Young Clark Kent & Friends On "Man Of Steel" Set

All's been pretty quiet on the Man Of Steel front lately. WB is waiting for Batman to rise into theaters before making their big marketing push. It will kick off with a teaser (rumored) in front of The Dark Knight Rises which most likely will be featured at Comic Con but with some additional extra scenes as presented by some of the cast. Until then we have the below.

Today a behind the scenes set photo has surfaced featuring Robert Gerdisch (Whitney Fordham), Jack Foley (Pete Ross), and Dylan Sprayberry (Clark Kent) striking a pose in front of Stunt Coordinator Damon Caro's chair from left to right.

Again, Clark with no glasses, you begin to wonder if he doesn't slap on the spectacles until the end of the movie. Nothing wrong with change, in fact, I like change. I feel like if Bryan Singer was casting this film, Robert Gerdisch would have been cast as young Clark Kent.

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Tom Cruise IS Jack Reacher

EW has the first look at Tom Cruise's next gig as Jack Reacher. Really interested in seeing how Cruise handles playing Reacher, and even more intrigued with how McQuarrie is going to lens the project based on the book "One Shot" I'm betting on Safe House like performance at the box office.

I know Cruise went through a spell where he wasn't so well liked by the masses. He did get a little kooky for awhile, jumping on Oprah's couch because he was in "in love" with Joey Potter. Calm down Tom. All of that aside the guy has never stopped being a more than solid actor. I still go to movies just because he is in them. Heck, I'm a fan.

"Someone asks him at one point in the story about the difference between a military policeman and a regular cop,” says screenwriter and director Christopher McQuarrie, who previously wrote and directed The Way of the Gun and won an Oscar for the screenplay to The Usual Suspects. “Reacher points out that [for military police], every suspect is a trained killer"

“He is free from any sort of anxiety. He is truly not encumbered by all the bulls–t that makes up our daily lives,” McQuarrie tells EW. “He literally and figuratively has no baggage.”

“He is an extremely pragmatic, matter-of-fact person,” McQuarrie says. “He’s very solitary, but he can’t walk away from a situation that needs to be made right. His own sense of right and wrong tie into that situation and he can’t leave until it’s been resolved. That’s his Achilles heel.”

"Oh God, I Loved That Movie!"

As Jamie reported a little while ago, we lost Nora Ephron today, which is just a huge loss.  She had an amazing ability to make a 'chick flick' never seem like...well, a chick flick. 

Except when actually having a character describe a chick flick, as Rita Wilson did so hilariously in Ephron's Sleepless in Seattle, when she was trying (and failing) to explain the ending to 1957's An Affair to Remember without bursting into tears:

Just wanted to add a tribute as well, since I don't know anyone who can talk about a tearjerker ending without referencing this scene.  Between that, and watching Tom Hanks trying to get Rob Reiner to tell him what tiramisu is, I'll always love this movie. 

RIP Nora Ephron

Sad news this afternoon as word comes down screenwriter/director Nora Ephron has passed away at age 71. She reportedly died from a long, and up until recently private, bout with leukemia.

Often said let the art speak for the artist. Looking at her filmography over the decades, you know her work (and words) by heart. The thrice-times Oscar nominee made her mark on moviedom with the likes of Silkwood, Sleepless in Seattle, Michael, You've Got Mail and Julie & Julia. But for most (myself included) it'll always come down to When Harry Met Sally. She had a knack for writing real people... and that's a rare skill on film. She will be missed.

Kevin James Loses Weight & Shtick in Here Comes the Boom Trailer

The plot synopsis for Here Comes the Boom read of a high-school teacher moonlighting as a mixed martial arts fighter to raise cash to save his school's music program. Then Kevin James got cast. Then you see this is from Happy Madison, the production company responsible for Adam Sander's comedy abortions. They're also big on James and his "Fatty make funny" routine. You saw where this was going.

Well looks like you (and by "you," I mean me) were wrong judging by the trailer courtesy of Fandango. James is noticeably slimmer and thus adios on visual gags of his falling on his ass screaming. Replace it with what looks like their aping Gavin O'Connor's Warrior, minus the story and heartfelt performances. But it still wants to have those laughs. If you found any, let me know.

Batman & Superman Together At Last (in a Lego Movie!)

The "hook" for Lego: The Piece of Resistance isn't the third time out for Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the writing/directing duo responsible for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and 21 Jump Street. That alone should entice given their heaps of talent. Nor is the idea of bringing the Lego world to life blending live-action and CG. Imagine how great that will look!

