Moviefone News

'Only God Forgives,' Ryan Gosling's New Film, Gets Jeered at Cannes

Jenni Miller — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:42:32 EDT

Everyone has been chomping at the bit to see Ryan Gosling in "Only God Forgives," the new movie from "Drive" writer/director Nicolas Winding Refn. Their awesome/weird arthouse bromance has been extensively documented; Refn recently told the New York Times, "Ryan and I become one person when we work. Directing can be very intimate." Whether or not that closeness has resulted in a good movie or not is up for debate. The journalists at Cannes seem to think not. Now, Cannes audiences boo a lot of movies. It's a hobby. They boo so many things that BAMcinématek in Brooklyn recently showed a film series dedicated to the films booed at Cannes, which include "Wild at Heart," "Taxi Driver," and "Crash." After the screening of "Only God Forgives," some came in for the kill. Sasha Stone of AwardsDaily called it "the careful work of a serial killer -- not literally out there killing women but indulging in one bloody killing after another, practically licking the knife afterwards." Peter Debruge at Variety wrote, "As hyper-aggressive revenge fantasies go, it's curious to see one so devoid of feeling, a veniality even 'Drive' fans likely won't be inclined to forgive." HitFix's Oscar expert Guy Lodge gave it a mixed review: " Even amid my appreciation for its woozy, sculpted grossness, however, I can't help wishing 'Only God Forgives' was doing a little more, and I mean purely on the level of nuts-and-bolts storytelling, not grander emotional or thematic resonance." Jeff Wells, never one for understatement, lambasted the movie, calling it "malignant, odious crap, later adding, "It's rare to find a movie as dedicated as this one to making absolutely no sense" and "I was repelled by this film in ways I didn't know I could be repelled before I saw it." While the actual amount of booing was under some debate from those in attendance -- Alex Billington of FirstShowing said there was “Slight applause, some booing, slight whistling” -- it's clear that this film is going to be heavily debated when it hits theaters this summer. For now, US audiences will have to wait until July 19 to see for themselves if Refn and Gosling's arthouse bromance needs forgiveness. [h/t HuffPost Ent]

'Return of the Jedi': 25 Things You Didn't Know About the Original 'Star Wars' Trilogy Finale

