Movies
Movies
Ron Howard would have "chickened out" of directing Jay Z's movie if he had thought more about it.
The acclaimed filmmaker was approached weeks before the rapper's 'Made in America' festival in Philadelphia last year to document the event and only said yes because he didn't have time to properly consider the offer.
He said: "They asked a few weeks before the festival, so I didn't have time to say no. I'd have chickened out if I'd thought about it too much."
Ron believes he was asked to direct the documentary, which is also called 'Made in America', because he was an "extreme" choice when it came to echoing the messages of diversity in the event.
He explained: "The festival represents the breaking down of genres, race and expectation across America. Inviting me in is an extreme version of that."
And working on the film gave the 60-year-old director the chance to gain a broader musical education.
He told NME magazine: "I didn't know Jill Scott or The Hives. Loved them. Rita Ora was a blast. And Odd Future. I won't listen to them every day, but I was impressed with their energy."
Ron Howard would’ve turned down Jay Z
Ron Howard would have "chickened out" of directing Jay Z's movie if he had thought more about it.
The acclaimed filmmaker was approached weeks before the rapper's 'Made in America' festival in Philadelphia last year to document the event and only said yes because he didn't have time to properly consider the offer.
He said: "They asked a few weeks before the festival, so I didn't have time to say no. I'd have chickened out if I'd thought about it too much."
Ron believes he was asked to direct the documentary, which is also called 'Made in America', because he was an "extreme" choice when it came to echoing the messages of diversity in the event.
He explained: "The festival represents the breaking down of genres, race and expectation across America. Inviting me in is an extreme version of that."
And working on the film gave the 60-year-old director the chance to gain a broader musical education.
He told NME magazine: "I didn't know Jill Scott or The Hives. Loved them. Rita Ora was a blast. And Odd Future. I won't listen to them every day, but I was impressed with their energy."
Movies
'Taken 3' has "nothing" to do with Liam Neeson and his family.
Producer Luc Besson admits the forthcoming thriller starring the Hollywood hunk is hugely different from the first two films which centre on his daughter and wife being kidnapped.
Talking to collider.com, he explained: "['Taken 3'] is shooting right now. Taken 1 and 2 is, in fact, the same film in two parts. The first act, someone is taken, and the second act is that revenge. You can see the films back to back and they go together. The third film is another story that has nothing to do with him and his family. No one is taken. The dog is not taken. It's another story with the same characters."
Besson - who co-wrote the script with Robert Mark Kamen for the follow-up to 2012's film - insists the success of the 2008 original came as a surprise and they weren't expecting it to be as well received as it had been.
He added: "It's different, but it's very good. It's probably the best of the three for me, in terms of the script. The first one was really not pretentious. It was a small film. We were surprised by the success of it because it was honest. Liam [Neeson] was not a super kick-ass actor."
Taken 3 has ‘nothing’ to do with Liam Neeson
'Taken 3' has "nothing" to do with Liam Neeson and his family.
Producer Luc Besson admits the forthcoming thriller starring the Hollywood hunk is hugely different from the first two films which centre on his daughter and wife being kidnapped.
Talking to collider.com, he explained: "['Taken 3'] is shooting right now. Taken 1 and 2 is, in fact, the same film in two parts. The first act, someone is taken, and the second act is that revenge. You can see the films back to back and they go together. The third film is another story that has nothing to do with him and his family. No one is taken. The dog is not taken. It's another story with the same characters."
Besson - who co-wrote the script with Robert Mark Kamen for the follow-up to 2012's film - insists the success of the 2008 original came as a surprise and they weren't expecting it to be as well received as it had been.
He added: "It's different, but it's very good. It's probably the best of the three for me, in terms of the script. The first one was really not pretentious. It was a small film. We were surprised by the success of it because it was honest. Liam [Neeson] was not a super kick-ass actor."
Movies
Michael B. Jordan's 'Fruitvale Station' character is expected to act in a "certain way" since he's African American.
