Pardon me for the late news, today has been more than hectic for me.

Casting news emerged earlier today regarding the currently untitled sequel Man Of Steel, featuring a rebooted Batman. Originally, there was a casting call for “a possible love interest for Bruce Wayne”. Then, rumors circulated around that this “love interest” was, in fact, the star-studded amazonian.

Now, it has been confirmed: Wonder Woman is in Man Of Steel 2, and she is being portrayed by israel model/actress Gal Gadot.

“Wonder Woman is arguably one of the most powerful female characters of all time and a fan favorite in the DC Universe,” director Zack Snyder said on Gadot’s casting. “Not only is Gal an amazing actress, but she also has that magical quality that makes her perfect for the role. We look forward to audiences discovering Gal in the first feature film incarnation of this beloved character.”

Gadot is most known for portraying Gisele Yashar in Fast and Furious, Fast Five and Fast and Furious Six. Besides her experience as a temptous and hot-blooded racer in those movies, Gadot also served two years in the Israeli Defense Forces as well as being a personal sports trainer.

I remember Gadot from the Fast movies. While I wasn’t a big fan of the movies themselves, I remember her character fondly and thought she was the more charismatic, more spirited character out of the group. With her experience, filmography and dashingly striking body, I think Gadot is a good choice for Wonder Woman, and am looking forward to her appearing on the big screen besides Henry Cavill and Batfleck.

Agree? Disagree? Should Wonder Woman even appear in Man Of Steel 2?

Comment below, let me know.

-David Dunn

SOURCE: Newsarama, IGN

The nightmare of all film news has just been unveiled. Reported yesterday by outlets including The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, it is revealed that Star Partners and Hummingbird productions are beginning work on a sequel to the 1946 Frank Capra classic It’s A Wonderful Life, a magical story about one man’s life and learning to appreciate what one has in life. Karolyn Grimes, who portrayed Zuzu in the original film with the iconic line “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings!” is set to return for this film, showing George Baily’s grandson (also named George) how much better the world would be had he not been born.

“The new film will retain the feeling of the original, and it simply must be shared,” Grimes said. “I’ve probably read close to 20 scripts over the years suggesting a sequel to ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ but none of them were any good. The script by Bob Farnsworth and Martha Bolton was wonderful, and I wanted to be involved with his version of the film immediately.”

Let me start by saying the obvious: are you freaking kidding me.

Yes, Grimes is coming back. Yes, its being released at Christmas. Yes, it continues the story.

No, I don’t want this being made. The original was a classic in ways no other film has ever matched, not even with The Wizard of Oz or The Godfather. Have you ever heard of the term “LEAVE IT ALONE” Hollywood? No. Of course not. Because you’re a hand-grubbing money maker who is only looking for your next opportunity for a paycheck. There is absolutely no reason for this to be made. No flipping reason.

And to the people who say to “Be open with it.”  Here is my response:

NO

I am so sick of my childhood movies being remade or restructured into sequels when they indulge into stories that have no relevance and no influence with todays audience. And before you say anything further, no, it means nothing that Zuzu likes the script that she read. There are so many creators and writers of their original projects that enjoyed movie adaptations that everyone (myself included) hated. Example: Stephanie Meyer and “Twilight”.

I’m going to have a conniption about this all day. Sound off on your comments below. I’m too frustrated to follow up on this.

-David Dunn

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Variety

Brilliant. Have an already exhausted franchise revitalized by the guy who brought us Fast And Furious. Just brilliant.

News broke recently about the upcoming untitled Bourne sequel starring Jeremy Renner. Before you ask, no, Matt Damon is still not in it, so I don’t know why its still being called “Bourne” anything, but nevermind. A director has been selected for the project, and it is japanese filmmaker Justin Lin, director of the last four Fast And Furious movies.

Full announcement by Deadline below:

“Justin Lin will direct the sequel to the Tony Gilroy-directed ‘The Bourne Legacy’, the pic that kicked off storyline of Aaron Cross, the character played by Jeremy Renner.”

Are you freaking kidding me.

