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Category: International

  • James Gandolfini a.k.a.Tony Soprano of the hit HBO drama bids adieu at 51

    James Gandolfini a.k.a.Tony Soprano of the hit HBO drama bids adieu at 51

    MUMBAI: The 51 year old James Gandolfini, best known for his role on the HBO drama The Sopranos as Tony Soprano, passed away on Wednesday, 19 June while on his vacation in Italy. His sudden death has sent a shock wave across millions of his fans as friends and colleagues tweeted and made statements after hearing news of the actor‘s death.

    Gandolfini‘s death was confirmed by HBO. He was vacationing in Rome, and was scheduled to attend the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily this week. The exact cause of death is not known, but his managers said it was possibly a heart attack.

    Gandolfini, the Emmy Award-winning actor who grew up in Park Ridge, in Bergen County, N.J., played a cold and curt crime boss with an anxiety ridden exterior but a rich interior life in The Sopranos. The television drama that made its debut in 1999 and ran for six seasons on HBO revolved around his struggle to balance his family life and career in the Mafia. His other roles include the woman-beating mob henchman Virgil inTrue Romance, enforcer/stuntman Bear in Get Shorty, and the impulsive Wild Thing Carol in Where the Wild Things Are.

  • Toro enthusiastic about Pacific Rim 2

    Toro enthusiastic about Pacific Rim 2

    MUMBAI: With the big screen promos going viral for Guillermo del Toro‘s upcoming sci- fi action, Pacific Rim, Toro is already conceiving the idea for a sequel. Guillermo del Toro who has Blade 2 and Pan‘s Labyrinth.

    Pacific Rim which is slated to hit the screens on 12 July; plays around a scientific plot of alien invasion threatening the Earth‘s existence, and Earth‘s giant robots piloted by humans are deployed to fight off the menace and with Hellboy to his credit he has also helmed Spanish dark fantasies including The Devil‘s Backbone (2001).

    While commenting over plans for the sequel, Toro mockingly remarked of a Mexican Jaeger in the sequel. Planning a mega franchise on these lines he added,” Having had two to three years pass from the first Pacific Rimto the second movie, we can also prepare a good video game, continue the graphic novel and continue the mythology,”

    The Legendary studio‘s Pacific Rim includes Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba and Charlie Day in its leading cast. While has co- written the script along with Travis Beacham are also planning to write a prequel graphic novel to extend the franchise.

    However Legendary CEO Thomas Tull plays it carefully about the sequel by stating “We‘d like to do it but it‘s up to the audience. Ultimately we‘ll have to see how it does.”

  • Salma’s animated dream venture, ‘The Prophet’ to rope in a multi starrer voice cast

    Salma’s animated dream venture, ‘The Prophet’ to rope in a multi starrer voice cast

    MUMBAI: Hollwood beau Salma Hayek‘s animated project is all geared to set ablaze the box office with a multi-star cast including Liam Neeson, John Krasinski, Frank Langella, Alfred Molina and Quvenzhané Wallis apart from herself.

    The animated adaption of Khalil Gibran‘s The Prophet, will be helmed by Roger Allers, who has previously directed Disney‘s evergreen classic The Lion King and Open Season. Allers has also helmed the writing and storyboard of such films as Aladdin, Beauty And The Beast, andThe Little Mermaid.

    The film is being produced by Hayek, Clark Peterson, and Ron Senkowski while Participant Media and Doha Film Institute are financing the project as executive producers.

    Khalil Gibran‘s The Prophet, which will influence the story, is an iconic book that is one of the biggest sellers in history with over 100 million copies in over 40 languages since it was first published by Alfred Knopf in 1923.

