WILL SMITH WILL BE 'SELLING TIME' IN NEW SF MOVIE! NETFLIX NEW SF SHOW 'SENSE8' REVEALS CHARACTERS! WES BROWN JOINS 'SONGBYRD' SHOW! RORY O'MALLEY JOINS KELSEY GRAMMER, MARTIN LAWRENCE IN 'BRADDOCK & JACKSON' SHOW

WILL SMITH WILL BE

'SELLING TIME' IN NEW SF MOVIE

Now, here's an interesting movie plot. According to 'Deadline' Will Smith has been offered the lead role in D.J. Caruso's SELLING TIME film in which the story follows a man who sells chunks of his life in an attempt to relive the worst day of his life so that he can change a tragedy. Speaking of Will Smith, you will see him next month in WINTER'S TALE and he also has a booked role in COLOSSUS, playing a man who is trying to save the world from a super computer, and he also has plans to star in two INDEPENDENCE DAY sequels - one in 2016 and one in 2017.

TELEVISION UPDATES

WES BROWN IN 'SONGBYRD'
In today's television news, E!'s first scripted series SONGBYRD has found it's hunky male lead. The show, in which Bethany Joy Lenz from ONE TREE HILL will play Lauren Byrd, songwriter of popular pop hits and love ballads with unhappy private love life, will see Wes Brown playing Justin, Lauren’s sexy, soulful, love interest. The show is inspired by the life of real life hitmaker Diane Warren who wrote tones of pop classics for Celine Dion, Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston...
NETFLIX 'SENSE8' SF SERIES
Netflix has, meanwhile, revealed more about the characters in their upcoming new sf series SENSE8. Coming from MATRIX masterminds The Wachovskis  the show will be a gripping global tale of minds linked and souls hunted focusing on eight telepathically linked individuals from around the world. Mysterious forces will try to unite and destroy eight of them: an Icelandic party chick, a German safe-cracker, a Korean businesswoman, an African bus driver, a closeted Mexican telenovela beefcake, a transgender American blogger – plus Jonas, a supposedly magic African-American who manifests to all of the “visionaries”, and his evil nemesis, “Mr. Whispers.”
RORY O'MALLEY IN 'BRADDOCK & JACKSON'
Another charming hunk, Rory O'Malley has joined Kelsey Grammer and Martin Lawrence in new FX series BRADDOCK AND JACKSON, a 10 episode comedy series in which Grammer and Lawrence play Chicago lawyers from vastly different backgrounds who develop a partnership after they unexpectedly meet in court on the worst day of their lives. Rory will play the irreverent office manager of their law firm.

FIRST 'TAMMY' IMAGE WITH MELISSA MCCARTHY AND SUSAN SARANDON. NEW POSTERS FOR 'THE BOOK THIEF' WITH GEOFFREY RUSH, 'IN SECRET' WITH ELIZABETH OLSEN, JESSICA LANGE, 'ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE' WITH TOM HIDDLESTON, TILDA SWINTON

THE BOOK THIEF POSTERS

GEOFFREY RUSH IN WWII STORY

We shall have a photo/poster day, today at HOLLYWOOD SPY people. First, check out a new poster for THE BOOK THIEF, one of the biggest awards contenders this year. Based on the beloved bestselling book, THE BOOK THIEF tells the story of a spirited and courageous young girl (Sophie Nelisse) who transforms the lives of everyone around her when she is sent to live with a foster family in World War II Germany. Intrigued by the only book she brought with her, she begins collecting books as she finds them. With the help of her new parents (Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson) and a secret guest under the stairs, she learns to read and creates a magical world that inspires them all. The movie has already played in USA cinemas, but will open up in UK theatres this February.

FIRST 'TAMMY' PICTURE WITH

MELISSA MCCARTHY & SUSAN SARANDON ON A ROAD TRIP

You can also check out the first still from upcoming comedy TAMMY in which Melissa McCarthy plays fast food employee Tammy who loses her job and discovers her husband is cheating on her on the same day. The disillusioned woman decides to embark on a road trip with her stubborn, hard-drinking grandmother Pearl played by Susan Sarandon. Kathy Bates and Toni Collette also star.

