Movies
Movies
Keira Knightley loves reading "trashy novels".
Though the 29-year-old actress didn't get much down time while shooting her latest movie 'Begin Again', she usually relaxes between takes with a book, but can't focus on anything too taxing.
She said: "On a film like this there isn't a lot of waiting. We had 24 days, so it was just like go, go, go.
"Normally what do I do? I have a cup of tea and I like book tapes or really trashy novels, because you can't read something difficult when you're working on something else."
The actress co-stars with Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine in the movie and though it was his first film, she thought he was a very good actor.
She said: "I'd actually seen him live and that energy makes an experience. He's a born entertainer, so I wasn't worried about him expressing himself
"He didn't need any tips. He's a natural actor and a very lovely man to work with, so it was a lot of fun."
The brunette beauty had to sing in the movie and admits she didn't particularly enjoy the performance scenes.
She told Britain's OK! magazine: "I'm not a singer or a musician so no, I didn't enjoy it. I had to fake it.
"It was fun, but I think I'm bad [at singing]."
Keira Knightley loves ‘trashy’ books
Keira Knightley loves reading "trashy novels".
Though the 29-year-old actress didn't get much down time while shooting her latest movie 'Begin Again', she usually relaxes between takes with a book, but can't focus on anything too taxing.
She said: "On a film like this there isn't a lot of waiting. We had 24 days, so it was just like go, go, go.
"Normally what do I do? I have a cup of tea and I like book tapes or really trashy novels, because you can't read something difficult when you're working on something else."
The actress co-stars with Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine in the movie and though it was his first film, she thought he was a very good actor.
She said: "I'd actually seen him live and that energy makes an experience. He's a born entertainer, so I wasn't worried about him expressing himself
"He didn't need any tips. He's a natural actor and a very lovely man to work with, so it was a lot of fun."
The brunette beauty had to sing in the movie and admits she didn't particularly enjoy the performance scenes.
She told Britain's OK! magazine: "I'm not a singer or a musician so no, I didn't enjoy it. I had to fake it.
"It was fun, but I think I'm bad [at singing]."
Movies
Nicole Kidman felt taking the lead role in 'Grace of Monaco' was a "chance of a lifetime".
The 46-year-old actress knew immediately she wanted to play late actress Grace Kelly after reading the script and hopes she has done justice to her memory.
She said: "I think [Princess Grace] had such other-worldly qualities.
"She had an aura about her that was bigger than life. I don't know if I'm able to capture that, but I was honoured to have the chance to. We'll see."
The film's director, Olivier Dahan, feels Nicole doesn't just play Grace in the movie, he thinks "she is Grace Kelly", and the actress insists there is a "fairytale" aspect to the movie, which is why it isn't a straightforward biopic.
She added in an interview with Britain's HELLO! magazine: "The film focuses on the six-month period of Princess Grace's life when she gave up a flourishing career in Hollywood to marry a real prince, Prince Rainier of Monaco. It's not a heavy drama. It's got beautiful costumes. It's sumptuous."
Nicole Kidman’s role of a lifetime
Nicole Kidman felt taking the lead role in 'Grace of Monaco' was a "chance of a lifetime".
The 46-year-old actress knew immediately she wanted to play late actress Grace Kelly after reading the script and hopes she has done justice to her memory.
She said: "I think [Princess Grace] had such other-worldly qualities.
"She had an aura about her that was bigger than life. I don't know if I'm able to capture that, but I was honoured to have the chance to. We'll see."
The film's director, Olivier Dahan, feels Nicole doesn't just play Grace in the movie, he thinks "she is Grace Kelly", and the actress insists there is a "fairytale" aspect to the movie, which is why it isn't a straightforward biopic.
She added in an interview with Britain's HELLO! magazine: "The film focuses on the six-month period of Princess Grace's life when she gave up a flourishing career in Hollywood to marry a real prince, Prince Rainier of Monaco. It's not a heavy drama. It's got beautiful costumes. It's sumptuous."