    Allers is directing the most of the movie in a narrative format, while individual chapters based on Gibran‘s poems are being helmed by animation directors from around the world, including Tomm Moore (The Secret Of Kells), Joan Gratz (Mona Lisa Descending A Staircase), Bill Plympton (Guard Dog And Your Face), Nina Paley (Sita Sings The Blues), Joann Sfar (The Rabbi‘s Cat), Paul and Gaetan Brizzi (Fantasia 2000), Michal Socha (Chick) and Mohammed Harib (Freej).

    The Prophet is slated to be completed and go on floors by spring 2014.

  • Ridley Scott returns with Prometheus sequel

    Ridley Scott returns with Prometheus sequel

    MUMBAI: Fox Studios and Ridley Scott are teaming up again for the sequel of the 2012 Sci-Fi hit thriller Prometheus. While Prometheus which raked in $403 million worldwide in 2012 was supposedly a prequel to the 1979 super hit Alien, directed by Scott himself.
     
    Ridley Scott to dives back into space with sci-fi blockbuster sequel Prometheus 2.

    As per reports Scott it is still uncertain whether he would be helming the outer space thriller but the sequel will be produced by Scott‘s in house banner Scott Free Productions. Also talks of roping in Jack Palgen (Transcendence) to write the follow-up story for the sequel is in process.
     
    The original was written by Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof and a new sceenwriter on board would apparently be a good sign for the studio, who were wary of the last instalment despite its box office success.
     
    The original‘s lead, Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender are also expected to return.
     
    Not revealing much about the plot Scott clarified in interviews that while the first Prometheus had several elements linking it to his previous Alien franchise, this latest installment will have a standalone story.
     
    Palgen who is represented by ICM Partners and Madhouse Entertainment would mark his second high-profile project following Wally Pfister and Johnny Depp‘s sci-fi thriller Transcendence, which opens in April 2014.

  • Columbia to spin a couple more Amazing Spiderman movies-2016-2018

    Columbia to spin a couple more Amazing Spiderman movies-2016-2018

    MUMBAI: Columbia‘s Spider-Man reboot, The Amazing Spiderman took in over $750 million at the worldwide box office last year paving a successful lead to an entire franchise reboot. A lot of buzz has been surrounding The Amazing Spiderman 2 which is under production and is slated for a May 2, 2014 release.
     
    While the cast remains the same, with Andrew Garfield masking on the spidey suit as Marvel‘s Peter Parker and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, and Marc Webb helming the sequel, a lot of new introductions to the cast is in the process, including Shailene Woodley as Mary Jane Watson.

    It is reported that the studio has affirmed two more superhero Spidey movies following the 2014 sequel.
     
    Sony worldwide marketing and distribution chairman Jeff Blake said today that, “Spider-Man is our most important, most successful, and most beloved franchise, so we‘re thrilled that we are in a position to lock in these prime release dates over the next five years.”
     
    The cloud on the main cast and crew remains unclear, but as per Sony‘s release the dates have been locked on already. The next two films in the story of Peter Parker will be released on June 10, 2016, and on May 4, 2018, respectively announced Blake in the release. The crew of the Stan Lee Marvel Comic adapted superhero movies will include Stan Lee and Steve Ditko producing while E. Bennett Walsh, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci being the executive producers.

  • Jack Black speaks for Yahoo! on online content today

    Jack Black speaks for Yahoo! on online content today

    MUMBAI: The Cannes Lion Award is organised each year to hold a gathering of over 11,000 members of the global creative communications where each one is awed, inspired and educated with the latest upcoming trends engulfing the industry. At the 2013 awards on June 17, Yahoo flexed its muscle by conducting the seminar- The New World of Online Content- Appealing to the Habits of Today‘s Consumer. Hollywood‘s Kung Fu Panda, Jack Black took the stage too for Yahoo expressing his views on online content.

    Black discussed that although online content is spreading across virally the stance of big screen studios is here to stay for a long time. “According to Spielberg, the studios are going to be extinct in about three years. I don‘t think that is entirely true, because there‘s always going to space for large screens. People like to get together in a communal way and watch something together on a gigantic screen and get lost in that,” Black states.

