Beyonce nowhere close to being cast as Wonder Woman

I don't usually like being fooled, but this is the exception. That whole Beyonce as Wonder Woman story? Total crap. Why do I never believe the real stories, but always fall for the BS? Anyway, the whole thing was a hoax. Which is mildly amusing, and brings me a sense of relief. Carry on.

Beyonce could be Wonder Woman?

Well, this is disappointing. According to Comic Book Movie Beyonce might be considered to play Wonder Woman. I suppose it would be "bold" to cast a black Wonder Woman (something Get the Big Picture points out Beyonce has said). But now that I think of it, should anyone be surprised that Wonder Woman might not be white? The TV version of Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter, is Hispanic - her mother was Mexican-American.

Anyway, I wish I was making the Beyonce part up:

Just got back from a press conference tonight with Beyonce and she spoke of a few upcoming movie projects. The last on her list was Wonder Woman!

Yes, Wonder Woman! She said she has to meet up with the writers and directors in a couple months and things will start to pick up by mid-2010 for a late 2011 release. She said the writers were Stuart Beatti and David Elliot, the guys that wrote GI Joe: Rise of Cobra and the director was John Moore, the guy that directed Max Payne.

I think everything about this news is horrible. Yes, Beyonce was surprisingly not bad in a movie like Cadillac Records, but she was in her comfort zone in that film. In films where she's out of her musical element she just sort of dawdles in front of the camera. And this thing is going to be written by the GI Joe guys, and directed by the guy who made Max Payne? That's even worse than the Beyonce news.

Now just because Warner Bros., hasn't reported Beyonce's involvement doesn't mean she isn't involved. We were dangerously close to a Justin Timberlake as the Green Lantern so anything is possible.

To be fair to Beyonce, I can't think of a really good Wonder Woman. Marion Cotillard is the only actress I can think of, but she'd be rejected by most. Some of the other suggested actresses like Megan Fox, Angelina Jolie, and Jessica Biel are either equally horrible or even worse.

Are we getting a Batman movie in 2011?

Well if you believe Gary Oldman and I guess, the people at Warner Bros., then this is likely.

They (Gary Oldman and the fine folks at Warner Bros.) just announced at Comic Con that Batman 3 will begin shooting in 2010. We don't know who will be behind the lens (Nolan's looking pretty booked), who the villain will be, what the title will be. or if it'll be the further evolution of a smarter look at Batman or if dollar signs rule the day.

"I think the next Batman is next year," he told a fan who asked when the long-awaited "Dark Knight" follow-up would hit, "We start shooting next year for a release in two years. You didn't hear that from me." [Chud]

Okay, so nothing concrete except for the fact that we're getting a Dark Knight sequel (no shit, we've seen the box office numbers), and Nolan's involvement is up in the air. I'm wondering how the folks over at Chud are so sure Christopher Nolan is booked. Inception should be wrapping either in December of this year, or by the latest January of 2010. And his stats over at IMDb show that he has The Prisoner and a Batman movie in development, so I'm not sure what he could be booked with in 2010 other than The Prisoner or a Dark Knight sequel.

Personally, I don't totally buy the 2010 shooting schedule not because Nolan is booked, but because there has been no word on a script. I can't imagine Nolan coming off Inception, going into the film's post-production, finalizing a direction for the script with the higher ups, cranking out a script, getting the script approved, casting the villain, and then shooting the thing within a year.

And this is considering that Nolan is even back on, because some people seem to think that he isn't. Which is even worse. Who wants to watch a Dark Knight sequel directed by someone else?

Iron Man 2 wraps ahead of schedule

Jon Favreau and Marvel have revealed that production for Iron Man 2 wrapped on July 18, after just 71 days of shooting. Producer Kevin Feige explained why the film was able to wrap so quickly:

Shooting Iron Man 2 was a fantastic experience and we couldn't be happier. Although there were many challenges in making this film, having Jon Favreau, Robert Downey, Gwyneth Paltrow, and almost the entire crew from the first film back on board, allowed us to hit the ground running as everyone was instantly familiar with each other from day one. This dynamic allowed us to get done what we needed on a day to day basis and was a big factor in why we finished slightly ahead of schedule. [Marvel.com via Get The Big Picture]

Considering that I thought this movie might turn out to be a trainwreck (changing writers, hiring a new cast member, not hiring Emily Blunt) this is pretty reassuring news, and just in time for the publicity blitz that is Comic Con.

