Is J.J. Abrams The Right Guy For Star Wars: Episode VII?
Watch Hansel And Gretel Witch Hunters Online As for Winslet, Variety says she's nearing a role in the adaptation. There's no word on what role Winslet is in talks to play, but we could speculate that she could play Tris' mother, Natalie Prior. There's also Jeanine Matthews, the leader of the Erudite faction. Those are the only two female characters I can think of that would fit Winslet's age bracket. Tori is the only other notable female character that I can think of that's past her training years, but is her actual age specified? Either way, I'm leaning toward thinking or hoping she's playing Tris' mother. Regardless of who she's playing, assuming talks go through and everything works out, this is a great bit of casting for the film, which is expected to start pre-production soon.
Watch The Hobbit An unexpected Journey Online The action at Sundance is starting to slow down, with most of the big films already premiered and the town clearing out, most journalists eager to get home (or stuck in an iced-over Salt Lake City airport on their way there). But Matt Patches and I remain ever stalwart, ever true, sticking around at this high altitude to bring you the latest on the last round of movies that we've seen, including the hugely buzzed comedy The Way Way Back, Lake Bell's directorial debut In A World, and the other Chilean Michael Cera movie at the festival. Yes, there are two. Check out what we had to say below, and see if you can spot the fresh snowfall behind us.
Watch Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2 Online For more from the both of us on Sundance, you can find my coverage here, and head over to Hollywood.com for the coverage from Patches and his colleague, Brian Moylan, who is joining us on this week's Operation Kino podcast for even more Sundance conversation. The festival may be winding down, but we are still going strong, so keep checking back! Star Wars Episode VII may have gained a director in J.J. Abrams today, but it looks like it's lost any chance of having artwork done by legendary poster artist Drew Struzan.
Watch HAPPY PEOPLE A YEAR IN THE TAIGA Online Earlier this week the artist excited millions of Star Wars fans when he said that he had been contacted by Disney about the new trilogy of films. While his quotes made it sound as though he just wanted to be retired and spend time with his family, he did leave the door somewhat ajar by completing his statements by saying, "But, you know, never say never. All things are possible." But now it seems he has shut that door completely. After the story broke and spread wide, Struzan took to his official Facebook page (via Bleeding Cool) where he wrote a post titled "Misunderstood..." I think you know where this is going: A couple of friends at Disney were fantasizing about the new STAR WARS movies.
Watch The Hobbit Online "Disney" has said nothing to me and I expect nothing. That a couple of friends were wishing is only an expression of the hope that many are sharing but says nothing regarding the Studio itself. Even if 'they' did ask, which Disney has not, I'd rather leave the new films to the next generation to interpret. I've had my time and they were exceptional blessings for which I will forever be grateful. Tomorrow is a new day…drew I understand where Struzan is coming from and I can appreciate the thought, but at the same time I would honestly really love to see him design the posters for the new Star Wars movies. If he's going to use that excuse, then why did he come back for the prequels? As a long time admirer and fan of his work, I respect Struzan a great deal and if he doesn't wish to return that's his right and I totally respect that. But speaking as a Star Wars fan I wish he would reconsider.
Watch Texas ChainSaw 3D Online hat’s one of the many mysteries we're waiting to solve with Sam Raimi’s upcoming Oz The Great and Powerful. We only have a few more weeks left to ponder (and Disney’s doing a pretty good job of keeping a lid on most of the movie’s details). But a new poster for Weisz’s character landed on the movie’s official Facebook page, and we’re happy to share it with you below (click to see it full size!).
Fans of Veronica Roth's dystopian novel Divergent are still waiting to learn who will play the role of Four in Neil Burger's feature adaptation of the first novel of Roth's planned trilogy. There's an update on the search for the male lead, and the latest bit of casting news is exciting by mysterious, as we have the actor's name, but no specified role to go with it. Kate Winslet is reportedly in talks to join previously cast Shailene Woodley in the movie. Set in the future in what's left of Chicago, the story follows Beatrice "Tris" Prior, a teen who's of age to choose which of the five factions of society she's going to join. Her choice will determine her training and her way of life as she approaches adulthood. Woodley is on board to play Tris and as of earlier this month, Alex Pettyfer, Lucas Till and Jeremy Irvine were among the guys rumored to be vying for the male lead, which is (presumably) Four, Tris' trainer and the guy she forms a connection with throughout the story. But Variety's update on that front is that Summit might be looking for someone a little bit older, "after not finding its guy with the latest readings." I can't imagine they'd want to go that much older, considering Tris is just a teenager, unless they want to age her up a bit to pair her with older-Four. Either way, from what Variety's sources say, it sounds like Till, Pettyfer and Irvine might be out of the running.