So we can cover as many films as possible, we thought we’d give you these quick updates on some of today’s smaller film announcements…
It’s been announced that Idris Elba, star of 28 Weeks Later, RocknRolla and Obsessed, has joined the cast of Thor. The London born actor will take the role of Heimdall, the guardian of Asgard, who stands on the BiFrost Bridge ready to defend the city from intruders. He’ll join the likes of Chris Hemsworth, Tim Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman in the Kenneth Branagh adaptation of the Marvel comic, which is due to start filming in California in January. (Source: THR)
Dustin Hoffman might not appear in Little Fockers. The actor, who had a major role as Bernie Focker in Meet The Fockers, was supposed to have a cameo towards the end of the upcoming sequel, which will pick up the story of Ben Stiller and Teri Polo’s Gaylord and Pam Focker when they have five-year-old kids. Apparently Hoffman couldn’t agree with the studio over the size of the part and the scheduling, so it now looks like he’s out. However it appears that Barbra Streisand, who played Hoffman’s wife in the earlier film, will return with a prominent role in the new film. (Source: Entertainment Weekly)
Warner has acquired the screen rights to Nubs, the true-life tale tale of a marine and his dog that has proved a sensation in the States. Bucket List writer Justin Zackham will write the screenplay, based on the life of Maj. Brian Dennis, who resuced a stray dog while on a tour of duty in Iraq, nursed it back to health and then has it shipped back to the US when his tour ended. The story got picked up across the US media and has now become a bestselling children’s book called, Nubs: A Marine, a Mutt and a Miracle. Although set in a war zone, the film is expected to be family friendly, and have echoes of Marley & Me. (Source: THR)
Justine Hlaven, best known for his work on The Shield, has been hired to write the fourth instalment of the Underworld franchise. Although Hlavin is keeping the plot under wraps, he has said that “It’s not a prequel. It will satisfy old fans and excite new audiences, meaning that we don’t want to redo the first three movies, so steps are being taken to honor what fans have loved but at the same time introduce fresh elements.” At the moment, neither Kate Beckinsale (Parts 1 & 2) or Rhona Mitra (Part 3) have deals in place to return to the Underworld’s universe of warring vampires and werewolves, and no director is attached either. (Source: THR)
Marcia Gay Harden and Shohreh Aghdashloo have joined the contemporary romance The No Game, which is described as a 21st century romance set against the backdrop of Middle East politics. Hmm, let’s hope that it’s more fun that it sounds. The film will be directed by Sherry Horman (Desert Flower) and will start filming soon in New York and Israel. (Source: Screen International)
According to a tweet from Production Weeky, Cell director Tarsem Singh’s next project has changed it name from War of God to Dawn of War, and is set to start filming in Montreal next March. The film is set to be a mythological tale set in ancient Greece, featuring Theseus (The Tudor’s star, Henry Cavill) leading his men and the gods into battle against the imprisoned Titans, who are planning a return to power. (Source: Twitter)