Movies
Hossein Amini thinks 'The Two Faces of January' is a unique crime-thriller.
The screenwriter makes his directorial debut with the film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel of the same name and he's revealed he's wanted to adapt it for the big screen ever since he read the story at university because it has such an interesting dynamic.
Speaking at a press conference for the film at London's Corinthia Hotel, he told BANG Showbiz: "I've always liked crime thrillers. But this was a crime thriller about, I thought, three very ordinary characters who we could have met and are very much like us.
"They're thrown into this world of crime and the damage they do is to themselves. It wasn't to outside forces like policemen or criminals or whatever. It was really watching this intimate triangle."
Highsmith - who wrote a number of popular crime-thriller novels including 'Strangers on a Train' and 'The Talented Mr. Ripley before she passed away in 1995 - struggled to get 'The Two Faces of January' published for the exact reason Hossein was attracted to the story.
Referencing a quote from one of the publishers who rejected the novel, he said: "A story can handle two neurotic characters but not three."
The "neurotic" characters in question are the wealthy Chester MacFarland (Viggo Mortensen), his younger wife Colette MacFarland (Kirsten Dunst) and Rydal (Oscar Isaac), who all become embroiled in the murder of a private investigator.
Two Faces of January is ‘unique’
Hossein Amini thinks 'The Two Faces of January' is a unique crime-thriller.
The screenwriter makes his directorial debut with the film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel of the same name and he's revealed he's wanted to adapt it for the big screen ever since he read the story at university because it has such an interesting dynamic.
Speaking at a press conference for the film at London's Corinthia Hotel, he told BANG Showbiz: "I've always liked crime thrillers. But this was a crime thriller about, I thought, three very ordinary characters who we could have met and are very much like us.
"They're thrown into this world of crime and the damage they do is to themselves. It wasn't to outside forces like policemen or criminals or whatever. It was really watching this intimate triangle."
Highsmith - who wrote a number of popular crime-thriller novels including 'Strangers on a Train' and 'The Talented Mr. Ripley before she passed away in 1995 - struggled to get 'The Two Faces of January' published for the exact reason Hossein was attracted to the story.
Referencing a quote from one of the publishers who rejected the novel, he said: "A story can handle two neurotic characters but not three."
The "neurotic" characters in question are the wealthy Chester MacFarland (Viggo Mortensen), his younger wife Colette MacFarland (Kirsten Dunst) and Rydal (Oscar Isaac), who all become embroiled in the murder of a private investigator.
Movies
Glenn Close will star in 'The Wife'.
The Academy Award-nominated actress will play the title character in the movie adaptation of Meg Wolitzer's novel - which follows the collapse of a couple's marriage as they travel through Scandinavia.
The story - published in 2003 - centres on 64-year-old Joan - played by Close - as she journeys to Stockholm with her novelist husband, Joe, to see him receive the fictional 'Helsinki' award.
Close, 67, will travel to Sweden for the shoot - which is set to take place next winter and spring - and will be directed by Bjorn Runge in both Swedish and English languages, reports Deadline.
Runge said: "The first time I read 'The Wife,' I was instantly inspired by the story of love, creativity and a secret larger than life in itself that the main characters, Joan and Joe, are carrying. After meeting the amazing Glenn Close, I was convinced that directing this film would be a creatively wonderful and challenging experience."
Close is also set to begin shooting 'The Great Gilly Hopkins' later this month, which is based on the 1978 children's novel by Katherine Paterson.
Glenn Close to star in ‘The Wife’
Glenn Close will star in 'The Wife'.
The Academy Award-nominated actress will play the title character in the movie adaptation of Meg Wolitzer's novel - which follows the collapse of a couple's marriage as they travel through Scandinavia.
The story - published in 2003 - centres on 64-year-old Joan - played by Close - as she journeys to Stockholm with her novelist husband, Joe, to see him receive the fictional 'Helsinki' award.
