Movie Muser

If I’m being perfectly honest, the recent trailer for Disney’s live-action take on Cinderella was rather underwhelming and unexciting. It sadly seemed to lack a bit of magic. However there’s still hope that the final film can add that back in, and these character posts suggests the movie is pushing in the right direction.

The posters feature Ella played by Lily James and The Prince played by Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett and the Stepsisters played by Holliday Grainger & Sophie McShera, and The Fairy Godmother played by the amazing Helena Bonham Carter.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, “Cinderella” brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually-dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation.

‘The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit (Richard Madden). Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and – armed with a pumpkin and a few mice – changes Cinderella’s life forever.’

The film’s due out March 27th, 2015.

When Ryan Reynolds played Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the idea before it was even filmed was that it would set up a spin-off movie for him. However when the film was badly received and the way the character was portrayed didn’t please fans (and Reynolds went off to DC’s Green Lantern), it didn’t kill off Deadpool film plans, but they certainly went on the backburner.

The actor kept talking up the possibilities as it’s certainly a passion project, but many thought it was going to become one of those times when there would be a massive amount of talk but no movie would ever arrive. However now it looks like it’s finally going to happen, as part of Fox’s attempts to broaden the X-Men world with films focussing on individual characters (along with another Wolverine and Deadpool, there’s a Gambit movie starring Channing Tatum in the works).

A few months ago Fox handed Deadpool a February 12th, 2016, and now Reynolds has confirmed his return with the Tweet, ‘Uh… It’s Chimichanga Time.’

Tim Miller is directing from a screenplay by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick.

 

Uh… It's Chimichanga Time. pic.twitter.com/ZlknW4HOtj

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 4, 2014

Chris Pratt has had one hell of a year, with Guardians Of The Galaxy turning him into a bona fide movie star, voicing the lead character in The Lego Movie, shooting next year’s biggie Jurassic World and being in contention for all manner of massive movie roles.

Now he may have a new one, as Deadline reports he’s in early talks to join the cast of the planned Magnificent Seven remake.

It won’t be a straight remake, so Pratt wouldn’t be taking over the exact role played by one of the original seven, but assuming he signs on he will play a character named Farraday. Denzel Washington is also set to star.

1960?s The Magnificent Seven was loosely inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai and followed seven old west gunslingers (Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter, James Coburn and Horst Buchholz) who are hired by a small Mexican village to defend their homes from the villainous Calvera (Eli Wallach). It’s not known who closely the new version will stick to that plotline, although it is known the characters will change.

Antoine Fuqua (The Equalizer) is directing from a script originally written by True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto, with John Lee Hancock providing a rewrite.

It’s official, Bond 24 has been announced with a major event in London and it will be called Spectre. Of course that’s the name of the evil organisation headed by Blofeld in early Bond movies (It stands for (SPecial Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion), and the name of the film signals its return.

Both Blofeld and SPECTRE disappeared from Bond after a protracted legal battle decided Thunderball screenplay co-creator Kevin McClory owned them. However a few years ago Eon Productions purchased the rights and brought them back into the official Bond fold. Every film since Casino Royale has had rumours of a SPECTRE appearance, but it’s only now it will actually happen.

The announcement also confirms that alongside returnees Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Rory Kinnear, newbies Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci and Andrew Scott will star. Although there’s no confirmation, the presumption is that Waltz will be Blofeld.

Here’s the official press release: ‘007 Soundstage, Pinewood Studios, London. James Bond Producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today released the title of the 24th James Bond adventure, SPECTRE. The film, from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is directed by Sam Mendes and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his fourth film as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007. SPECTRE begins principal photography on Monday, December 8, and is set for global release on November 6, 2015.

‘Along with Daniel Craig, Mendes presented the returning cast, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Rory Kinnear as well as introducing Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci and Andrew Scott. Mendes also revealed Bond’s sleek new Aston Martin, the DB10, created exclusively for SPECTRE.

‘A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organisation. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.

‘The 007 production will be based at Pinewood Studios, and on location in London, Mexico City, Rome and Tangier and Erfoud, in Morocco. Bond will return to the snow once again, this time in Sölden, along with other Austrian locations, Obertilliach, and Lake Altaussee.

‘Commenting on the announcement, Wilson and Broccoli said, “We’re excited to announce Daniel’s fourth installment in the series and thrilled that Sam has taken on the challenge of following on the success of SKYFALL with SPECTRE.”.

‘Written by John Logan and Neal Purvis & Robert Wade, Director of Photography is Hoyte van Hoytema and Editor is Lee Smith. Production Designer, Dennis Gassner returns along with Costume Designer, Jany Temime and Composer, Thomas Newman. Action Specialist, Alexander Witt is the 2nd Unit Director. Stunt Coordinator is Gary Powell, SFX Supervisor is Chris Corbould, and Visual Effects Supervisor is Steve Begg.

‘Skyfall, the 23rd James Bond film, was a worldwide box office phenomenon, opening #1 in 70 territories around the world, taking over $1.1 billion worldwide and setting a new all-time box office record in the UK by becoming the first film to take over £100 million.

‘The launch of SPECTRE was streamed live on 007.com and Facebook.com/JamesBond007, and the video is now available on demand at both sites.’

Just a few weeks ago Disney announced a new animated movie, Moana, and they’re not wasting any time, as TheWrap reports that Dwayne Johnson has signed up to lend his voice to the movie (presumably in the five minutes between the 30,000 other movies he’s currently making).

The Little Mermaid team of Ron Clements and John Musker are behind the film, with Johnson’s playing a demigod call Maui. Set in the ancient South Pacific, the film is about young Moana, who is a born navigator who goes searching for a fabled island called Oceania. Her journey teams her with the legendary Maui. They traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, where they battle sea creatures, take in underwater worlds, and learn about ancient Polynesian folklore.

John Musker has commented, “Moana is indomitable, passionate and a dreamer with a unique connection to the ocean itself. She’s the kind of character we all root for, and we can’t wait to introduce her to audiences.”

It seems we’ll also get to hear Johnson sing, as he confirmed his casting with the tweet, ‘Excited to star as “Maui” in Disney’s next big animated musical, MOANA. Incredible story! **clears throat #TimeToSing’.