First of all, I’m not a fan of any of the Fast And Furious movies, so don’t even get my opinion on that yet. My concern is the vast difference in the series’ sense of style. The Fast And Furious movies are hyped-up, preposterous, adrenaline and testosterone-fueled action blockbusters filled with big explosions, beautiful women and slick cars. Nothing wrong with that, but how the blazes can this relate to the Bourne franchise? The Bourne movies were birthed as smart, slick, intelligent and tensly-knit psychiological thrillers, with some action scenes thrown into the mix of deep and thought-provoking stories. Where, in a list of directors that includes Doug Liman, Paul Greengrass and Tony Gilroy (P.S. You suck), did they think a director such as Justin Lin was the right choice for the next Bourne movie?

I’m major OCD-ing this, I know, but this announcement just flusters me. I’m going to be open-minded when this movie comes out, but until then I’m just waiting for the announcment that Paul Walker will be cast as Jason Bourne (please God, don’t let me jinx it).

What do you think? Yes or no to Justin Lin? His last two Fast and Furious movies were the only ones certified fresh on Rottentomatoes and have overall recieved praise from mainstream audiences, so Lin has that to be proud of. He just doesn’t have much praise from me is all.

-David Dunn

SOURCE: Empire, Deadline

Tom Hardy is Elton John.

Yes, you read that right.

Details have recently emerged from multiple outlets that the Inception/Dark Knight Rises star will be portraying the Grammy-award winning singer in his upcoming biopic Rocketman, to be directed by an upcoming director named Michael Gracey with a screenplay penned by Pride And Prejudice/War Horse scribe Lee Hall. The full announcement by Focus Pictures CEO Peter Schessel can be seen below:

“Tom is quickly becoming known as one of the world’s most versatile actors, and like others at the top of their craft, he has proven his ability to transform himself completely into the character or subject found in the material. We are confident that Tom will embody the physicality and spirit of Sir Elton.”

The first thing I am going to ask (and I believe this is pertinent) is this: what in God’s name do you think you are doing?  

Don’t get me wrong: I absolutely love Tom Hardy. Fellow moviegoers will recognize him as Mr. Eames from Inception or as Bane from The Dark Knight Rises, but in his early career you will recognize him as Officer Twombly from Black Hawk Down, or as Captain Picard’s clone Shinzon in Star Trek Nemesis. I’ve always enjoyed seeing him in his many roles, and I also agree that he is a very talented, versatile actor.

That being said, I just don’t see it.  Hardy is not a singer.  He doesn’t look or embody the flamboyant type, and certainly not to the degree that Mr. John is.  He is an action hero: he’s the guy with the big burly muscles, the tough guy you can look towards and know that he’ll get the job done. If those other film roles don’t convince you of that, look at his current filmography: he’s currently set to take over Mel Gibson’s role as Mad Max in Mad Max: Fury Road and as Sam Fisher in the currently developing Splinter Cell. He is surrounded (I’m sorry: buried) in action roles, so how will he have time or attention to be able to portray an iconic pop singer?

On that note, who the heck is Michael Gracey? According to iMDB, Michael Gracey worked as a visual effects artist on multiple low-budget films from 2001 to 2005, including a horror film called Cubbyhouse and a crime drama called The Magician. So, basically no one that anyone would know about right? So what the heck is he doing directing a movie about Elton John??? With a film property like that, you would expect to give it to someone a little more experienced with the genre, such as Taylor Hackford with Ray, or Rob Marshall with Chicago. Why Michael Gracey? Or for that matter, why Tom Hardy?

The more I think about it, the more frustrated and confused I become, but the reality is my opinion doesn’t matter. Do you know who’s does?  Elton John himself, who is not only fully supportive of Tom Hardy casting decision: he’s fully supportive of the movie itself, not only serving as its executive producer but also as its composer, re-recording many of his classic hits to coincide with the film’s release.

I’m refuse to think about this anymore. I’m going to wait to see more media before I judge it any further. I’m just sayin’, I think its going to be a long, long time ‘til touch down brings me round again.

-David Dunn

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter, The Verge

Rowling fans, hold on to your broomsticks.  Details have emerged earlier this morning that the critically acclaimed “Harry Potter” author will be writing her very first screenplay.

Yeah, I know.