No, Variety says the catch is Lego-ized versions of Superman and Batman will appear. An offer is on the table for Channing Tatum to wear the red-and-blue suit (in spirit) while Will Arnett is locked to do his Alec Baldwin impression as the World's Greatest Detective. No disrespect to either but wouldn't it have been cooler for Henry Cavill and Christian Bale to step into the recording booth? Would take em a couple of hours top; not even a whole day!

Warner Brothers is hot to get their DC properties moving. The ball is rolling on Justice League (If it meets the same fate as George Miller's Justice League: Mortal to be determined). Christopher Nolan won't be there forever to hold their hand and help them dodge development/lawsuit bullets a la The Man of Steel. Not entirely what we had in mind for seeing Supes and Bats on the silver screen for the first time (Lord and Miller will make something cool, obviously) but it's a sign of movement, and that's saying a lot of the Brothers Warner.

Peter Berg Blames 'Battleship' Failure on 'Avengers'

When Battleship first opened internationally back in April, it was a solid success.  With a gross of $235 million, the Peter Berg directed "Transformers at sea" film was primed to do at least modest business at the domestic box office, probably somewhere between $100-150 million, at least.

Little did Berg and pretty much everyone at Universal know, The Avengers was about to become the third highest grossing movie of all-time (just passed $600 million domestically today) when it opened the first weekend in May, two weeks before Battleship.

Now, with Battleship having pretty much bombed at the box office with a weak gross of only $63 million, Berg has come out and admitted it was a mistake to open the film in the heat of 'Avengers' mania and how he would have handled the release differently:

"We kind of ran into a wall when 'Avengers' refused to go away ... 'The Avengers' outperformed everything. It was impossible for 'Battleship' to get any oxygen."

"I would have loved to have come out three weeks before 'The Avengers' domestically, like we did internationally.  We did OK, but in hindsight — which my grandmother used to say is worth about a bucket of spit — we would have [released the movie] ahead of 'The Avengers,' not realizing it would have become, I think, the second biggest film in history behind 'Avatar.'"

Actually Pete, it's the third highest behind Titanic too, but we get the point.

However, I think there is some truth to what Berg is saying.  While I went into Battleship with low expectations, it ended up being a pretty solid popcorn, action flick that certainty deserved more then a $63 million domestic gross.  Had it opened in April like it did internationally, I really could have seen it hitting $150 domestically, considering there would have been no other real competition besides The Hunger Games, and that skewed to a different audience anyway.  Not to mention, since the film's star Taylor Kitsch had been the face of the other notable box office 'bomb' this year, John Carter, it would have been nice to see him catch a break (dude's talented, watch Friday Night Lights).

Regardless, the film's performance "is what it is."  Here's hoping it finds some success on DVD and Blu-ray (John Carter has already).

Source: MTV News

"Chimpanzee" Disney Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Digital & On-Demand August 21, 2012

Experience the Spectacular Imagery and Stunning High-Definition Visuals on Disney Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Digital & On-Demand August 21, 2012

Disneynature Will Donate a Portion of First-Week Sales to the Jane Goodall Institute Through the “See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees” Conservation Program

On August 21, 2012, Disneynature’s most unforgettable and heartwarming adventure yet, “Chimpanzee,” debuts as a Blu-ray™ Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD), Digital and On-Demand viewing. The inspiring film follows the True-Life Adventure of Oscar, a young chimpanzee whose curiosity and zest for life showcase the intelligence and ingenuity of some of the most extraordinary personalities in the animal kingdom.

To celebrate the in-home debut of “Chimpanzee,” Disneynature is proud to continue the “See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees” conservation program initiated with the film’s theatrical release. For every purchase of the movie through August 27, 2012, Disneynature will make a donation through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) to conserve chimpanzee habitat, educate the next generation, and provide care for orphaned chimpanzees.
 
The conservation program tied to the theatrical release will help protect 129,236 acres (202 square miles) of wild chimpanzee habitat through infrastructure investments in the expanded Tchimpounga Nature Reserve in the Republic of Congo (Congo); educate 60,000 schoolchildren about chimpanzee conservation; and provide food and medicine for nearly all of the orphaned chimpanzees at JGI’s Tchimpounga chimpanzee sanctuary for at least the next year.

In addition to the remarkable story filmed in the depths of the African forest, the “Chimpanzee” Blu-ray Combo Pack is filled with spectacular bonus features, including in-depth behind-the-scenes footage showcasing the filmmakers’ amazing efforts to document the making of the film; a music video for the song “Rise,” written and performed by McClain Sisters; a feature on Disney’s conservation legacy; and much more.