Gary Susman — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:09:37 EDT

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away... well, OK, 30 years ago (on May 25, 1983) in our own galaxy, came the theatrical release of "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi." The installment triumphantly wrapped up the "Star Wars" saga for all time. Or so we thought. Little did we know that the movie's cuddly-but-ferocious Ewoks would soon spawn a cottage industry of spinoffs, or that we'd be getting a trilogy of "Star Wars" prequels in another 16 years, and "Jedi" sequels another 15 years after that ("Episode VII" is due in 2014). Nor did we know, at the time, how close "Jedi" came to being an art-house film (judging by the directors whom "Star Wars" guru George Lucas initially asked to take the helm), or how close we came to losing Han Solo (Harrison Ford), or many of the other secrets of "jedi," which you can read below. 1. David Lynch and David Cronenberg both turned down the job of directing "Jedi." Instead, Lynch would go on to make his own sci-fi epic, 1984's "Dune," while Cronenberg would make the hit horror films "The Dead Zone" (1983) and "The Fly" (1986). 2. Welsh filmmaker Richard Marquand had previously directed the 1981 World War II spy thriller "Eye of the Needle." It was that film that brought him to the attention of George Lucas and ultimately earned him the directing job on "Jedi." 3. Lawrence Kasdan had worked for Lucas as the co-screenwriter of "Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" before Lucas hired him a third time as his collaborator on the "Jedi" screenplay. Somewhere in there, Kasdan found time to write and direct his first solo feature, the 1981 thriller "Body Heat," the movie that made Kathleen Turner a star. 4. Warwick Davis, then 11, made his debut as Ewok guide Wicket, after his grandmother learned of an open casting call for dwarfs in London. Davis was initially cast as an extra. Wicket was initially a role for Kenny Baker, who already had an established role as R2-D2 (he would inhabit the little droid in all six "Star Wars" features to date), but Baker fell ill, and Lucas gave his part to Davis. Baker ended up playing another Ewok in addition to R2-D2. 5. Lucas was on the set most of the time, often as a second-unit director (that is, shooting scenery, stunt sequences, and other footage not involving the primary cast). Marquand joked, "It is rather like trying to direct "King Lear" – with Shakespeare in the next room!" 6. Unlike the other principal "Star Wars" cast members, Harrison Ford hadn't contracted to do a second sequel, and it wasn't initially clear whether he'd return for "Jedi." 7. Ford suggested that Han Solo be killed off early, through self-sacrifice. Kasdan thought that was a good idea, one that would increase suspense, but Lucas said no. 8. Also, Yoda wasn't supposed to be in the movie, but Marquand insisted on a return to Dagobah so that Yoda could confirm that Darth Vader wasn't just playing mind games with Luke Skywalker in "The Empire Strikes Back" and was really his father. 9. Other rejected script ideas: the climactic battle would have taken place on a planet of Wookiees instead of Ewoks (like Wookiees, but shorter!), and Obi-Wan Kenobi would have returned from his ghostly existence to corporeal form, rather than remaining a ghostly presence within the Force. 10. Actually filmed, but left on the cutting room floor, were a sequence of the heroes getting caught in a sandstorm as they tried to leave Tatooine, a scene among imperial officers on the Death Star during the final battle, and a scene of Darth Vader communicating with Luke via the Force before Luke enters Jabba's palace. These scenes finally saw the light of day on the 2011 Blu-ray release. 11. While shooting on location, "Jedi" used the fake working title "Blue Harvest." That was to keep plot spoilers from leaking, and to prevent local vendors from price-gouging the filmmakers. 12. To shoot the forest chase, Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown walked through the California's Jebediah Smith Redwood State Park, shooting at less than one frame per second. Sped up to the standard 24 frames per second, the resulting footage made it look like speeding through the dense woods at 120 mph. (The speeders were superimposed later.) 13. Other scenes set on the forest moon of Endor were shot practically in Lucas's backyard, in the redwood forest near Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, California. 14. In late 1982, a teaser trailer and posters referred to the film as "Revenge of the Jedi." (The poster also incorrectly depicted Luke with a red-beamed lightsaber and Darth Vader with a blue one, instead of the other way around.) After Lucas decided that "Revenge" was inappropriate, changed the title to "Return," and sold the 6,800 remaindered posters to fans. Today, of course, they're collector's items. 15. "Jedi" ends with a sequence of Ewoks marking their victory over the empire by dancing and singing. The tune they sing is known as "Ewok Celebration." "Star Wars" instrumental composer John Williams wrote the music. The "yub-yub" lyrics were written by his son, Joseph Williams, who was then the lead singer of Toto. A version of the song performed by electronic artist Meco hit No. 60 on the Billboard chart. 16. Lucas's digital re-tinkering with "Return of the Jedi" in subsequent re-releases on home video altered some memorable scenes. There were more alien musicians playing in Jabba's lair, the Sarlaac (the pit monster on Tatooine) acquired a beak, and the fall of the Empire was marked by a montage of various alien worlds celebrating. Most notoriously, the ghost of Anakin Skywalker was changed from the broken old man seen beneath Darth Vader's helmet (played by Sebastian Shaw) to the young Hayden Christensen, who played the pre-Vader Anakin in Episodes II and III. 17. The film was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Art Direction, Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Sound. It won a special prize out of competition for its visual effects. 18. As with the first two "Star Wars" films, a radio version eventually aired on NPR. The 1986 radio play featured Anthony Daniels reprising his role as C-3PO, but other characters were played by new actors. Among them were John Lithgow as Yoda, Brock Peters ("To Kill a Mockingbird") as Darth Vader, Ed Begley Jr. as Boba Fett, and Ed Asner as Jabba the Hutt. 19. "Jedi" cost $32.5 million to make, a large budget for a 1983 movie. It grossed $252.6 million domestically in its initial release, and another $57 million on subsequent releases. Its worldwide gross over the years totals $475.1 million. 20. Marquand followed up "Jedi" with the hit courtroom thriller "Jagged Edge" (1985), starring Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges. He made one more movie, 1987 drama "Hearts of Fire," featuring a rare acting performance by Bob Dylan, but he suffered a stroke and heart attack, and died before it was released. He was 49. 21. Four months after "Jedi" came the release of Lawrence Kasdan's second writing/directing effort, "The Big Chill," a movie considered a cinema landmark despite its lack of Ewoks and space battles. He went on to make such celebrated movies as "The Accidental Tourist" and "The Bodyguard" (a script finally shot 20 years after he first tried to sell it). His most recent movie was 2012's "Darling Companion," with Kevin Kline and Diane Keaton. 22. Lucas oversaw two Ewok-themed spinoff projects, both of which debuted as made-for-TV movies. In 1984's "The Ewok Adventure" (a.k.a. "Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure"), the fuzzy folk rescue a family of shipwrecked space travelers. In 1985's "Ewoks: The Battle for Endor" (a.k.a. "Star Wars: Ewok Adventures – The Battle for Endor") the orphaned girl from the previous movie joins the wee warriors in defending their moon against alien invaders. Both take place during the time between Episodes V and VI and are therefore technically "Jedi" prequels. Warwick Davis has said a third Ewok movie was planned but never filmed. 23. The Ewoks also got their own animated TV series, "Star Wars: Ewoks," which aired 35 episodes from 1985 to '86. It also took place during the interval between "Empire" and "Jedi." 24. Lucas and Davis reteamed yet again for the Lucas-produced fantasy film "Willow" (1998), in which Davis had the role of the title hero and acted with his face visible for the first time. Davis would go on to star in the title role in the "Leprechaun" horror series and play cameos in the three "Star Wars" prequel films. Davis would spoof himself and his "Jedi"-derived fame in 2012 as the star of the Ricky Gervais-penned mockumentary series "Life's Too Short." 25. The title of 2005's "Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith" was a wink to fans who recalled the original title of "Return of the Jedi."