NEW 'IN SECRET' POSTER

ELIZABETH OLSEN IN 1860'S PARIS
Another new poster is for period set drama IN SECRET.  Based on Emile Zola classic novel THERESE RAQUIN, the story is set in the lower echelons of 1860s Paris, where Therese Raquin (Elizabeth Olsen), a sexually repressed beautiful young woman, is trapped into a loveless marriage to her sickly cousin, Camille (Tom Felton), by her domineering aunt, Madame Raquin (Jessica Lange). Therese spends her days confined behind the counter of a small shop and her evenings watching Madame play dominoes with an eclectic group. After she meets her husband's alluring friend, Laurent (Oscar Isaac), she embarks on an illicit affair that leads to tragic consequences.

ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE

TOM HIDDLESTON IS A VAMPIRE

A poster has also been released for ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE which follows Adam (Tom Hiddleston), an underground vampire musician who reunites with his lover for centuries (Tilda Swinton) after he becomes depressed and tired with the direction human society has taken. Their love is interrupted and tested by her wild and uncontrollable little sister (Mia Wasikowska).

STEVEN SPIELBERG & JAVIER BARDEM TO MAKE 'MONTEZUMA' EPIC ADVENTURE MOVIE! FIRST 'FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD' IMAGES WITH CAREY MULIGAN, MATTHIAS SCHOENAERTS, TOM STURRIDGE, MICHAEL SHEEN

MONTEZUMA EPIC!

WITH STEVEN SPIELBERG AND JAVIER BARDEM?

Oh, you know how there's nothing that your HOLLYWOOD SPY lurvs more than a new epic: Deadline reports that Steven Spielberg is eying MONTEZUMA an epic tale of the kinship and ultimately the bloody collision between Montezuma and Cortez as the latter led the Spanish infiltration into Mexico. With Javier Bardem being eyed for the role of the Spanish explorer and invader Cortez, the movie would be based on the 50 years old script to be rewritten by Steve Zaillian who had worked with Spielberg on THE SCHINDLER'S LIST and who is currently producing Ridley Scott's Egyptian epic EXODUS. The original script was written by Dalton Trumbo half a century ago for Kirk Douglas and has been considered one of the greatest unmade scripts.

DEZZY'S HISTORY LESSON
When Hernando Cortez came to Mexico in the early 16th century he was a guest at the court of the Aztec ruler, but he soon infected the Aztecs with lust for gold, with religion, with some European diseases which all later lead to battles and fights. After MONTEZUMA was killed, Cortez actually impregnated his daughter, the Aztec princess.

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

THE FIRST IMAGES ARE HERE!

And speaking of period set movies, here are the first pictures from FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD movie adaptation of Thomas Hardy classic novel which will hit the big screens sometime this  year starring Carey Muligan, Juno Temple, Michael Sheen, Tom Sturridge, Matthias Schoenaerts and directed by Thomas Vinterberg. The story follows a headstrong young woman named Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Muligan), who realizes her life’s happiness depends very much on who she chooses to marry. Her suitors each come from different backgrounds. Gabrielle Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts) is a sweet-hearted sheep farmer who is drawn in by her independent spirit. Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge) is a sexy, dashing and impulsive Sergeant, who promises passion. William Boldwood (Michael Sheen) is a wealthy, but older gentleman, who could offer her luxury at least. 

DEZZY'S LITERATURE LESSON
Here's an encouraging info for you writers: although FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD was Hardy's fourth novel, it was actually his first literary success.

SPOTLIGHT ON DISCOVERY'S & RIDLEY SCOTT'S HISTORICAL MINI SERIES 'KLONDIKE' WITH RICHARD MADDEN, TIM ROTH, ABBIE CORNISH, AUGUSTUS PREW, JOHNNY SIMMONS, SAM SHEPARD

DISCOVERY'S 'KLONDIKE'

 NEW HISTORICAL MINI TV SERIES

Another new historical series starting this month on television, beside BLACK SAILS and THE MUSKETEERS, is Discovery's scripted mini series KLONDIKE which will start digging its way into the small screens January 20th starring our dearest King of the North Richard Madden produced by Ridley Scott!

