News Round-Up: Marion Cotillard Cast in ‘Assassin’s Creed’; Neill Blomkamp to Direct Next ‘Alien’; and More
Since it’s Thursday, I’ll have another packed News Round-Up. While it certainly lacks the blockbuster appeal of last week, there are still plenty of things to report on. This includes a bunch of casting (which will make up the majority of today’s post) that starts with Assassin’s Creed (and Marion Cotillard) and extends to include names like Scarlett Johansson, Miles Teller, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Morena Baccarin, Omar Sy, and Irrfan Khan in exciting movies like The Psychopath Test, Arms and the Dudes, X-Men: Apocalypse, Deadpool, and Inferno. At the end, I’ll also touch on some exciting news regarding Neill Blomkamp (District 9) and plans to do an Alien adaptation.
First and foremost, news broke recently that Marion Cotillard (The Dark Knight Rises) would be joining Michael Fassbender in the Assassin’s Creed film adaptation. I wouldn’t say I was a huge fan of a film adaptation of a video game but with esteemed talent like Fassbender and Cotillard (who is up for another Oscar this Sunday), it’s hard not to be excited. Justin Kurzel (Macbeth) directed both of them in Macbeth and the reunion will hit theaters on December 21, 2016. (Source: Deadline)
Scarlett Johansson – another leading lady – has found another project as well. She’ll star in The Psychopath Test which also fulfills our “weird news of the week” because she’ll be directed by Austin Powers director Jay Roach. There isn’t a lot more on this film but it’s interesting to note that Al Gore’s daughter, Kristen Gore (Foxcatcher), wrote the screenplay. Look for a release date and co-stars later. (Source: IGN)
Up-and-comer Miles Teller (Whiplash) has joined the Todd Phillips (The Hangover) comedy Arms and the Dudes. Teller’s character will apparently be a massage-therapist-turned-arms-dealer that teams up with Jonah Hill’s character. There were rumors flying about other characters in this role but I’m all for any casting related to Miles Teller. Arms and the Dudes doesn’t have a specific 2016 release date yet. (Source: EW)
Next up is the latest casting update for X-Men: Apocalypse (which seems to be in the news every single week). You can add Kodi Smit-McPhee (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) to the list as he’ll play a young version of Nightcrawler. For those that somehow forgot, Nightcrawler is one of the most potentially badass characters in the X-Men franchise so it’ll be fun to see a young version of him. Bryan Singer will again direct and the movie is set to come out May 27, 2016. (Source: Comingsoon)
Speaking of superhero adaptations, news also broke this week about the recently-announced Deadpool adaptation. Besides bringing back Ryan Reynolds, the film will also star Morena Baccarin (Showtime’s Homeland). This is another fine choice and excitement is mounting as the film comes within a year of its February 12, 2016 release date. Tim Miller is directing the film. (Source: THR)
The final casting news is a two-for as Ron Howard’s (Rush) Inferno adaptation rounded out its cast with Omar Sy (The Intouchables) and Irrfan Khan (Life of Pi). Howard’s latest Dan Brown film adaptation also stars Tom Hanks (of course) and is set to release on October 14, 2016. (Source: Collider)
Last (but certainly not least) is my favorite news of the week. Before his upcoming release of Chappie, Neil Blomkamp teased his interest in doing an Alien film. It turns out this wasn’t all a tease because it’s been confirmed that Blomkamp will indeed do an adaptation of the revered series. As far as sci-fi talent goes, Blomkamp has shown his worthiness and I’m excited for Chappie and, more importantly, a future Alien film. More details, like plot, stars, and a release date, will have to wait but it’s worth noting it’ll be Blomkamp’s next film. Therefore, it can’t be that far away. (Source: Variety)
If you missed this week’s trailers, posters, and/or photos, do check those out.
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