Archive for February 22nd, 2012
William Fichtner Is The New Villain Of ‘The Lone Ranger’
by Germain Lussier on Feb.22, 2012, under Stuff We Like
Dwight Yoakum is out and William Fichtner is in. The talented character actor who is perhaps best known for his short but sweet scene at the beginning of The Dark Knight has been cast as the villain in Gore Verbinski’s 2013 Disney action film Lone Ranger opposite Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp as the Ranger and Tonto. Read more after the jump.
Deadline broke the news of the casting. They also broke the news last week that Yoakum was out and at that time described the role as follows:
Butch Cavendish, leader of the Cavendish gang and the pic’s primary villain.
Not much is known specifically about the film except that it’s expected to start shooting very soon, be released in May of 2013 and there were some major issues with the budget that forced Disney to pull the plug before producer Jerry Bruckheimer reworked things, trimming around $30 million. Here’s what he said a few months ago about the film’s issues:
We redid the production plan. We originally laid it out to avoid winter. Every single location we had, there was winter — 30s at night, 50s during the day, best-case scenario. We were jumping around. California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah. If we had a big crowd scene and then the next day we were shooting just Tonto and the Lone Ranger, we still had the crew “on” because you have them weekly. So we bunched the sequences that were big together, and for the smaller scenes [we] laid off the extras, the effects people, the makeup people. It costs an enormous amount with 150 extras on the set. It’s not the extras, it’s the people that support the extras. You’re still carrying all the wardrobe, makeup and hair people. We bunched together scenes with Tonto and the Lone Ranger, so we had a much smaller crew. We saved about $10 million just by doing that.
That said, things are looking up for Verbinski and his team. The cast is looking strong and Fichtner is a fine addition. Dare I say, he’s more menacing than Yoakum. And yes, that’s including Sling Blade and Terminator 2.
Check Out The Latest ‘Brave’ Poster; New Trailer Coming Thursday
by Germain Lussier on Feb.22, 2012, under Stuff We Like
A third trailer for Pixar’s 2012 film, Brave, will hit Apple’s Movie Trailer site sometime on Thursday and to get everyone excited, they’ve exclusively revealed a new poster. Check out the full image after the jump and check back tomorrow for the trailer.
Thanks to Apple for this poster.
Brave, directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman featuring the voices of Kelly MacDonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Julie Walters, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson and Robbie Coltrane, is scheduled for release June 22. Here’s the plot description:
Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In “Brave,” a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts. Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Wise Woman (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late.
What do you think of the poster?
Source: Pixar Planet
Experience ‘Wanderlust’ With Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston And MTV First!
by MTV Movies Team on Feb.22, 2012, under Stuff We Like
Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston throw caution (and their clothes) to the wind in the new comedy "Wanderlust," from the maniacal mind of "Wet Hot American Summer" director David Wain. But before "Wanderlust" wanders into theaters this Friday (February 24), you can get some personal time in with Paul and Jennifer right here at MTV News.
Right here and now, watch Rudd and Aniston with our very own Josh Horowitz for an MTV First all about "Wanderlust." The two actors are debuting an exclusive new clip and answering Josh's questions and yours about their new comedy. Tune in right now to catch the clip and see what Paul and Jennifer have to say about making "Wanderlust."
Sacha Baron Cohen Not Allowed At This Year’s Oscars [Updated]
by Germain Lussier on Feb.22, 2012, under Stuff We Like
And then they wonder why ratings are falling and interest is waining. Last year, a big hubbub was created when famous street artist Banksy wanted to come to the Oscars in a monkey mask to preserve his legendary anonymity. He wasn’t even sure if he wanted to come at all but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who nominated the artist’s film for Best Documentary Feature, told him he couldn’t attend if he dressed like that.
This year, Sacha Baron Cohen is one of the leads of Martin Scorsese’s Hugo, the film that leads all others with 11 nominations. Rumors had begun circling that he might use the red carpet oppurtunity to dress in full costume and promote his summer release The Dictator, in which he plays the vile leader of a small country. This wasn’t confirmed, it was just a rumor.
The Academy has reportedly now responded to those rumors by pulled Baron Cohen’s tickets, all but banning him from Sunday’s awards. Read more after the jump, including an update.
Deadline reported the news of Cohen’s tickets being revoked “unless they’re assured” he won’t make a mockery of the red carpet.
[UPDATE: The Hollywood Reporter spoke to the Academy who said "We haven't banned him, we're just waiting to hear what he's going to do." Which is a nice way of saying, he can come if he doesn't dress as The Dictator.]
Soapbox time.
Isn’t the red carpet, already, a mockery of itself? Viewers and “experts” do nothing but judge all the celebrities on their fashion sense and beauty as opposed to their work while “journalists” ask hard hitting questions about projects we’ve been hearing about for over a year. To most people, the whole thing is an insulting joke already. However it’s tradition so we deal with it but it’s completely pointless.
Unless, of course, something interesting happens. For example Lady Gaga in the egg a few years back at the MTV Video Music Awards. Or Deadmau5 wearing a fellow DJ’s telephone number on his shirt at the Grammys. These were funny, interesting things that happened and made people buzz about the red carpet.
Enter the perfect person, Sacha Baron Cohen, who has made a career of being brilliant and polarizing. One would think he’d be a bit of fresh air amongst the stuck up celebrities strolling the red carpet this weekend and give the awards a bit of buzz. But the Oscars are all about class and black tuxes. Not humor, fun and spontaneity. They’d never ever let something silly happen at their show. Like James Franco and Anne Hathaway host. Or studios buying the awards.
Odds are, Baron Cohen’s team will assure the Academy he’ll be a good boy and the actor will show up but the simple fact that this was an issue at all proves the Oscars need a massive, massive reimagining. It’s what Hollywood is good at anyway, isn’t it?
New Service Called Tugg, Helps Audiences Demand and Book Their Own Movie Screenings
by Germain Lussier on Feb.22, 2012, under Stuff We Like
Do you ever get frustrated that certain movies don’t make it to your local theater or that you can’t see old favorites on the big screen? There is a new service that might let you change that. It’s called Tugg and it’s a social network that allows users to request, promote and eventually screen a film they want (current, classic, mainstream or independent movies) shown in a local theater.
The site is currently in beta but they already have deals in place with Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, AMC Theatres, Bow Tie Cinemas, Cinemark Theatres, Goodrich Quality Cinemas, Rave Cinemas and Regal Cinemas to make sure the screenings actually happen in quality venues. Read much more after the jump.
The official site of Tugg is Tugg.com and you can now sign up to test the service out.
But basically, here’s what you’d do. Let’s say, for example, you wanted to see A Separation on the big screen but it’s not playing in your area. Assuming that’s a film that’s in the Tugg library (one that will certainly grow as time moves on) you go ahead and create the event. You choose the price, time and theater from a participating list. From there, you try and get people to commit either via social media, newspapers, whatever you can to get people to express interest in coming to a screening. Once a minimum number is reached (this will most certainly differ depending on theater, film, date and time) Tugg will set it all up with the theater and the screening is a go.
You can can also just search for Tugg events in your area and cut out the middle man. It’s very much inspired by Demand It, Kickstarter and more.
Obviously, Tugg is more work than the average filmgoer is used to and will live or die based on the passion of the creator. But it’s a great concept for those who love seeing movies theatrically and one can only hope it takes off.
To see more about Tugg, check out the official site as well as this How It Works page. Here’s the official press release with quotes from several prominent theatrical executives:
Currently in it’s pilot stage, Tugg, Inc. (“Tugg”), a collective action web-platform that enables individuals to choose the films that play in their local theaters, today announces it’s working with exhibitors Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, AMC Theatres, Bow Tie Cinemas, Cinemark Theatres, Goodrich Quality Cinemas, Rave Cinemas and Regal Cinemas. The exhibitors will provide theatrical venues for individually curated events showcasing Tugg’s growing library of hundreds of studio and independent films. Tugg’s partnerships with distributors will be announced prior to the official launch at South by Southwest in March 2012.
Tugg co-founders Nicolas Gonda, CEO, and Pablo Gonzalez, COO, have created an innovative way for moviegoers to experience the films of their choice in a theatrical setting. Through Tugg, individuals are empowered to select a film, screening time, and nearby theater, and then spread the word to their immediate and online community. Once a necessary amount of people commit to attending, the event will be confirmed, and Tugg will reserve the theater, manage ticketing and ensure delivery of the film; allowing the audience to sit back and enjoy the show.
“Every film speaks to a different person, and the most exciting thing about Tugg is that it allows for audiences to find their films and films to find their audiences. We are eager to offer a platform that enables studios, filmmakers and exhibitors to have unprecedented interaction with communities and influencers,” said co-founders Gonda and Gonzalez.
Through the exhibitors, Tugg provides audiences with access to a nationwide network of high-quality theatrical venues. Now an audience can watch a film of their choice, be it current or classic, mainstream or independent, in the multisensory environment only available in a movie theater. Tugg reaffirms the importance and value of the theatergoing experience, and allows exhibitors to court and retain both new audiences and active moviegoers by offering a wider variety of theatrical content.
Tugg’s partnerships with distributors and independent filmmakers have helped build an extensive library of content for audiences to choose from. In addition, Tugg’s demand-based infrastructure provides an exceptional platform for offering new releases to targeted markets across the country, and creates exciting opportunities for new films to reach theaters and audiences through a local, community-based approach.
“As the film exhibition industry continues to evolve, AMC Theatres remains committed to staying at the forefront of innovation, which is why we’ve been proud to work with Tugg from the very beginning to determine the feasibility of its platform,” said Robert J. Lenihan, president of Programming at AMC Theatres. “As we continue to evaluate the program through trials at our theatres, we’ve experienced its potential firsthand through successful results by not only putting the choice directly into our guests’ hands, but also through the power of grassroots, guest-advocate marketing.”
“As the creators were first showing me Tugg, I had the same sensation I had when I first started using Facebook. This was a brilliant, well-executed concept that could really change things for our business in a significant way,” said Alamo Drafthouse CEO/Founder Tim League.
“Rave & Bow Tie Cinemas are excited about the innovative ideas Tugg has brought to our industry,” said Spencer Klein, Rave Cinemas & Bow Tie Cinemas Senior Vice President Film & Alternative Content.
The Tugg team and its advisory board embody a strong collective of industry and media experience in the realms of production, development, marketing and distribution. Gonda, a producer on The Tree of Life, got his inspiration for Tugg while working all over the world with filmmakers Terrence Malick and Steven Soderbergh. Gonzalez, an experienced high-tech and marketing executive, leads Tugg’s development and operations. In working towards this innovative new initiative, Tugg is privileged to have a board of advisors that includes writer/actor/director Ben Affleck, writer/director Richard Linklater and writer/director Terrence Malick.
Tugg is currently inviting early participants to use the platform during its pilot stage, and will be open to the public in the coming months.