In addition to what seems to be weekly Iron Man news, Yahoo! Movies (via /Film) shares this new photo of Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff (aka Black Widow):

First photos of Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow

There had been some very blurry images of Johansson in Iron Man 2 last night, but now we can all look at the high rez versions (via IESB and FirstShowing). Robert Downey Jr. and Mickey Rourke are featured on the front cover of Entertainment Weekly's Comic-Con preview issue, but who gives a damn about those two when you can drool over Scarlett in a skin-tight outfit? Hotness aside, I still think she was woefully miscast.

More Iron Man 2 details from EW: On one side is Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell), a fast-talking weapons manufacturer who fancies himself the next Tony Stark; on the other, Vanko, who, while incarcerated in a Russian prison, creates his own battle-suit, which shoots devastating, whip-like beams. Hammer and Whiplash join forces to take down Downey’s character, Tony Stark. Rourke, for his part, wanted to instill some lightness into the role of the heavy. "I told Favreau, 'I don't want to just play him as a one-dimensional pussy,'" he says. "He let me have a cockatoo, who I talk to and get drunk with while I’m making my suit."[via FirstShowing]

You can check out more of the Entertainment Weekly Iron Man 2 exclusive at EW.

Ryan Reynolds to play the Green Lantern

YES! THR announced the casting a little while ago. I was rooting for Bradley Cooper the most out of the three actors Warner Bros. had narrowed it down to (Cooper, Reynolds, and Justin Timberlake), but I'm so relieved that Justin Timberlake wasn't chosen.

If the deal goes through Ryan Reynolds will be the only actor to have played heroes for both Marvel and DC. He played Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but this makes me wonder about the Deadpool spin-off movie he is supposed to do. Does this mean Deadpool is officially dead? Production for The Green Lantern is scheduled to start in January 2010 so Deadpool will have to wait even if it really is still in the works.

If Reynolds does eventually do a Deadpool spin-off along with The Green Lantern, I wonder if the audience will be able to accept Reynolds as both Deadpool and Hal Jordan. What do you think? Is he the right actor for The Green Lantern?

Justin Timberlake being considered for The Green Lantern?

I always seem to get my WTF news from The Movie Blog. It's an unconfirmed rumor at this point (read: BULLSHIT), but word is that Justin Timberlake was screen tested for The Green Lantern. This doesn't make it a done deal, but the idea of someone seriously considering him to play Hal Jordon just makes me slightly depressed.

He makes pretty decent music as a solo artist, I will admit to being a huge *NSYNC fangirl, and he's funny dressed as an omlette/Beyonce back-up dancer on SNL. But he was wooden as all get out in Alpha Dog and Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci are what made Black Snake Moan. Actually, if I'm going to be honest, he was just plain fucking irritating in Alpha Dog . He's wooden at best as a supporting actor (I can't remember where I heard this, but he's been described as an actor who loiters onscreen). He's not an outright terrible actor, but this man cannot and should not be permitted to carry a potential blockbuster film at this point in his acting career. Sure, this is a step up from Jack Black, but barely.

Heath Ledger tried to sabotage 'The Dark Knight'?

There is a whole lot of WTF? in this story, but it's too bizarre not to share. There has been some speculation that Heath Ledger attempted to play the Joker character as over the top and silly in order to get fired from the project. Ledger's contract stated that he would earn a pretty big salary for The Dark Knight, even if he got fired. WorstPreviews (via The Movie Blog) got this from Vanity Fair:

According to Ledger's agent Steven Alexander and cinematographer/friend Nicola Pecorini, the actor had a pay-or-play deal on "Knight," which means that he would be compensated no matter how terrible he ends up being. This gave Ledger the freedom to do what he wanted with The Joker.

