Movies
Movies
John Goodman has reportedly joined the cast of Luc Besson's new film 'Valerian and The City of A Thousand Planets'.
According to The Wrap, the 62-year-old actor will be voicing an alien in the upcoming sci-fi flick based on the series of French comics created by writer Pierre Christin and artist Jean-Claude Mézière in 1967 about a time-travelling agent called Valerian and his female sidekick Laureline.
Goodman joins a star-studded cast which currently includes Rihanna, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen, Dane DeHaan and Ethan Hawke.
DeHaan is playing the lead role with Delevingne taking on the part of Laureline; Owen has been confirmed to be playing the character Commander Arün Filitt, while it is not yet known who Hawke and Rihanna will portray.
It is rumoured the movie will contain very few human characters and will instead focus on extraterrestrials and strange worlds.
'Valerian and The City of A Thousand Planets' has a $180 million budget and it is due to start shooting in January with a scheduled July 2017 release date.
Goodman can currently be seen in 'Christmas With The Coopers' - which is out now - and then in in 'Trumbo', which hits cinemas on February 5.
John Goodman to star in Valerian and The City of A Thousand Planets
John Goodman has reportedly joined the cast of Luc Besson's new film 'Valerian and The City of A Thousand Planets'.
According to The Wrap, the 62-year-old actor will be voicing an alien in the upcoming sci-fi flick based on the series of French comics created by writer Pierre Christin and artist Jean-Claude Mézière in 1967 about a time-travelling agent called Valerian and his female sidekick Laureline.
Goodman joins a star-studded cast which currently includes Rihanna, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen, Dane DeHaan and Ethan Hawke.
DeHaan is playing the lead role with Delevingne taking on the part of Laureline; Owen has been confirmed to be playing the character Commander Arün Filitt, while it is not yet known who Hawke and Rihanna will portray.
It is rumoured the movie will contain very few human characters and will instead focus on extraterrestrials and strange worlds.
'Valerian and The City of A Thousand Planets' has a $180 million budget and it is due to start shooting in January with a scheduled July 2017 release date.
Goodman can currently be seen in 'Christmas With The Coopers' - which is out now - and then in in 'Trumbo', which hits cinemas on February 5.
Movies
Mark Hamill dropped roughly 50 pounds for his role in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'.
The 64-year-old actor embarked on a rigorous fitness regime and strict diet to get in shape for his return as Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker in the seventh film in the sci-fi franchise.
The principle of his eating plan was to not dine on any food that "tastes good".
He said: "(I don't want compliments) It implies that I looked so dreadful before!
"Look at what I'm eating now instead of potato chips and bagels, (it's fruit). I'm on the 'if it tastes good, don't eat it' diet."
Hamill also revealed he and his original trilogy cast mates, including Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford, went into a "state of shock" when they heard that Lucasfilm - the production company owned by original 'Star Wars' director George Lucas - was being sold to Disney and 'Star Wars' was coming back.
Hamill didn't believe he'd actually be returning as Luke Skywalker on the big screen for the first time since 1983 and was certain Ford would turn down the offer to reprise his role as Han Solo, hence stopping the comeback of the original main cast.
He told Rolling Stone magazine: "We're all in a great place and we've all done it before. There was a beginning, middle and an end. You have to think about all the aspects, because if you wanna maintain a low-profile, this isn't the best way to do it!
"I said, 'The ace in the hole is, Harrison's not gonna do this. Why would he?' So that's our escape clause. You know, if I'm the only one, I'll look terrible - but if he doesn't do it, I don't have to do it."
Mark Hamill dropped 50lbs for Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Mark Hamill dropped roughly 50 pounds for his role in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'.
The 64-year-old actor embarked on a rigorous fitness regime and strict diet to get in shape for his return as Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker in the seventh film in the sci-fi franchise.
The principle of his eating plan was to not dine on any food that "tastes good".
He said: "(I don't want compliments) It implies that I looked so dreadful before!
"Look at what I'm eating now instead of potato chips and bagels, (it's fruit). I'm on the 'if it tastes good, don't eat it' diet."
Hamill also revealed he and his original trilogy cast mates, including Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford, went into a "state of shock" when they heard that Lucasfilm - the production company owned by original 'Star Wars' director George Lucas - was being sold to Disney and 'Star Wars' was coming back.
