The UK premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been confirmed for Wednesday December 16. it will take place at a central London location, with the exact venue still tba.
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I Know Your Eyes…
It’s another teaser for The Force Awakens, this time a UK TV advert.
The Jungle Book – trailer
After lots of teasing, Disney have finally released the trailer for Jon Favreau’s take on The Jungle Book.
A whole host of stars set for the Oscars stage
As expected, Matthew McConaughey, Cate Blanchett, Lupita N’yongo and Jared Leto will be among the presenters at this year’s Oscar ceremony.
Traditionally the winners of the acting prizes always return the year after.
Oprah Winfrey, Benedict Cumberbatch, Reese Witherspoon, Marion Cotillard, Meryl Streep, Josh Hutcherson, Octavia Spencer, Zoe Saldana and Scarlett Johansson have also been confirmed as presenters.
Producers have also revealed Jennifer Aniston, Sienna Miller, David Oyelowo, Chris Pratt, Chris Rock, and John Travolta wil be presenting awards on the night. Let’s hope John Travolta can read the autocue this time.
Another raft of confirmed presenters include Jessica Chastain, Kevin Hart, Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Ben Affleck, Naomi Watts, Shirley MacLaine and Miles Teller.
You’ll also see Gwyneth Paltrow, Channing Tatum, Nicole Kidman, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Ansel Elgort and Liam Neeson.
This year’s Oscars will also feature lots of music performances. We don’t know much about them yet but do know Jack Black, Anna Kendrick and Jennifer Hudson will take to the stage for a ‘very special sequence’.
Plus, Lady Gaga has also been added to the list of performers.
“We’re creating several musical sequences for the Oscars and we couldn’t be happier that our friend, Jennifer Hudson, will be performing in one of them,” producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron said in a statement.
Casting Call – January 11
A weekly round-up of the latest casting news in film, TV and theatre:
Just before Christmas it was announced David Oyelowo and Lupita N’yongo look set to star together in new film Americanah. Now they’re in talks to work together again in new Disney movie Queen of Katwe which is about a young African chess prodigy, Oyelowo is expected to play the young girl’s mentor with Oscar-winner N’yongo appearing as her mother. Filming is expected to begin in the spring.
Jennifer Hudson is to make her Broadway debut in a revival of The Color Purple. Hudson will play Shug Avery in the production which will open later this year and has Oprah Winfrey among its producers.
Phylicia Rashad has joined the cast of new film, Creed. The film will see Sylvester Stallone return as Rocky Balboa as he becomes the coach of a young boxer played by Michael B Jordan. Rashad will play the young boxer’s mother. Filming is due to begin later this month.
John Travolta is returning to TV for the first time in over 30 years. He will appear in new drama American Crime Story: The People vs O J Simpson. The show has been created by Ryan Murphy – the man behind Glee and American Horror Story – and will look at the Simpson trial from the perspective of both the defence and prosecution, Cuba Gooding Jr. will star as Simpson with former Friends actor David Schwimmer playing Robert Kardashian, one of Simpson’s lawyers.
It looks like the new Ghostbusters movie is finally gearing up to start shooting this summer. The new film will focus on a group of female Ghostbusters with Melissa McCarthy in talks to play the lead character. Other actresses being mooted for roles in the film include Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Stone and Rebel Wilson. The film is expected to include cameos from Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson.
Snoop Dogg will play himself in an upcoming episode of new drama series Empire. The show debuted in the States this week and tied with How To Get Away With Murder as the top premiere of the new TV season. Snoop will appear in episode 11 which is expected to air in late February or early March.
Lena Dunham will appear in The Simpsons later in the year. She’ll appear in the premiere episode of the show’s 27th season as Candace, a pharmacist who helps Homer when he develops narcolepsy.
The character was created especially for Dunham says The Simpsons executive producer Al Jean but Dunham is “not playing herself or Hannah from Girls. But it’s that funny, intellectual, slightly awkward, endearing tone that everybody’s familiar with, so we were just writing it with her voice in our heads.”
Sienna Miller will take over the role of Sally Bowles in the Broadway production of Cabaret next month. She follows Emma Stone who herself took over from Michelle Williams in the role. Miller who star in what’s currently expected to be the show’s final six weeks at Studio 54, running from February 17 to March 29.
Reese Witherspoon, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Sudeikis are to star in Alexander Payne’s new film. Downsizing is described as a social satire about a man who realises he could have a better life if he were to shrink himself. We’ll have a while to wait to see the film though, filming doesn’t begin until 2016 with the film expected to be released in late 2017.
Ted Danson, Patrick Wilson and Jean Smart have joined the cast of the second season of Fargo. They join Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons in the drama which is set in 1979 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Luverne, Minnesota. Production begins on January 19.
Michael Keaton’s Hollywood revival continues. He’s in talks to join Tom Hiddleston and JK Simmons in Kong: Skull Island. The film is set in the mysterious and dangerous home of the iconic ape as a team of explorers ventures deep inside the treacherous, primordial island.
Michael C Hall is the latest actor to join the cast of Disney’s remake of Pete’s Dragon. Robert Redford, Bryce Dallas Howard and Wes Bentley have already been announced with newcomer Oakes Fegley playing Pete. No word yet on Hall’s role.
Golden Globes presenters confirmed
The Golden Globes have begun revealing which stars will present awards at Sunday’s show.
Robert Downey Jr., Salma Hayek, Kevin Hart, Ricky Gervais and Kate Hudson will be on hand to present awards to the winners.
Kristen Wiig, Lily Tomlin, Amy Adams, Chris Pratt, Catherine Zeta Jones, Channing Tatum, Anna Faris, Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson and Gwyneth Paltrow have also been added to the list.