But the real decision to take the role was because of the film's unusually long shoot, which would give Ledger an excuse to turn down other offers. And since he was guaranteed to collect a paycheck, Ledger was hoping that his performance would be so "far-out" that he would end up being fired and become the beneficiary of a lengthy, paid vacation.

His agent added that while Ledger wanted to get paid, he didn't want to be part of the massive blockbuster that "The Dark Knight" turned out to be. "[Ledger] was always hesitant to be in a summer blockbuster, with the dolls and action figures and everything else that comes with one of those movies," Alexander explained. "He was afraid it would define him and limit his choices."

Huh? All those widespread reports about Ledger locking himself in a hotel room for weeks to work on the Joker make this all sound like total crap. Why would Ledger work so hard on the Joker if he wanted to present a ridiculous performance? Maybe Vanity Fair misinterpreted what Ledger's agent meant - the direct quote only hints at Heath Ledger having doubts about being in a summer blockbuster. Either way, this whole story is just weird.

Typhoid Mary to appear in 'Daredevil' reboot?

It seems like I'm the last person on the planet to know about Marvel wanting to reboot Daredevil. It's still a rumor at this stage, but The Movie Blog gives us a hint:

In wild speculation Golden Apple Comics in LA had a surprise visit from Katee Sackhoff attempting to buy them out of every Typhoid Mary comic in their stock.

She said it was “for a role” so we don’t know if she is courting to play Typhoid Mary, or a character like her Tie this in with rumours that Marvel wants to Reboot Daredevil, and the rumour mill hits the ground running.

So, it looks like Marvel wants to reboot some of its not so popular movies. The studio tried it with The Incredible Hulk last year, and with the decidedly mixed reactions to that endeavor, I'm beginning to wonder how successful a reboot of Daredevil can be. Daredevil was God-awful (what movie with Ben Affleck isn't?), and its spin-off, Elektra, was near unwatchable and made the Typhoid character totally different from her comic book incarnation. I don't really have anything against a reboot or a remake though, especially since I believe that if Hollywood wants to do remakes, they should do so with bad films, and try to improve them. Daredevil was always a fascinating character, and his relationship with Typhoid Mary, if handled well, could make for a very interesting movie. So, I've got mixed feelings about this, mostly because so far, the details are just at the rumor stage.

This week in superhero news: (More) 'Thor' casting news and a 'Spider-Man 4' update

Actor Tom Hiddleston has been cast as villain Loki (sorry Josh Hartnett) in Marvel Studio's adaptation of Thor. Director Kenneth Branagh worked with Hiddleston on the London production of Chekhov's Ivanov and both starred in the BBC miniseries Wallander.

I've never actually seen anything Hiddleston has starred in, but his previous work with Kenneth Branagh will obviously help with the project. Thor opens May 20, 2011.

Now on to the Spider-Man 4 news. Director Sam Raimi has revealed that Spider-Man 4 will start shooting in February of 2009. Raimi explains why he has to force this upon us why he loves the character so much:

"I love Peter Parker. I've always loved the Spider-Man comics, and I fell like I still know more about the character that I think can bring to the screen - and perhaps make it great if I do it right. It's the same reason I keep reading the Spider-Man comic books. I'm really enamored with the character and now I feel like I have a history with him. I'd like to really make a great picture with him and bring the character to life at a level of detail that I've never realized before. It's almost like I have a desire to do something I've been trying to do right and haven't yet been able to. Not exactly." [LA Times via The Playlist]

That's about enough of that Mr. Raimi. Somewhere between Spider-Man 3 and just now, I had forgotten how much I really loved the first two Spider-Man films. I'm beginning to wonder if Raimi is morphing into George Lucas or something - like the guy needs to be saved from destroying his own work.

Chris Hemsworth to play Thor

Don't know who he is? You can catch him as George Kirk in the new Star Trek movie. Thor's director Kenneth Branagh has chosen Australian actor, Chris Hemsworth to be Thor. Hemsworth's casting is one of those rare and amazing Hollywood stories:

Ward [partner and co-founder of William Ward's ROAR management who reps Hemsworth] had found Chris during one of the manager's many scouting trips to Australia. Ward brought him to Los Angeles and really put him out there to casting directors and production executives.