Hamill didn't believe he'd actually be returning as Luke Skywalker on the big screen for the first time since 1983 and was certain Ford would turn down the offer to reprise his role as Han Solo, hence stopping the comeback of the original main cast.
He told Rolling Stone magazine: "We're all in a great place and we've all done it before. There was a beginning, middle and an end. You have to think about all the aspects, because if you wanna maintain a low-profile, this isn't the best way to do it!
"I said, 'The ace in the hole is, Harrison's not gonna do this. Why would he?' So that's our escape clause. You know, if I'm the only one, I'll look terrible - but if he doesn't do it, I don't have to do it."
Movies
John Boyega was "literally shaking" when he asked Harrison Ford to sign his Han Solo action figure.
The 23-year-old actor - who plays Finn alongside Harrison in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' - revealed he freaked out and acted like a fanboy when he first met the 73-year-old star.
He revealed: "I went over to Harrison and said, 'Can you sign my doll?' and he was like, 'This is weird, but I'll sign it for you.'"
The British star also admitted he hasn't got round to watching the film yet and is waiting for its forthcoming premieres in America and the UK.
He told CBR: "I have a few plane tickets and, I am going to see some fans.
"I am just going to be a fan. I am not going to do that actor stuff. I'm literally just going to pop up everywhere just to experience this thing on the big scale."
Meanwhile, the 'Indiana Jones' legend revealed recently that he admires the British actor and newcomer Daisy Ridley, who swayed him to return to the franchise.
Previously asked what brought him back, Harrison said: "I think it mostly lay in the telling of the stories of his relationships with other characters in the story.
"And the part he plays in the progression of the story, mostly through his relationships with the new young actors - Daisy Ridley and John Boyega principally in this new story."
John Boyega was ‘literally shaking’ when he first met Harrison Ford
John Boyega was "literally shaking" when he asked Harrison Ford to sign his Han Solo action figure.
The 23-year-old actor - who plays Finn alongside Harrison in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' - revealed he freaked out and acted like a fanboy when he first met the 73-year-old star.
He revealed: "I went over to Harrison and said, 'Can you sign my doll?' and he was like, 'This is weird, but I'll sign it for you.'"
The British star also admitted he hasn't got round to watching the film yet and is waiting for its forthcoming premieres in America and the UK.
He told CBR: "I have a few plane tickets and, I am going to see some fans.
"I am just going to be a fan. I am not going to do that actor stuff. I'm literally just going to pop up everywhere just to experience this thing on the big scale."
Meanwhile, the 'Indiana Jones' legend revealed recently that he admires the British actor and newcomer Daisy Ridley, who swayed him to return to the franchise.
Previously asked what brought him back, Harrison said: "I think it mostly lay in the telling of the stories of his relationships with other characters in the story.
"And the part he plays in the progression of the story, mostly through his relationships with the new young actors - Daisy Ridley and John Boyega principally in this new story."
Movies
Quentin Tarantino says there's a "possibility" he'll make a third 'Kill Bill' movie.
The acclaimed director has revealed he'd be keen to reunite with actress Uma Thurman to make another martial arts movie in the series, although no firm plans are in place at this stage.
Asked whether he'd want to make another 'Kill Bill' movie', the 52-year-old filmmaker told What The Flick: "There is definitely a possibility, [I'll] stop short of saying a probability.
"For one reason in particular: Uma and me would have a really good time working together again."
This comes shortly after Samuel L. Jackson revealed he had to convince Tarantino to make his new movie 'The Hateful Eight'.
The Hollywood star suggested the movie would never have been made if it wasn't for his intervention.
Asked if the rumours about his input in the film were true, Samuel said: "Totally. I mean, there was no way we could read the script and sit there and not make the movie.
"I guess selfishly I look at it and said, 'S**t, this is the biggest part you've ever written for me and now you ain't going to make the movie?' And he's like, 'Ah don't worry, I'll just write another one.'
"And I'm, 'No motherf**er - this one, this is great, this is awesome.'
The response of the audience as we read it was just incredible. Quentin was reading the stage directions and having a great old time, the audience applauding and cheering and seeing it in their heads in the same way we saw it and we felt."
Quentin Tarantino is open to making another Kill Bill movie
Quentin Tarantino says there's a "possibility" he'll make a third 'Kill Bill' movie.
The acclaimed director has revealed he'd be keen to reunite with actress Uma Thurman to make another martial arts movie in the series, although no firm plans are in place at this stage.
