Simon Pegg Talks Star Trek 3 Script

Since we found out that Roberto Orci was no longer directing the pic and that Fast and the Furious film franchise director Justin Lin will take over--Rumors suggested that the suits was unhappy with the script and Orci's plans for the franchise, which is why they kicked him out of the big chair.

Lin was on the shortlist for the gig with  Rupert Wyatt ("Rise of the Planet of the Apes"), Morten Tyldum ("The Imitation Game"),  and Daniel Espinosa ("Safe House"). Wyatt was reportedly at the top of the list but Lin was the only one actually offered the job.

Abrams commitments to the Star Wars: Episode VII kept him from coming back. Other names like "Attack the Block" filmmaker Joe Cornish and G.I. Joe: Retaliation" director Jon M. Chu were in the mix to call action--before Orci got the gig. Jonathan Frakes, best known to Trekkers as Commander Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation, indicated he wanted to sit in the director's chair but knew it was a long shot...Edgar Wright was mentioned as well.

 Orci co-wrote and produced J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" '09 and "Star Trek Into Darkness" with longtime partner Alex Kurtzman and is still involved...

Film Divider also claims that the film will introduce three new female characters - the ex-wife of Bones, a new Federation ship captain, and the female President of the United Federation of Planets. All that we know that certain at the moment is that the third film will pick up years after the events of 'Into Darkness' with the crew well into their famous five-year mission.

"Thor" and "X-Men: First Class" writers and "Fringe" producers Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz were eyed to script the sequel but opted not to do it.J.D. Payne, Patrick McKay and Orci were co-writing the next film. Orci confirmed that first draft of the screenplay was completed and would be closer in tone to the original 1960s show than the previous two films.

Taking questions on the TrekMovie.com message boards late last year, Orci answered the screenplay query saying he's "producing, nothing more or less."

Now Trek reboot co-star Simon Pegg is set to co-write the new script with with Doug Jung, creator of TNT's short-lived "Dark Blue" series and writer of the upcoming Bad Robot film "Diamond". Pegg's writing credits include co-writing Edgar Wright's Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy- "Shaun of the Dead," "Hot Fuzz" and "The World's End" - along with "Run, Fatboy, Run".

Speaking with Den of Geek this past week about the trailer release for "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation," Pegg told them that the responsibility of co-writing the Trek 3 script  is terrifying and that none of Oeci's work survived the change:

"No. It's completely new. I haven't read Bob's script and they didn't want us to. So we went back to the drawing board. We had creative meetings with Justin and there were things he wanted in there. I haven't written like this before. I've never been a custodian of something, it's usually mine what I'm writing. Whereas with this, you're given a bunch of stuff -- 'Look we want this in it and this in it.' Or Justin will say -- he's got an amazing visual mind, Justin. He's great at that kind of choreography. So he'll say, 'What if this happens?' So Doug and I go, 'Okay, right, let's try and get that into it.' So it's an interesting process."

Badass Digest reports that the studio is gonna go in a new direction with the next film, albeit one that still retains the "Star Wars" style of storytelling. The report suggests that one reason that Orci is no longer sitting in the center seat is because the studio wanted to go with a different tone and style - something more like last year's biggest domestic box-office film "Guardians of the Galaxy".

Sure original Trek has done light-hearted stories before with eps like I, Mudd,  The Trouble with Tribbles,  A Piece of the Action and the feature film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, but why on earth would the suits want to replicate GotG at all? The last 2 films-as successful as they were--get knocked for being too much like "Wars" Why alienate those critics/fans further? I liked the last 2 films a lot but I understand the "too much Star Wars and not enough Trek" mantra and think that those folks have a point. Now it's gonna be "too much like GotG"...Hmmm. Lin is a very capable director...

Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Pegg, Anton Yelchin and John Cho are all expected to return to the Final Frontier in their respective roles as Kirk Spock Uhura Dr. McCoy Scotty Chekov and Sulu.

Variety reports that Idris Elba is in talks to play the villain. Details of the role are being kept under wraps, though rumors have abound that the Klingons will play much bigger antagonist roles this time around. Film Divider recently suggested that former "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston has reportedly "had words with the studio" about the role.