Director Ryan Coogler's hit back at claims that the portrayal of Jordan's alter-ego Oscar Grant, who was shot and killed by a BART police officer Johannes Mehserle in Oakland, California, on New Year's Day, 2009, is too rosy and insists they tried to be as accurate as possible.
In an interview with website DigitalSpy.com, he revealed: "We wanted him to be accurate, you know, 360 degrees, and the performance that Mike gave meant we had a lot of variety in the editing room. We could have cuts where he was really nice, we could have a cut where he was a little more aggressive, we wanted to paint the full perspective. You see him with his boss, you see him in prison and he's very threatening. You see him selling drugs, riding past police with drugs in his car, doing something that could get him right back in jail.
"You see him argue with his girl, you see him argue with his mum, so it's all these different things. But in this case, the fact that he's an African American male in this environment, people expect certain things from a character that looks like that. I think that's what a lot of it boils down to. If he wasn't a black male from Oakland, nobody would say his character was too nice."
Coogler was inspired to make the film after becoming "emotionally moved" when he saw footage of the tragedy.
It is believed the officer drew his gun and shot Grant once in the back after officers detained him and others following reports of a fight on a crowded Bay Area Rapid Transit train returning from San Francisco.
He added: "When Oscar was killed, once I saw the footage and was emotionally moved by it, I couldn't help but personalise it."
Director defends Michael B. Jordan’s Fruitvale Station performance
Michael B. Jordan's 'Fruitvale Station' character is expected to act in a "certain way" since he's African American.
Director Ryan Coogler's hit back at claims that the portrayal of Jordan's alter-ego Oscar Grant, who was shot and killed by a BART police officer Johannes Mehserle in Oakland, California, on New Year's Day, 2009, is too rosy and insists they tried to be as accurate as possible.
In an interview with website DigitalSpy.com, he revealed: "We wanted him to be accurate, you know, 360 degrees, and the performance that Mike gave meant we had a lot of variety in the editing room. We could have cuts where he was really nice, we could have a cut where he was a little more aggressive, we wanted to paint the full perspective. You see him with his boss, you see him in prison and he's very threatening. You see him selling drugs, riding past police with drugs in his car, doing something that could get him right back in jail.
"You see him argue with his girl, you see him argue with his mum, so it's all these different things. But in this case, the fact that he's an African American male in this environment, people expect certain things from a character that looks like that. I think that's what a lot of it boils down to. If he wasn't a black male from Oakland, nobody would say his character was too nice."
Coogler was inspired to make the film after becoming "emotionally moved" when he saw footage of the tragedy.
It is believed the officer drew his gun and shot Grant once in the back after officers detained him and others following reports of a fight on a crowded Bay Area Rapid Transit train returning from San Francisco.
He added: "When Oscar was killed, once I saw the footage and was emotionally moved by it, I couldn't help but personalise it."
Movies
Cara Delevingne is in talks for 'Tulip Fever' and 'Pan'.
The model is set to take on the role of Henrietta in the forthcoming Justin Chadwick-directed romance and will star opposite Dane DeHaan and Alicia Vikander, reports Deadline.com.
The 21-year-old beauty has also landed a "small role" in the latest re-working of J.M. Barrie's children's classic Peter Pan where she will join Garret Hedlund, who has been offered the part of Captain Hook while Hugh Jackman will play the villainous Captain Blackbeard.
Meanwhile, it has been announced that Amanda Seyfried is the latest A-Lister to join the star-studded cast and she will play Mary.
The story looks into the origins of Pan, an orphan who is taken to the magical world of Neverland where he goes into battle against the evil pirates and becomes a hero among the natives.
Delevingne made her movie debut as Princess Sorokina in 2012 romantic drama 'Anna Karenina' and last year she was cast as a party girl in British flick 'Kids in Love', a drama about a group of teenagers who enjoy crazy nights out in London, boozing till the early hours of the morning, and taking drugs.