Is 'Jurassic Park 4' a Reboot? Yes, According to Sam Neill

Katie Roberts — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:08:21 EDT

Earlier this month, “Jurassic Park 4” was rumored to be facing extinction after Universal announced the project would be delayed indefinitely to accommodate filmmakers' ambitious plans for the long-awaited sequel. While the studio put a sunnier spin on the decision -- the delay would allow “adequate time to bring audiences the best possible version” of the film, Universal said -- some crew members were less optimistic, insinuating on social media that the movie was in serious trouble. Now, Sam Neill, who starred as Dr. Alan Grant in the first and third films in the “Jurassic Park” franchise, may have shed some light on why the delay was necessary. In a short comment to The Dominion Post, Neill said that he was unlikely to reprise his role in the sequel, and shared a rumor about the movie's purported plot. “I'm told it's a big reboot, a total re-jig,” Neill told the paper. That theory coalesces nicely with director Colin Trevorrow's recent announcement that the new film would take place in the same location as the original movie, the fictional Isla Nublar. And while producers have denied reboot plans in the past, history shows that when it comes to “JP4,” myriad plotlines have been considered; maybe they're now circling back to some previously abandoned ideas? Only time will tell what “JP4” brings, or when the movie will actually appear in theaters. It was once set for a July 2014 release; we'll have to wait for production to resume before we know a new debut date. [via The Dominion Post h/t ScreenCrush]

This Witch Gets You One Step Closer to a Trip to the Premiere of 'World War Z' (PHOTO)

Dana Taddeo — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:58:28 EDT

Have you always (secretly) wanted to be a witch hunter? Well, here's your chance. To celebrate today's digital release of "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters," Paramount has created an online witch hunt just for you! Spread across six different sites are six images of evil witches. It's your job to find them all and figure out the hidden message within each one. The first person to find all six witch images and uncover the complete secret URL will win an iPad mini with digital versions of both the theatrical and unrated versions of "Hansel & Gretel." Everyone else who enters will have a chance to win a trip to the premiere of Brad Pitt's new movie, "World War Z"! Moviefone is proud to reveal an exclusive image of one of those secret-holding witches below. Take a look, and head to the movie's Twitter and Facebook pages to follow the hunt and for more info. Happy hunting! click to zoom

