Hobbit Casting Announced

Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Graham McTavish, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Mark Hadlow and Peter Hambleton have joined the ensemble cast of the The Hobbit, it was jointly announced today by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema; Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros.; Steve Cooper, co-Chief Executive Officer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., and Peter Jackson.

Since The Hobbit films received a green light on October 15, pre-production has been in full swing. Set for release in December, 2012 and December, 2013, we can confirm that Martin Freeman (The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Hot Fuzz) will play Bilbo Baggins, the hero of the story. Richard Armitage (UK TV’s MI-5 and soon to appear in Captain America: The First Avenger) is set to play Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the Company of Dwarves which sets off to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from a thieving dragon.

“Despite the various rumours and speculation surrounding this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us,” says Peter Jackson.  “There are a few times in your career when you come across an actor who you know was born to play a role, but that was the case as soon as I met Martin.  He is intelligent, funny, surprising and brave – exactly like Bilbo and I feel incredibly proud to be able to announce that he is our Hobbit.”

He adds “Richard is one of the most exciting and dynamic actors working on screen today and we know he is going to make an amazing Thorin Oakensheild. We cannot wait to start this adventure with him and feel very lucky that one of the most beloved characters in Middle-earth is in such good hands.”

Rounding out the Company of Dwarves are Aidan Turner (TV’s Being Human) and Rob Kazinsky (TVs EastEnders) who play Kili and Fili, respectively. Jackson comments “Rob is an extremely talented young actor with a huge career in front of him, I’m thrilled that he has agreed to take on the role of Fili.  Besides his talent as an actor, Rob is also a champion sword fighter; I’m looking forward to seeing the damage he can do to a horde of marauding Goblins!”  He continues, “Adian is a wonderfully gifted young actor who hails from Ireland. I’m sure he will bring enormous heart and humor to the role of Kili.”

The remaining dwarves will be played by Graham McTavish (Secretariat and TV’s 24) as Dwalin; John Callen (TV’s Power Rangers Jungle Fury) as Oin; Stephen Hunter (TV’s All Saints) as Bombur; Mark Hadlow (King Kong) as Dori; and Peter Hambleton (TV’s The Strip) as Gloin.

Jackson notes, “Graham is a terrific actor, with a great depth of experience, which I know he will bring to the role of “Dwalin. I have worked with Mark Hadlow on many projects; he is a fantastic actor.  I am thrilled to be working with both of them on these movies.  He adds, “I am also proud to announce the casting of New Zealand actors as Peter Hambleton, John Callen and Stephen Hunter. Fran and I know that they will bring great depth and talent to our Company of Dwarves.”

The two The Hobbit films are being co-produced by New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production, Warner Bros. Pictures handling domestic distribution and MGM distributing internationally. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films, with Phillipa Boyens serving as co-producer and Ken Kamins as executive producer.

The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed LOTR trilogy, also from the production team of Jackson, Walsh and Cunningham, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office. In 2003, Return of the King swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture — the first-ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The trilogy’s production was also unprecedented at the time.

Daniel Radcliffe as Edward Cullen?

No, not really.  But this year's annual The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror episode will feature the Harry Potter star as Lisa Simpson's vampire boyfriend in what's shaping up to be a fairly hilarious Twilight spoof in this new promo:

The episode will also feature the voice of the always-terrific Hugh Laurie.  It airs on Fox November 7th. 

Movie Moan TV - 'Shattered Glass' (2003)

Hey folks, we're past the well received pilot episode and into our first season of Movie Moan TV.  I'd like to tell you that you're about to watch a show where Capt. Ed Hocken, Jamie Williams and myself (and Lou Sytsma of course though he's not in this episode) solve crimes together and get yelled at by an angry police chief played by Peter Georgiou but that isn't the case..............not yet anyway.

So I hope the three of us delving into a fantastic film that you really should check out will do instead.  This week, we take a look at 'Shattered Glass':

Mad Mel Won't Be Hungover

There goes our chance to either laugh or groan at Mel Gibson in The Hangover 2.

TMZ reports his cameo's been axed thanks to the cast being perturbed at the prospects of mugging onscreen next to the controversial actor/director. Essentially, this confirms speculation arisen days ago (from a Vulture article) of co-star Zach Galifianakis being unhappy with the decision to include Gibson in the first place.

So director Todd Phillips throws up an "I really wanted Gibson, but I don’t want to piss off the guys" statement to the press and here we are.

Gibson's certainly an ass. But I'm curious if the cast/crew had problems bullshitting on set with living saint Mike Tyson? On the other hand, Phillips should have damn-well known throwing Gibson in the mix would upset someone working on the sequel. Thus neither side looks particularly good. But it's for the best anyway. The whole deal sounded stupid.

Don't Be Shocked If The Hobbit Vacates New Zealand

I have a theory on where this nasty public squabbling over the New Zealand actors' union over The Hobbit originated.

As word seeped around the greenlight was slowly, but surely, approaching the productions, some geniuses upstairs thought they could strong-arm Warner Brothers & Peter Jackson to meet the terms of whatever they demanded in order to avoid yet another massive headache – especially as things were finally turning around for the project and with all work done on the films already set up there. The problem is the studios and Jackson weren't willing to bargain, and here we are.

So congratulations are in order to those responsible for this mess. You've cost many hard-working people in New Zealand steady, good-paying work over the next couple of years on the two Hobbit movies. Yes, that looming boycott has been nipped in the bud, but it doesn't resolve where The Hobbit will film.

