Movies
Movies
America Ferrera cries every time she watches 'The Lion King'.
The 'Ugly Betty' star has confessed she is a big fan of classic children's movies and admits she was so moved by the story of Simba the lion cub searching for his identity after his father Mufasa is killed that she's brought to tears every time she watches it.
She said: "I grew up loving 'The Lion King'. I'll never forget when Mufasa dies in the film. I remember watching it ten times and crying every time and thinking, 'No! How could they do that?' It felt very real."
The 30-year-old actress - who is currently starring in animated film 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' alongside Gerard Butler and Cate Blanchett - also revealed that she found herself connecting more to male characters when she was younger as she didn't relate to traditional female roles.
She explained: "What's interesting is that, as a girl, a lot of the characters I related to were the male characters because they were doing what I wanted to be doing.
"They were having the adventures. I didn't watch Lion King and think and, 'Yes, I want to be Nala' [Simba's female friend]. I thought, I'm Simba!"
Ferrera also spoke about her love of acting and claimed she knew she wanted to become an actress when she was just eight-years-old.
The brunette beauty added: "My mother let me do it and I think she always imagined it was just a hobby or a phase and that eventually I would become a lawyer."
'How to Drain Your Dragon 2' is set for UK release on July 10 2014.
America Ferrera always cries during The Lion King
America Ferrera cries every time she watches 'The Lion King'.
The 'Ugly Betty' star has confessed she is a big fan of classic children's movies and admits she was so moved by the story of Simba the lion cub searching for his identity after his father Mufasa is killed that she's brought to tears every time she watches it.
She said: "I grew up loving 'The Lion King'. I'll never forget when Mufasa dies in the film. I remember watching it ten times and crying every time and thinking, 'No! How could they do that?' It felt very real."
The 30-year-old actress - who is currently starring in animated film 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' alongside Gerard Butler and Cate Blanchett - also revealed that she found herself connecting more to male characters when she was younger as she didn't relate to traditional female roles.
She explained: "What's interesting is that, as a girl, a lot of the characters I related to were the male characters because they were doing what I wanted to be doing.
"They were having the adventures. I didn't watch Lion King and think and, 'Yes, I want to be Nala' [Simba's female friend]. I thought, I'm Simba!"
Ferrera also spoke about her love of acting and claimed she knew she wanted to become an actress when she was just eight-years-old.
The brunette beauty added: "My mother let me do it and I think she always imagined it was just a hobby or a phase and that eventually I would become a lawyer."
'How to Drain Your Dragon 2' is set for UK release on July 10 2014.
Movies
Emma Watson is learning horseback riding for 'The Queen of the Tearling'.
The 24-year-old actress has been cast as heroine Kelsea Glynn in the upcoming film adaptation of Erika Johansen's action novel and it's now been revealed she's being fully trained to do all of her own stunts in the fantasy movie.
As well as the 'Harry Potter' star learning how to saddle up, she will receive several weeks of combat training, knife work and swordsmanship.
She will also be trained in snaring rabbits and climbing trees, according to the Daily Mail newspaper.
The film will establish Emma as fearless Kelsea, who is removed from her home aged 19 to take her place as ruler of a fictional post-utopian country with dark secrets.
Much like 'The Hunger Games' actress Jennifer Lawrence, Watson will be stripped of make-up and transformed into a more realistic, athletic heroine.
One of her co-stars told the paper: "With Emma, it's hard to be that plain, but she'll be playing someone who has a physicality."
The screenplay is being penned by 'The Revenant' writer Mark L. Smith and David Heyman is set to act as producer while a director has yet to be chosen.
Warner Bros. are said to have snapped up the rights to the 'Tearling' trilogy in a bid to turn it into the next must-see young adult fantasy franchise.
Emma Watson mastering riding for Queen of the Tearling
Emma Watson is learning horseback riding for 'The Queen of the Tearling'.
The 24-year-old actress has been cast as heroine Kelsea Glynn in the upcoming film adaptation of Erika Johansen's action novel and it's now been revealed she's being fully trained to do all of her own stunts in the fantasy movie.
As well as the 'Harry Potter' star learning how to saddle up, she will receive several weeks of combat training, knife work and swordsmanship.
She will also be trained in snaring rabbits and climbing trees, according to the Daily Mail newspaper.
The film will establish Emma as fearless Kelsea, who is removed from her home aged 19 to take her place as ruler of a fictional post-utopian country with dark secrets.
Much like 'The Hunger Games' actress Jennifer Lawrence, Watson will be stripped of make-up and transformed into a more realistic, athletic heroine.
