AMANDA SEYFRIED JOINS HUGH JACKMAN, GARRETT HEDLUND IN 'PAN'! MAX GREENFIELD IN 'HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS' COMEDY! MARK BURNETT, ROMA DOWNEY PRODUCING 'BEN HUR' EPIC MOVIE

 AMANDA SEYFRIED JOINS

HUGH JACKMAN IN PETER 'PAN' 

With the upcoming start of the production the cast of new big screen version of Peter PAN has been closed with the addition of Amanda Seyfried who will play Mary! With Joe Wright (ATONEMENT, ANNA KARENINA) behind the helm, the movie will offer a new take on the origin of the classic characters created by J.M. Barrie, following the story of an orphan who is spirited away to the magical Neverland where he finds both fun and dangers, and ultimately discovers his destiny - to become the hero who will be forever known as Peter Pan. Amanda Seyfried joins the cast which has Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard, Garrett Hedlund as Hook, Rooney Mara as Tiger Lily, and newcomer Levi Miller as Peter. The film is out July 2015!

 MAX GREEN- FIELD IN

HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS
Delightfully dashing Golden Globe nominated NEW GIRL star Max Greenfield has revealed that he will star in HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS comedy from director Michael Showalter in which his character will begin a romance with a much older woman. Talking to 'The Wrap' he said that the story revolves around Doris, who is an older woman! Her mother passes away and she's then forced to kind of find a new life in the city where she meets the younger guy (played by Max) and thinks that he's the answer. We've recently seen Greenfield in THEY CAME TOGETHER trailer with Paul Rudd!

 'BEN HUR' EPIC REMAKE GETS

THE BIBLE'S PRODUCERS ROMA DOWNEY & MARK BURNETT

After NOAH this year, Ridley Scott's EXODUS with Christian Bale as Moses next year, the Biblical big screen epic for 2016 will be the new version of BEN HUR! According to 'Deadline' MGM and Paramount have hired Mark Burnett and Roma Downey from THE BIBLE TV series as producers of the film which will be helmed by Timur Bekmambetov ! The movie will follow the classic story of the falsely accused nobleman who survives years of slavery to take vengeance on the best friend who betrayed him, as both have to choose retribution or forgiveness. In the backdrop is the journey of Jesus Christ, leading up to him being crucified.

THIRD HOBBIT MOVIE RETITLED INTO 'THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES'! LUPITA NYONGO, SCARLETT JOHANSSON FOR 'THE JUNGLE BOOK'! 'FLASH GORDON' REMAKE! RIDLEY SCOTT'S 'PHARAOH' EPIC TV SERIES AT HBO

 THE JUNGLE BOOK GETS

LUPITA NYONGO AND SCARLETT JOHANSSON?

We've already informed you that Warner Bros. is preparing new version of THE JUNGLE BOOK which will be a mixture of CGI and live action movie, but now 'The Hollywood Reporter' writes that Scarlett Johansson and Lupita Nyongo might join the cast which already has Idris Elba! Rudyard Kipling's story centres on Mowgli, a young boy who is raised in the wilderness by a pack of wolves, a bear and a black panther. Scarlett Johansson might lend her voice to Kaa, a python who eats other animals after hypnotizing them. Idris Elba is lending his voice to villainous Shere Khan who views Mowgli as a threat to his domain. Lupita Nyongo is currently negotiating to voice Rakcha, a mother wolf who takes care of Mowgli! Disney is also preparing their rival project helmed by Andy Serkis!

 FLASH GORDON

TO GET NEW MOVIE REMAKE!
Another famous story which is getting a new big screen version is beloved sf epic FLASH GORDON! 20th Century Fox has secured the rights and is eyeing STAR TREK III writers  J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay to prepare the script. There were previous rumours that Sam Worthington might be the star who will portray  the Yale graduate and polo player FLASH GORDON who is kidnapped and taken to the planet Mongo, where he fights against evil emperor Ming the Merciless alongside his friends Dale Arden and Hans Zarkov. Rumours say that the new film will bring adventure and razor's edge escapades, balanced by plenty of character work.
3RD HOBBIT RETITLED INTO 'THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES'
In other epic news, the latest news is that the third HOBBIT movie has been officially retitled into THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES instead of the rumoured title INTO THE FIRE! The movie will battle its way into cinemas this December starring Luke Evans, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ian McKellan, Orlando Bloom, Lilly Evangeline, Lee Pace and it will feature the glorious battle waged between the Goblins and the Wargs against Men of Dale, Elves, Dwarves, Eagles and a Shape-shifter on and near the Lonely Mountain.