What started as rumors and then were confirmed that Star Trek-TOS star William Shatner is returning to the franchise in Trek 3. Shatner has admitted that one of the challenges of getting him into the rebooted timeline is that Kirk Prime died in 1994's Star Trek: Generations. The plan was to include a sequence in the Trek 3 script that would have reunited Shatner and Leonard Nimoy as Kirk and Spock for their first canon appearance together since 1991's "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country".Sadly Nimoy's passing prevents that---No word if Kirk Prime will still show up Shatner was originally in the script for a cameo in the '09 film but the notion was nixed.

Abrams Bryan Burke Orci and David Ellison will produce the film

Production starts in June to make a July 8, 2016 bow for Paramount--coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the "Star Trek" franchise

X-Men: Apocalypse Casts Jubilee

Bryan Singer has announced via social media that actress Lana Condor will portray the mutant Jubilee in “X-Men: Apocalypse.”

In the comics, the character has the mutant ability to project "energy plasmoids" from her fingertips. She became a popular character due to her having a key role in the 1990s "X-Men" animated series.  Katrina Florece and Kea Wong played the role in the first three "X-Men" movies, though it was a very minimized role with no dialogue. Condor will be making her screen debut with 'Apocalypse'.

I'd officially like to welcome our newest mutant #JubilationLee, #Jubilee @LanaCondor to #XMEN #Apocalypse

A photo posted by Bryan Singer (@bryanjaysinger) on Mar 25, 2015 at 11:57am PDT

The younger actors introduced in "X-Men: First Class James McAvoy (Professor X), Michael Fassbender (Magneto) Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique), Nicholas Hoult (Beast) and Lucas Till (Alex “Havok” Summers), etc. are contracted for three films and are locked in to return. Rose Byrne will reprise her role of Moira MacTaggert here.

This time the mutants will take on Apocalypse, aka. En Sabah Nur (Oscar Isaac). In the comics, En Sabah Nur is the world's first mutant who was born in Egypt around 3,000 BC and had access to advanced technology. The events of the film take place in the 80's. We were told that the studio originally wanted "Inception" and "The Dark Knight Rises" actor Tom Hardy to play the bad guy in the film. The character was teased in the post-credits scene of "X-Men: Days of Future Past" (Played by Brendan Pedder).

Ben Hardy's role is unknown at this point, but it is said to be "significant to the X-Men universe". Speculation has already pointed to him as a potential young Colossus, with his average height at 5'10" Others have suggested a new incarnation of Angel/Archangel. His only other screen credit is his regular role as Peter Beale on long-running British soap "EastEnders"--his character left the show.

Alexandra Shipp will play the young Storm. Tye Sheridan will play Cyclops Kodi Smit-McPhee has been cast as a young Nightcrawler and Sophie Turner will play Jean Grey.

Chloe Moretz, Hailee Steinfeld, Elle Fanning, Ben Hardy, Charlie Rowe Taron Egerton ("Kingsman: The Secret Service), Jamie Blackley ("If I Stay") Alexandra Shipp Zendaya Coleman, Saoirse Ronan and Timothee Chalamet were each the mix to play a young mutant before the final choices were made.

The adult incarnations of the characters were played by Halle Berry, Famke Janssen and James Marsden in various chapters of the film series. Alan Cumming played Nightcrawler in X2: X-Men United.

It is likely that Channing Tatum will debut as the X-Men mutant Gambit here before getting a solo film

"X2: X-Men United" and "Superman Returns" screenwriters Mike Dougherty and Dan Harris as well as Simon Kinberg are writing the script for "Apocalypse" .

Production is slated to begin next month. The film will hit theaters on May 27, 2016 opposite Alice in Wonderland 2.

Batman v Superman-DOJ: Lex Is Bald

Zack Snyder has used a new article in EW to show off Jesse Eisenberg's look as Lex Luthor in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice".

I like it!

Talking about Eisenberg's version of the character, Snyder says: "He's not any of the Lexes that you've seen, that's for sure, other than him being a captain of industry and one person to the world and another person to himself. And bald, of course. Our Lex is disarming and he's not fake. He says what he believes and he says what's on his mind. If you can unravel the string and decipher what he means, it's all there."