THE STORY OF 'KLONDIKE'

 MAN VERSUS NATURE

Discovery’s first scripted mini-series, based on Charlotte Gray’s book 'Gold Diggers: Striking It Rich in the Klondike', brings to life the story of six strangers and their collective fight for survival and wealth in a small frontier town in the remote KLONDIKE following the lives of two childhood best friends, Bill and Epstein, in the late 1890s as they flock to the gold rush capital in the untamed Yukon Territory. This man-versus-nature tale places our heroes in a land full of undiscovered wealth, but ravaged by harsh conditions, unpredictable weather and desperate, dangerous characters including greedy businessmen, seductive courtesans and native tribes witnessing the destruction of their people and land by opportunistic entrepreneurs.

BILL HASKELL

PLAYED BY RICHARD MADDEN

Dreading a lifetime spent working behind a desk, Bill Haskell sets out to carve a place for himself in the booming times of the KLONDIKE Gold Rush. He and his best friend, Byron Epstein, leave New York City and make the months long journey to Dawson City and the gold fields of the KLONDIKE. Handsome, intelligent and ambitious, Bill catches the attention of Belinda Mulrooney, one of Dawson’s most prominent figures. After some early trouble in town, he stakes his claim out on the creeks and sets about the business of mining gold. It isn’t long before Bill becomes consumed with finding gold and leverages everything he owns on the promise of a pay streak. He soon realizes that only a lucky few will strike it rich and as winter sets in, those lucky few become prey for the unlucky. To survive, Bill must fight desperate men, his own lust for revenge and the mighty, unforgiving KLONDIKE.

BELINDA MULROONEY

 PLAYED BY ABBIE CORNISH

 Belinda Mulrooney knows that in 1897 the only place where a woman can make her mark and maintain her independence is in a town like Dawson City, a place so isolated and remote that gender is an afterthought to people in need of shelter and supplies to stay alive. A shrewd businesswoman, Belinda made it to Dawson early and began selling the goods she brought with her to the miners. With the money she made, she doubled down and began buying businesses, then real estate. By the time the KLONDIKE Gold Rush was in full swing, she was set up nicely as the hotel, restaurant and sawmill magnate of Dawson. While building her dream property, The Fairview Hotel, soon to be largest and finest hotel in all of the KLONDIKE, two men arrive in Dawson that upset her focus and her power – Bill Haskell and The Count.

THE WICKED COUNT

PLAYED BY TIM ROTH

 A dangerous man of questionable nobility, The Count comes to Dawson and upends Belinda's world when he makes a play to be the new land baron of Dawson City. He sets his sights on a property owned by Father Judge, the only priest in town, and makes it clear that Judge’s relationship with the church won’t stop him from taking what he wants. In lawless Dawson, The Count’s wickedness knows no bounds and he employees a posse of murderous outlaws to make sure his desires are met.

BYRON EPSTEIN

 PLAYED BY AUGUSTUS PREW

Byron Epstein has an influence over his good friend Bill Haskell that changes both their lives. With his cavalier, devil-may-care attitude, Byron sees a world of opportunities in the KLONDIKE and it’s his prompting that starts the two friends on their dramatic journey across treacherous terrain and into Dawson City.

SABINE

 PLAYED BY CONOR LESLIE 

Beautiful Sabine charms her way to Dawson City looking to trade on her looks and make a quick killing as a courtesan. But the dangerous  boomtown has a way of turning dreams into dust and her world spirals into a place darker than she bargained for. It isn’t until an unlikely player intercedes that Sabine finds any chance at redemption.

JACK LONDON

PLAYED BY JOHNNY SIMMONS

Jack London is in Dawson for the stories and the adventure. Jack envisions himself a famous writer, gathering the stories that will make him a legend. He spends most of his time drinking, listening and  writing. He makes it out of Dawson and back to fame and fortune, but the KLONDIKE takes her cut – he arrived at 19 and after one season leaves a toothless alcoholic looking 30.