 HBO GETS 'PHARAOH' SHOW

 RIDLEY SCOTT TO DIRECT

And while we are waiting for Fox to premiere their Ancient Egypt TV series HIEROGLYPH 'Deadline' reports that HBO has bought hourlong series PHARAOH from David Schulner (DRACULA, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES). To be produced and directed by  Ridley Scott  the series explores an alternate explanation for the foundation and ascent of the ancient Egyptian empire — one in which greatness was bestowed upon us by beings from another world, calling into question what it means to be a god! I've also recently reported that Spike TV will make KING TUT mini series on famous Pharaoh Tutankhamun!

HOLLYWOOD SPY SPOTLIGHT ON NBC'S NEW EPIC ADVENTURE PIRATE SHOW 'CROSSBONES' WITH JOHN MALKOVICH & RICHARD COYLE WITH MINDBLOWING CHARACTER PICTURES!

 'CROSSBONES' TV SHOW

JOHN MALKOVICH IS BLACKBEARD

Starz did manage to outrun NBC with their rival pirate show BLACK SAILS at least when it comes to airing dates (I myself found BLACK SAILS terribly drawn out and visionless) but NBC is now hitting back with their CROSSBONES buccaneer television show which will sail onto the small screens with its pilot episode on May 30th starring legendary John Malkovich as infamous Captain Blackbeard and beloved British star Richard Coyle as his secret nemesis!

REPUBLIC OF PIRATES
From the award winning creator of LUTHER, Neil Cross, and successful producing team of Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald (GLADIATOR, MEN IN BLACK, THE RING) comes an extraordinary action adventure epic series CROSSBONES — with an unexpected moral centre where one can’t be  sure whether the pirates or the British crown are the villains. Other cast members include Yasmine al Massri as Selima, Claire Foy, David Hoflin, Tracy Ifeachor and Chris Perfetti! The series is based on the book The Republic of Pirates by Colin Woodard!

 THE STORY OF 'CROSSBONES'

LEADER, DREAMER, PIRATE!

The story of the ten episode CROSSBONES series is set in 1715 on the Bahamian island of New Providence, the first functioning democracy in the Americas, where the diabolical pirate Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard, reigns over a rogue nation of thieves, outlaws and miscreant sailors. Part shantytown, part marauder’s paradise, this is a place like no other on earth – and a mounting threat to international commerce.

Blackbeard has set his sights on the world's first longitude chronometer, a device that will change society, sea-trade and global business. In a massive attack on an English vessel, Blackbeard attempts to steal the device; however, Tom Lowe, an English spy working undercover as the ship's surgeon, destroys the chronometer before it can fall into his hands. Taken as prisoner to Santa  Campana Island, Lowe must find a way to reassemble the precious device, all while trying to unfold Blackbeard's plan ... a plan that includes a threat to the English throne even worse than pirates.

Sent to the pirates’ haven to take down the brilliant and charismatic Blackbeard, the closer Lowe gets, the more he finds that his quest is not so simple. Lowe can’t help but admire the political ideals of Blackbeard, whose thirst for knowledge knows no bounds – and no law. But Lowe is not the only danger to Blackbeard’s rule. He is a man with many villainous rivals and one great weakness – a passionately driven woman whom he cannot deny. 

RACHEL WEISZ & TONI COLLETTE TO PLAY BEST FRIENDS IN 'MISS YOU ALREADY'! AMAZING 'PARTS PER BILLION' SF DRAMA TRAILER WITH JOSH HARTNETT, PENN BADGLEY, GENA ROWLANDS, ALEXIS BLEDEL, ROSARIO DAWSON

 MISS YOU ALREADY

TONI COLLETTE, RACHEL WEISZ

Here's a full female cast for you: straight from Cannes comes the news today that Catherine Hadwicke will direct the amazing duo of two award winning actresses Toni Collette and Rachel Weisz in MISS YOU ALREADY! The story, set in Great Britain, will follow two lifelong friends whose relationship goes asunder when one gets pregnant and the other contracts a serious disease in the form of breast cancer. The movie, which is supposed to have both tears and laughs, was originally meant to have Collette and Jennifer Aniston as stars.

DID YOU KNOW?
You will watch Toni Collette in A LONG WAY DOWN in which she, Aaron Paul and Pierce Brosnan, play strangers who meet each other while trying to end their lives at a top of a skyscraper. She will also appear next to Melissa McCarthy and Susan Sarandon in TAMMY,  and next to Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgard, Rosamund Pike in epic drama HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS! Rachel Weisz has made a break from shooting flicks this year, but you will see her next year in THE LOBSTER ensemble fantasy drama with Ben Whishaw, Colin Farrell and Lea Seydoux. After that she will star in Italian drama IN THE FUTURE with Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel and Willem Defoe.

