Some wonderful art by Andy Fairhurst which just about sums up a big part of my childhood. More on Andy’s DeviantART page.

The Cannes Film Festival is in full force and as I was unable to attend this year I have been inundated with various press releases about all the goings on.

This latests one was all about a new British filmmaking fund launch. That is great for film makers but it didn’t really grab me. That is until I read a bit further. It then mentions the following:

Films included on the Movie Investors slate at launch are the first ever interactive movies from the Fighting Fantasy book franchise; including ‘House of Hell’ and ‘Appointment with F.E.A.R’

That is pretty cool. The old Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone books made into movies. If they can make it work then there is quite a bit of potential. I did a bit of digging and here is the website for the House of Hell movie.

It also mentions some other cool projects.

A major science fiction film produced by MTV film director Tim Edmund Burke, and Bini Lacrosse called ‘Planet X’ that has been described as a cross between ‘Star Wars’, ‘Avatar’ and this year’s ‘Prometheus’. The fund is also taking advantage of the huge growth in popularity of the low budget found footage genre with a stag party comedy called ‘Vegas Baaaby’ and new POV Serial Killer Horror; ‘L.A Slasher’.

Here is the full release:

Movie Investors, a new international movie fund for independent and studio supported movies is thrilled to announce its launch at an exclusive celebrity supported party at the Cannes Film Festival.

The party will take place on Saturday, 26th May at No 100, Avenue des Anglais, Cannes, one of the most stunning villas in Cannes and the location of parties held in the past by MTV, DSquared and Puff Daddy. The party will raise awareness of and showcase filmmakers needing revenues for their movies from micro-budgets of under $100,000 to big budget blockbusters of over $30,000,000.

Movie Investors is offering guests the exclusive chance to win cameos, speaking, starring, supporting and executive producer roles in the movies being financed on its website. Films included on the Movie Investors slate at launch are the first ever interactive movies from the Fighting Fantasy book franchise; including ‘House of Hell’ and ‘Appointment with F.E.A.R’ being produced by Pinewood Studios based Superteam productions and directed by Ian Patterson.

Also showcasing will be a major science fiction film produced by MTV film director Tim Edmund Burke, and Bini Lacrosse called ‘Planet X’ that has been described as a cross between ‘Star Wars’, ‘Avatar’ and this year’s ‘Prometheus’. The fund is also taking advantage of the huge growth in popularity of the low budget found footage genre with a stag party comedy called ‘Vegas Baaaby’ and new POV Serial Killer Horror; ‘L.A Slasher’.

The company also launches a new global charity idea supported by the Hollywood A-listers and a number of fractional-ownership, multiple-owner, schemes such as a new Hollywood Hills based digital effects company and a super yacht to be used for film locations and film festival events around the world.

A number of celebrities are expected to attend including Edward Norton, Bruce Willis of Wes Anderson’s Cannes opener ‘Moonrise Kingdom’, Cannes jury members Tim Roth and Ewan McGregor, actresses Eva Longoria, Diane Kruger and actors Shia LaBeouf and Sacha Baron Cohen who is in town promoting ‘The Dictator’. Kelly Brook, Model Natasha Poly and Cheryl Cole are also expected to attend for the gifting suite at the villa run by run by newly launched gifting series Strangelove Gifting Suites prior to the party starting.
Guests will enjoy an array of delicious cocktails by Belvedere, from 8pm to 12am, alongside music from acclaimed VJ’s The Urban Knights and international music producer Jimmy V.

The three minute short film, which came to fruition following an original idea by Stella McCartney, stars Academy Award winner Natalie Portman and Golden Globe winner Johnny Depp.

Natalie Portman, who was exclusively dressed by Stella McCartney for the film, and Johnny Depp translate the lyrics of the song through sign language throughout the film each with their own distinct interpretations, and Johnny Depp adds soul midway through the film with a guitar solo, which was recorded live.

Directed by Paul McCartney
Featuring: Natalie Portman and Johnny Depp
Cinematographer: Wally Pfister

Source: MovieWeb

This new trailer for the Maniac remake really is NSFW. You have been warned.