HOLLYWOOD SPY'S TOP 25 BEST SONGS OF 2013: ONE REPUBLIC, CELINE DION, LEONA LEWIS, HURTS, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, NICOLE SCHERZINGER, THE WANTED

HOLLYWOOD SPY'S

25 BEST TUNES FROM 2013

Well, to be honest, 2013 wasn't much of a year when it comes to music - it was mostly dominated by superficial pop tarts, such as Rihanna, Britney, Miley, screeching like stray cats in the rain all year around and using their naked body parts to attract attention in their lack of true talent. But, there were still some lovely tunes that we've listened to during the year, so here are HOLLYWOOD SPY's top 25 songs of 2013! Clicking on the titles will take you to the videos.

2013 TOP 25 BEST SONGS

1. ONE REPUBLIC - Counting Stars

 As most of you know, One Republic has always been my favourite band and they haven't disappointed us with their new album. No More Counting Dollars, We'll Be Counting Stars was definitely our favourite line this year. Their singer Ryan Tedder also wrote famous hits Bleeding Love for Leona Lewis, Beyonce's Halo, Apologize and All The Right Moves for One Republic, Battlefield for Jordin Sparks and this year's hit Burn for Ellie Goulding.

2. LOREEN - My Heart Is Refusing Me

Definitely the song I would sing if I was ever to audition for a singing competition :)

3. CELINE DION - Loved Me Back To Life

4. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - Mirrors

5. LEONA LEWIS - Lovebird

6. FERGIE - Little Party Never Killed Nobody

My favourite movie song from 2013, the dance tune taken from THE GREAT GATSBY soundtrack!

7. PASSENGER - Let Her Go

Well you only need the light when it's burning low 

Only miss the sun when it starts to snow

Only know you love her when you let her go 

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low 

Only hate the road when you’re missin' home

8. NICOLE SCHERZINGER - Boomerang

Not only that she is the kindest and most gracious and humble X-FACTOR jury member ever, and the best dressed celebrity, but Nicole also graced us with a new single last year.

9. JOHN NEWMAN - Love Me Again

10. HURTS - Miracle

11. ELLIE GOULDING - Burn

12. YLVIS - What Does The Fox Say?

13. THE WANTED - We Own The Night

14. LAWSON - Learn To Love Again
The British pop rock bend  became one of my favourite music discoveries last year. 

15. OLLY MURS - Dear Darlin'

16. THE SCRIPT - If You Could See Me Now
Irish pop bend lead by amazing Danny O'Donaghue never ceases to amaze us with their tender lyrics!

17. AVICII - Wake Me Up

18. EMELIE DE FOREST - Only Teardrops
Last year's Eurosong winner

19. JOHN LEGEND - Made To Love

20. ARASH & SEAN PAUL - She Makes Me Go

21. HURTS - Somebody To Die For

I could drag you from the ocean, 

I could pull you from the fire 

And when you're standing in the shadows 

I could open up the sky 

And I could give you my devotion 

Until the end of time 

And you will never be forgotten 

With me by your side

22. LEONA LEWIS - One More Sleep

23. LADY GAGA - Do What You Want

24. TAYLOR SWIFT - I Knew You Were Trouble

25. DEMI LOVATO - Heart Attack 
So, tell me, what were your fave songs last year?

FIRST IMAGES FROM STARZ' NEW EPIC FANTASY ADVENTURE TV SERIES 'OUTLANDER' WITH SAM HEUGHAN, CAITRIONA BALFE, GRAHAM MCTAVISH, TOBIAS MENZIES! SPOTLIGHT ON THE CHARACTERS!

OUTLANDER

STARZ' NEW FANTASY ADVENTURE

First pictures have been released for Starz' new fantasy series OUTLANDER which is coming to the small screens later this year (most probably in spring). Based on the popular fantasy novels by Diana Gabaldon sold in more than 20 million copies, this 16 episode show, set in the  17th century, will be produced by BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's Ronald Moore. Today we spotlight the story and the characters.