'PARTS PER BILLION'

JOSH HARTNETT, PENN BADGLEY, GENA ROWLANDS, ALEXIS BLEDEL

Speaking of Cannes, the festival will also bring us the premiere of brilliant sf drama PARTS PER BILLION which has a rather stellar cast including Rosario Dawson, Josh Hartnett, Teresa Palmer, Penn Badgley, Alexis Bledel, Frank Langella and legendary Gena Rowlands! They all star in he interwoven stories of three couples which are forced to make life altering decisions in the face of a disastrous war. Inspired and sometimes blinded by their love, Len, Mia, Andy, Esther, Anna and Erik are as flawed and beautiful as any of the billions who are facing this human-made biological disaster. As the pandemic spreads and civilization is thrown into chaos, generations old and young must each make the ultimate decision! 

COMEDY TUESDAY: '22 JUMP STREET' WITH CHANNING TATUM, 'AUTHORS ANONYMOUS' WITH KALEY CUOCO, CHRIS KLEIN, 'THEY CAME TOGETHER' WITH PAUL RUDD AND AMY POEHLER

 AUTHORS ANONYMOUS

WHEN WRITERS WAGE WAR

Since there are no news today, I shall entertain you with some comedies, starting with AUTHORS ANONYMOUS which is currently playing in cinemas. After a dysfunctional group of unpublished writers with the motto all for one accept Hannah Rinaldi (Kaley Cuoco) into their fold, the last thing they expect is her overnight success - but that's exactly what they get. While her career takes off, her eccentric and envious colleagues (Chris Klein, Teri Polo, Dylan Walsh, Dennis Farina and Jonathan Bennett) struggle to find their own paths to publishing fame and fortune. Tensions rise, rivalries form, and hearts are broken. Rejection turns to desperation. Good thing they're only armed with pens...

 THEY CAME TOGETHER

PAUL RUDD & AMY POEHLER 
Another comedy to bring smiles on your face, but a bit later this year - in June - is THEY CAME TOGETHER starring Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler in the lead roles!  When Joel (Rudd) and Molly (Poehler) meet, it's hate at first sight; his big corporation is the one that threatens to shut down her quirky knick-knack store. Story, which follows their predictably on-again/off-again relationship, features rom-com staples such as the jealous ex-girlfriend, the office jerk, scary in-laws, a boring dentist, a wise dog and beautiful shots of New York City in autumn. Ed Helms is also in the cast.

 22 JUMP STREET

 SKIPPIN CLASSES, KICKIN ASSES

June will also bring us a sequel of the successful comedy into cinemas - 22 JUMP STREET! After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) when they go deep undercover at a local college. But when Jenko meets a kindred spirit on the football team, and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art major scene, they begin to question their partnership. Now they don’t have to just crack the case – they have to figure out if they can have a mature relationship. If these two overgrown adolescents can grow from freshmen into real men, college might be the best thing that ever happened to them. The trailer below is incredibly rude and offensive.

PARAMOUNT TO PRODUCE 13TH CENTURY CHINA SET 'MARCO POLO' FANTASY ADVENTURE MOVIE! DELIGHTFUL 'THE GRAND SEDUCTION' TRAILER WITH TAYLOR KITSCH AND BRENDAN GLEESON

  'MARCO POLO' 13TH CENTURY

 FANTASY ADVENTURE MOVIE

While we are following the production of luxurious Netflix historical TV series on MARCO POLO which will have Lorenzo Richelmy in the lead role, Paramount has teamed up with China Film to produce a big screen movie on the famous adventurer! According to 'Deadline', with the plan to conquer world market,  the movie adaptation will be based on historical context of the famed 13th century explorer but, differently from the upcoming TV show, it will go beyond the traditional “biographic” type story by also using fantasy elements. Although no names have been revealed so far, the director will be an experienced action adventure moviemaker from USA with A league actors both from USA and China in the cast.

 DEZZY'S HISTORY LESSON
Real Marco Polo, the Italian merchant, was inspired to go to Asia by the stories of his uncles who apparently met Kublai Khan. He went on a journey with them which lasted incredible 24 years. Instead of a welcome, after his return he was imprisoned for almost five years. During his stay in the dungeon he dictated his stories to a cellmate. 