Just when the streets seemed safe, a serial killer with a fetish for scalps is back and on the hunt. Frank is the withdrawn owner of a mannequin store, but his life changes when young artist Anna appears asking for his help with her new exhibition. As their friendship develops and Frank’s obsession escalates, it becomes clear that she has unleashed a long-repressed compulsion to stalk and kill.

Directed by Franck Khalfoun the film also stars America Olivo and Nora Arnezeder.

Source: BD

Robert Pattinson’s time as a sparkly vampire is almost over with the final instalment of Twilight almost with us.

We then get to see him in David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis which looks cool.

Pattinson seems determined to ensure he does not get type cast in the teen type movie as he has a varied mix of roles in his next few projects -Saddam Hussein hunting drama “Mission: Blacklist,” joined “Animal Kingdom” director David Michod’s “The Rover” and another David Cronenberg project. He is also rumoured to be starring in the sequel to The Hunger Games.

During a recent interview he also mentioned another project. One which could be amazing.

“I’m going to do a movie about The Band, the one that played with [Bob] Dylan. [It's] a beautiful script about the nature of songwriting.”

For those of you who don’t know them, The Band was made up of Rick Danko (bass guitar, double bass, fiddle, trombone, vocals), Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Garth Hudson (keyboard instruments, saxophones, trumpet), Richard Manuel (piano, drums, baritone saxophone, vocals) and Robbie Robertson (guitar, vocals). Each one an amazing musician in their own right.

The made the amazing albums – The 1968 debut Music from Big Pink and 1969′s The Band.

The Band broke up in 1976, officially ending their touring career with an elaborate live ballroom performance featuring numerous musical celebrities. This performance was immortalized in Martin Scorsese’s 1978 documentary The Last Waltz.

It really is a great music documentary and well worth watching if you have not already seen it.

I am very excited to see a film about The Band. I did not see someone like Robert Pattinson being involved. Putting aside my doubts about his casting (I mean who could he portray) at the very least he will bring this music to the ears of a new generation.

Source: Playlist

Jon Favreau set the whole Marvel Studios juggernaut rolling with the brilliant Iron Man. He returned to direct Iron Man 2 which I enjoyed but was flawed with too much stuff forced into it to set up The Avengers.

Favreau also appeared onscreen in both films as Tony Starks bodyguard, Happy Hogan.

It appears that Favreau and Marvel Studios are still getting on fine as he is returning to play Happy in the Shane Black directed Iron Man 3.

Favreau tweeted the pic of his chair.

Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle are also back for the film which began shooting on Wednesday in North Carolina. The plot will borrow elements from Warren Ellis’ six-issue Iron Man: Extremis.

They are also joined by Rebecca Hall, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley, James Badge Dale, Andy Lau and Ashley Hamilton.

Variety have the news that Hamilton will be playing one of the villains – the small part of government cyborg Firepower.

Disney currently have Iron Man 3 set for release on May 3, 2013.

RED was the 2010 action-comedy based on the DC Comics miniseries by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner. RED (“Retired, extremely dangerous”) — centered on a former CIA agent (Bruce Willis) targeted for assassination because of the secrets he knew. Directed by Robert Schwentke, the $60 million movie made nearly $200 million worldwide.

With that kind of money it was no surprise that a sequel would be happening.

Directed by Dean Parisot (Galaxy Quest) is directing RED 2 which sees Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker and Helen Mirren back again “as they use their old-school style to take on a new set of enemies all across Europe.”

They are going to be joined by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Byung-Hun Lee.

Recent news from Deadline says that Anthony Hopkins is in talks for the villain in the sequel. That all depends on his schedule for Thor 2 as he is back playing Odin for that one.

He he can join RED 2 he would be playing Edward Bailey “a genius scientist who was locked up in an insane asylum.”

Another banner has popped up for The Dark Knight Rises. This one via Warner Bros India.

Thanks to Joe for the link.

Catwoman, Batman and Bane feature on these cool looking banner posters for The Dark Knight Rises. I do feel that Bane is saying “Come at me Bro!” in the top one.

Good to see a bit of action creeping into the posters.

Empire also have two covers. One of which shows the lovely posterior of Anne Hathaway in her Catwoman costume.

Source: Collider