DOJ will see the return of Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent, Ben Affleck will play Bruce Wayne/Batman amid lots of fallout--while Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane are set to reprise their roles as Lois Lane, Perry White and Martha Kent. "Fast Five" star Gal Gadot's playing Wonder Woman. Jason Momoa has been cast as Aquaman,

The death of Thomas and Martha Wayne will be part of the narrative with "Watchmen" actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan said to be playing Thomas.

 Ray Fisher is playing the role of Cyborg in the film. Jeremy Irons has been cast as Wayne's butler Alfred Pennyworth.

There were reports that suggested that the chatter about former "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston was playing Lex in the upcoming movie were true were denied by the actor. In fact he and fellow early frontrunner Mark Strong were never offered the role. Tom Hanks was internally discussed but an offer was never made.

Instead, they stuck with a next generation' mandate. We were told that Joaquin Phoenix came up as a contender for Lex. The trade says that he passed.

Latino Review reports that four secondary villains are making an appearance in DOJ: Victor Zsasz Morgan Edge Amanda Waller and David Cain.

According to their sources, the serial killer Zsasz will fight with Affleck's Batman in an early Gotham City-set scene. Edge will be the slimy public relations head of LexCorp who goes toe to toe with Lois Lane on a TV talk show. Cain will meet with Luthor's bodyguard Mercy to set up an assassination. There's also another baddie  that is yet to be cast . In this incarnation Waller's a stern, intimidating senator who sees Superman as a threat and comes up with a counter measure to stop him.

Holly Hunter, Callan Mulvey and Tao Okamoto ("The Wolverine") have joined the cast. Specifics about their new characters are being kept under wraps. Australian actor Mulvey (Zero Dark Thirty ," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier") has  been rumored for the role of an (unnamed) villain in the film for quite some time now....TMZ said that he is playing Batman's greatest foe --The Joker.....Scoot McNairy ("Argo," "The Rover") has joined the film. Nobody at the studio will confirm the news or reveal what the role is.

 Spanish site El Multicine which claims that "Looper"and "Edge Of Tomorrow" actress Emily Blunt inked a deal for an unspecified role.

Batman on Film also suggests that the character of Commissioner Jim Gordon is in the film, however there's no word on potential casting or confirmation at this time. The character is front and center in Fox Broadcasting's fantastic new Fall TV Series prequel Gotham starring  Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, and Jada Pinkett Smith

More rumors ran that Girls co-star Adam Driver was the frontrunner to play the character of Dick Grayson, the post-Robin Nightwing incarnation in the film. The original story mentioned that two other actors are in the mix for the role. Less than 24 hours later "Gossip Girl" and "Easy A" star Penn Badgley and "The Perks of Being A Wallflower" and "We Need To Talk About Kevin" star Ezra Miller were said to be in mix for the part. Driver denied any such talk...With good reason since he was really up for Lex. He turned it down due to scheduling conflicts. Denzel Washington was also among a list potentials for Lex generated by Thinkmcflythink as were Idris Elba and Colin Salmon.

Last August Superhero Report posted a photo of actress Jena Malone meeting her "Sucker Punch" director on the set. This led to speculation that she may make a cameo in the film. At the time Malone denied that talk, saying her set visit was just a visit. Channel 10 WILX in Michigan claims to have an anonymous film extra as a source who says that Malone is in the film and she's playing a female Robin aka Carrie Kelley.

Singer Justin Bieber uploaded a photo on his Instagram account showing him holding up what appeared to be a personalized script for the film with the hashtag "#Robin" but it turned out to be a prop for a Funny or Die skit.

The speedster The Flash is said to be in the script.

Meantime: The star of The CW's popular Arrow TV series Stephen Amell posted a "Justice League" comic image on his official Facebook page.  We already know that Flash (Grant Gustin) showed up there for a few eps before getting his own show (Watch an extended trailer). Could more of DC Entertainment's "Justice League" be coming to "Arrow"? The answer is yes...For now the DC Cinematic Universe will NOT co-exist with the TV heroics...There are rumors about where the films might go as well as the  TV side of things...

"Man Of Steel" writer David S. Goyer was back on the keyboard but now--THR reports that  Chris Terrio, who won an Oscar for writing Affleck's “Argo,” has been hired to write the latest draft of the MOS 2 script. 

Goyer is in the midst of developing several projects including an adaptation of author Neil Gaiman's  popular comic book series Sandman, which he’ll produce with Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven return to executive produce the multi-hero film. 

Sources say the new movie is going for the tone of the relationship and fight seen in Frank Miller’s 1980s ground-breaking mini-series The Dark Knight Returns.

The DOJ release was delayed a full 10 months for a number of reasons. As a result, the original release date of July 17th 2015 was no longer. The studio then targeted a May 6th 2016 release. They quickly inserted the fantasy Pan into that original slot. The sequel was to go head to head with "Captain America 3" ...Nobody thought that the comic book pics would ultimately share the date--Sure enough DOJ blinked--and will now open on March 25th 2016.

Once DOJ is completed  Snyder will helm DC Entertainment's long planned Justice League movie The Justice League Part One--penned by "Argo" scribe Terrio

Star Trek 3: Idris Elba Eyes Big Bad

Variety reports that Idris Elba is in talks to play the villain in Star Trek 3.

Details of the role are being kept under wraps, though rumors have abound that the Klingons
will play much bigger antagonist roles this time around.

Film Divider recently suggested that former "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston has reportedly "had words with the studio" about the role.

Since we found out that Roberto Orci was no longer directing the pic and that Fast and the Furious film franchise director Justin Lin will take over--Rumors suggested that the suits was unhappy with the script and Orci's plans for the franchise, which is why they kicked him out of the big chair.

Lin was on the shortlist for the gig with  Rupert Wyatt ("Rise of the Planet of the Apes"), Morten Tyldum ("The Imitation Game"),  and Daniel Espinosa ("Safe House"). Wyatt was reportedly at the top of the list but Lin was the only one actually offered the job.

Abrams commitments to the Star Wars: Episode VII kept him from coming back. Other names like "Attack the Block" filmmaker Joe Cornish and G.I. Joe: Retaliation" director Jon M. Chu were in the mix to call action--before Orci got the gig. Jonathan Frakes, best known to Trekkers as Commander Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation, indicated he wanted to sit in the director's chair but knew it was a long shot...Edgar Wright was mentioned as well.

 Orci co-wrote and produced J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" '09 and "Star Trek Into Darkness" with longtime partner Alex Kurtzman and is still involved...

Film Divider also claims that the film will introduce three new female characters - the ex-wife of Bones, a new Federation ship captain, and the female President of the United Federation of Planets. All that we know that certain at the moment is that the third film will pick up years after the events of 'Into Darkness' with the crew well into their famous five-year mission.

"Thor" and "X-Men: First Class" writers and "Fringe" producers Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz were eyed to script the sequel but opted not to do it.J.D. Payne, Patrick McKay and Orci were co-writing the next film. Orci confirmed that first draft of the screenplay was completed and would be closer in tone to the original 1960s show than the previous two films.

Taking questions on the TrekMovie.com message boards late last year, Orci answered the screenplay query saying he's "producing, nothing more or less."

Now Trek reboot co-star Simon Pegg is set to co-write the new script with with Doug Jung, creator of TNT's short-lived "Dark Blue" series and writer of the upcoming Bad Robot film "Diamond". Pegg's writing credits include co-writing Edgar Wright's Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy- "Shaun of the Dead," "Hot Fuzz" and "The World's End" - along with "Run, Fatboy, Run".

Badass Digest reports that the studio is gonna go in a new direction with the next film, albeit one that still retains the "Star Wars" style of storytelling. The report suggests that one reason that Orci is no longer sitting in the center seat is because the studio wanted to go with a different tone and style - something more like last year's biggest domestic box-office film "Guardians of the Galaxy".

Sure original Trek has done light-hearted stories before with eps like I, Mudd,  The Trouble with Tribbles,  A Piece of the Action and the feature film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, but why on earth would the suits want to replicate GotG at all? The last 2 films-as successful as they were--get knocked for being too much like "Wars" Why alienate those critics/fans further? I liked the last 2 films a lot but I understand the "too much Star Wars and not enough Trek" mantra and think that those folks have a point. Now it's gonna be "too much like GotG"...Hmmm. Lin is a very capable director...

Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Pegg, Anton Yelchin and John Cho are all expected to return to the Final Frontier in their respective roles as Kirk Spock Uhura Dr. McCoy Scotty Chekov and Sulu.

Abrams Bryan Burke Orci and David Ellison will produce the film

Production starts in June to make a July 8, 2016 bow for Paramount--coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the "Star Trek" franchise

Is Mateus Ward The New Spider-Man?

Bad Ass Digest reports that 16 -year-old actor Mateus Ward ("Murder in the First") reportedly auditioned for the role of Spider-Man as a result of last month's deal between Sony Pictures and Marvel--former Spidey Andrew Garfield is out.

The story adds that Ward's audition was secret enough it took place at a home rather than at a studio or office.

If true this seems to indicate the plan is to stick with Peter Parker rather than introduce the more recent 13-year-old, half black, half Hispanic Miles Morales who became Spider-Man in the "Ultimate Spider-Man" storyline. It would also confirm rumors that the studio is going much younger than previous incarnations, and looking at true teenagers for the role.

When the deal came down two names were quickly mentioned as potentials to take over the role- Teen Wolf series co-star and NJ native Dylan O'Brien and  Fury co-star Logan Lerman. Both are 23 years old, both have scored good notices for their work and both could still play high school age.

 Whomever lands the role is expected to shoot his scenes for "Captain America: Civil War" this year while the next Spider-Man Solo Movie is set for a July 28th 2017 release.

Status: This Is Not How I Wanted To Spend TLR's 10th Year...

I had hoped that I would not have to write this post...

Earlier this month I tore a ligament in my right hand---while not painful--it has impacted my life comsiderablly and TLR in particular. My time online is limited to about 20m per day. At the start I thought the injury was not as involved and that I would not have to bring it up to my readers--The movie gods had other plans---though not set in stone--surgery is likely to happen in the near future...with a bit of recovery time after that. Staying positive as always.

Posts will appear when I can get them done--but will be light until the injury is in my rear view mirror. I will update you guys throughout the process and when things will return to normal. Thanks for your loyalty patience and understanding It means so much...

In the meantime you can follow me @TheLastReel on Twitter and join the Facebook page for updates.

Live life Happy and all the best.

T

"Huntsman" Nabs Three New Dwarves

Heat Vision reports that Rob Brydon ("The Trip"), Alexandra Roach ("Cuban Fury") and Sheridan Smith ("Jonathan Creek") have all signed on to play three new dwarfs in The Huntsman--the prequel to Snow White and the Huntsman.

Deadline reported in late January that Nick Frost and Jones couldn't ink a deal to return about reprising their dwarf roles, and that Marsan is also not returning due to scheduling issues with cable series Ray Donovan. The site now reports that Frost and Universal Pictures "have worked it out" for him to return.

Toby Jones, Eddie Marsan, Ian McShane, Johnny Harris, Ray Winstone and Brian Gleeson played the other dwarfs in 'Snow White' and aren't expected back - though Jones and Marsan were said to have been contacted about the job.

Back in August 2012--it was revealed that Universal Pictures originally planned to continue the franchise by featuring two more films with Kristen Stewart as Snow White, then a spin-off with Chris Hemsworth alone. Due to Stewart's troubles for cheating on Robert Pattinson with original  Huntsman director, Rupert Sanders, the studio was scrapping the first draft for the sequel, and “exploring options to continue the franchise”–with or without Stewart, And at that time said that"no decision has been made."
We found out late last year that Frank Darabont ("The Shawshank Redemption") vacated the job of calling action on the pic  Darabont was set to helm the project last June beating out Andy Muschietti ("Mama") and  Gavin O'Connor ("Warrior"). Darabont and the studio have reportedly separated on amicable terms, citing "creative differences" as the reason for the split.

Visual effects specialist Cedric Nicolas-Troyan is set to call the shots now-- He served as second unit director on the original movie and has been a visual effects guru on movies like the Pirates of the Caribbean film series. The 'Huntsman' would mark his his directorial debut, although he has been linked to other fantasy films including Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 2 and the "Highlander" remake.