    Speaking about his own internet‘s influence on his lifestyle, Black says, “My world has got so internet communicative. It‘s all about emails. I click on a link that someone sends me and I am watching a video that will lead to another video and get sucked down into wormholes. But these are very entertaining and informative.”

    Sharing his views on online content, Black a master of comedy himself preferred the online content to be hilarious and trimmed down. “You don‘t really want to go too long. I found that 10 minutes is the optimal link. You throw in some good music with the comedy and it works.”

    Black also appreciated Yahoo‘s creative move in the industry which was portrayed through the seminar. “Yahoo is an artist friendly site and they are going to do a lot more creative things on their site in future. They are going to be very competitive in their game. A lot of different internet organisations are throwing their hat on their ring like Netflix and Google all vying for that new real estate of entertainment delivery. And Yahoo is saying Hey! We are flexing our muscle a little bit too.”

    “I don‘t think that online content is killing the Hollywood‘s leading man. There‘s going to be lots of Hollywood leading men on the line. That‘s just human nature, to go and look for the prettiest man and put him on camera, whether be it an iphone screen or a giant movie screen, because the world is tilted that way. It‘s not fair, but it‘s in the DNA,” he adds.

    “People do want more control and they like the control and the choices they have watching on their iphones, on their laptops, at least I do. I don‘t go into making videos on the internet with the goal of making this viral, I don‘t even know, how you anticipate something like that. You just make something that is hilarious and you keep it tight. You trim the fat and keep it short. Today I think they found out that,” Black ends.

  • Man of Steel exceeds market expectations amassing $196.7 million worldwide

    Man of Steel exceeds market expectations amassing $196.7 million worldwide

    MUMBAI: It‘s a bird, it‘s a plane, no it‘s Superman! Warner Bros‘ and Legendary Pictures‘ Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill, reprising the role of the red-capped Krptonian superhero has swooped across the box office with a record opening of $196.7 million worldwide.

    Zack Synder‘s Superman reboot, premiered on Thursday and over the four day period raked in a whopping $125.1 million pushing it to the number one position in June, and second best debut in 2013 behind Disney/Marvel‘s Iron Man 3. Internationally too, the tentpole soared amassing over $71.6 million during the same period.

    As reported by a Warner Bros executive to Deadline, the Sunday matinees ran much brighter than the Saturday‘s collection, unusual but not surprising considering the formula of the hype of a much anticipated movie release coupled with the Father‘s Day occasion worked well in favour.

    Man of Steel opened across 4207 theatres worldwide with a 3D release in 3,357 venues.

    Although film critics and reviews didn‘t quite appreciate this third franchise on Superman, the audience gave the movie a thumbs-up snubbing all critics‘ views and giving it an ‘A‘- CinemaScore. The high octane visual treat of Man of Steel packed a strong opening punch in 3D (3,357 venues), immense and skilful marketing of Warner Bros together with Christopher Nolan‘s and Zack Synder‘s involvement has truly wooed the audience worldwide. A Warner Bros executive reported that, Man of Steel grossed nearly double the next top four films added together, marking its dominance over the marketplace.

    With a wide presence across 331 domestic IMAX screens, Man of Steel delivered a $13.3 million opening with 42 per cent generated from the 3D versions. The movies presence has also boosted the entire box office weekend nearly 78 per cent more than the similar corresponding period last year. Along with Man of Steel, Sony/Columbia Pictures‘ apocalyptic comedy, This Is the End received a decent feedback and is projected for a $ 32.8 million in its five day bout.

    Meanwhile, Summit/Lionsgate multi starrer Now You See Me crossed the $100 million worldwide mark in its third week. The Vin Diesel adrenalin pumping Fast & Furious 6 amassed a stupendous $636.9 million worldwide in its fourth successful week. The Box Office shocker, The Purge grossed $58.5 million in its second week, although it received a thrashing at the box office this week.