Cara Delevingne to star in Tulip Fever and Pan
Cara Delevingne is in talks for 'Tulip Fever' and 'Pan'.
The model is set to take on the role of Henrietta in the forthcoming Justin Chadwick-directed romance and will star opposite Dane DeHaan and Alicia Vikander, reports Deadline.com.
The 21-year-old beauty has also landed a "small role" in the latest re-working of J.M. Barrie's children's classic Peter Pan where she will join Garret Hedlund, who has been offered the part of Captain Hook while Hugh Jackman will play the villainous Captain Blackbeard.
Meanwhile, it has been announced that Amanda Seyfried is the latest A-Lister to join the star-studded cast and she will play Mary.
The story looks into the origins of Pan, an orphan who is taken to the magical world of Neverland where he goes into battle against the evil pirates and becomes a hero among the natives.
Delevingne made her movie debut as Princess Sorokina in 2012 romantic drama 'Anna Karenina' and last year she was cast as a party girl in British flick 'Kids in Love', a drama about a group of teenagers who enjoy crazy nights out in London, boozing till the early hours of the morning, and taking drugs.
Movies
Ray Fisher has been cast in the Batman-Superman movie.
The stage star has been tapped to take on the role of Cyborg opposite Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill in the as yet untitled superhero team-up flick.
The part of Cyborg, a member of the Justice League whose real name is Victor Stone, isn't a major one in the future blockbuster, but sources have told Variety that Fisher's part will become much more important over the next few years as Warner Bros. and DC Comics start making more films about the crime-fighting Justice League crew.
The all-star cast also includes Jesse Eisenberg, Gal Gadot and Amy Adams, with 'Man of Steel' helmer Zack Snyder directing from a script by David S. Goyer.
Fisher is known for his Broadway roles including his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in 'Fetch Clay, Make Man', and recently screen tested for J.J. Abrams' sci-fi epic, 'Star Wars: Episode VII'.
Cavill discusses the development potential of the Cyborg character in a bonus for the 'Man of Steel' DVD, explaining: "I think he would create an incredible bridge between superheroes and humanity."
The Batman-Superman feature is due in cinemas in May 2016.
Ray Fisher to star in Batman-Superman
Ray Fisher has been cast in the Batman-Superman movie.
The stage star has been tapped to take on the role of Cyborg opposite Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill in the as yet untitled superhero team-up flick.
The part of Cyborg, a member of the Justice League whose real name is Victor Stone, isn't a major one in the future blockbuster, but sources have told Variety that Fisher's part will become much more important over the next few years as Warner Bros. and DC Comics start making more films about the crime-fighting Justice League crew.
The all-star cast also includes Jesse Eisenberg, Gal Gadot and Amy Adams, with 'Man of Steel' helmer Zack Snyder directing from a script by David S. Goyer.
Fisher is known for his Broadway roles including his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in 'Fetch Clay, Make Man', and recently screen tested for J.J. Abrams' sci-fi epic, 'Star Wars: Episode VII'.
Cavill discusses the development potential of the Cyborg character in a bonus for the 'Man of Steel' DVD, explaining: "I think he would create an incredible bridge between superheroes and humanity."
The Batman-Superman feature is due in cinemas in May 2016.
Movies
The final 'Hobbit' movie has been renamed 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies'.
Director Peter Jackson has revealed the final instalment in his epic fantasy trilogy, which is due for release in December, will not be titled 'The Hobbit: There and Back Again' as he no longer finds the name appropriate following his decision to expand the original pair of 'Hobbit' of films into a trilogy, much like his earlier 'Lord of the Rings' films.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Jackson explained: "'There and Back Again' felt like the right name for the second of a two film telling of the quest to reclaim Erebor, when Bilbo's arrival there, and departure, were both contained within the second film. But with three movies, it suddenly felt misplaced--after all, Bilbo has already arrived 'there' in the 'Desolation of Smaug'.
