Coventry Telegraph - The Geek Files

First look at Scarlett Johansson in skintight leather as Black Widow

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:40:20 +0000

DESPITE all the fears that Scarlett Johansson wouldn't be right as the Russian agent Black Widow in Iron Man 2, this first image of her in the role is pure perfection.

In this image from Superhero Hype, Johansson has the character's trademark red hair, black catsuit and utility bracelets and brilliantly brings to life the comic book artwork.

Emily Blunt had first been cast as the Widow but had to drop out when she was contractually obliged to appear in Fox's Gulliver's Travels. So, in stepped Ms Johansson, whose blonde tresses and ample curves didn't seem to suit the role of the sleek super-spy. She also seemed to lack an edgy European vibe.

But she has definitely shaped up for the role and it's sure to calm the anxieties of comic book purists.

Director Jon Favreau had earlier written on his Twitter page: "Scarlett's first day on set in the Black Widow outfit...You've never heard a crew get so quiet so fast."

Johansson appears in the film with Mickey Rourke, who is playing the villain Whiplash, while Robert Downey Jr reprises his role as billionaire Tony Stark who dons hi-tech armour to become the eponymous superhero.

Black Widow - real name Natasha Romanoff - first appeared in Iron Man's Marvel Comics stories and is an expert martial artist, gymnast and weapons specialist. The compartments in her bracelets fire grappling hooks and gas pellets, while her costume has microscopic suction cups to allow her to climb walls.

Iron Man 2 opens on May 7, 2010.

Willem Dafoe lifts off to join John Carter of Mars

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:32:23 +0000

WILLEM DAFOE has joined the cast of John Carter of Mars, Disney's adaptation of the classic Edgar Rice Burroughs book series.

The 53-year-old is best known to sci-fi/superhero fans as the villainous Green Goblin in the Spider-Man films and was reportedly considered for the role of the Joker in Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film.

John Carter of Mars tells the story of a Civil War soldier mysteriously transported to the red planet where warring races vie for control.

Dafoe will play Tars Tarkas, a leader of the Thark race who knows the only way his people can survive is if they turn away from war.

Green Lantern: Script reveals other characters to join star Ryan Reynolds

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:00:06 +0000

THE CASTING of Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern in the Warner Bros comic book adaptation put an end of months of speculation about who would take on the role.

The DC comic books feature a Green Lantern Corps covering the entire universe and including several citizens of Earth who have taken the Lantern name since the character was introduced in 1940.

Reynolds will play the Hal Jordan version of Green Lantern, a hotshot pilot who finds a crashed spacecraft with a dying alien called Abin Sur. He is chosen to become the next bearer of an energy-emitting ring and its lantern-like battery.

So what do we know so far about the story and who will be in it?

Fear Agent comic book on big-screen mission

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:00:26 +0000

SCI-FI COMIC Fear Agent is being developed into a film, it's been revealed.

The title tells of the adventures of astronaut Heath Huston, a Texas redneck and borderline alcoholic who is the last of a task force travelling the galaxy to eliminate alien threats.

Written by Rick Remender with art by Tony Moore and Jerome Opena, it began on Image Comics in 2005 and moved to Dark Horse Comics a year later.

Universal Studios is now working with the publisher's production arm Dark Horse Entertainment on developing a movie, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Air Force One producer Jonathan Shestack is in control of the rights to a Fear Agent script and is set to be brought on board to supervise the project.

Previous Dark Horse titles to be turned into films include Hellboy and 30 Days of Night.

Denzel Washington leaps off the Unstoppable train

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:07:51 +0000

DENZEL WASHINGTON has dropped out of the Fox film project Unstoppable.

Directed by Tony Scott, the film will centre on a veteran engineer who jumps aboard a locomotive with a young conductor (Star Trek actor Chris Pine) to halt an unmanned runaway train filled with a toxic chemical.

In more evidence of Hollywood feeling the economic pinch, Fox trimmed the film's $107million budget to $100million and now wants it in the low $90million range.

It also wants to slash Scott's salary from $9m to $6m and Washington's paycheck from $20m to $16m, according to Variety.

But Washington refused to take a pay cut and is now looking for other projects.

Avon calling for Wolverine star Hugh Jackman

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:24:35 +0000

IN A VAST change of character from his macho roaring and slashing as the metal-clawed Wolverine, actor Hugh Jackman is to play an Avon salesman.

20th Century Fox has bought the comedy pitch Avon Man from Hitch writer Kevin Bisch in a high six-figure deal, reports Variety.