Asked whether he'd want to make another 'Kill Bill' movie', the 52-year-old filmmaker told What The Flick: "There is definitely a possibility, [I'll] stop short of saying a probability.
"For one reason in particular: Uma and me would have a really good time working together again."
This comes shortly after Samuel L. Jackson revealed he had to convince Tarantino to make his new movie 'The Hateful Eight'.
The Hollywood star suggested the movie would never have been made if it wasn't for his intervention.
Asked if the rumours about his input in the film were true, Samuel said: "Totally. I mean, there was no way we could read the script and sit there and not make the movie.
"I guess selfishly I look at it and said, 'S**t, this is the biggest part you've ever written for me and now you ain't going to make the movie?' And he's like, 'Ah don't worry, I'll just write another one.'
"And I'm, 'No motherf**er - this one, this is great, this is awesome.'
The response of the audience as we read it was just incredible. Quentin was reading the stage directions and having a great old time, the audience applauding and cheering and seeing it in their heads in the same way we saw it and we felt."
Movies
'Captain America: Civil War' has a "more serious tone" than earlier Marvel movies.
The much-anticipated blockbuster, starring Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr, is set to be the studio's most serious movie to date and will see some of the franchise's most iconic characters go head to head.
Director Anthony Russo explained: "The film definitely has a more serious tone I think than any other Marvel [Studios] movie yet. And that's kind of natural to the process because you're really gonna turn these heroes, who have been friends and partners, against one another.
"And if we're gonna have them fight for a whole movie to the end, there has to be a serious issue because these are smart people, they're likable people; they're not villains, they're good guys. And so you have to think very hard about a very complex situation that's gonna put them in conflict with one another for an entire movie."
The director also said those characters who do not appear in the 'Avengers' franchise will be responsible for providing the humour.
He told Screen Rant: "At the same time, not all the characters in the movie have the same investment in the conflict. There are certain characters that come into the story a little later who don't have the same baggage that the 'Avengers' have in terms of what's going on in the film.
"So they don't have as much darkness to deal with in the film, so they can be a little lighter and more fun. I think the movie has a healthy balance between very serious, interesting and very surprising storytelling, and sort of light, fun wits and humour ... characters like Spider-Man and Ant-Man enter the story a little later."
Captain America: Civil War ‘is Marvel’s most serious movie’
'Captain America: Civil War' has a "more serious tone" than earlier Marvel movies.
The much-anticipated blockbuster, starring Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr, is set to be the studio's most serious movie to date and will see some of the franchise's most iconic characters go head to head.
Director Anthony Russo explained: "The film definitely has a more serious tone I think than any other Marvel [Studios] movie yet. And that's kind of natural to the process because you're really gonna turn these heroes, who have been friends and partners, against one another.
"And if we're gonna have them fight for a whole movie to the end, there has to be a serious issue because these are smart people, they're likable people; they're not villains, they're good guys. And so you have to think very hard about a very complex situation that's gonna put them in conflict with one another for an entire movie."
The director also said those characters who do not appear in the 'Avengers' franchise will be responsible for providing the humour.
He told Screen Rant: "At the same time, not all the characters in the movie have the same investment in the conflict. There are certain characters that come into the story a little later who don't have the same baggage that the 'Avengers' have in terms of what's going on in the film.
"So they don't have as much darkness to deal with in the film, so they can be a little lighter and more fun. I think the movie has a healthy balance between very serious, interesting and very surprising storytelling, and sort of light, fun wits and humour ... characters like Spider-Man and Ant-Man enter the story a little later."
Movies
Justin Theroux has defended Benedict Cumberbatch's character in 'Zoolander 2'.
In a recently released trailer of the much-anticipated comedy movie, the British actor is seen in the role of an androgynous character, prompting some moviegoers to threaten to boycott the film amid claims the portrayal is offensive.
Reflecting on the row, Justin said: "I don't even know what to make of it, because it hurts my feelings in a way.
"I take great care in the jokes I write, and the umbrage being taken is out of the context of the scene. I wish people would see the movie first."
What's more, Justin drew a parallel between the current situation and that surrounding 'Tropic Thunder' in 2008, when Robert Downey Jr was criticised for using the word "retard".
Justin recalled: "Satire is a thing that points out the idiots, and we went through it on 'Tropic Thunder' with the 'R' word."