 Darabont, Craig Mazin and Evan Spiliotopoulos penned the most recent draft of the screenplay.

 Charlize Theron is expected to return as the evil Ravenna. Emily Blunt has been in talks for several weeks to join the project as another villain, though her deal isn't closed as yet.Jessica Chastain also stars

 Universal suits say that they plan to stay on track with the film and are keeping their April 22nd 2016 release date.

Christopher Gorham Cares For "Po"

Christopher Gorham ("Covert Affairs," "Ugly Betty") will star in the family drama "Po" says Deadline.

The story will follow Gorham as a recently widowed man who must learn to cope with being a single father to his 9-year-old autistic son, Po (Julian Feder).

John Asher calls action from Colin Goldman's script from a story he conceived with Steve C. Roberts.

Asher and Rod Hamilton will produce while Roberts and Darby Parker will executive produce the film.

Production begins in April.

Jack Huston Confirmed For The Crow Redux Lead

 Dead Central confirms that Jack Huston ("Boardwalk Empire") will take over the lead in the-long in development reboot of The Crow.

Welsh actor Luke Evans has been set to take on the lead role of Eric Draven since 2013 with the original plan to start production in early 2014. That never happened..He had indicated that he may have to drop out of the film due to scheduling conflicts caused by the delayed production. It's now official.

Evans was the original choice for the role but scheduling issues kept him from being able to take the job. Thus The Avengers and Thor baddie Tom Hiddleston expressed interest in the part by even going so far as to send video of a makeup test that he did on his own in London to the production. Alexander Skarsgård was also rumored in contention for the role.

"The Walking Dead" star Norman Reedus would play the role of 'James' No other details have been given regarding the character. role. Kristen Stewart was eyed for the role of 'Shelley,' at one time but producers have decided to move on.

Last December it was announced that music video director Corin Hardy ("The Hallow") will replace F. Javier Gutierrez at the helm Writer Cliff Dorfman was hired to pen the latest script following work by Jesse Wigutow.

Edward R. Pressman, Kevin Misher, Ryan Kavanaugh, Jeff Most and Jeff Waxman will produce the film.

This film certainly has had a strange journey...

Director Stephen Norrington was slated to helm the reboot at first from a script by Nick Cave At that point Mark Wahlberg was rumored to be interested in taking the lead role. Both Norrington and Cave left, replaced by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and Alex Tse respectively.

Actor Bradley Cooper actually signed on to play the title character. Then Cooper left due to scheduling conflicts with the now defunct "Paradise Lost" and Oscar contender The Silver Linings Playbook Wahlberg was linked a 2nd time but had 2 Guns and Broken City in his sights; Channing Tatum (who seems all wrong for the role IMHO) was also mentioned at one point recently and then came the legal tussel. James McAvoy ("Atonement," "X-Men: First Class") was rumored to be circling the lead--a notion that the actor denied.

Creator James O'Barr 's Gothic comic book series and the 1994 film from Alex Proyas-which became more known for the on set death of its star Brandon Lee, follows rock musician Eric Draven who is murdered while trying to save his fiancee from thugs. He is resurrected by supernatural forces and seeks revenge. That film spawned three sequels, The Crow: City of Angels, The Crow: Salvation, and The Crow: Wicked Prayer, as well as a short-lived TV series The Crow: Stairway to Heaven starring Mark Dacascos.

 Blastr recently said that  O'Barr has reportedly had had contact with former "Smallville" and "Being Human" actor Sam Witwer for some time about the role.


Now O'Barr says that Huston "has definitely been cast" and he is "really happy" with the choice.

At last report, O'Barr will serve as a creative consultant on the reboot which aims to be faithful to the original comics. He also apparently confirmed that several scenes from the graphic novel that never made it into the 1994 adaptation will be included, and the film will be shot with 1970s-era film stock to give the it a "Taxi Driver" style look.

Important Notice...

Hey Kids!

Regular blogging will resume in a week or so--Circumstances beyond my control have sidelined me--I appreciate your patience & support
— TheLastReel (@TheLastReel) March 12, 2015

Hit a bit of snag--be back ASAP--Thanks for your support/understanding. #curveball
— TheLastReel (@TheLastReel) March 9, 2015

I will update all of you when I can--and explain what happened when it's all done...

