Oscar Isaac stars in ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’ – (Photo Courtesy of CBS Films)
Oscar Isaac is going from playing the lead villain in Zack Snyder’s action fantasy Sucker Punch to the more grounded in reality drama, Still I Rise, so says Variety. Isaac will be playing a “sexy, ukulele-playing teacher” in the Walden Media/20th Century Fox project, which begins shooting this month.
Isaac joins a cast which already includes Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis as moms who fight to reform an inner-city school. Daniel Barnz (Beastly) wrote the current draft of the script and is directing.
In addition to Sucker Punch, Isaac’s been busy with the action thriller Drive starring Ryan Gosling, Ten Year with Channing Tatum, and the historical drama Cristiada co-starring Eva Longoria and Peter O’Toole.
Jean-Pierre Améris directed and co-wrote the film with Philippe Blasband. The producers are Nathalie Gastaldo and Philippe Godeau. StudioCanal released the film in France, where it has taken in more than $9 million to date at the box office, and also has handled international sales.
The film tells the story of Angélique Delange (Isabelle Carré, Private Fears in Public Places), an unemployed but gifted chocolate-maker with a lifelong case of uncontrollable shyness that prevents her from properly sharing her confectionary talents. Jean-René Van Den Hugde (Benoît Poelvoorde, Coco Before Chanel) suffers from a similar case of terminal abashment and runs a fledgling chocolate company in desperate need of a new direction. When Jean-René hires Angélique as the new sales associate, the two nervous Nellies must face their deepest fears. With the chocolate business hanging in the balance, they are forced to fess up to their hidden sweet affections for each other.
“French films have the rare ability to transcend boundaries and bring audiences together. We’re enormously pleased to have reached a deal in Cannes for this film, which has great comic moments, wonderful characters and extraordinary performances,” said Geoffrey Gilmore, Chief Creative officer, Tribeca Enterprises. “Romantics Anonymous is universal in its appeal and its treatment of love and romance. We look forward to bringing it to a wider audience in the U.S.”
“At Tribeca Film Festival the audience welcomed Romantics Anonymous with such warmth, when we debated after the screenings people were so connected to the humor and emotion of the film, that I am particularly happy to know the film will be distributed in the United States and this conversation with American audiences will carry on,” said Jean-Pierre Améris.
Multi-talented actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth is set to release a country music album called Some Lessons Learned on September 13, 2011.
From Sony Masterworks:
Her debut single, “I Want Somebody (Bitch About)” is a tongue-in-cheek song about finding unconditional love. All of the songs on Chenoweth’s new album are very personal and explore her life experiences as a woman. The single will be available for sale on May 31.
The music video for “I Want Somebody (Bitch About)” which takes place in a retro hair salon makes its debut on Country Music Television (CMT) on June 6. During that week Chenoweth will be very involved in Nashville’s annual Country Music Fest. She is set to appear on the 2011 CMT Music Awards and perform on the finale of CMT’s Next Superstar.
This is Chenoweth’s fourth album on Sony. “Look at my recording career and it’s kind of funny. It’s all so different!” says Chenoweth who counts Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire and Linda Ronstadt among her major influences. “This album is more along the lines of what I grew up singing, like the music I sang in church in Oklahoma. When I was hired at nineteen to sing at Opryland in Nashville, that’s what I wanted to do. I never anticipated my career going in all these great directions — which I’m grateful for! I’m finally getting to do what I want.”
Some Lessons Learned is the culmination of a natural progression for Chenoweth as a recording artist. She singles out the title track “Lessons Learned”: “It’s about what we learn and how we learn — and what we do with it.”
Hence, she relied heavily on one of contemporary pop’s most prolific songwriters, Diane Warren, who wrote a number of songs on the album. “I feel so lucky to be able to have worked with Diane. Her songs really capture who I am. She pushed me and gave me confidence to go for it!” says Chenoweth. Warren also hooked her up with Ezrin, “and it became a great partnership,” she adds. “On paper you wouldn’t think of having Pink Floyd’s producer, but it really worked!”
Ezrin has certainly succeeded in bringing out Chenoweth’s hopeful, humorous, and inspirational qualities. Additionally, Some Lessons Learned showcases the work of “some of the best songwriters and musicians in Nashville,” notes Chenoweth, who also points to her sole duet, “What If We Never,” with Randy Travis, not to mention the cover of Dolly Parton’s “Change.”
“I’m so glad that as an artist, I’m in a position to work with such incredibly talented people,” Chenoweth concludes. “I’ve always wanted to make this album, especially in Nashville, where the musicians are amazing and everyone is so wonderful to work with. I can’t wait to go back!”
Michelle Williams, two-time Oscar nominee for Brokeback Mountain and Blue Valentine, could be signing up for the part of Glinda the Good Witch in Oz: The Great and Powerful set up at Disney. Raimi’s already found his other witches: Oscar winner Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener) will be Evanora, the evil Wicked Witch of the East and Mila Kunis is Theadora, The Wicked Witch of the West (and Evanora’s little sister).
Raimi’s cast also includes James Franco as Oz.
Williams is also wanted for the next Bourne film with Jeremy Renner, and so she may not have time to fit Oz in her schedule. If she does, as Glinda she would be teaming up with Franco to take down the evil witches.
Filming is expected to begin this July.
Williams recently completed work on the Marilyn Monroe film, My Week with Marilyn, which is heading to theaters this year.
The English-language version of Stieg Larsson’s bestselling novel has just picked up some additional financial backing.