One of her co-stars told the paper: "With Emma, it's hard to be that plain, but she'll be playing someone who has a physicality."
The screenplay is being penned by 'The Revenant' writer Mark L. Smith and David Heyman is set to act as producer while a director has yet to be chosen.
Warner Bros. are said to have snapped up the rights to the 'Tearling' trilogy in a bid to turn it into the next must-see young adult fantasy franchise.
Movies
J.J Abrams was so 'blown away' by Andy Serkis' performance in 'Dawn Of The Plant Of The Apes' that he cast him in 'Star Wars: Episode VII".
The 48-year-old producer was shown footage of the film - which is due out next week - by its director Matt Reeves and was so impressed with Andy, 50, that he cast him in the latest instalment of the franchise.
According to Slash Film, Reeves said: "I showed him a bit of the movie. I wanted to get some feedback. And I know that he had known and really loved Andy Serkis.
"And the thing that struck me, and actually got me so excited, was the mystery behind how great he is, is that he's great. That he's an amazing actor. And the scenes that I showed [Abrams] were of Andy just in mo-cap. And he was like, 'Oh my God, he's an incredible actor.' He was so blown away."
Reeves, 48, describes viewing the footage as a "revelation" for Abrams, 48, and believes it went someway to Serkis being cast in the sci-fi franchise.
He explained: "They had known each other a bit before, anyway, but I think when he saw it, it was like a real revelation.
"He said to me, 'That looks - I'm not kidding when I tell you I think that's one of the best performances I've ever seen.' I said, 'I know, isn't he amazing?' He's so good."
'Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes' opens on 17 July 2014 while 'Star Wars: Episode VII' is due out in December 2015.
J.J Abrams was ‘blown away’ by Andy Serkis
J.J Abrams was so 'blown away' by Andy Serkis' performance in 'Dawn Of The Plant Of The Apes' that he cast him in 'Star Wars: Episode VII".
The 48-year-old producer was shown footage of the film - which is due out next week - by its director Matt Reeves and was so impressed with Andy, 50, that he cast him in the latest instalment of the franchise.
According to Slash Film, Reeves said: "I showed him a bit of the movie. I wanted to get some feedback. And I know that he had known and really loved Andy Serkis.
"And the thing that struck me, and actually got me so excited, was the mystery behind how great he is, is that he's great. That he's an amazing actor. And the scenes that I showed [Abrams] were of Andy just in mo-cap. And he was like, 'Oh my God, he's an incredible actor.' He was so blown away."
Reeves, 48, describes viewing the footage as a "revelation" for Abrams, 48, and believes it went someway to Serkis being cast in the sci-fi franchise.
He explained: "They had known each other a bit before, anyway, but I think when he saw it, it was like a real revelation.
"He said to me, 'That looks - I'm not kidding when I tell you I think that's one of the best performances I've ever seen.' I said, 'I know, isn't he amazing?' He's so good."
'Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes' opens on 17 July 2014 while 'Star Wars: Episode VII' is due out in December 2015.
Movies
The 'Harry Potter' set used to smell of rotting food, Warwick Davis has recalled.
The 44-year-old actor - who played both Professor Flitwick and goblin bank teller Griphook in the fantasy franchise - has revealed that food used in the sumptuous banquet scenes in the Great Hall at Hogwarts wizarding school was often left out for days, leading to an unpleasant stench.
He told BANG Showbiz: "A lot of great feasts happened in there. You may film them for three or four days and the first day you step in there, they serve you a plate of food with lots of meats, vegetables and roast potatoes and you can eat the food. The next day, they go, 'Don't eat the food' ... you just pretend now, it's been there all night. The fourth day, you could smell the Great Hall before you got in it. The food was the same food and it had quite an amazing smell."
Davis also cast his mind back to the very first film in the franchise, 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone', and admitted he was in awe of his co-stars when he filmed his first scene in the famous Great Hall.
He said: "Many events have happened in the Great Hall. I remember my first day filming in there; I was at the head table with the other tutors of Hogwarts. I looked to my left and there was Maggie Smith, and Richard Harris, and Alan Rickman, and Robbie Coltrane. And I kept thinking, 'Surely I'm not worthy of sitting up here with these great, gifted actors.' It was an absolute joy."
The 'Harry Potter' movies continue to cast a magical spell with the opening of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter, which allows fans to visit the films' set in Leavesden, just outside of London.
Now for the first time Potter fanatics can watch all eight films in the very place they were made between July 7 and August 26. To book tickets and for more information visit www.wbstudiotour.co.uk.
