First Fast Five image arrives

The first image from Fast & Furious sequel Fast Five has cropped up online.
Featuring Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson in what looks like a very terse exchange, it’s about as beefy as an army of McDonalds quarter pounders. And then some.

The fourth sequel in the high-powered franchise is set to reunite the stars of every Furious film thus far for a cross-country action movie.

The basics: Paul Walker’s ex-cop Brian has busted Vin Diesel’s Dom out of jail. Johnson’s federal agent isn’t happy, and goes after them. Stuff blows up.

 

Witherspoon rules out superhero movies

Films like 'Iron Man', 'Spider-Man' and the 'Batman' series have become box office smashes in Hollywood - and several other superhero properties are being turned into movies.

However, the Oscar winning actress has insisted that she has no plans to appear in a superhero movie.
She said, "The movies that are being made feel different. There are a lot of really, really, really big movies about robots and things - and there's not a part for a 34-year-old woman in a robot movie.
"I've never done the superhero movie. That doesn't interest me too much."

While the popularity of big epic blockbusters has meant finding the films she wants to be in hard to come by, she isn't complaining.

She added, "I also have kids, so when I'm not working, it's not like I'm sitting around doing nothing. I'm taking care of two kids who are rapidly growing up in some bizarre time warp. I mean, somehow I now have an 11 year old!"

Is Anne Hathaway The New Barbarella?

Word is circling that actress Anne Hathaway may be onboard to star in the remake of the 1968 cult film ‘Barbarella’, which starred Jane Fonda as an interstellar bombshell.

Anne Hathaway, like Natalie Portman, seems to be connected to virtually every other upcoming Hollywood production that features a prominent female protagonist. Now this year’s Oscar co-host is rumored to be onboard for the long-gestating remake of the cult campfest, Barbarella.

Assuming there is even an inkling of truth to this rumor, Hathaway would undoubtedly tackle the role of the exquisite 41st century space agent Barbarella – a role made famous by former anti-war activist-turned aerobics instructor/writer/actress Jane Fonda back in 1968.

News of Hathaway’s involvement with the Barbarella remake should definitely be taken with a healthy dose of salt, since even the source of the rumor,  Pajiba, describes her as being “attached” to the project, which is currently without a director. Robert Rodriguez and actress

 Rose McGowan were fresh off their on and off-set Grindhouse collaboration (sorry, bad pun not intended) back in 2007 when reports had them pegged as tackling the Barbarella remake. However, that never amounted to anything more than talk.

Robert Luketic (Killers) was at one point up for helming the Barbarella remake, but it seems he is out of the picture as well. There’s not really any single director currently working who immediately jumps to mind as an excellent fit for handling this material – unless it turns out that Uwe Boll has an evil doppelgänger (i.e. someone who’s actually a classy and a talented filmmaker), in which case we say, let him have it.

The original Barbarella is a pretty silly but fun flick full of sci-fi action involving ray guns, “psychedelic” spaceships, goofy aliens armed with whip-like appendages, and a herione that likes to wear outfits that make her look like a James Bond girl of the future. It’s an undeniably hokey film, but it’s that very quality that has earned the 1968 pic a cult following for over four decades.

Hathaway can easily bring the right mix of charming personality, voluptuous looks, and that slight air of self-aware humor to the lead role of Barbarella, if she does indeed sign on for the project. Is there another actress you’d like to see take on the part instead?

Source:  Pajiba

Michael Lang Named Miramax CEO

Miramax today announced that Michael Lang has been appointed chief executive officer, effective immediately.  Lang will be based at the new Miramax headquarters in Santa Monica and will oversee the renowned Miramax film , which was acquired by Filmyard Holdings on December 3, 2010.

“I have known and worked closely with Mike for almost 20 years and have always respected his talents,” said Richard Nanula, chairman of Miramax and a principal at Colony Capital.  “We are confident that he is the right person to lead Miramax in its next phase of growth.”

“I have always admired the Miramax library, which includes many respected titles and award-winning films,” said Lang.  “Based on the quality of these assets, I believe bringing new life to this library — by working with traditional and new partners – will be an exciting and unprecedented story of growth and innovation.  I am honored by this , and I look forward to working with my partners as we build a new kind of media company.”

Lang, 45, most recently served as a consultant to Filmyard in its acquisition of Miramax.  Prior to that, he was EVP, Business Development and Strategy at Fox Entertainment, responsible for strategic initiatives across News Corp’s entertainment assets, including Fox’s film, broadcast network, sports and cable channels.  Lang played key roles in the acquisition of MySpace and the formation of the MySpace Music joint venture, and he led the creation of Hulu, with major broadcast partners.  In addition, Lang was involved in Fox’s mobile, digital and video game initiatives.  He joined Fox in 2004.

Prior to Fox, Lang served as a consultant on media-related investments.  In the late ’90s, he was a founding executive of Z.com.  Lang began his career at The Walt Disney Company in Strategic Planning.  Lang earned his MBA with high distinction at Harvard Busines and he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Claremont McKenna .

About Miramax

The Miramax library is a collection of 700 motion  which were produced, financed or distributed by Miramax Films since 1979.  The Miramax library holds some of the world’s most sophisticated, thought-provoking and critically-acclaimed independent films including , lies, and videotape, The English Patient, Shakespeare In Love, Reservoir Dogs, Chicago, Good Will Hunting, Pulp Fiction, My Left Foot, Cinema Paradiso, Life is Beautiful, Amélie, Kill Bill, Volume I and II, No  for Old Men, as well as scores of commercially successful films such as Bridget Jones’s Diary, the Scream, Hellraiser and Scary Movie franchises and Spy Kids. Collectively the Miramax archives have received 284 Academy Award nominations and 68 Oscars, including 4 Best Picture Awards.

The man seems enthusiastic about Miramax and it's library of great films including those listed above along with films like Sling Blade, Halloween H20 and many others. I love Miramax films and am particularly excited about them being out from under Disney's control and under the control of someone who seems to be as much of a fan of the films as I am.

James McAvoy up for for Pride and Prejudice

The screen adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has seen a fair few names come and go throughout its short gestation period.

Collider have picked up on some casting news from Pajiba, stating that Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy are being considered for the lead roles of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy.

Scarlett Johansson and Bradley Cooper's names, among others, had previously been linked to the roles, and it's unclear whether Hathaway and McAvoy have actually ousted them or simply been added to the list.

They'd make for an interesting choice. Considering the novel's irreverent, ironic take on the material, it'd add a bit of extra-textual fun if it featured the stars of Becoming Jane.

Both convinced in that movie, which drew on the similarities between Austen's own love life and the romances she scribed. They've proven their screen chemistry, and shown they could play it straight if that's what is required for Zombies.

Mike White is directing the adaptation (he replaced David O. Russell) and Natalie Portman is still producing (though she's no longer starring, as was originally the case).