THE STORY OF OUTLANDER

THE CHOICE OF HEART

Spanning the genres of romance, science fiction history and adventure into one epic tale, OUTLANDER follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back  in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

CAITRIONA BALFE

IS CLAIRE RANDALL

Gorgeous Irish top model Caitriona Balfe (NOW YOU SEE ME) will head the cast in the 16 episode series based on Diana Gabaldon's bestselling novels. She will play the protagonist Claire Randall, a nurse who will have to tackle both time travel and love dilemmas.

SAM HEUGHAN

IS JAMIE FRASER
Taking the male lead in the show is Scottish actor Sam Heughan who plays Jamie Fraser  a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior who falls in love with Claire. Armed with sheer grit and enduring strength, Fraser is a young Scottish clan lord with a complicated past and a disarming sense of humor. He's also intelligent, principled and, by 18th-century standards, educated and worldly, with tenderness and compassion that stand out in contrast to his contemporaries. A natural leader of men, he has no political ambitions or desire for battlefield glory. Instead, he wishes to remove the price on his head and return to his family’s ancestral farm.

TOBIAS MENZIES

IS DOUBLE RANDALL

Meanwhile, ROME and GAME OF THRONES star Tobias Menzies will play the dual role of Frank Randall and Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall! Frank is Claire's 20th century husband and a professional historian with a particular interest in the 18th century and his own genealogy. Frank and Claire are reunited in 1945 after being separated by the war and rekindle their relationship when Claire disappears. Jonathan Black Jack is Frank's dark and violent ancestor from the 18th century and a captain in the English Army posted into Scotland during the rebellion.

LOTTE VERBEEK

TO PLAY GEILLIS DUNCAN

THE BORGIAS' star Lotte Verbeek will play the enigmatic and witchy Geillis Duncan, wife of the procurator fiscal.

THE FRASER CLAN

 GRAHAM MCTAVISH, GARY LEWIS & DUNCAN LACROIX

Actors who already have experience in the epic genre - Graham McTavish (HOBBIT), Gary Lewis (BILLY ELLIOTT) and Duncan  Lacroix (GAME OF THRONES, VIKINGS) - will play Scottish warriors, the uncles and godfathers of Jamie Fraser.

FIRST 'A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST' IMAGE WITH CHARLIZE THERON, AMANDA SEYFRIED, NEAL PATRICK HARRIS AND SETH MACFARLANE! GERMAN WW2 EPIC SERIES 'GENERATION WAR' COMING TO USA THIS JANUARY

  MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN WEST

CHARLIZE THERON & SETH MACFARLANE IN THE FIRST IMAGE

Your main photo treat for today is the first image from this year's comedy western A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST which will ride into cinemas this May. Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Neal Patrick Harris and Seth Macfarlane are seen in the first picture from the film in which Macfarlane plays a sheep farmer whose lover leaves him due to his cowardice. His fortunes begin to look up when a beautiful and mysterious woman arrives in town, but her outlaw husband isn't far behind. Liam Neeson and Giovanni Ribisi also star!

  GENERATION WAR

 WW2 HISTORICAL SERIES

And something that you over in USA will be able to watch from January 15th in NY cinemas is German war mini series done in the vein of BAND OF BROTHERS. Titled GENERATION WAR the block- buster miniseries vividly depicts the lives of five young German friends forced to navigate the unconscionable moral compromises of life under Hitler. Level-headed, highly decorated officer Wilhelm (Volker Bruch) goes off to the eastern front with his sensitive younger brother Friedhelm (Tom Schilling). Deeply in love with Wilhelm is Charlotte (Miriam Stein), a young nurse who looks forward to serving in the Red Cross. Greta (Katherina Schüttler) is a talented singer who longs to become another Marlene Dietrich, while her Jewish boyfriend Viktor (Ludwig Trepte) fights for his life while hiding among members of the Polish Resistance!

DID YOU KNOW? 
The mini series was a huge success last spring in Germany and will be also aired on BBC 2 in UK later this year as the first foreign language series to be broadcast there in more than ten years. GENERATION WAR will be released in USA this month in limited cinemas before it hits DVD market. The series have caused controversy in some countries where some critics have suggested that the TV series is providing excuses justifying German populace participation in the war. Others believe that the series tried to show how Germans were lured into Hitler's war in what was Germany's darkest era!