Warwick Davis: Harry Potter set smelled
The 'Harry Potter' set used to smell of rotting food, Warwick Davis has recalled.
The 44-year-old actor - who played both Professor Flitwick and goblin bank teller Griphook in the fantasy franchise - has revealed that food used in the sumptuous banquet scenes in the Great Hall at Hogwarts wizarding school was often left out for days, leading to an unpleasant stench.
He told BANG Showbiz: "A lot of great feasts happened in there. You may film them for three or four days and the first day you step in there, they serve you a plate of food with lots of meats, vegetables and roast potatoes and you can eat the food. The next day, they go, 'Don't eat the food' ... you just pretend now, it's been there all night. The fourth day, you could smell the Great Hall before you got in it. The food was the same food and it had quite an amazing smell."
Davis also cast his mind back to the very first film in the franchise, 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone', and admitted he was in awe of his co-stars when he filmed his first scene in the famous Great Hall.
He said: "Many events have happened in the Great Hall. I remember my first day filming in there; I was at the head table with the other tutors of Hogwarts. I looked to my left and there was Maggie Smith, and Richard Harris, and Alan Rickman, and Robbie Coltrane. And I kept thinking, 'Surely I'm not worthy of sitting up here with these great, gifted actors.' It was an absolute joy."
The 'Harry Potter' movies continue to cast a magical spell with the opening of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter, which allows fans to visit the films' set in Leavesden, just outside of London.
Now for the first time Potter fanatics can watch all eight films in the very place they were made between July 7 and August 26. To book tickets and for more information visit www.wbstudiotour.co.uk.
Movies
Vin Diesel's family "loved" 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.
The 46-year-old actor provides the voice for the character Groot in the upcoming sci-fi adventure and he's revealed it's the first film in which he's starred that he's been able to take his children - six-year-old Hania Riley and four-year-old Vincent - to see.
The 'Riddick' star posted an image of the movie's poster on his Facebook page alongside a caption praising the director and production team for making it family-friendly.
Diesel wrote: "Today, I was invited by Disney and Marvel to see the latest cut of the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and I was able to take the angels. WOW!!!!!
"To Marvel, Disney, the incredible cast and team and especially James Gunn... Thank you for making a GREAT MOVIE! It was amazing and will always be special, for it was the first film I was able to take my family to see... they love it."
The 'Fast and Furious' actor - who is married to the mother of his two children, model Paloma Jimenez - stars alongside Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan and Bradley Cooper in the film, which is set for release later this month.
'Guardians of the Galaxy' tells the story of an American pilot named Peter Quill (Pratt) who finds himself at the centre of a manhunt after stealing an orb coveted by the villainous Ronan (Lee Pace).
Vin Diesel took family to see Guardians of the Galaxy
Vin Diesel's family "loved" 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.
The 46-year-old actor provides the voice for the character Groot in the upcoming sci-fi adventure and he's revealed it's the first film in which he's starred that he's been able to take his children - six-year-old Hania Riley and four-year-old Vincent - to see.
The 'Riddick' star posted an image of the movie's poster on his Facebook page alongside a caption praising the director and production team for making it family-friendly.
Diesel wrote: "Today, I was invited by Disney and Marvel to see the latest cut of the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and I was able to take the angels. WOW!!!!!
"To Marvel, Disney, the incredible cast and team and especially James Gunn... Thank you for making a GREAT MOVIE! It was amazing and will always be special, for it was the first film I was able to take my family to see... they love it."
The 'Fast and Furious' actor - who is married to the mother of his two children, model Paloma Jimenez - stars alongside Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan and Bradley Cooper in the film, which is set for release later this month.
'Guardians of the Galaxy' tells the story of an American pilot named Peter Quill (Pratt) who finds himself at the centre of a manhunt after stealing an orb coveted by the villainous Ronan (Lee Pace).
Movies
Jerry Bruckheimer is hoping to have a screenplay for 'Bad Boys III' finished by the end of the summer.
The 'Pirates of the Caribbean' director has confirmed there will be a third instalment of the popular action-comedy series starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, but confessed the storyline hasn't been completed yet.
Quizzed on whether 'Bad Boys III' was still happening, he said: "Well, we're working on an outline right now. Hopefully we'll get a screenplay in the next three months. And that will become a movie I hope."
Bruckheimer - who is currently promoting the release of 'Deliver Us From Evil' - claims there's no overlap when making two films based on similar issues as so much research goes into every project.
He explained to Collider: "We always focus on the place where the action's going to take place, which is Miami [in Bad Boys]. We research it and figure out what's actually going on down in Miami with criminals and what they're doing.