Close, 67, will travel to Sweden for the shoot - which is set to take place next winter and spring - and will be directed by Bjorn Runge in both Swedish and English languages, reports Deadline.
Runge said: "The first time I read 'The Wife,' I was instantly inspired by the story of love, creativity and a secret larger than life in itself that the main characters, Joan and Joe, are carrying. After meeting the amazing Glenn Close, I was convinced that directing this film would be a creatively wonderful and challenging experience."
Close is also set to begin shooting 'The Great Gilly Hopkins' later this month, which is based on the 1978 children's novel by Katherine Paterson.
Movies
Filming has begun on 'Star Wars: Episode VII'.
After months of anticipation, J.J Abrams' new instalment of the legendary sci-fi movie franchise has started shooting in Abu Dhabi today (16.05.14).
Filming will then continue at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire where the majority of the movie will be shot.
It is the first time Emmy Award-winning director Abrams - who made his name shooting the 'Star Trek' reboot and cult TV series 'Lost' - has shot a movie outside of the US.
Bad Robot - J.J Abrams' production company - broke the news on Twitter, posting an image of the first film slate from the shoot, along with the hashtag "#DayOne".
Filming has commenced just weeks after the final cast line-up was announced.
Many cast members from the original trilogy such as Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker will all return to the franchise, while previously rumoured, John Boyega, Adam Driver and Andy Serkis will also have roles in the movie.
In addition, 'Mr. Selfridge' actress Daisy Ridley, 'Inside Llewyn Davis' actor Oscar Isaac, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' star Domhnall Gleeson and Swedish actor Max von Sydow have also been confirmed as appearing.
Abrams previously said: "We are so excited to finally share the cast of 'Star Wars: Episode VII'.
"It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."
The movie, which has a screenplay written by the director and Lawrence Kasban, opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.
Filming begins on Star Wars: Episode VII
Filming has begun on 'Star Wars: Episode VII'.
After months of anticipation, J.J Abrams' new instalment of the legendary sci-fi movie franchise has started shooting in Abu Dhabi today (16.05.14).
Filming will then continue at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire where the majority of the movie will be shot.
It is the first time Emmy Award-winning director Abrams - who made his name shooting the 'Star Trek' reboot and cult TV series 'Lost' - has shot a movie outside of the US.
Bad Robot - J.J Abrams' production company - broke the news on Twitter, posting an image of the first film slate from the shoot, along with the hashtag "#DayOne".
Filming has commenced just weeks after the final cast line-up was announced.
Many cast members from the original trilogy such as Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker will all return to the franchise, while previously rumoured, John Boyega, Adam Driver and Andy Serkis will also have roles in the movie.
In addition, 'Mr. Selfridge' actress Daisy Ridley, 'Inside Llewyn Davis' actor Oscar Isaac, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' star Domhnall Gleeson and Swedish actor Max von Sydow have also been confirmed as appearing.
Abrams previously said: "We are so excited to finally share the cast of 'Star Wars: Episode VII'.
"It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."
The movie, which has a screenplay written by the director and Lawrence Kasban, opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.
Movies
Halle Berry will star in thriller 'Kidnap'.
The 47-year-old actress - who has two children, seven-month-old son with husband Olivier Martinez and six-year-old daughter Nahla from her previous relationship with Gabriel Aubry - will play a mother who is on a mission to rescue her kidnapped son, it has been reported.
Luis Prieto will direct from a script by Knate Gwaltney, while Lorenzo di Bonaventura's Di Bonaventura Pictures is producing alongside Erik Howsam.
Lotus Entertainment, who are selling the project internationally, are delighted to be joining forces with Bonaventura who worked on 2013's 'Red 2', 2014's 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' and forthcoming 'Transformers: Age of Extinction', among other projects.