Sam Strike Is The New "Leatherface"

"EastEnders" actor Sam Strike will play the role of the young version of the title role in "Leatherface," the next film in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre film series in development at Millennium Films reports The Wrap.

The movie will be the eighth overall entry in the franchise and is sharing the same title as the 3rd film in the series. This one will serve as a prequel to Tobe Hooper's original 1974 classic and explore the .origins of the character--focusing on his teenage years (Strike). He resides in a mental institution until he joins a pack of fellow patients who all break out and go on the run from the authorities.

Genre screenwriter Seth M. Sherwood has signed on to write the script for French filmmakers Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo who will direct. The pair are said to have beaten out "Starry Eyes" filmmakers Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer for the job

Carl Mazzocone, Christa Campbell and Lati Grobman are producing the pic.

I know I'm in the minority here but I really enjoyed the 2003 version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and its prequel The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning from '06; Both films were improvements over The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 in 1986 1990's Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3 and the more recent Texas Chainsaw 3D

Dan Stevens And Luke Evan Join Beauty And The Beast Redux

THR reports that Dan Stevens ("The Guest," "The Fifth Estate") will play the Beast while Luke Evans ("Dracula Untold," "The Hobbit") will play Gaston in the live-action re-interpretation of Beauty and the Beast" for Disney.

Emma Watson is officially set to play Belle in the movie that will be on the darker side of the 1991 animated classic - yet still retain the big-budget fantasy elements that have made Maleficent "Alice in Wonderland" and "Oz The Great and Powerful" smash hits for the Mouse House. Live action versions of "Cinderella" and The Jungle Book are on the way as well.

Bill Condon ("Dreamgirls") has signed on to direct while "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" writer/director Stephen Chbosky wrote the latest script draft 

UK writer Joe Ahearne ("Trance") was tipped to write the first draft but Evan Spiliotopoulos penned the original draft instead.

David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman will produce the film. Production on Beauty and the Beast will start this year

Watson had been attached to Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of the story at Warner Bros called "Beauty" but that project stalled last year. Del Toro apparently gave Watson his blessing for her to jump to the Disney version

Dylan O'Brien On The Spidey Chatter

One of the unfortunate things to happen as a result of last month's "Spider-Man" deal between Sony Pictures and Marvel was the loss of Andrew Garfield in the title role...

Two names were quickly mentioned as potentials to take over the role- Teen Wolf series co-star and NJ native Dylan O'Brien and  Fury co-star Logan Lerman. Both are 23 years old, both have scored good notices for their work and both could still play high school age.

Peter Parker And His Camera?

Recently "The Maze Runner" star O'Brien spoke with Buzzfeed where he dismissed the reports:

"Professionally, I haven't heard anything about it. I've only heard from, like, [rumors] online. It feels so weird to say. It's so funny. My friends from New Jersey are calling me. They're like, what are you not telling me, dude?! Spider-Man?! It makes me feel bad because I'm, like, disappointing a big chunk of fans across the nation. You can tell them that it's not true."

The big question--Would he take on the role though were it offered to him?

"It's nothing but flattering. It's never something I would want to get myself excited about, since I know I haven't heard about it from a professional standpoint. I've always wanted to play Peter Parker, obviously. I feel like any actor my age, that's, like, a big thing. And my name being tossed with Logan Lerman's is the coolest thing ever, too. I just think that kid is [fricking] fantastic. It's really just, you know, I guess I'll see if I even hear about it? But thank you, internet, for giving me false hope!"

Despite the fact that the press release issued when the deal was announced mentions original Spider-Man Peter Parker by name, the suits are still trying to decide whether to stick with him or use a different version of the character such as the more recent 13-year-old, half black, half Hispanic Miles Morales who became Spider-Man in the "Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man" storyline.

The next Spider-Man Solo Movie is set for a July 28th 2017 release.

Hugh Jackman Is Keen On A "Deadpool" Cameo

Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine appeared together in 2009's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine".

The "X-Men" film series spin-off "Deadpool" is due in theaters on February 12th, 2016. Production is slated to begin in March in Vancouver.
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On the stump for Neill Blomkamp's sci-fi film Chappie--out Friday Jackman was asked by MTV UK what he thinks about the spin-off and whether he might make a cameo as the clawed one in the film.