Film Synopsis:

From Disneynature, the studio that brought you “Earth,” “Oceans,” and “African Cats,” comes “Chimpanzee” — a remarkable story of individual triumph and family bonds. Journey deep into the African forest and meet Oscar, an adorable young chimp with an entertaining approach to life. The world is a playground for little Oscar and his fellow young chimps who love creating mayhem. His playful curiosity and zest for discovery showcase the intelligence and ingenuity of some of the most extraordinary personalities in the animal kingdom. Stunning hi-definition images bring you up close and personal as Oscar and his family navigate the complex territory of the forest. It’s an inspiring and life-changing adventure that overflows with courage and charm. And it will capture your heart.

Bonus Features:

DVD:

 “See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees”—This feature details the “See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees” conservation program and how for every copy of the film purchased until August 27, 2012, Disneynature will make a donation to JGI to protect chimpanzees today and tomorrow. The feature also includes an interview with Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace.

Disney’s Friends for Change—This feature highlights Disney's Friends for Change, a program that showcases steps that kids and families can take to make a positive impact on the world and the people and animals that live there.

Disney’s Conservation Legacy—This feature provides a look at the conservation efforts that Disney sponsors around the world.

BLU-RAY:

Everything on the DVD, plus …

~~~ON LOCATION: THE MAKING OF “CHIMPANZEE” is a series of exciting short features that delve further into the incredible lengths the filmmakers went to tell the story of Oscar and his chimpanzee family.
30 Years in the Making—The story of the team of researchers who have been observing chimpanzees in the Ivory Coast for 30 years.
~~The Heart of the “Chimpanzee”—A behind-the-scenes look at how and why the film was made.
~~~Piece of the Puzzle—A cameraman’s two-hour daily trek through the forest to get to the chimpanzees.
~~~Don’t Blame the Tool—An observation of the chimpanzees’ daily lives and how they use rocks as tools to prepare their food.
~~Scar’s Army—An inside look at the struggles between the film’s two rival chimpanzee groups who share the same forest home.
~~~Camp Invaders—A featurette on all the creepy, crawly creatures found at the filmmakers’ forest camp.
~~Forest of Bees—A feature detailing how the crew spent two days wading through a sea of bees that inhabited their filming location in order to capture 20 seconds of footage.
~~~“Rise” Music Video—A music video featuring Hollywood Records recording artists McClain Sisters who wrote and performed the inspirational song that plays during the film’s end credits.
~~Behind the Scenes of “Rise”—An inside look at McClain Sisters music video shoot.

DIGITAL:

~~~“See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees”
~~Disney’s Friends for Change
~~~Disney’s Conservation Legacy
~~“Rise” Music Video
~~~ON LOCATION: THE MAKING OF “CHIMPANZEE”
~~30 Years in the Making
~~~The Heart of the “Chimpanzee”

 

"Robot & Frank" Trailer With James Marsden & Frank Langella

Yahoo Movies

ROBOT & FRANK, the feature film debut of commercial director Jake Schreier, was a festival favorite at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival where it world premiered and was co-winner of the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize.
 
Set in the near future, Frank, a retired cat burglar, has two grown kids who are concerned he can no longer live alone.  They are tempted to place him in a nursing home until Frank's son chooses a different option: against the old man's wishes, he buys Frank a walking, talking humanoid robot programmed to improve his physical and mental health. What follows is an often hilarious and somewhat heartbreaking story about finding friends and family in the most unexpected places.
 
ROBOT & FRANK features an award winning cast including Academy Award nominee Frank Langella, James Marsden, Liv Tyler and Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon.
 
ROBOT & FRANK is the first film release from Park Pictures Features, the feature film division of parent company Park Pictures – one of the most prestigious commercial production houses. 

Sigourney Weaver Says There Will Be Three Avatar Sequels

Attending the premiere for his forthcoming USA Network drama Political Animals (Speaking of, why are there red-carpet premieres for a TV show?!), Sigourney Weaver tells Showbiz 411 she'll be back for the Avatar sequels. All three of them:

"Then she films 'Avatar' 2, 3, and 4 with James Cameron. That's right: they're making three sequels to the blue 3D phenom all at the same time. Weaver says she has no idea how long it will take, or how it's going to work. 'I just show up,' she said."

James Cameron dropped hints of Avatar extending beyond a trilogy back in May to the New York Times. Not entirely a "Where did THAT come from?!" surprise. A head-scratcher, nonetheless, since he hasn't even scratched the surface of Avatar 2. Let alone Avatar 3 and 4.

But Weaver will be back? She was the best part (besides those pretty pictures)...