Melissa McCarthy Fires a 'Tammy' Extra for Mistreating Her Child

Dana Taddeo — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:02:57 EDT

Melissa McCarthy is proving to be one stern boss. The "Bridesmaids" actress fired an extra on the set of her directorial debut, "Tammy," after she witnessed the woman abusing her child, according to TMZ. The incident happened yesterday on the film's set in Wilmington, NC. Witnesses reportedly saw the woman -- in her 20s -- struggling with the young child all morning, telling the kid to behave and keep quiet. The mother's scolding was apparently loud enough to disturb production, which included more than 200 extras. According to TMZ, McCarthy had had enough once she witnessed the extra "harshly jerk" her child up into the air by the wrist. The Oscar nominee then had production assistants escort the woman off set, claiming she would not tolerate the abuse. Show 'em who's in charge, Melissa! [via TMZ ]

'The Lone Ranger' Trailer: The Rise of an American Legend

Jenni Miller — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:34:30 EDT

The newest trailer for "The Lone Ranger" gives us a better feeling for Johnny Depp's Tonto and the genesis of his relationship with Armie Hammer's Lone Ranger. Tonto's got better dialogue in this clip, whereas in previous trailers, he was talking to the Lone Ranger's horse and making deadpan jokes. It may or may not calm down the folks poking fun at Depp's serious take on the Native American sidekick. Although there is quite a bit that we already saw in the trailer released in April, it's not unpleasant to revisit Hammer's handsome visage, especially since most of us last saw it under a thick layer of latex in "J. Edgar." (He played the dreamy prince in "Mirror Mirror" after that, which is worth a look!) Of course, the trailer includes the iconic image of the Lone Ranger's white horse rearing up with a neigh, a train hold-up, explosions, and amazing feats of horse agility. And then there's Helena Bonham Carter with her fabulously tattooed fake leg, which shoots bullets from its boot heel. Will director Gore Verbinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer be able to recreate their success with the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise with help from the Lone Ranger and Tonto? We'll see for ourselves when the movie opens July 3.

'Star Trek Into Darkness': How J.J. Abrams Kept the Identity of Benedict Cumberbatch's Villain a Secret

Jenni Miller — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:15:31 EDT

J.J. Abrams has taken the task of protecting audiences from spoilers where no man (or woman!) has gone before. Journalists were invited to a sneak peek of "Star Trek Into Darkness" footage last December. As Slashfilm's Germain Lussier explains, Abrams introduced the footage and asked everyone to keep the details on the down-low. Now that "STID" is in theaters, the lengths Abrams et al went to keep some key details super secret -- even to journalists -- have become clear. While there was plenty of speculation about the true identity of Benedict Cumberbatch, he was merely introduced as John Harrison in the footage, both in dialogue and visually. According to Lussier, who saw the footage, certain details "were 100 percent different from the sequence when it screened in December, again at CinemaCon in April and possibly other places." "STID" co-writer and producer Damon Lindelof had more to say about the switcheroo. "[Producer] Bryan Burk was the one who first proposed that we use the space jump sequence as a way of getting folks excited for the movie… The challenge was obvious [because] this is AFTER the reveal. Therefore, J.J. and post production supervisor Ben Rosenblatt executed a 'Harrison Cut' to preserve the secret. I'd rather not get into the details of how this was accomplished, suffice to say it wasn't easy. It was, however, worth it.” Of course, those of us who saw the movie know his real identity -- and mum's the word. [via SlashFilm]

Zach Galifianakis's 'Hangover III' Date: A Formerly Homeless Pal

Jenni Miller — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:30:24 EDT

Not everyone gets to have a glamorous red carpet experience in their lives, but being friends with Zach Galifianakis helps. Seems like being friends with the "Hangover" star helps in general, too. The mensch-y comic, who reprises his role as the weird friend Alan in "The Hangover III," brought an old friend he met almost 20 years ago in a Los Angeles laundromat as his date. Elizabeth "Mimi" Haist, 87, met Galifianakis when she was working for tips at their local laundromat. According to the NY Daily News, he stopped going to Fox Laundry after "The Hangover" – Haist quipped, "Maybe he has his own washer and dryer now." Two years ago, Galifianakis found out Haist was homeless and took action. He got her a one-bedroom apartment, and also pays her rent and all utilities. Apparently, even Renee Zellweger has gotten involved. (Who knew the two actors were even friends?) She bought furniture for Haist and reportedly buys her groceries. This isn't the first time on the red carpet for Haist. She also went as Galifianakis' date to "The Hangover II" and "The Campaign." As she told the Daily News, "If he's in town, he takes me. Otherwise he lets me take a friend. I dress up nice and a friend helps me with my makeup. It's fun, not something I've ever dreamed I'd experience. The limo takes me home afterwards." [via Time h/t Daily News]