Other confirmed presenters include Harrison Ford, Katie Heigl, Jeremy Renner, Kate Beckinsale, Kerry Washington, Adam Levine, Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Jennifer Aniston, Bryan Cranston, Colin Firth, Jane Fonda, Bill Hader, Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, Seth Meyers, Lupita N’yongo, Meryl Streep, Vince Vaughn, Katie Holmes and Paul Rudd.
More presenters include Jack Black, Benedict Cumberbatch, David Duchovny, Jared Leto, Colin Farrell, Melissa McCarthy, Sienna Miller, Clive Owen, Naomi Watts and Oprah Winfrey.
Don Cheadle and Julianna Margulies will also be in hand to present George Clooney with the Cecil B DeMille Award.
He’s the King of the Swingers
Bill Murray has recorded a new version of The Bear Necessities for the new adaptation of the Jungle Book.
He’s voicing Baloo the Bear in the film which is being directed by Jon Favreau.
Other stars voicing characters in the film include Idris Elba, Lupita N’yongo, Scarlett Johansson and Ben Kingsley.
The film is due to be released in October.
My top 10 films of 2014
It’s that time of year when everyone starts compiling their best of the year and I’m no exception! This is the list of MY top 10 films of 2014 – so it’s completely subjective and you probably don’t agree with me in any way. What is apparent is that I didn’t see as many films as usual this year (too much ‘proper’ work to do) and so I missed some of the film’s that I suspect are on other critics’ lists. Also, my list is for 2014 so it doesn’t include some of the films I’ve already seen that will be in UK cinemas in early 2015.
10. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
It’s tough for me to only place this at number 10 but I really don’t think it can go any higher. I do believe it’s the weakest of all six Middle-earth films and I was very underwhelmed the first time I saw it. However, on second viewing I enjoyed it much more. And both times I was brought to tears by the final 20 minutes. For that reason it squeaks in.
9. Get On Up
The James Brown biopic was released in the UK the same weekend as the new Hunger Games film and I think it therefore was missed by a lot of film fans. It shouldn’t have been. I hugely enjoyed the film which shows Brown warts and all – it doesn’t shy away from his darker side. Plus I thought Chadwick Boseman in the lead role was absolutely fantastic. It’s a shame he’s not getting more attention during awards season, he deserves it.
8. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
Not much happens in the film, it’s busy setting everything up for what I imagine is going to be an all-guns-blazing finale, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Jennifer Lawrence once again carries the whole film, she’s really grown into the role of Katniss. And the scene when she sings ‘The Hanging Tree’ gave me goosebumps.
7. Guardians of the Galaxy
I went into Guardians with absolutely no expectations but I came out Hooked On A Feeling (sorry). I knew nothing about the story beforehand but I was completely carried away but the rollicking good story which was jam packed with humour. I’m really looking forward to the sequel. And I want a Baby Groot!
6. Chef
I bet you missed this at the cinema. Well go and find it on DVD! Jon Favreau directs and stars this tale of a man going through a major crisis. It’s a world away from the bombastic Iron Man films and that’s one of the things I loved about it. Plus the fantastic cast (including the cameos). Seriously, if you haven’t seen it please check it out!
5. 12 Years A Slave
It feels a bit strange including the Oscar-winning film but as I said at the start this is a review of films released in 2014. I saw it in October 2013 and it still haunts me now. Chiwetel Ejiofor is superb in the lead role and I thought his was a stronger performance than Best Actor winner Matthew McConaughey, plus Lupita N’yongo was a revelation as Patsy. I’ll be honest, it’s not a film I’ve watched a second time but it’s a film I feel is incredibly important and that’s why I rate it so highly.
4. The Imitation Game
Hands down the best Benedict Cumberbatch performance on film. While we all know the outcome of the main storyline (can they break the Enigma Code?) it’s still a thoroughly compelling story that draws you in. Cumberbatch is supported by an excellent cast, not least Keira Knightley who I think gives one of her best ever performances. It’s a fantastic British film and throughly deserves the recognition it’s been receiving.
3. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
I really wasn’t sure about this from the trailers. The apes are talking? Hmm. But after attending an early footage screening my interest was peaked. And the final film didn’t let me down. Once you get used to Caesar speaking it becomes quite normal and the relationships between the apes are really touching. Toby Kebbell gives Andy Serkis a run for his money in the mo-cap acting making Koba pretty terrifying in places. Is it better than the first film? I’d say yes. And I’d also say it’s time to five mo-cap actors the credit they’re due!
2. Pride
Oh what a joy of a film. I came to the Pride love-in a little late but now I’m thoroughly on board. It’s sweet, touching and laugh out loud funny. Who knew a story about a group of gay activists and Welsh miners could bring so much joy? The ensemble cast emits such a warmth that you just want to gather them all up in one great big hug. I loved it.
1. Paddington
Yes a film about a marmalade loving bear from Peru has topped my list of the best films of 2014. And I don’t care if you disagree because I told you this is MY choice. Paddington is a film that the whole family can enjoy. There’s plenty of slapstick for the little ones, laughs for the adults and a message for everyone. As Paddington says “I will never be like other people but that’s ok”. Well the 21st century Paddington is just like the bear we all grew up with. And you know what, I can’t wait for the sequel!
Stars head to Americanah
David Oyelowo is to star alongside Lupita N’yongo in new drama Americanah.
The film is based on the novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and follows a pair of young Nigerian immigrants who face a lifetime of struggle while their relationship endures.
The film counts one Brad Pitt among its producers.
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