He said too, that there was never any intention to offend anyone and instead argued people are "looking for places to inject their voice".
He told TheWrap: "The goal was not to mock or be cruel to the mentally challenged, but exalt in the stupidity of people who use that word. I'm all for letting words be ugly when the target is correct.
"With social media and all the rest of it, people's issues need to be heard ... at the end of the day people are looking for bandwidth. People are looking for places to inject their voice. But our target is not, and never was, to disenfranchise anyone."
Justin Theroux defends Benedict Cumberbatch’s Zoolander character
Justin Theroux has defended Benedict Cumberbatch's character in 'Zoolander 2'.
In a recently released trailer of the much-anticipated comedy movie, the British actor is seen in the role of an androgynous character, prompting some moviegoers to threaten to boycott the film amid claims the portrayal is offensive.
Reflecting on the row, Justin said: "I don't even know what to make of it, because it hurts my feelings in a way.
"I take great care in the jokes I write, and the umbrage being taken is out of the context of the scene. I wish people would see the movie first."
What's more, Justin drew a parallel between the current situation and that surrounding 'Tropic Thunder' in 2008, when Robert Downey Jr was criticised for using the word "retard".
Justin recalled: "Satire is a thing that points out the idiots, and we went through it on 'Tropic Thunder' with the 'R' word."
He said too, that there was never any intention to offend anyone and instead argued people are "looking for places to inject their voice".
He told TheWrap: "The goal was not to mock or be cruel to the mentally challenged, but exalt in the stupidity of people who use that word. I'm all for letting words be ugly when the target is correct.
"With social media and all the rest of it, people's issues need to be heard ... at the end of the day people are looking for bandwidth. People are looking for places to inject their voice. But our target is not, and never was, to disenfranchise anyone."
Movies
A doll of Hollywood filmmaker Ava DuVernay sold out within minutes of going on sale.
The 'Selma' director was chosen in April by Mattel as one of six inspirational women in the entertainment industry to create a one-of-a-kind doll of, and after going on sale early yesterday morning (07.12.15), the striking-looking figure was gone from shop shelves within minutes.
The 43-year-old filmmaker - who confirmed all proceeds would be donated to Witness and Color of Change charities - wrote on Twitter: "Sold out on Barbie collection, I'm told. More available at Amazon. What the hell is going on?"
Earlier this year, meanwhile, Ava admitted she did not expect to receive a Best Director Oscar nomination for her work on 'Selma', despite the movie being a critical success.
She asked: "There has been no precedent for a black woman to be nominated for best director, so why was it going to change with me?"
However, she felt "hurt" that David Oyelowo had not been nominated for an Oscar following his portrayal of civil rights leader Martin Luther King.
Ava said: "I was hurt by the fact that David wasn't nominated because I know what it took to get that performance."
Ava DuVernay doll sells out within minutes of going on sale
A doll of Hollywood filmmaker Ava DuVernay sold out within minutes of going on sale.
The 'Selma' director was chosen in April by Mattel as one of six inspirational women in the entertainment industry to create a one-of-a-kind doll of, and after going on sale early yesterday morning (07.12.15), the striking-looking figure was gone from shop shelves within minutes.
The 43-year-old filmmaker - who confirmed all proceeds would be donated to Witness and Color of Change charities - wrote on Twitter: "Sold out on Barbie collection, I'm told. More available at Amazon. What the hell is going on?"
Earlier this year, meanwhile, Ava admitted she did not expect to receive a Best Director Oscar nomination for her work on 'Selma', despite the movie being a critical success.
She asked: "There has been no precedent for a black woman to be nominated for best director, so why was it going to change with me?"
However, she felt "hurt" that David Oyelowo had not been nominated for an Oscar following his portrayal of civil rights leader Martin Luther King.
Ava said: "I was hurt by the fact that David wasn't nominated because I know what it took to get that performance."
Movies
Harrison Ford returned to 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' so he could work with filmmaker J.J. Abrams.
The 73-year-old actor - who is close pals with the movie's director - jumped at the chance to star in a film led by the sci-fi buff, 49, and was also swayed by his character Han Solo's relationship with new young stars Daisy Ridley, 23, who plays Rey and John Boyega, also 23, who portrays Finn.
Asked what brought him back, he said: "I think it mostly lay in the telling of the stories of his relationships with other characters in the story. And the part he plays in the progression of the story, mostly through his relationships with the new young actors - Daisy Ridley and John Boyega principally in this new story.