'The Hangover: Part III' L.A. Premiere: Bradley Cooper and His Wolfpack Were Out in Full Force (PHOTOS)

Dana Taddeo — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:27:29 EDT

It looks like the Wolfpack managed to make it out of Vegas alive, because they took on L.A. last night (May 20). Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and, yes, Mr. Chow, aka Ken Jeong, were all on hand to celebrate the epic conclusion of Todd Phillips's tale of debauchery, otherwise known as "The Hangover: Part III." Every member of the pack looked ready for action, including the ladies of the group, Heather Graham and Jamie Chung. Graham wore a low-cut, emerald green gown, and Chung rocked a low-cut, black and lacy number. As for the men, Helms and Galifianakis kept it classic in suit jackets and ties, while Cooper took a little fashion risk and opted for a burnt orange-colored suit. On anyone else we would hate it, but Phil can do no wrong. "Part III" brings the Wolfpack back to Las Vegas, but this time around there is no wedding, and no bachelor party -- so they shouldn't get into that much trouble, right? Don't bet on it. Check out the photos below. "The Hangover: Part III" stumbles into theaters Thursday, May 23.

'The Wolverine' New Trailer: More Ninjas, More Action, and Jean Grey?

Jenni Miller — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:40:59 EDT

It all starts with a nightmare. In this brand-new trailer for "The Wolverine," Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) is alive and well… Or is she? Our bearded buddy Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) wakes up in a cold sweat, the memories of his misdeeds fresh in his mind. Jackman's sporting a giant Jean Valjean-style vibe as he tries to outrun his past. "It's not who I am anymore," Wolverine growls. Unfortunately for him, a fearless ronin Yukio (Rila Fukushima) is hot on his trail. In a dazzling feat of swords-womanship, she busts into the dank bar where Logan is drowning his sorrows. The past is coming back for Logan-slash-Wolverine in a real way. Will he choose to become mortal? Is it worth giving up his adamantium claws and mutant skills, or is this the best way for him to make amends for his past actions –- and his part in the death of his beloved Jean Grey? Unfortunately, there's a hitch. Viper (Svetlana Khodchenkova) is just waiting for him to turn in his X-Men ID card. This trailer shows off more of Viper than previous teasers, as well as a juicier chunk of the action. And, of course, Wolverine in his cigar-chomping glory. "The Wolverine" opens July 26, 2013.

New DVD Blu-Ray: 'Side Effects,' 'The Last Stand'

Natasha Young — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:09:37 EDT

Moviefone's New Release of the Week “Side Effects” What's it about? Side effects may occur in this psychological thriller about a new prescription drug gone awry starring Rooney Mara and Jude Law. Why we're IN: This film manages to bring sexy and scary into balance, and the cast is a winning combination. Moviefone's Blu-ray of the Week “My Neighbor Totoro” What's it about? A classic animated film about two Japanese girls who meet a furry forest sprite, created by acclaimed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki and featuring voice performances by young Dakota Fanning and her little sister Elle Fanning. Why we're IN: “Totoro” is a beloved classic, and we're glad to see it being brought to life once again in Blu-ray. New on DVD & Blu-ray “The Last Stand” What's it about? Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Los Angeles cop-turned-border town sherriff in this shoot-‘em-up, action-packed movie. Johnny Knoxville provides the yucks. In or Out: IN. Watch an Exclusive Blu-ray Clip from "The Last Stand" “Parker” What's it about? Jason Statham is Parker, a professional thief who justifies his line of work with an ethical code, who goes on a revenge spree with a little help from an unlikely partner (played by Jennifer Lopez) after his accomplices stab him in the back. Unfortunately, the acting falls flat. In or Out: OUT. “Love Sick Love” What's it about? Man meets woman. Man dates woman. Woman kidnaps man and tortures him in an isolated house with her disturbed family – creepy kids included. "Love Sick Love" reaches for both laughs and cringes, but ends up just confusing. In or Out: OUT. “Struck By Lightning” What's it about? A coming-of-age story with a healthy dose of cynicism, high school senior and aspiring writer Carson Phillips (Chris Colfer) blackmails his fellow students into helping him launch a literary magazine, with some help and comedic relief from Rebel Wilson. In or Out: IN. “Stand Up Guys” What's it about? When a former mobster gets out of jail after serving twenty-eight years for refusing to rat out his associates, he and his former mobster pals (played by Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, and Alan Arkin) try to make up for lost time in amusing ways. For all of these actors' chops and potential, the material just doesn't hold up. In or Out: OUT. New to Blu-ray "National Lampoon's Vacation" 30th Anniversary Edition Watch an Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Look at the "National Lampoon's Vacation" Blu-ray "Howl's Moving Castle" "Captain America" (1990) Collector's Edition "The Public Enemy" (1931) "White Heat" (1949)