Chris had read for the part of Thor but wasn't given a test because a casting director had nixed him early on. I'm told Chris' younger brother Liam (who's also a ROAR client) then tested for the role of Thor, but Marvel's Kevin Feigy passed. That's when Ward called up Feigy and said, "You've got to reconsider Chris. He's your guy." So Feigy let Chris read again. And once Marvel put him on tape, it was "Oh my god". Branagh came to town last week and saw the Chris test and made the final decision today.

What a week for Chris since, on Thursday, he just got cast as the Red Dawn lead. Brother Liam, who's only been in Los Angeles for 3 weeks and doesn't even have an agent yet, just got cast the male lead in Last Song opposite Miley Cyrus in the Disney film based on the Nicholas Sparks novel. Both brothers live in William Ward's guest house. Unreal! [Nikki Finke]

It is unreal, considering all the supposed frontrunners for the role. Everyone from Charlie Hunnam to Alexander Skarsgård had been suggested for Thor. I had initially been rooting for Hunnam, and I still think he would make a great Thor. But after seeing Hemsworth's brief, but memorable, and rather touching performance in Star Trek, I can't help but feel happy for the guy.

Robert Downey Jr. on the set of 'Iron Man 2'

Every other movie blog has posted or will post the new photo that People has thrown out at us. And like a pack of hungry wolves we devour the thing. But who can help it? Downey Jr. looks cool as hell:

This week in superhero news: the 'Thor' casting edition part 2

Kevin Feige, Marvel's President of Production tells Empire Magazine that there will be some cast revelations for Thor in approximately a month. He had this to say:

“We will probably be having cast announcements in the next month or so on Thor," he told us. "We’re looking to cast Loki and Odin soon, and the main female role. And we’ll also hopefully have lockdown shortly, gearing towards the beginning of production, which will be early next year. So I think there will be a lot of announcements between now and then."

"But [director Kenneth] Branagh’s here, we’re prepping, and he’s put together some spectacular animatics already for our first action scene. We’re digging into the second and third now, and we are just embarking on a rewrite of the draft."

So, it doesn't sound like the Norse God himself will be cast just yet. I would, however, like to make my Thor choice know yet again, Mr. Feige - ahem:

Links for you: George Clooney 'Up in the Air' and Sam Rockwell is a busy man

The first photos of George Clooney on the set of Jason Reitman's Up in the Air have surfaced. Clooney plays a corporate suit who "specializes in 'career transition counseling'" (read: firing people) and is obsessed with getting 1 million frequent flier miles. [TheBadandUgly.com]


Sci-fi drama, Moon gets reviewed (it's great) in what Kristopher Tapley thinks will become a banner year for sci-fi cinema (sort of like what 2001 was for fantasy). Sam Rockwell, as usual, gets much of the praise. Each film he stars in has me convinced that will be the one role that gets him noticed. I've lost count of how many times that's happened. [In Contention]


And speaking of Sam Rockwell: he's now shooting Iron Man 2. Rockwell's character Justin Hammer is different from how we remember him from the comic books. [MTV via IESB]

Robert Downey Jr. sort of wanted to play Hugh Hefner. Now Hef wants Downey to play him. Can we get this thing made already? [Hollyscoop]



Star Trek isn't out yet (holy crap it opens tomorrow in my country!), but sequel casting is already underway (well, kind of). Star Trek writers Damon Lindelof, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci think Javier Bardem would make a great Khan. [ComingSoon via The Movie Blog]


My Life in Ruins is meant to be a comedy, but it's apparently unfunny. Sigh, and I had such high hopes for Nia Vardalos after My Big Fat Greek Wedding. [Variety]

And finally for your viewing pleasure from The Onion - Trekkies bash the new Star Trek film for being entertaining, fun, and watchable:


Trekkies Bash New Star Trek Film As 'Fun, Watchable'

First 'Iron Man 2' photo

First official photo released:



From USAToday via ONTD!

