Â  It’s kind of hard to tell interested talent that you can’t pay them their salary if you have a movie (‘Iron Man’) that made $582 million worldwide. Â  Marvel reported net sales of $224.3 million and net income of $63.0 million, compared to $109.3 million and a net income of $27.6 million for Q4 2007.

Now, hopefully, we’re mere hours away from announcing Mickey Rourke has signed back on.

Hope, hope!

Source: Variety

Linda Hamilton in Negotations for ‘Terminator: Salvation’

linda-hamilton-terminator

I don’t know what is more shocking/amazing about this bit of news, the fact that Linda Hamilton is talking about reprising her Sarah Connor role in the ‘Terminator’ series or the fact that ‘Terminator: Salvation’ is still casting people.   Regardless, the woman who made Sarah Connor such a badass is in negotiations to return.   In an interview with MTV, she revealed as such.

“We are talking,† Hamilton told MTV. “I haven’t read it yet. I don’t know what direction they will go in.†

She does know, however, what he part will be in the film.

“My contribution would be voiceover,† she said. “I would probably be very happy to loan my voice depending on what the material is. Wait and see. They’re already writing it. We’ve been negotiating it.†

In the interview, Hamilton also talked about hers as well as James Cameron involvement (or lack, thereof) in ‘Terminator 3’.

“They offered me a part,† she said. “I read it and I knew my character arc was so complete in the first two, and in the third one it was a negligible character. She died halfway through and there was no time to mourn her. It was kind of disposable, so I said no thank you.†

“I think [director] Jim [Cameron] was pretty clearly not going to be involved with the third one,† she continued. “His partner had sold the rights to the third one. Then they came back to Jim, but it was so far along after the fact that he’d moved on. And I wouldn’t be involved with it if it weren’t Jim Cameron. The third one was all right but it just didn’t have the heat and excitement that Jim can bring.†

So, what do you think?   Happy Linda Hamilton will be returning to the ‘Terminator’ franchise?   Wish she had some kind of bigger part than just doing a voiceover?   Could Linda Hamilton kick Lena Heady’s ass?   Let us know by commenting below!

Source: MTV

‘Underworld: Rise of the Lycans’ Not Completely Beckinsale-free

According to Shock Till You Drop, ‘Underworld: Rise of the Lycans’ will actually have an appearance by Kate Beckinsale. Â  In a way. Â  After previewing a number of scenes from the new film, one crew member revealed to them that the film would begin and end with Selene, Beckinsale’s “Death Dealer”.

However, before you get your hopes up too much, this will not be new footage. Â  Instead, they are incorporating footage from the original, 2003 ‘Underworld’ into the film to bookend the story.

What do you think? Â  Are you excited to see the third installment of this franchise? Â  Are you glad they are, at least, making an attempt at keeping some continuity between the films? Â  Let us know by commenting below!

Source: Shock Till You Drop