'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters': Jeremy Renner Never Read the Script Before Signing On

Katie Roberts — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:03:25 EDT

Jeremy Renner was notoriously prickly while promoting “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters” earlier this year, acting as if he truly hated the movie based on the classic fairy tale and wanted to distance himself as far from it as possible. Critics almost universally agreed with that sentiment, including Moviefone's, who described the film as “88 Minutes of My Life I Will Never Get Back.” So if the movie was really that bad, and Renner knew it, why did he agree to star in it in the first place? Turns out he has a reason -- though not a very good one. In an interview clip from “Hansel & Gretel”'s forthcoming DVD and Blu-ray release, Renner reveals that he never actually read the script before deciding to sign on to the project, which filmed in 2011 and was slated for a 2012 release before eventually being dumped in theaters in January. What would possess Renner to skip over a crucial part of the decision-making process when it comes to his acting career? A single concept image of Hansel and Gretel. “The initial attraction to do the movie came from a little one sheet that I got before I even got the script, and it was something that they ended up shooting in the movie,” Renner said. “It was Hansel and Gretel walking away. There's a fire going and a witch burning in the background. He has a shotgun, and she has this crossbow. That's interesting to me. I don't know why, but it was.” We don't know why, either, but we bet that Renner has already learned to better control his impulses. [via MTV Movies]

'Angry Birds' Movie Flies Forward

Katie Roberts — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:27:52 EDT

The idea to make a movie based on insanely-popular game "Angry Birds" was first introduced years ago, but the project had yet to gain any forward momentum. Now (fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how eager you are to see those birds fly in 3-D), it looks like the film will come to fruition after all, with sources telling The Wrap that veteran screenwriter Jon Vitti has been hired to pen a script. Vitti, an Emmy-winning writer and producer on shows such as “The Simpsons,” “King of the Hill,” and “The Office,” is no stranger to turning existing stories into successful big screen features, having contributed his writing and consulting talents to films such as “The Simpsons Movie,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” and the first two “Ice Age” movies. But he may face an uphill battle with "Angry Birds," which has no real plot and whose outcome is based purely on gamers' performance. And turning video games into movies has always been a dicey prospect in Hollywood, both in terms of quality and finances; for every successful “Tomb Raider” or “Resident Evil,” there's a “Doom” or “Super Mario Brothers” waiting in the wings. Vitti will have the help of Catherine Winder, former Lucasfilm Animation and Fox Animation executive, who'll serve as producer on the project alongside “Despicable Me”'s John Cohen. “I'm very excited that Jon and Catherine have joined us, bringing with them their vast expertise,” said Mikael Hed, CEO of 'Angry Birds' maker Rovio Entertainment, which is backing the film financially. “I'm confident we are building the right team to deliver an amazing movie experience to our fans.” The movie, to be released by Sony, is set to hit theaters sometime in July 2016. We'll hold on to our slingshots until then. [via TheWrap]

Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique: First Look at the Actress in 'X-Men: Days of Future Past'