Jackman says he's "open to that idea":

"The Avengers: Age Of Ultron"--The Last Look

The final trailer for Joss Whedon's superhero team up sequel "The Avengers: Age of Ultron" is here...There's lots of fresh footage to geek out over too.

The sequel DOES NOT follow the Age of Ultron comics storyline--in which the big bad Ultron was created by Hank Pym who becomes Ant-Man. James Spader will both voice Ultron, and he'll have to do some kind of motion-capture as well--This news puts to rest the most popular theory suggesting that Tony Stark's (Robert Downey Jr,) robot butler J.A.R.V.I.S. (voiced by Paul Bettany) operating system from the Iron Man Films would turn into the villain.

Marvel vets RDJ, Chris Evans Chris Hemsworth Scarlett Johansson Samuel L. Jackson Jeremy Renner Mark Ruffalo, Clark Gregg and Cobie Smulders are all back Two time Iron Man co-star Don Cheadle is involved this time out according to USA Today. Bettany will appear on screen as The Vision an android created by Ultron as a weapon to be used against the Avengers. Vision can fire beams of radiation and turn invisible--the character ultimately turned the tables on Ultron and became an Avengers member himself. Anthony Mackie is poised to reprise the role Harlem crime fighter Falcon.  Hayley Attwell (Peggy Carter), and Stellan Skarsgard (Erik Selvig) are also in the sequel.

TV's Hulk Lou Ferrigno has confirmed that he'll return to do the voice of the big guy in the sequel. Ferrigno has said four words as the character so far - "Hulk Smash" in 2008's "The Incredible Hulk" and "Puny God" in "The Avengers".

Thomas Kretschmann has landed the role of 2nd bad guy Baron von Strucker. In the comics, the seemingly immortal Strucker is one of the leaders of Hydra, and an enemy of both S.H.I.E.L.D and The Avengers He seemingly beat out rumored candidates Marton Csokas and Dougray Scott who were being considered for the BvS role. The character will have Wanda Maximoff, a.k.a. Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and her twin brother Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) apparently working for him in the sequel (American Horror Story favorite Evan Peters plays a different incarnation of the speedy superhero in Bryan Singer's "X-Men: Days of Future Past"--in a very cool sequence in the film). Korean actress  Soo-hyun Kim will play a bad gal role. Mo-Cap genius Andy Serkis character is rumored by Schmoes Know to be that of Ulysses Klaw- a character who will be much more  important in the "Black Panther" solo flick.

 Idris Elba who plays Heimdall in the Thor films, confirmed to The Telegraph that he and fellow Thor star Tom Hiddleston [Loki] will both appear in the pic

Radar Online has an unidentified source that claims that RDJ was campaigning to get his pals Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster a role in the movie.

 Latino Review has posted what appears to be details about the film's opening 15-20 minutes (SPOILERS).

Post-production on the 'Avengers 2' continues to meet a release date of May 1, 2015

David Denman Snags "13 Hours" Role

THR reports that David Denman will play an elite sniper named Boon in13 Hours--a film adaptation of author Mitchell Zuckoff's book for Paramount.

The story charts events surrounding the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attack when terrorists seized the U.S. Special Mission Compound and a nearby CIA Annex in the Libyan city of on the eleventh anniversary of 9/11 Four Americans were killed in the attack, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens 

The focus of the film will be on six members of a security team that fought to defend the many Americans stationed there.

The Netflix series "Orange Is The New Black" co-star Pablo Schreiber will play one of the members of the security team alongside former "The Office" star John Krasinski who did a reading that stunned Bay. Krasinski would play likely play security operator who goes by the pseudonym Jack Silva in the book. James Badge Dale ("Iron Man 3") will play the leader of the security team. “Pacific Rim” actor Max Martini also stars.

Several actors have reportedly been reading for roles in the film including Woody Harrelson, J.K. Simmons, Walton Goggins, and Shea Whigham .
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"The Strain" and "Prince of Thieves" author Chuck Hogan is writing the adapted script for director Michael Bay.

Erwin Stoff will produce the film.

Production begins next month in Malta and Morocco.