According to an announcement by Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara, Rowling will writing the first in a planned film series which takes place 70 years prior to the events in “Harry Potter”.  The script will be called Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, and is based on the J.K. Rowling novel of the same name featuring a fictional author named Newt Scamander and his many adventures in the world of witchcraft and wizardry.

“Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for seven years,” Rowling said, “Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world.”

This isn’t Rowling’s first great partnership with Warner Bros.  Her first adult novel “The Casual Vacancy” is being adapted as a BBC television series, with Warner Bros. distributing the project with production slated to begin in 2014.

“We are incredibly honored that [J.K. Rowling] has chosen to partner with Warner Bros. on this exciting new exploration of the world of wizardry which has been tremendously successful across all of our businesses,” Tsujihara said. “We know that audiences will be as excited as we are to see what her brilliant and boundless imagination conjures up for us.

Excited?  Skeptical?  “The Casual Vacancy” was met with some mixed reactions when it was released, but there’s no denying the success of the book and movie series of “Harry Potter”, with the last entry grossing over 1 billion dollars in profits.

Comment below, let me know.

Oh, and since we’re talking about Harry Potter…

EXPECTO PATRONUM!!!!  

– David Dunn

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, FirstShowing.net

Fans of the home-run hit 42, prepare to be excited.  It was announced earlier this morning that Chadwick Boseman, the little-known actor that landed the knockout role as Jackie Robinson in 42 is set to portray R&B and soul legend James Brown in an upcoming biographical picture.  Announcement by Variety is below:

Universal and Imagine Entertainment have greenlit the long-gestating James Brown biopic after tapping “42″ star Chadwick Boseman to play the legendary artist known as the “godfather of soul.”  Several actors were vying for the role, but Boseman emerged as the top choice a few weeks ago, though no offer could be made until the pic was formally greenlit.

Anyone who has seen 42 has reason to be excited: Boseman was masterful in the role as Robinson, equal parts affectionate and charismatic as the game-changing black baseball player.  I wrote in my review of the picture that Boseman “inhabits the role so well that it is impossible to think of anyone else replacing him… Jamie Foxx couldn’t have done better than Boseman did.” I still hold by that statement, and I still believe that he is a developing talent to be reckoned with.  I’m going to look forward to his performance in this film with great interest, hoping that Boseman will do the same thing to Brown and music as he did with Robinson and Baseball.

On a flip note, the production team behind the picture has been announced as well.  Screenwriters John and Jez Henry Buttersworth are set to write the screenplay (With the duo having collaborated on 2010’s Fair Game starring Naomi Watts), produced by Brian Grazer (A Beautiful Mind, Friday Night Lights) and to be directed by Tate Taylor, writer-director of the 2011 audience favorite The Help.  Even though I have yet to see Fair Game, I have loved all of the films that this team has both produced and directed, and I don’t think the James Brown movie could be in better hands.

What do you guys think?  Are you excited for the team put together for James Brown’s biopic?  Or do you wish someone else were to be included instead?  Another casting option perhaps?

Whatever your opinions, comment below, let me know.

-David Dunn

Source: Variety, Cinemablend

Okay, before we go any further, just stand still and take a deep breath.

You still with me?  Good.  Hold on to your rancheros, this is going to be crazy.

Just hours ago, breaking details emerged about the upcoming sequel to Man Of Steel featuring a rebooted Batman.  The part has been cast, and the new man is…

Ben Affleck.

Didn’t see that coming, didja now?  With names like Josh Brolin, Joe Mangiello, and Jon Hamm swirling around, I don’t think anybody expected the part to be cast this suddenly or abruptly.  Then again though, casting news like this isn’t naturally to be expected, now is it?

Greg Silverman, President of Creative Development at Warner Bros., said this at the announcement of the new Bruce Wayne/Batman:

“We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Comics’ most enduringly popular Super Heroes, and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill, and then some. His outstanding career is a testament to his talent and we know he and Zack will bring new dimension to the duality of this character.”

Zack Snyder on Ben Affleck’s casting:

“Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne.  I can’t wait to work with him.”

If we’re talking about Zack Snyder’s vision, Affleck certainly fits the bill.  Knowing that this sequel is partially inspired by Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns”, Snyder needed an older, more hardened actor to play an older, hardened Bruce Wayne.  With Affleck staring in gritty, hard-edged crime thrillers such as State Of Play, The Town, and recently Argo, I would definitely say he has the chops to play both the charming playboy and seasoned crime-fighter that Snyder needs for his picture.  Congratulations on his casting.  I look forward to seeing how he does.