Katie Roberts — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:07:09 EDT

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” director Bryan Singer has been tweeting up a storm (and tweeting about Storm) ever since he took the helm of the latest installment of the “X-Men” franchise, and on Monday he gave fans yet another taste of what they can expect from the film, revealing the first glimpse of Jennifer Lawrence re-applying her Mystique makeup. The striking image shows Lawrence decked out in head-to-toe blue body paint, revealing every last curve of the Academy Award-winning actress's body. Her yellow eyes and red hair pop against her bright skin, and she's seen standing in front of a green screen backdrop. This is Lawrence's second time appearing as the shape-shifting mutant (who Singer described as “vengeful'), having first stripped down in 2011's “X-Men: First Class.” “Days of Future Past” promises to meld that world with the one seen in the first three “X-Men” films, purportedly featuring a time-traveling Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page), who warns the mutants of the past about a catastrophic future. Stars Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Anna Paquin, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, James McAvoy, and Michael Fassbender, among many others, are all slated to reprise their roles. “X-Men: Days of Future Past” hits theaters July 18, 2014. [via Twitter h/t CinemaBlend]

First look: #JenniferLawrence as a vengeful #Mystique. #XMen #DaysOfFuturePast twitter.com/BryanSinger/st…
— Bryan Singer (@BryanSinger) May 20, 2013

'Anchorman 2' Teaser: 'The Hair Will Be Perfect'

Katie Roberts — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:59:59 EDT

The Channel 4 news team is back and classier than ever in the newest teaser trailer for “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.” Likening the gang to Jesus and Jay-Z, a voiceover assures us that just as those great men returned, so will Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), and Champ Kind (David Koechner). “And when they do,” the narrator promises, “one thing is for sure: their hair will be perfect.” And by the beard of Zeus, their follicles are indeed perfect. Short and sweet, the clip gives us a quick glimpse of our heroes, who look and sound the same -- and as self-delusional -- as they did in 2004, the last time they graced the big screen. There's no sign of anchorwoman Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) or any of the other stars appearing in the flick (including Harrison Ford, Kristen Wiig, Nicole Kidman, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler), but we're still pumped to see the old gang back together again. “Anchorman 2” drops December 20.

'Epic' Premiere NYC: Amanda Seyfried, Colin Farrell Walk the Green Carpet (PHOTOS)

Dana Taddeo — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:11:35 EDT

Amanda Seyfried and her "Epic" co-stars walked a green carpet for the animated film's premiere on Saturday. Fake grass and assorted shrubbery lined Seyfried, Colin Farrell, and Jason Sudeikis's path at the event, and one of their co-stars, comedian Judah Friedlander, even took a moment to relax and lie in the grass, much to the delight of photographers. "Epic" tells the classic story of the ongoing battle between the forces of good, who keep the natural world alive, and the forces of evil, who wish to destroy it. When a teenage girl (Amanda Seyfried) finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she teams up with an elite band of warriors and a crew of comical, larger-than-life figures, to save their world…and ours. The Leafmen characters featured in "Epic" are inspired by William Joyce's book "The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs," which introduced the Samurai-like warriors. Check out the "Epic" premiere photos below. The movie hits theaters May 24.

'Fast & Furious 6' Unscripted: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker Talk Badasses & the Franchise's Future (VIDEO)

Dana Taddeo — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:06:11 EDT

Why were Paul Walker and Vin Diesel chased by helicopters in real life? In the latest episode of Unscripted, the "Fast & Furious 6" stars talk about their wild night at a real-life illegal street race, what "Fast" characters are the most badass, and how many more films are left in the action franchise's future. In the latest adrenaline-pumping "Fast" installment, Agent Hobbs (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) enlists Dom (Diesel) and his team to bring a rival gang, led by Owen Shaw (Luke Evans), to justice in exchange for a clean criminal record. Not a bad deal. Watch Diesel and Walker go Unscripted above. "Fast & Furious 6" speeds into theaters May 24.