"We bring in experts. And that's how the screenplays evolve."
Meanwhile, the 70-year-old filmmaker has revealed the upcoming fifth film in the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' franchise, 'Dead Men Tell No Tales', won't feature any Kraken-like creatures or monsters.
He said: "I think we're back to more of a straight pirates movie this time."
Jerry Bruckheimer working on Bad Boys III outline
Jerry Bruckheimer is hoping to have a screenplay for 'Bad Boys III' finished by the end of the summer.
The 'Pirates of the Caribbean' director has confirmed there will be a third instalment of the popular action-comedy series starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, but confessed the storyline hasn't been completed yet.
Quizzed on whether 'Bad Boys III' was still happening, he said: "Well, we're working on an outline right now. Hopefully we'll get a screenplay in the next three months. And that will become a movie I hope."
Bruckheimer - who is currently promoting the release of 'Deliver Us From Evil' - claims there's no overlap when making two films based on similar issues as so much research goes into every project.
He explained to Collider: "We always focus on the place where the action's going to take place, which is Miami [in Bad Boys]. We research it and figure out what's actually going on down in Miami with criminals and what they're doing.
"We bring in experts. And that's how the screenplays evolve."
Meanwhile, the 70-year-old filmmaker has revealed the upcoming fifth film in the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' franchise, 'Dead Men Tell No Tales', won't feature any Kraken-like creatures or monsters.
He said: "I think we're back to more of a straight pirates movie this time."
Movies
Angelina Jolie has paid tribute to Louis Zamperini, the subject of her film 'Unbroken'.
The 39-year-old actress has spoken out following the news that the World War II hero - who is the subject of the upcoming film directed by Jolie - has passed away from pneumonia at the age of 97.
She released a statement through Universal Pictures, saying: "It is a loss impossible to describe. We are all so grateful for how enriched our lives are for having known him. We will miss him terribly."
'Unbroken' is based on the novel 'Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption' by Laura Hillenbrand and draws on the experiences of Zamperini - who competed in the 1936 Olympics as a distance runner before fighting in the Second World War as an Air Force bombardier and becoming a prisoner of war after surviving a crash in shark-infested waters in the Pacific ocean.
His family also released a statement, which reads: "Having overcome insurmountable odds at every turn in his life, Olympic runner and World War II hero Louis Zamperini has never broken down from a challenge.
"He recently faced the greatest challenge of his life with a life-threatening case of pneumonia. After a 40-day long battle for his life, he peacefully passed away in the presence of his entire family, leaving behind a legacy that has touched so many lives.
"His indomitable courage and fighting spirit were never more apparent than in these last days."
Universal added: "We are so profoundly sad at this moment and all of our thoughts and prayers are with the Zamperini family. Louis was truly one of a kind.
"He lived the most remarkable life, not because of the many unbelievable incidents that marked his near century's worth of years, but because of the spirit with which he faced every one of them."
'Unbroken' is scheduled for worldwide release on December 25, 2014.
Angelina Jolie pays tribute to Louis Zamperini
Angelina Jolie has paid tribute to Louis Zamperini, the subject of her film 'Unbroken'.
The 39-year-old actress has spoken out following the news that the World War II hero - who is the subject of the upcoming film directed by Jolie - has passed away from pneumonia at the age of 97.
She released a statement through Universal Pictures, saying: "It is a loss impossible to describe. We are all so grateful for how enriched our lives are for having known him. We will miss him terribly."
'Unbroken' is based on the novel 'Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption' by Laura Hillenbrand and draws on the experiences of Zamperini - who competed in the 1936 Olympics as a distance runner before fighting in the Second World War as an Air Force bombardier and becoming a prisoner of war after surviving a crash in shark-infested waters in the Pacific ocean.
His family also released a statement, which reads: "Having overcome insurmountable odds at every turn in his life, Olympic runner and World War II hero Louis Zamperini has never broken down from a challenge.
"He recently faced the greatest challenge of his life with a life-threatening case of pneumonia. After a 40-day long battle for his life, he peacefully passed away in the presence of his entire family, leaving behind a legacy that has touched so many lives.
"His indomitable courage and fighting spirit were never more apparent than in these last days."
Universal added: "We are so profoundly sad at this moment and all of our thoughts and prayers are with the Zamperini family. Louis was truly one of a kind.
"He lived the most remarkable life, not because of the many unbelievable incidents that marked his near century's worth of years, but because of the spirit with which he faced every one of them."
'Unbroken' is scheduled for worldwide release on December 25, 2014.