  'GRAND SEDUCTION' TRAILER

 TAYLOR KITSCH AND BRENDAN GLEESON IN THE LEAD ROLES

Here's a delightful trailer for you today: to be released into cinemas May 30th THE GRAND SEDUCTION is a lovely comedy movie starring Taylor Kitsch and Brendan Gleeson. It is set in a small fishing village which must procure a local doctor to secure a lucrative business contract. When unlikely candidate and big city doctor Paul Lewis lands in their lap for a trial residence, the townsfolk rally together to charm him into staying. As the doctor’s time in the village winds to a close, acting mayor Murray French has no choice but to pull out all the stops and begin The Grand Seduction.

SPOTLIGHT ON ABC'S NEW PSYCHOLOGICAL TV SERIES 'BLACK BOX' FROM BRYAN SINGER WITH KELLY REILLY, VANESSA REDGRAVE, DITCH DAVEY!

  BLACK BOX

NEW DRAMA COMING TO ABC!

If you are looking for a new show to watch every week, here's one coming to ABC this Thursday with its first ever episode: BLACK BOX is a psychological medical drama which was ordered directly for a whole season coming from the brilliant Bryan Singer the helmer of HOUSE, X MEN and USUAL SUSPECTS, and with gorgeous Kelly Reilly portraying the protagonist of the show, a famous neuroscientist who is bipolar herself. Vanessa Redgrave and Ditch Davey also star!

  BLACK BOX STORY

MYSTERIES OF HUMAN BRAIN

The thirteen episode series will follow Catherine Black (Kelly Reilly), a famous neuroscientist who secretly has bipolar disorder; the only person who knows is her psychiatrist, Dr. Helen Hartramph (Vanessa Redgrave), who was with Catherine after her first break and has been a maternal figure for Catherine since her mother, who also suffered from bipolar disorder, committed suicide. The twenty-first century is the era of the brain, and this show will be riding that wave on the cutting edge of medicine. The brain is the source of everything - from whom we love to how we act and feel. It is the ultimate mystery, which is why doctors call it, the BLACK BOX. Dr. Catherine Black and the staff of "The  Cube" will constantly be challenged by cases never seen before on television. The patients have rare, highly visual, often hallucinogenic and startling conditions, which we will see through their eyes as Dr. Black diagnoses and treats them.

1ST PICS OF MICHAEL FASSBENDER & MARION COTILLARD IN 'MACBETH'! CHRIS PINE IN OIL TANKER DISASTER MOVIE 'THE FINEST HOURS'! STEVEN SPIELBERG PRODUCING THE ADAPTATION OF 'THE KIDNAPPING OF EDGARDO MORTARA' 19TH CENTURY DRAMA

  CHRIS PINE

IN 'THE FINEST HOURS'

While the world is currently following the tragedy of the sinking ship in Asia, Hollywood will deal with ships in trouble in another new movie: according to 'The Hollywood Reporter' Chris Pine is negotiating to take the lead role in THE FINEST HOURS a movie based on the true story of two oil tankers which were caught in the middle of a vicious Nor'easter storm off the coast of New England in 1952. Both ships were split in two, causing the crew members to be hurled into the sea, when the Coast Guard mounted a heroic rescue mission. We shall also watch Chris Pine later this year as Cinderella's prince in INTO THE WOODS fantasy movie with Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp and Emily Blunt.

  STEVEN SPIELBERG

TO PRODUCE 'THE KIDNAPPING OF EDGARDO MORTARA'   
Well, since it's Easter, here's a religious topic for you: Steven Spielberg has signed on to produce, and possibly direct, the big screen adaptation of THE KIDNAPPING OF EDGARDO MORTARA book by David Kertzer! The book tells the true story of a seven year old Italian-Jewish boy, who was controversially removed from his parents in 1858, by the authority of the Papal States, who raised him as a Catholic. He went on to become a priest in the Augustinian order. Spielberg is currently trying to cut the budget for his sf epic ROBOPOCALYPSE with Chris Hemsworth, and is also writing MONTEZUMA historical epic!

1ST 'MACBETH' PICS  

 WITH MICHAEL FASSBENDER AND MARION COTILLARD!

But the main treat today are the first pictures showing Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard in the new movie adaptation of MACBETH which is currently in production! Directed by Justin Kurzel will be set in the 11th century and will have the original dialogues from the Shakespeare's play about the ambitious Scottish lord who uses devious plans to become king and his even more ambitious wife!

TRAILERS FOR 'THE CAPTIVES' WITH RYAN REYNOLDS, SCOTT SPEEDMAN, ROSARIO DAWSON & 'THE ANOMALY' SF FILM WITH IAN SOMERHALDER, NOEL CLARKE, LUKE HEMSWORTH! MIKE LEIGH'S 'MR TURNER' PERIOD DRAMA WITH TIMOTHY SPALL, TOM WLASCHIHA

  MIKE LEIGH'S 'MR TURNER'

PERIOD FILM WITH TIMOTHY SPALL

The lineup for Cannes Film Festival has been revealed today and one of the movies which will premiere there is new period set drama MR TURNER starring Timothy Spall as famous 19th century British painter  J.M.W. Turner. Directed by famous Mike Leigh (SECRETS AND LIES, VERA DRAKE), the biopic also stars GAME OF THRONES star Tom Wlaschiha as Prince Albert! 