"When we did the premiere trip late last year, I had a quiet conversation with the studio about the idea of revisiting the title. We decided to keep an open mind until a cut of the film was ready to look at. We reached that point last week, and after viewing the movie, we all agreed there is now one title that feels completely appropriate.
"And so: "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" it is."
'The Battle of the Five Armies' refers to the epic conclusion of 'The Hobbit', which features a huge war among the various characters and creatures featured in the mythical series.
Final Hobbit movie renamed
The final 'Hobbit' movie has been renamed 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies'.
Director Peter Jackson has revealed the final instalment in his epic fantasy trilogy, which is due for release in December, will not be titled 'The Hobbit: There and Back Again' as he no longer finds the name appropriate following his decision to expand the original pair of 'Hobbit' of films into a trilogy, much like his earlier 'Lord of the Rings' films.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Jackson explained: "'There and Back Again' felt like the right name for the second of a two film telling of the quest to reclaim Erebor, when Bilbo's arrival there, and departure, were both contained within the second film. But with three movies, it suddenly felt misplaced--after all, Bilbo has already arrived 'there' in the 'Desolation of Smaug'.
"When we did the premiere trip late last year, I had a quiet conversation with the studio about the idea of revisiting the title. We decided to keep an open mind until a cut of the film was ready to look at. We reached that point last week, and after viewing the movie, we all agreed there is now one title that feels completely appropriate.
"And so: "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" it is."
'The Battle of the Five Armies' refers to the epic conclusion of 'The Hobbit', which features a huge war among the various characters and creatures featured in the mythical series.
Movies
Joss Whedon says Ultron is "everything a robot never is".
The 49-year-old director is working on 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' and he's been having a "blast" developing the character which is played by James Spader.
He explained to Empire magazine: "I'm having a blast with Ultron.
"He's not a creature of logic - he's a robot who's genuinely disturbed. We're finding out what makes him menacing and at the same time endearing and funny and strange and unexpected, and everything a robot never is."
Spader joins an A-List cast including Robert Downey (Iron Man),
Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk), Chris Evans (Captain America), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), and Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury).
Although there a number of big names Whedon insists every character in the forthcoming epic has a significant role to play.
He explained: "I fiercely dislike the idea of just throwing in more people for the sake of doing that.
"But last time I had all of Earth's Mightiest Heroes versus one British character actor, and I needed more conflict."
The filmmaker wants to bring a different aesthetic to the picture to make sure it isn't too similar to 2002's 'The Avengers'.
He added: "The number of different looks and textures and moods we're getting from the British locations is stupid awesome, because this, palette-wise, is very different. I'm trying to make a different film. Because why would you make one movie twice? That seems weird."
Joss Whedon: Ultron is everything a robot never is
Joss Whedon says Ultron is "everything a robot never is".
The 49-year-old director is working on 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' and he's been having a "blast" developing the character which is played by James Spader.
He explained to Empire magazine: "I'm having a blast with Ultron.
"He's not a creature of logic - he's a robot who's genuinely disturbed. We're finding out what makes him menacing and at the same time endearing and funny and strange and unexpected, and everything a robot never is."
Spader joins an A-List cast including Robert Downey (Iron Man),
Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk), Chris Evans (Captain America), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), and Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury).
Although there a number of big names Whedon insists every character in the forthcoming epic has a significant role to play.
He explained: "I fiercely dislike the idea of just throwing in more people for the sake of doing that.
"But last time I had all of Earth's Mightiest Heroes versus one British character actor, and I needed more conflict."
The filmmaker wants to bring a different aesthetic to the picture to make sure it isn't too similar to 2002's 'The Avengers'.
He added: "The number of different looks and textures and moods we're getting from the British locations is stupid awesome, because this, palette-wise, is very different. I'm trying to make a different film. Because why would you make one movie twice? That seems weird."