At this stage, I'd be shocked if Warner Brothers (who will make the final decision) decide to stay put there after how ugly this got dragged out in the press. Judging by the multiple interviews Jackson and screenwriter/producer Philippa Boyens have given to the Kiwi press recently (one below and the other here), they know this is where it's headed.

So where might they go for a new Middle Earth? It's not a secret that other countries are vying to succeed where New Zealand fucked up, and it appears the most likely new location would be London and the WB-owned Leavesden Film Studios (home to all the Harry Potter films) according to producer/screenwriter/Jackson's wife Fran Walsh in an interview conducted with Radio New Zealand National.

Ultimately, what does this latest round of bullshit mean for Hobbit fans anxiously awaiting the films? More delays on its start-date and confirmation of the obvious that it's not hitting 2012.

All new Caprica sneak peek clips

We not only have one, or two, but three sneak peek clips of the new episode of Caprica titled “False Labor”.  A gloomy theme heats up as Graystone Industries provides an opportunity to never lose a loved one thanks to breakthrough technology.  Others are staring down the same path as the deceased when held at gunpoint, and even still others are doing the gun-holding against another life-force.  What the frak will they do?  Be sure to tune in on Tuesday at 10/9c on Syfy to see how it all plays out.

Caprica - "False Labor"

Airs - Tuesday, October 26th @ 10/9c on Syfy

All new Stargate Universe sneak peek clip

Below we have a new clip from Stargate Universe. Lieutenant Matthew Scott awakens to be pleasantly arriving home sweet home in Cloverdale, only to awaken once again in a manner unexpected and realize he’s been infected by an alien organism and the rest of the team is frantically trying to figure out how to save him.  Take a look at the sneak peek clip to truly envision Scott’s rude awakening.  You won’t want to miss this week’s episode airing Tuesday at 9/8c on Syfy.

Stargate Universe - "Cloverdale"

Airs - Tuesday, October 26th @9/8c on Syfy

The Bourne Legacy Targeting August 2012 Release

I'm cool with Tony Gilroy expanding the Bourne universe without the ex-spy himself showing up in The Bourne Legacy.

But I guarantee audiences will be livid paying their $10 (or whatever it costs in your neck of the woods, I don't know!) for a Jason Bourne movie and, low and behold, he never pops up. Universal has to be aware of this, right?

"TOLDJA" says Universal is gunning for the Gilroy-directed fourth installment to be out by August 2012. Additionally (and confirming the obvious, by this point), Matt Damon most certainly isn't showing up for Legacy. But the key players involved remain hopeful he might return down the road – possibly for Bourne 5. That's assuming he wavers his "I won't do it with Paul Greengrass" stance. The man deserves epic props for loyalty.

This approach of bringing in a new hero (said to be another agent in the vein of Mr. Bourne) will only work commercially if the filmmakers' net a big-name in the role. At least there, you've got someone to lure the audience in – some might even suspect said actor is playing Bourne. Either way, it shan't be too long before people getting name-dropped.

Ben Affleck May Direct "Replay" Next...

Coming right off the success of his latest directorial effort The Town, Ben Affleck has his sights set on his next potential project; Warner Bros adaptation of the Ken Grimwood novel Replay.

According to Heat Vision no offer is in place as of yet, but he has had meetings in regards to the project, which was first set up in 1988. The books been translated for film several times over the years, and has even had A-list actors such as Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts previously attached to star.

Now with a new screenplay penned by Jason Smilovic a lot of people at the studio are excited about the project again.

The dramatic fantasy centers on a 45-year-old man who has a fatal heart attack while trying to prevent the murder of a jogger in New York's Central Park. Instead of going to the great beyond, however, he is stuck in a "replay" of his life beginning at age 18 in Brooklyn. With his knowledge of the future, he changes his life and builds a financial empire, only to die again at age 45. The "replay" continues, however, as he and the murdered jogger fall in love and struggle to break the cycle of their repeating lives.

As much as I would live to see Affleck return to Boston again for another crime-drama, this actually sounds pretty damn awesome, and it could serve as a nice change of pace for his next directorial project. I have to wonder though with his acting career now also officially rejuvenated after his turn as the lead role in The Town, will affleck decide to cast himself in the lead role for Replay. I could definitely see him in the role, but I'm not sure that's the direction he'll take if he does in fact board the project.

Wahlberg Offered Lead Role in 'The Crow' Remake

According to Bloody Disgusting Mark Wahlberg has been offered the lead role in The Crow, a remake of the 1994 film that starred Brandon Lee as a man (Eric Draven) brutally murdered that comes back to life as an undead avenger of his and his fiancés murder. The film was an adaptation of James O'Barr's incredible comic series. Iconic musician and acclaimed screenwriter Nick Cave has been working on a rewrite with Stephen Norrington (Blade, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen ) attached to direct. The new tale is said to take place in Detroit.

As much as I love Wahlberg in a lot of his other films, I just can't picture him as the tortured soul with face paint on returning from the dead to strike vengeance on those who have wronged him. The vigilante aspect I could easily see. After all Marky Mark kicking ass and taking names is what most people go to his movies to see, but the character of The Crow doesn't really feel like a good fit for the big screen tough guy. Hopefully he declines the offer, then again he did make Max Payne...