THE PAINTER OF LIGHT   
Born in London in 1775 TURNER was admitted to the prestigious Royal Academy of Art at the age of just 14. Considered one of the greatest painters and 'the painter of light'  he died in 1851 with  his last words being “The Sun is God”! Famous for his water colour landscapes, he once strapped himself to the mast of a ship to paint a storm!

  'THE CAPTIVES' TRAILER

RYAN REYNOLDS & ATOM EGOYAN

Two trailers for you today, starting with Atom Egoyan's new film THE CAPTIVES which will also appear at this year's Cannes film festival! Starring Ryan Reynolds, Scott Speedman, Kevin Durand, Rosario Dawson the movie centres around the kidnapping  of a young girl and the subsequent breakdown of her parents' marriage. Over the period of eight years, the pair begin to realise that they are being watched, as they draw closer to understanding the fate of their child!

  'THE ANOMALY' SF TRAILER

 IAN SOMERHALDER, BRIAN COX

The first trailer for science fiction action thriller THE ANOMALY has been released promoting the new movie which hits cinemas July 4th! Starring Ian Somerhalder, Brian Cox, Luke Hemsworth and Noel Clarke, the film centres around Ryan Reeve (Clarke), a former soldier who wakes up as a prisoner in the back of a van, not knowing where he is. He goes on the run, uncovering secrets from his own past and a mind control plot that could change the world forever.

X MEN'S GAMBIT TO GET SPINOFF MOVIE WITH CHANNING TATUM? OUTSTANDING 'THIRD PERSON' TRAILER WITH LIAM NEESON, MILA KUNIS, OLIVIA WILDE, ADRIEN BRODY! COLTON HAYNES JOINS DWAYNE JOHNSON IN 'SAN ANDRES' QUAKE DISASTER FILM

  IS CHANNING TATUM

 GAMBIT IN X-MEN SPINOFF?

While you are waiting for the mutants to hit the big screens in X MEN DAYS OF FUTURE PAST soon, the fresh gossip today says that Channing Tatum is being considered for the role of GAMBIT in a spin-off movie from the mutant saga! The actor, who is one of the last of the young Hollywood hunks not to have a superhero role in his CV, has revealed that he has actually spoken with the producers about this role. The X MEN producer Lauren Shuler Donner has confirmed earlier that she would love to do the film with Tatum in the lead role. Hugh Jackman has, meanwhile, recently said that if he leaves the saga he would want Channing as the new Wolverine.

DID YOU KNOW?   
Gambit is a mutant from New Orleans with burning red eyes who has the mutant ability to tap into the potential energy contained within an object and transform it into kinetic energy upon touching it. When Gambit thus charges an object and throws it at a target, the object releases this energy explosively on impact. This gives him superhuman agility and dexterity, and shields his mind from detection and intrusion by even the most powerful telepaths.

  COLTON HAYNES JOINS

DWAYNE JOHNSON'S 'SAN ANDREAS' QUAKE FILM 

Speaking of superheroes, Colton Haynes, who plays ARROW in CW's show, has just joined Dwayne Johnson and Carla Gugino in SAN ANDREAS earthquake disaster adventure movie.  Set in the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, the story of the movie will follow a rescue-chopper pilot (Dwayne Johnson) who makes a dangerous journey across the state in order to rescue his estranged daughter (Alexandra Daddario). Brad Peyton, who already worked with Dwayne on JOURNEY 2 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, is directing.

  'THIRD PERSON' TRAILER

 LIAM NEESON, MILA KUNIS, OLIVIA WILDE, ADRIEN BRODY

Our trailer for today is the first international one for ensemble drama THIRD PERSON which stars Olivia Wilde, Mila Kunis, Liam Neeson, James Franco, Maria Bello, Kim Basinger and Adrien Brody! The film wends its way through three cities and three tales. The various stories, situated in Paris, Rome, and New York, are, at first glance, all separate, but they all concentrate on three men and their romantic entanglements. Gradually, each one of these stories unveils its secrets, testifying to the whims and complexities of life. As each story is explored we discover untold pleasures and pains. Life is never easy: it can be deceptive, inhabited by anger and jealousy, but it can also be surprisingly joyous.