This week in superhero news: the 'Thor' casting edition

So, what do we know about the upcoming Thor movie? It's coming out in the summer of 2011, and a bunch of blond relatively unknown dudes are being considered - Tom Hiddleston, Liam Hemsworth, Joel Kinnaman, Alexander Skarsgård , and Charlie Hunnam. And Channing Tatum, who is apparently out of the running because it would be bizarre casting he isn't Nordic-looking enough. Meanwhile, the Alexander Skarsgård casting rumours have died down considerably (making that Nordic-looking criteria sound like bull).

This week, it's Charlie Hunnam's turn in the Thor spotlight. According to IGN:

Hunnam confirmed that he has indeed screen-tested for the role of the god of thunder. He has only shot one screen test so far, and when asked if it involved running around with a helmet and a hammer, he replied with a smile, "Something like that."

Hunnam didn't know what the status of the casting was but said that his people have been talking to Marvel. He believes that since Marvel pushed the start date of Thor back a few months the studio is taking its time to make the best decision for the film.

So, while Marvel takes its sweet time, I can always speculate. I think most people want to see Skarsgård get the Thor role. He has the right look, so it would be near perfect casting. But, I'm more familliar with Hunnam's work than with Skarsgård 's, and from what I've seen, Hunnam is a damn good actor. In half of his films he's downright unrecognizable, so while he might not look as perfect as Skarsgaard does, his talent should at least put him in the running. He's not the most popular choice, but I wouldn't go insane with anger if he were cast.

Wolverine wants you to drink your milk

Here's Hugh Jackman's new ad for the Body by Milk campaign. Cute:

Wolverine tells his fans:

“My power to regenerate might be top secret but my ability to re-energize is simple. Milk has protein to help build muscle and a unique mix of nutrients to help you refuel. So eat right, train hard and drink lowfat milk. That’s just common mutant sense.”(Faded Youth Blog)

Via ONTD!

This week in superhero news: the Green Lantern edition

Warner Bros. Pictures is reportedly going to begin shooting The Green Lantern this September in Australia. The film is scheduled to open on December 17, 2010.



The short list of possible Hal Jordans has Chris Pine (that's Captain Kirk to you) at the top of the pile. Other names being thrown around are Jon Hamm, Nathan Fillion, and Sam Worthington, though it appears that Warner wants an under 30 actor. So much for Jon Hamm. IESB points out that though one actor portraying both Kirk and Hal Jordan might be a sticking point, Christian Bale plays both Bruce Wayne and John Conner as well.

As usual, I'll toss out some names in case the casting universe picks up on it (curse you Scarlett):
Martin Henderson (too old), Jake Gyllenhaal (his name is always tossed around), Ryan Gosling, Gosling's doppelgänger Ben Foster, True Blood's Ryan Kwanten, Justin Hartley (Aquaman on TV), Charlie Hunnam despite the fact that he might be doing that Thor thing, and Henry Cavill.

'Robin Hood' gets a May 2010 release date

With all the news about Marvel Entertainment setting new dates for Spider Man 4, The Avengers, Captain America, and Thor, Robin Hood's newly announced release date got lost in the shuffle. The Ridley Scott film will open on May 14, 2010. Other May 2010 release dates include Shrek Goes Fourth (May 21) and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (May 28).

Scarlett Johansson signs on for 'Iron Man 2'

When I threw Scarlett Johansson's name out into the ether as a possible replacement for Emily Blunt in Iron Man 2 I was half kidding. I didn't actually mean she should play Black Widow, movie Gods! Playlist points us to Nikki Finke's announcement:

[This is interesting because] Scarlett actually screen-tested for the role and didn't get it. But I hear that, unlike Mickey's quote, the deal for her is "just the opposite, a terrible deal made by CAA," one of my insiders says. "It's as bad as any deal that I've heard. It's lowball money. And it ties her to countless movies, including that ensemble The Avengers, which is what makes this brutal for a lot of actors."