What are your opinions?  Are you happy that Ben Affleck is the new Batman?  Or are you furious that they didn’t stick with a younger, lesser known actor like Henry Cavill was to Superman?  Or do you just wish that Christian Bale would return for the cowl one more time?

Whatever it is, comment below, let me know.

“He’s the hero we deserve, but not the one it needs right now.”

-Commissioner James Gordon

Source: Warner Bros, The Huffington Post

Nolan die-hards, this should fuel your appetite for science-fiction fantasies.  Details have recently emerged that Christopher Nolan, the award-winning director behind Inception and The Dark Knight trilogy, just started principal photography behind his newest film, Interstellar in Alberta, Canada earlier this morning.

Featuring an all-star-studded cast including Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, John Lithgow, Casey Affleck, and Michael Caine, Interstellar follows the story of a group of explorers who have discovered a wormhole that can allow them to travel through space and time.  The explorers eventually use the wormhole to travel great distances in an interstellar voyage across the universe.

I love Christopher Nolan.  He is perhaps one of my favorite contemporary filmmakers who are out in the business right now.  I don’t think its possible for anyone to hate him: how can you, with other movies like The Prestige, Insomnia, and my personal favorite Memento under his belt?

Besides with Nolan serving as director and co-writer, the film also has Nolan’s wife Emma Thomas producing alongside Lynda Obst, brother Jonathan Nolan as screenwriter, and frequent collaborators Lee Smith and Hans Zimmer editing and scoring, respectively.

Interesting enough, Nolan’s frequent collaborating cinematographer, academy-award winner Wally Pfister, will not be collaborating with Nolan on this film.  That job is handed to Hoyte van Hoytema, the cinematographer behind films such as The Fighter and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.  Pfister is busy with production of his own director debut Transcendence, a science-fiction story about a man’s conscious being uploaded to a computer after he is assassinated by terrorists.  Nolan is serving as executive producer for the film, with both movies slated for release in 2014.

Excited?  Concerned?  I know there are some people out there who aren’t Nolan die-hards out there, but what are your thoughts?

Comment below, let me know.

-David Dunn

SOURCE: Deadline, Latinoreview

Avatar haters, you are not going to dig this.  Details have recently emerged about the sequel’s to James Cameron’s Oscar-winning 2009 film Avatar, the sci-fi blockbuster that broke boundaries in technical achievements and is currently the highest grossing picture of all time, minus inflation.

The announcement made by Cameron earlier today has confirmed it: Cameron has hired three new writers to help penn not only Avatar 2 & 3, but also a fourth installment to be released sometime in 2018.  The confirmed contributors to the project are Joshua Friedman (Steven Spielberg’s War Of The Worlds), Shane Salerno (Oliver Stone’s Savages), Rich Jaffa and Amanda Silver (Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes).

And again come the sequels.  What is the world coming to when we have to recycle everything every two-to-three years?  Unlike my other fellow film lovers who seemed to hate the movie, I for one loved the first Avatar.  I loved the characters, the concept, the stellar visuals, Cameron’s expert handling of the premise, and ultimately how he, through the story, came to resonate Sully’s conflict with that of the oppressed indians during the Cherokee trail of 1849.  It was not only an ambitious film, but an intelligent film, and a wondrous sci-fi blockbuster that genuinely made great use of its visuals and of its concept.

That being said, you all know my views of sequels.  The more movies that are produced, the less likely it is to be compared to the original one.  I like that Cameron is enlisting in the help of four other writers, and believe that it will help stretch and expand its story to greater heights.  But there is still the greater danger of the story being unaffected, no matter how many writers are attached.  Example: Armageddon had nine credited writers for its screenplay.  Nine.  Was it a fun movie?  Yes, but was it intelligent-worthy of nine writers???  I’ll let you answer that for me.

What are your thoughts?  Some people loved Avatar, others hated it.  What are your views, and what are your thoughts on the sequel?  Comment below, let me know.

-David Dunn

SOURCE: LatinoReview, Cinemablend