"And it had to do with the opportunity to work with my friend J.J. Abrams, whose work I have admired for a long time."
Elsewhere, the 'Indiana Jones' legend - who hasn't played Han Solo in more than three decades - said he didn't rely on "nostalgia" for his part in the forthcoming flick.
He told BBC News: " I don't think nostalgia is very useful to me. There is a story to be told, there's behaviour to create or to bring to the screen that will help tell that story, and nostalgia is just not really a big part of my emotional package anyway."
Harrison Ford: I admire J.J. Abrams
Harrison Ford returned to 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' so he could work with filmmaker J.J. Abrams.
The 73-year-old actor - who is close pals with the movie's director - jumped at the chance to star in a film led by the sci-fi buff, 49, and was also swayed by his character Han Solo's relationship with new young stars Daisy Ridley, 23, who plays Rey and John Boyega, also 23, who portrays Finn.
Asked what brought him back, he said: "I think it mostly lay in the telling of the stories of his relationships with other characters in the story. And the part he plays in the progression of the story, mostly through his relationships with the new young actors - Daisy Ridley and John Boyega principally in this new story.
"And it had to do with the opportunity to work with my friend J.J. Abrams, whose work I have admired for a long time."
Elsewhere, the 'Indiana Jones' legend - who hasn't played Han Solo in more than three decades - said he didn't rely on "nostalgia" for his part in the forthcoming flick.
He told BBC News: " I don't think nostalgia is very useful to me. There is a story to be told, there's behaviour to create or to bring to the screen that will help tell that story, and nostalgia is just not really a big part of my emotional package anyway."
Movies
Ezra Miller will make a brief appearance in 'Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice' as The Flash.
The 23-year-old actor will portray the superhero - who is also known as Barry Allen and is the fastest man alive - in the forthcoming 'Justice League' movie, but it has now been confirmed fans will catch a "glimpse" of him before that project hits the big screen in 2017.
Costume designer Michael Wilkinson - who has worked on 'Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice' and will work on 'Justice League' - let the news slip in an interview with Omelette, where he confirmed: "I'm not really at the liberty to talk about The Flash right now, but it's something that you'll be seeing in the future in our films. You do get a glimpse of him, of course, in 'Batman v Superman'.
"But I'm really looking forward to taking the amazing, iconic costume for The Flash and interpreting it in a fresh way where Ezra Miller is playing The Flash."
The 'American Hustle' stylist has tipped Ezra - who recently starred alongside comedienne Amy Schumer in 'The Trainwreck' - to be "great" for the role because he will add "youth and humour".
He added: "He's an extraordinary performer, he has a sort of interesting sense of humour and the youth that will be great for Barry Allen and I think he's going to make a great Flash."
'Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice' - which is directed by Zack Snyder - also stars Henry Cavill as Superman, Ben Affleck as Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, and Amy Adams as Lois Lane.
It is scheduled for release in March 2016.
Ezra Miller’s Flash to cameo in Batman V Superman
Ezra Miller will make a brief appearance in 'Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice' as The Flash.
The 23-year-old actor will portray the superhero - who is also known as Barry Allen and is the fastest man alive - in the forthcoming 'Justice League' movie, but it has now been confirmed fans will catch a "glimpse" of him before that project hits the big screen in 2017.
Costume designer Michael Wilkinson - who has worked on 'Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice' and will work on 'Justice League' - let the news slip in an interview with Omelette, where he confirmed: "I'm not really at the liberty to talk about The Flash right now, but it's something that you'll be seeing in the future in our films. You do get a glimpse of him, of course, in 'Batman v Superman'.
"But I'm really looking forward to taking the amazing, iconic costume for The Flash and interpreting it in a fresh way where Ezra Miller is playing The Flash."
The 'American Hustle' stylist has tipped Ezra - who recently starred alongside comedienne Amy Schumer in 'The Trainwreck' - to be "great" for the role because he will add "youth and humour".
He added: "He's an extraordinary performer, he has a sort of interesting sense of humour and the youth that will be great for Barry Allen and I think he's going to make a great Flash."
'Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice' - which is directed by Zack Snyder - also stars Henry Cavill as Superman, Ben Affleck as Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, and Amy Adams as Lois Lane.
It is scheduled for release in March 2016.