TRAILER FOR PERIOD DRAMA 'A PROMISE' WITH RICHARD MADDEN AND ALAN RICKMAN! FIRST 'THE MAZE RUNNER' FANTASY MOVIE PICTURES WITH THOMAS BRODIE SANGSTER, WILL POULTER, PATRICIA CLARKSON, CHRIS SHEFFIELD

  THE MAZE RUNNER

FIRST IMAGES ARE HERE!

First pictures have been released for the fantasy adaptation of THE MAZE RUNNER popular novel which will hit the big screens this September. Starring Will Poulter, Patricia Clarkson, Kaya  Scodelario, Chris Sheffield and Thomas Brodie Sangster, the movie follows a boy named Thomas who wakes up in a strange place called the Glade with no memory aside from his first name. The Glade is an enclosed structure populated by other boys, and is surrounded by tall stone walls that protect them from monsters called Grievers that live in the Maze, which surrounds the walls around the Glade. Every day, some of the kids who are Runners venture into the labyrinth trying to map the ever-changing pattern of walls in an attempt to find an exit. As soon as Thomas arrives, unusual things begin to happen and the others grow suspicious of him. The Maze seems familiar to Thomas, but he's unable to make sense of the place despite his extraordinary abilities as a Runner. When the first girl arrives in the Glade, she brings  a message that she will be the last one to ever arrive in the Glade, as the end is near!

  'A PROMISE' DRAMA TRAILER

RICHARD MADDEN & ALAN RICKMAN IN PRE WWI DRAMA

Your first fresh trailer in the new 2014 is for Patrice Leconte's new period drama A PROMISE starring charismatic Richard Madden  with whom we all fell in love when he played king of the North in GAME OF THRONES, and whom you will also watch as Prince Charming in  Kenneth Branagh's CINDERELLA next to Cate Blanchett. Also starring Alan Rickman, A PROMISE is a romantic drama set in Germany just before WWI and centred on a married woman who falls in love with her husband's protégé. Separated first by duties and then by the war, they pledge their devotion to one another.

2014 FILMS WITH DELIGHTFUL ANIMALS: DISNEY'S 'BEARS' FAMILY ADVENTURE! 'ISLAND OF LEMURS: MADAGASCAR' WITH MORGAN FREEMAN & PATRICIA WRIGHT

Well, what better way to wake up in the first day of the new year than with the sight of animals (unless you woke up drunk this morning in some dark alley with angry rats and peculiar looking cats starring at you hungrily)? Let us check out some of the 2014 films which will have animals as the main stars:

  DISNEY'S 'BEARS'

 THE STORY OF CARING FAMILY

In an epic story of breathtaking scale, Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure BEARS showcases a year in the life of two mother bears as they impart life lessons to their impressionable young cubs. Set against a majestic Alaskan backdrop teeming with life, their journey begins as winter comes to an end and the bears emerge from hibernation to face the bitter cold. The world outside is exciting, but risky, as the cubs’ playful descent down the mountain carries with it a looming threat of avalanches. As the season changes from spring to summer, the brown bear families must work together to find food, ultimately feasting at a  plentiful salmon run, while staying safe from predators, including an ever-present wolf pack. Coming out this April, BEARS captures the fast-moving action and suspense of life in one of the planet’s last great wildernesses, where mothers definitely know best and their cubs’ survival hinges on family togetherness.

 ISLAND OF LEMURS

MADAGASCAR ADVENTURE

Distant African cousins of bears, ever so delightful and mischievous lemurs await you in ISLAND OF LEMURS: MADAGASCAR family documentary film this April as well.  Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman narrates the documentary about the incredible true story of nature’s greatest explorers — lemurs. Captured with IMAX 3D cameras ISLAND OF LEMURS: MADAGASCAR takes audiences on a spectacular journey to the remote and wondrous world of Madagascar. Lemurs arrived there as castaways millions of years ago and evolved into hundreds of diverse species but are now highly endangered. Join trailblazing scientist Patricia Wright on her lifelong mission to help these strange and adorable creatures survive in the modern world.