  • Elysium set for August release in English and Hindi

    Elysium set for August release in English and Hindi

    NEW DELHI: Elysium, written and directed by Neil Blomlamp who had directed the acclaimed District 9, is being released in India on 23 August in English and Hindi.

    A science fiction drama, it stars Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, Diego Luna, William Fichtner, and Wagner Moura.

    In the year 2159, two classes of people exist: the very wealthy, who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. The people of Earth are desperate to escape the planet‘s crime and poverty, and they critically need the state-of-the-art medical care available on Elysium – but some in Elysium will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve their citizens‘ luxurious lifestyle.

    The only man with the chance to bring equality to these worlds is Max (Matt Damon), an ordinary guy in desperate need to get to Elysium. With his life hanging in the balance, he reluctantly takes on a dangerous mission – one that pits him against Elysium‘s secretary Delacourt (Jodie Foster) and her hard-line forces – but if he succeeds, he could save not only his own life, but millions of people on Earth as well.

  • Bawdy comedy ‘The Heat‘ by Paul Feig being released on 28 June

    Bawdy comedy ‘The Heat‘ by Paul Feig being released on 28 June

    NEW DELHI: The Heat, the comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy is being released by Fox Star Studios on 28 June.

    FBI special agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) – the Fed – and Boston cop Shannon Mullins (Melissa McCarthy) – the Fuzz – could not be more incompatible. But when they join forces to bring down a ruthless drug lord, they become the last thing anyone expected: buddies. 

    From DGA Award winner and Emmy nominee Paul Feig, the director of Bridesmaids (worldwide theatrical gross: almost $300 million), The Heat takes a look at the odd couple pairing of two law enforcement officials who, to their everlasting shock, slowly find themselves on the same page. The Heat stars Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock, whose films have grossed $2.9 billion worldwide, and Academy Award nominee Melissa McCarthy, who has had two consecutive smash hit comedies – Bridesmaids and Identity Thief – in as many years.

    Sandra Bullock as Ashburn is ambitious, talented, brainy, and possesses Sherlock Holmes-like powers of deduction and intuition. She’s always the smartest person in the room, and isn’t shy about letting everyone know it. The socially awkward Ashburn has no family, significant other, or even friends. Her only companion is a cat that belongs to her neighbor. 

    “Ashburn’s effectiveness as an FBI agent comes from her meticulousness, stubbornness and thoroughness”, says Bullock. “But she’s completely inept when it comes to any kind of social interaction. She‘s trying so hard to make up for that particular weakness that she becomes insufferably arrogant on the job. Ashburn is respected but not liked because she isn’t a team player. Every time she opens her mouth, people cringe.”

    If Ashburn needs to be taken down a notch, then Mullins is only too happy to oblige. Mullins, says Melissa McCarthy, is “all kinds of bark, but no bite – though she might actually bite people.” Mullins grew up on the streets of Boston, and has a shoot-from-the-hip (and mouth) style of dealing with crime and its perpetrators. She’s the “yang” to Ashburn’s “yin”.

  • Hugh Jackman starrer Wolverine all set to release in 3D next month

    Hugh Jackman starrer Wolverine all set to release in 3D next month

    NEW DELHI: Fox Star Studios The Wolverine 3D directed by James Mangold marks the return of global superstar Hugh Jackman aka Wolverine as everyone‘s favourite immortal, adamantium-clawed X-Man.

    This time Logan, dealing with the events of the original X-Men films, finds himself in Japan and posed with an incredible proposition. If he can become mortal and live a normal life, would he give up what makes him special?

    With plenty of large scale battles, and a few previously released striking scenes featuring the Silver Samurai, Hugh Jackman is all to be released on 26 July. The film will be released in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

    Based on the celebrated comic book arc, this epic action-adventure takes Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), the most iconic character of the X-Men universe, to modern-day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world, he will face a host of unexpected and deadly opponents in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality.