'BEAUTY AND THE BEAST' CASTS
LUKE EVANS AND DAN STEVENS
Now, although I personally don't like the female lead choice (that Harry Plopper's Emma lass), Disney's movie adaptation of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST has found itself the most stunning of male casts! Our beloved Welsh superhunk Luke Evans (DRACULA UNTOLD, HOBBIT) will play narcissistic Gaston in the Bill Condon's film, while DOWNTON ABBEY's Dan Stevens has been hired to star as the romantic Beast himself! After ALICE IN WONDERLAND, JACK THE GIANT SLAYER, MIRROR MIRROR, MALEFICENT and CINDERELLA which is currently in cinemas, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will bring fairy tales to the cinemas sometime next year.
HISTORICAL BOOK ADAPTATIONS
19TH CENTURY 'FLASHMAN'
Yesterday I informed you of some new fantasy novels that are getting
made into films, and today two historical ones. 'Variety' reports that
Fox will adapt George Macdonald Fraser's FLASHMAN 19th century novels
into a movie. To be produced by Ridley Scott, the story follows Sir
Harry Paget FLASHMAN an antihero from the first half of the 19th century
who often runs from danger but usually winds up being acclaimed as a
hero. Some of the novels describe his travels to Scotland, India, and
Afghanistan!
NELLIE BLY'S EIGHTY DAYS AROUND THE WORLD
Meanwhile, Matthew Goodman’s bestselling historical book, "EIGHTY DAYS: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s History
Making Race Around the World” is to be developed into mini TV
series about investigative journalist Nellie Bly who in 1889 decided she
would try to beat the fictional record in Jules Verne’s now classic
story and go around the world in less than 80 days. At the same time,
because competition is the name of the game in journalism, Cosmopolitan
sent their own reporter Elizabeth Bisland, out to beat not only the
80-day fictional Phineas Fogg record but also try to one-up Bly who was
working for Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World newspaper.
Yesterday I informed you of some new fantasy novels that are getting
made into films, and today two historical ones. 'Variety' reports that
Fox will adapt George Macdonald Fraser's FLASHMAN 19th century novels
into a movie. To be produced by Ridley Scott, the story follows Sir
Harry Paget FLASHMAN an antihero from the first half of the 19th century
who often runs from danger but usually winds up being acclaimed as a
hero. Some of the novels describe his travels to Scotland, India, and
Afghanistan!NELLIE BLY'S EIGHTY DAYS AROUND THE WORLD
Meanwhile, Matthew Goodman’s bestselling historical book, "EIGHTY DAYS: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s History
Making Race Around the World” is to be developed into mini TV
series about investigative journalist Nellie Bly who in 1889 decided she
would try to beat the fictional record in Jules Verne’s now classic
story and go around the world in less than 80 days. At the same time,
because competition is the name of the game in journalism, Cosmopolitan
sent their own reporter Elizabeth Bisland, out to beat not only the
80-day fictional Phineas Fogg record but also try to one-up Bly who was
working for Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World newspaper.
TARSEM'S 'SELF/LESS' TRAILER
WITH RYAN REYNOLDS, BEN KINGSLEY AND MATTHEW GOODE
The first trailer has been released for the new film from one of our favourite directors Tarsem Singh (IMMORTALS, THE CELL, THE 
FALL, MIRROR MIRROR)! SELF/LESS will arrive to theatres this July! This psychological sf thriller follows an extremely wealthy man (Ben Kingsley) dying from cancer who undergoes a radical medical procedure that transfers his consciousness into the body of a healthy young man (Ryan Reynolds). But all is not as it seems when he starts to uncover the mystery of the body's origin and the organization that will kill to protect its cause. Matthew Goode, Michelle Dockery, Natalie Martinez, Derek Luke and Victor Garber star in the supporting roles.
FALL, MIRROR MIRROR)! SELF/LESS will arrive to theatres this July! This psychological sf thriller follows an extremely wealthy man (Ben Kingsley) dying from cancer who undergoes a radical medical procedure that transfers his consciousness into the body of a healthy young man (Ryan Reynolds). But all is not as it seems when he starts to uncover the mystery of the body's origin and the organization that will kill to protect its cause. Matthew Goode, Michelle Dockery, Natalie Martinez, Derek Luke and Victor Garber star in the supporting roles.
Luke Evans and Dan Stevens look perfectly cast for Beauty and the Beast. I can easily see the characters emerging from them both.
ReplyDeleteI've heard the Flashman stories are a bit crude and misogynistic, but deliberately so as part of the overall parody. I'm going to have to give at least one a read and then see how the movie stands up.
Agreed, although I don't like seeing my dear Luke as a negative guy :(
Delete"Self/Less" sounds thought-provoking. And I believe "Flashman" is not only crude and misogynistic but racist as well. And probably a whole lot of other "ists" too. They'll have to clean it up for today's audiences.
ReplyDeleteOh, noes! Didn't know that about FLASHMAN. Not that I'm surprised, since so many of the adventure novels of that time were quite immoral
DeleteGreat things to look forward to! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing them. Keep on spying for us. :)
Be welcome, glad you're enjoying the news
DeleteWow, some great projects coming up. Love the historicals. And Dan Stevens is looking good. :)
ReplyDeletehe totally changed himself when he dyed his hair blonde and lost a few pounds
DeleteLuke Evans is beyond perfect for Gaston. The problem is, I'm now going to be rooting for him, not Beast!
ReplyDeletewe always root for Lukey :) I don't like the fact that he keeps getting villain roles... he will be bad in HIGH RISE too :(
Deleteoo, SELF/LESS looks cool
ReplyDeletewe love everything Tarsem makes!
DeleteHow can two guys continue looking so hot?
ReplyDeleteFlashman - maybe... no.
Eighty Days... mini series.
Didn't realize it was two women racing?
Self/Less trailer is profound & scary.
Raining and cold again. So much for Spring.
Stopped by to your trailer...ooh.
Delete~and listen to Indila. Thank you :)
Not only that they were racing, but the whole country was feverishly following their adventures those 80 days in the newspapers. Nellie won in the end arriving back in 72 days or something like that, two days earlier than her rival :)
DeleteI'll be definitely seeing self/less. And I love Luke Evans as a semi-bad guy. What fun.
ReplyDeletewe do love everything that Tarsem makes!
DeleteOoh--Self/Less sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeletewe love such visually stylish and thought provoking sf thrillers
DeleteBeauty and the Beast movie?
ReplyDeleteWhat's next Cinderalla?
Oh wait...
Cinders is already here and the Lil' Mermaid is getting prepared to be next
DeleteIt is? Yay! Little Mermaid is my favorite Disney Princess! I will be eagerly awaiting that one!
Deletethey did mention the plans for it .... but if I remember well it will differ from the animated movie
Deleteawww...Beauty and the Beast was my favourite Disney film growing up, so I'm looking forward to this adaptation - and with Luke Evans? Well, it's a no-brainer that I'll be there :)
ReplyDeleteat least the male cast will be outstanding
DeleteLooking forward to Selfless! The trailer is amazing. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteTarsem always has the best of sf
DeleteI can only pray The Little Mermaid will be left alone. Yup, man is always ready to screw with life and death.
ReplyDeleteit won't it is already being planned
DeleteRyan Reynolds is really into weird but challenging roles lately.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that too... unlike his wife who has been choosing emotional and warm ones :)
DeleteSeems that a lot of fairy tales are being made into movies. Must be the new Hollywood thing.
ReplyDeleteeach year a new one
DeleteSeems that a lot of fairy tales are being made into movies. Must be the new Hollywood thing.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they chose Emma Watson to play Belle because of her name. Now, I actually do like Emma, but sometimes I wish they would seek out lesser knows for the bigger roles like these. I find the characters more believable when I am not trying to shake off their other roles.
ReplyDeleteI think she is too ugly to play the role... and I say that as somebody who find almost everyone attractive but not her... and plus that girl has no talent whatsoever ... she's the level of Kristen Stewart....
DeleteYou are so wicked Dezzy! What a laugh I just had over this comment! :)
DeleteSometimes I purr sometimes I say grrrr :)
DeleteBeauty and the Beast... The Reboot!
ReplyDeleteRyan Reynolds... I like his stuff. His movies.
thank God you wrote his movies :)
DeleteYou go do that :p
Deletewhat?
DeleteFLASHMAN looks good, I do like this 'old fashion' poster...
ReplyDeleteit's a book cover :)
Delete