The project is intended as a star vehicle for the 40-year-old Australian actor, last seen in superhero prequel X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Natalie Portman confirmed for role in Branagh's Thor

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:09:17 +0000

BACK in March, it was reported that Natalie Portman was in line to play the female lead in Kenneth Branagh's Thor movie.

Nothing more followed on that particular rumour and when Jessica Biel was said to be in talks for a role in Thor, we were left wondering if and where Natalie Portman fitted into the picture.

Now, in the latest development, Marvel Studios has today confirmed that 28-year-old Portman has been cast in the film as Jane Foster, a nurse who become's Thor's first love in the early comic book stories. Marvel adds that "the character will be updated for the feature adaptation."

Portman will star opposite Chris Hemsworth who will play Thor and Tom Hiddleston who was cast as the villain Loki.

Interestingly, Marvel's press release announcing the casting also outlines for the first time what we can expect to see in the Thor movie in terms of basic storyline and its scale and tone.

Wolverine villain cast as King Richard in Robin Hood

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:14:34 +0000

RIDLEY SCOTT'S Robin Hood remake now has its king, with Danny Huston joining the cast as Richard the Lionheart, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The film, set for release on May 14, 2010, was recently revealed by star Russell Crowe to be called Robin Hood, despite many other sites saying it's 'as-yet-untitled.'

Ryan Reynolds is Green Lantern, what now for Deadpool spin-off?

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:02:51 +0000

IT CERTAINLY didn't take long to cast the Green Lantern after yesterday's announcement that Justin Timberlake, Ryan Reynolds and Bradley Cooper were the frontrunners.

It's been revealed today by Variety that Reynolds has landed the lead role in the Warner Bros movie, which begins filming in Sydney, Australia, in January.

The 32-year-old is enjoying a great year, having already starred with Sandra Bullock in romantic comedy hit The Proposal and played swordsman Wade Wilson, who becomes Deadpool, in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Kate Beckinsale wins £20,000 damages over false Barbarella claims

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 01:40:42 +0000

KATE BECKINSALE has won a £20,000 libel payout over false claims that she was passed over for the role of Barbarella.

The Daily Express ran an article on June 5 saying that Beckinsale lost out to Rose McGowan over the title role in the remake of the Jane Fonda sci-fi classic.

The report said she was "facing heartbreak after it emerged she is set to miss out on her dream role" and added "the film is expected to be a big commercial hit so it will be a real blow to Kate."

Beckinsale, 35, whose film credits include Pearl Harbor, Underworld and The Aviator, sued the paper which has now apologised and admitted the false article caused the star considerable embarrassment and harm.

Justin Timberlake in final three for Green Lantern role

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:34:25 +0000

IN a totally unexpected piece of casting news, it's been revealed that Justin Timberlake is among the three final candidates for the role of Green Lantern.

The rumours began on Ain't It Cool News last night and today The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that the 28-year-old singer is indeed on the shortlist, along with Bradley Cooper and Ryan Reynolds.

Warner Bros under pressure to start next Superman movie by 2011

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:55:35 +0000

A NEW court ruling over the rights to Superman has put pressure on Warner Bros to start work on another movie featuring the man of steel.

The studio and DC Comics won a lawsuit filed by the heirs of the character's co-creator Jerry Siegel.

A US District Court judge has ruled that the fee paid by Warner Bros studio bosses to DC Comics to use the character in films and TV shows such as Smallville was at fair market value.

Tangled web: Spider-Man 4 gets third writer for another overhaul

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:54:20 +0000

THE SCREENPLAY for the next film in the Spider-Man franchise is to get another overhaul, it's been revealed.

Zodiac scribe James Vanderbilt was first to put pen to paper on Spider-Man 4. It has since been reworked by Broadway playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, who recently handed in his script to the studio.

The Sony project will now get a further rewrite, this time from Gary Ross, according to Variety.

David Tennant's TARDIS lands at St Trinian's

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:57:36 +0000

DOCTOR WHO actor David Tennant has joined the cast of the upcoming St Trinian's sequel.

The 38-year-old will star alongside Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding who is to play a "cool new schoolgirl" in St Trinian's II: The Legend of Fritton's Gold.

New writer for Disney's remake of 20,000 Leagues

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:55:27 +0000

DISNEY has hired Randall Wallace to rework the screenplay for its upcoming remake of the 1954 classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, based on the Jules Verne novel.

The project, this time entitled Captain Nemo: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, will be directed by McG (Terminator Salvation).