MGM will become a financial partner on the upcoming Sony Pictures Entertainment film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, it was announced today by MGM Co-Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum and Sony Pictures Chairman and CEO Michael Lynton and Co-Chairman Amy Pascal. Sony will handle marketing and distribution, while MGM will handle select international television licensing for the film.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is part of the recently announced agreement between Sony and MGM to explore co-financing opportunities on future motion pictures produced by each of the respective studios for the next five years. They have most recently partnered on the highly anticipated Bond 23, set for worldwide release on November 9, 2012.
In recent years, the two studios have collaborated on numerous films, including Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, 21, Yours, Mine And Ours, The Pink Panther, and the summer tent pole Kevin James comedy Zookeeper, which opens nationwide on July 8, 2011.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which will be released on December 21, 2011, is the first film in the three-picture adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s literary blockbuster The Millennium Trilogy. Directed by David Fincher and starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, the film is based on the first novel in the trilogy, which altogether have sold more than 50 million copies in 46 countries and become a worldwide phenomenon. The screenplay is by Steven Zaillian.
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, now known to a new generation of young fans as one of the American Idol judges, debuted his video for his solo project “(It) Feels So Good” on American Idol on May 12, 2011.
Popular music video director Ray Kay (Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Adam Lambert) helmed the project. Tyler co-wrote the song with Marti Frederiksen and, per the Columbia Records press release, “‘(It) Feels So Good’ showcases one-man band Tyler on vocals, guitar, harmonica, keys and percussion backed up by an ensemble including American Idol judge Randy Jackson on bass guitar and Nicole Scherzinger on backing vocals.”
AI host Ryan Seacrest debuted the single on his “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” on May 9th.
In addition to his music career and judging AI, Tyler’s also put out his autobiography: Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Memoir. And to prove he’s still into his fans, Tyler’s also on Twitter.
James Franco was extremely busy in 2010 going to college, starring in films, hosting the Oscars, Twitting pictures of himself, etc, but one of his projects slipped quietly under the radar. The crime thriller Shadows and Lies will hit stores on DVD and Blu-ray on June 7, 2011, following a festival run throughout 2010.
Written and directed by Jay Anania, the R-rated drama also stars Julianne Nicholson and Josh Lucas.
The official synopsis: James Franco stars as William Vincent, a quiet and mysterious criminal. When he falls for a New York gangster’s (Josh Lucas) favorite call girl (Julianne Nicholson), Vincent is forced to flee the city, threatened with death if he should ever return. But after four years in exile, Vincent secretly returns intent on rescuing the woman he loves from her dangerous fate.
Australian actor Chris Hemsworth takes on the starring role in this action-heavy introductory story to Marvel’s Thor. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the PG-13 rated Thor tells the story of the hammer-wielding God of Thunder.
The cast also includes Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Josh Dallas as Fandral, Idris Elba as Heimdall, and Ray Stevenson as Volstagg. Jaimie Alexander plays Sif, Tadanobu Asano is Hogun, Clark Gregg is Agent Coulson, Kat Dennings is Darcy, Colm Feore is Laufey, and Stellan Skarsgard is Dr Erik Selvig.
Thor opens in theaters on May 6, 2011.
Official Synopsis: The epic adventure Thor spans the Marvel Universe from present-day Earth to the mystical realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. As a result, Thor is banished to Earth where he is forced to live among humans. When the most dangerous villain of his world sends its darkest forces to invade Earth, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero.
We’re used to men behaving badly in films, but with Bridesmaids it’s the women who get to act all kinds of crazy.
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Rose Byrne
Directed By: Paul Feig
Release Date: May 13, 2011
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 120 minutes
MPAA Rating: R for some strong sexuality, and language throughout
Official Synopsis: Annie’s life is a mess. But when she finds out her lifetime best friend is engaged, she simply must serve as Lillian’s maid of honor. Though lovelorn and broke, Annie bluffs her way through the expensive and bizarre rituals. With one chance to get it perfect, she’ll show Lillian and her bridesmaids just how far you’ll go for someone you love.
Cast and Characters:
Rose Byrne – ‘Helen’
Kristen Wiig – ‘Annie’
Maya Rudolph – ‘Lillian’
Chris O’Dowd – ‘Rhodes’
Ellie Kemper – ‘Becca’
Wendi McLendon-Covey – ‘Rita’
Melissa McCarthy – ‘Megan’
Matt Lucas – ‘Gil’
Jill Clayburgh – ‘Annie’s Mom’
Rebel Wilson – ‘Brynn’
Michael Hitchcock – ‘Don Cholodecki’
Kali Hawk – ‘Kahlua’
Greg Tuculescu – ‘Kevin’
Tim Heidecker – ‘Dougie’
Johnny Depp’s back for his fourth go at playing Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, although this time around he’s got new sidekicks and a new director.
Rob Marshall directs the action/comedy set for release on May 20, 2011.
Official Synopsis: Crossing paths with the enigmatic Angelica (Penelope Cruz), Captain Jack Sparrow’s not sure if it’s love — or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know whom to fear more: Blackbeard or Angelica, with whom he shares a mysterious past.
The cast also includes Geoffrey Rush as Captain Hector Barbossa, Sam Claflin as Philip, Astrid Berges-Frisbey as Syrena, Kevin R McNally as Joshamee Gibbs, and Stephen Graham as Scrum. Keith Richards plays Captain Teague, Richard Griffiths is King George, Damian O’Hare is Gillette, and Oscar Jaenada is The Spaniard.