Seth MacFarlane Says He Won't Host the Oscars Next Year

Katie Roberts — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:34:53 EDT

Hollywood can breathe a sigh of relief: Seth MacFarlane has just confirmed that he won't return to host next year's Oscars. MacFarlane, whose bawdy, politically incorrect performance as host of this year's telecast received mixed, mostly-negative reviews (two words: “Boobs Song”), announced on Twitter Monday that he simply didn't have the time to commit to the gig. “Traumatized critics exhale: I'm unable to do the Oscars again,” MacFarlane wrote. “Tried to make it work schedule-wise, but I need sleep.” Indeed, by the time next year's ceremony rolls around, MacFarlane will be deep in post-production on his next directorial vehicle, the comedy-western “A Million Ways to Die in the West,” in which he will also star. Despite early reports that he had been invited back to host the Academy Awards telecast, MacFarlane's other commitments -- he also helms Fox's “Family Guy” -- were just too numerous. “However, I highly recommend the job, as [Craig] Zadan and [Neil] Meron are two of the most talented producers in the business,” MacFarlane said of the pair, who produced this year's ceremony and are returning to the gig in 2014. Zadan and Meron came to MacFarlane's defense in the wake of negative reviews of his performance, accusing critics of not understanding the host's subversive humor. With MacFarlane out of contention, it's someone else's turn to be subversive. But MacFarlane says he already has an idea of who might fit that bill. “My suggestion for host is Joaquin Phoenix,” he wrote. [via THR]

'Blue Jasmine' Poster Debut: Cate Blanchett Is Strikingly Stoic (PHOTO)

Dana Taddeo — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:42:46 EDT

Details about Woody Allen's latest film, "Blue Jasmine," may be hard to come by, but we've got something that will give fans of the director something to ponder for a while: the official poster (below), featuring a strikingly pensive Cate Blanchett. What we do know is that the film tells the story of a fashionable New York housewife in the final stages of an acute crisis. Sure, this may raise more questions than answers, but that just makes you want to see "Blue Jasmine" more, right? The movie also stars Alec Baldwin, Peter Sarsgaard, Louis C.K., and Bobby Cannavale. Check out the poster below, and discover what "Blue Jasmine" is all about when it hits theaters July 26. Click to zoom

'Star Wars Rebels': New Animated Series Will Take Place Between 'Episode III and 'Episode IV'

Drew Taylor — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:15:44 EDT

Shortly after Disney acquired Lucasfilm a number of projects in development at the studio were either canceled outright or locked up in a dark closet somewhere (like Seth Green's off-color spoof series "Star Wars Detours"). One of those projects that was quietly canceled was the long-running "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" TV series, which debuted in 2008 on the Cartoon Network and had gained a healthy following in the years that followed, amassing more than 100 episodes. Fans were promised that a new, altogether different series would be announced soon, though, and today that has come to pass. New computer-animated series "Star Wars Rebels" has been announced, to air on Disney XD in fall 2014. This, admittedly, sounds pretty cool. "Star Wars Rebels" will be set in the period of time between "Star Wars: Episode III" and "Star Wars: Episode IV." In a brief promotional video on the Star Wars website, you can see executive producer Dave Filoni (who also oversaw "Clone Wars") lovingly caressing an "Art of Star Wars" book, saying they drew inspiration from original designer Ralph McQuarrie's concept art for the first film. Filoni is joined by Simon Kinberg, who will serve as an executive producer and script the one-hour pilot of the series (which will air on the Disney Channel initially); Kinberg is heavily involved in Disney's grand design for the "Star Wars" universe, serving as a consultant on the J.J. Abrams-directed "Star Wars: Episode VII" and writing a standalone feature set in the universe. Filoni will be joined by Greg Weisman, an executive producer who has worked on everything from "Young Justice" to "Spectacular Spider-Man" but is probably best known for the beloved Disney animated series "Gargoyles." The official statement describes the series as taking place "in a time where the Empire is securing its grip on the galaxy and hunting down the last of the Jedi Knights as a fledgling rebellion against the Empire is taking shape." The statement then quickly adds: "Details about the show are a closely guarded secret at this point." This seems to be a particularly fertile setting in the "Star Wars" universe, as Brian Wood's recent, totally brilliant "Star Wars" comic book takes place about three months after the original "Star Wars" ended. "Star Wars Rebels" will hit Disney XD in fall of 2014, while "Star Wars: Episode VII" follows closely in the summer of 2015. Make sure your lightsabers are fully charged. [via Star Wars]