The company's chiefs Bill Johnson and Jim Seibel said: "Lorenzo is a renowned producer in the blockbuster action world, and we're very excited to be working on such an exciting high-concept project with him. We look forward to seeing him join forces with the incredible talent of Halle Berry and Luis Prieto on a project that is sure to appeal to audiences worldwide."
Berry will also executive produce with Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Joey Tufaro, Claudia Bluemhuber, Colin Bates, Florian Dargel, Johnson and Seibel.
Berry will next hit the big screen in 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' where she will reprise her role as Storm.
Halle Berry cast in Kidnap
Halle Berry will star in thriller 'Kidnap'.
The 47-year-old actress - who has two children, seven-month-old son with husband Olivier Martinez and six-year-old daughter Nahla from her previous relationship with Gabriel Aubry - will play a mother who is on a mission to rescue her kidnapped son, it has been reported.
Luis Prieto will direct from a script by Knate Gwaltney, while Lorenzo di Bonaventura's Di Bonaventura Pictures is producing alongside Erik Howsam.
Lotus Entertainment, who are selling the project internationally, are delighted to be joining forces with Bonaventura who worked on 2013's 'Red 2', 2014's 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' and forthcoming 'Transformers: Age of Extinction', among other projects.
The company's chiefs Bill Johnson and Jim Seibel said: "Lorenzo is a renowned producer in the blockbuster action world, and we're very excited to be working on such an exciting high-concept project with him. We look forward to seeing him join forces with the incredible talent of Halle Berry and Luis Prieto on a project that is sure to appeal to audiences worldwide."
Berry will also executive produce with Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Joey Tufaro, Claudia Bluemhuber, Colin Bates, Florian Dargel, Johnson and Seibel.
Berry will next hit the big screen in 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' where she will reprise her role as Storm.
Movies
Penelope Cruz plans to take a step back from acting.
The 40-year-old star - who is currently producing 'Ma Ma'- wants to do more work behind the camera where she'll be focussing on making a movie to build a "future in cinema".
She told Variety.com: "I want to build what could be my future in cinema, not always being in front of the camera. I'd also like to direct a feature, maybe 10 years from now. For now, I'm directing commercial and video-clips - I love that. And it's the best way to learn. I want to go slowly, step by step. I'm following the whole production process very closely, from the film's inception."
Cruz also stars in 'Ma Ma' as Magda, a mother who tries to overcome a tragedy she's experienced, and insists she likes playing characters who are different to herself.
She added: "Maybe, she battles for things because all sorts of things happen to her. She's optimistic. But her pace and energy are different. Acting interests me a great deal more than playing someone very much like myself. The further away she is from me, the more possibilities that offers as an actress. That's acting - the beauty of risk, facing up to the unknown, placing yourself in the skin of someone you invite into your life for a time, someone who isn't you."
Cruz last hit the big screen in last year's 'The Counselor' alongside A-List cast including Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt.
Penelope Cruz plans to move behind the camera
Penelope Cruz plans to take a step back from acting.
The 40-year-old star - who is currently producing 'Ma Ma'- wants to do more work behind the camera where she'll be focussing on making a movie to build a "future in cinema".
She told Variety.com: "I want to build what could be my future in cinema, not always being in front of the camera. I'd also like to direct a feature, maybe 10 years from now. For now, I'm directing commercial and video-clips - I love that. And it's the best way to learn. I want to go slowly, step by step. I'm following the whole production process very closely, from the film's inception."
Cruz also stars in 'Ma Ma' as Magda, a mother who tries to overcome a tragedy she's experienced, and insists she likes playing characters who are different to herself.
She added: "Maybe, she battles for things because all sorts of things happen to her. She's optimistic. But her pace and energy are different. Acting interests me a great deal more than playing someone very much like myself. The further away she is from me, the more possibilities that offers as an actress. That's acting - the beauty of risk, facing up to the unknown, placing yourself in the skin of someone you invite into your life for a time, someone who isn't you."
Cruz last hit the big screen in last year's 'The Counselor' alongside A-List cast including Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt.