James Wan's AQUAMAN Won't Feature Any Other DCU Characters

Jason Mamoa doesn't need any help! Are you kidding me? C'mon. And director James Wan agrees. Usually these days, superhero movies will bring in a supporting cast to borrow their star power for the movie obviously, but also to build excitement for the universe and any ensemble movies - like JUSTICE LEAGUE.

But AQUAMAN will face Black Manta and King Orm without Batman, Superman, et al.

Says Wan: "I wanted to keep the story to the world of AQUAMAN and not have to worry about what other characters are doing in their films and how that would affect us. I just thought the simplest way was to keep it clean — keep it simple and let it be an AQUAMAN story."

He continues: "I told them I understand and respect that it’s part of a bigger universe but at the end of the day I have to tell the story I want to tell, and I want to develop the character as well. It was something the studio was respectful about… in my movie he starts off one way and becomes very different by the end. It’s a classic hero’s journey. I equate our story to The Sword and the Stone, it’s a very Arthurian story about a journey to becoming king."

Perfect! This is a pure James Wan movie. Exactly what I was hoping for - bring it!

Of course, post credit scenes weren't discussed. Sooooo... there's that. Potentially there will be some JUSTICE LEAGUE influence after all.

Here's the movie's storyline:
From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, AQUAMAN starring Jason Momoa in the title role. The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime—one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be... a king.

The film also stars Amber Heard ("Justice League," "Magic Mike XXL") as Mera, a firece warrior and Aquaman's ally throughout his journey; Oscarnominee Willem Dafoe ("Platoon," "Spider-Man 2") as Vulko, council to the Atlantean throne; Patrick Wilson ("The Conjuring" films, "Watchmen") as Orm/Ocean Master, the present King of Atlantis; Dolph Lundgren ("The Expendables" films) as Nereus, King of the Atlantean tribe Xebel; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (upcoming "Baywatch," "Netflix's The Get Down") as the vengeful Black Manta; and Oscar winner Nicole Kidman ("The Hours" "Lion") as Arthrur's mom, Atlanna; as well as Ludi Lin ("Power Rangers") as Captain Murk, Atlantean Commando; and Temuera Morrison ("Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones," "Green Lantern") as Arthur's dad, Tom Curry.

Wan directs from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick ("The Conjuring 2") and Will Beall ("Gangstar Squad," TV's "Training Day"), story by Geoff Johns and James Wan and Will Beal, based on characters from DC, Aquaman created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisnger. the film is produced by Peter Safran and Rob Cowan, with Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Jon Berg, Geoff Johns and Walter Hamada serving as executive producers.

Wan's team behind the scenes includes such frequent collaborators as Oscar-nominated director of photography Don Burgess ("The Conjuring 2," "Forrest Gump"), his five-time editor Kirk Morri ("The Conjuring" films, "Furious 7," the "Insidious" films), and production designer Bill Brzeski ("Furious 7"). They are joined by costume designer Kym Barrett ("The Matrix" trilogy, "The Amazing Spider-Man") and composer Rupert Gregson-Williams ("Wonder Woman").

www.Facebook.com/AquamanMovie
www.Twitter.com/AquamanMovie
www.Instagram.com/AquamanMovie
www.AquamanMovie.com

If you haven't seen the trailer yet - have a look! Currently at 37 million views:



AQUAMAN opens in theaters on December 21 in IMAX 3D, 3D and flat.

Source: EW

TERMINATOR's Sarah Connor Returns!

This production looks like it's firing on all cylinders! Not only is James Cameron directly involved (T2 was his last), but now Linda Hamilton (Sarah Connor) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terminator) are joining along with some new cast.

Says Cameron: "As meaningful as (Sarah Connor) was to gender and action stars everywhere back then, it’s going to make a huge statement to have that seasoned warrior that she’s become return. There are 50-year-old, 60-year-old guys out there killing bad guys but there isn’t an example of that for women.

We’re starting a search for an 18-something woman to be the new centerpiece of the new story. We still fold time. We will have characters from the future and the present. There will be mostly new characters, but we'll have Arnold and Linda’s characters to anchor it."

Tim Miller (DEADPOOL) is directing. Cameron is writing (along with a writing room that included David Goyer (BATMAN BEGINS, THE DARK KNIGHT) and Justin Rhodes, Charles Eglee (DARK ANGEL) and also producing.

With this latest news, I think the pedigree being presented for this production is perfect. It'll be interesting to see if Cameron and Miller shoot this in native 3D. I'll wager they will. Can't wait for this! I wonder if Michael Biehn is in line to join... :-)

Source: THR

Mark Wahlberg Looking Solid For TRANSFORMERS 4

A while ago, Michael Bay quickly dismissed rumors about Mark Wahlberg being considered for TRANSFORMERS 4 but apparently those very same rumors got Michael Bay thinking about actually using Wahlberg for the the movie.

That, or the original rumors were true. Doesn't really matter though - the end result is that Bay is indeed thinking very seriously about Wahlberg and it looks like it will happen.

Hit the jump to read what Bay had to say on the matter:


"I squashed a rumor that was on the internet last week. It was about Mark Walhberg. Mark was rumored to be staring in Transformers 4. We are working on another movie together, not T4. I had such a great time working with Mark on Pain and Gain, and he gave such a great performance – well let’s say that very internet chatter gave me some ideas. We are at the inception of our story process right now on T4. Let’s say some ideas are gaining traction with me and my writer – so I’m here to say thanks internet chatter."

So yes it does look like this casting will happen. I have to say, I like it. Wahlberg brings an entirely new dimension to the franchise and hopefully they can feed off of his innate acting realism.

Then, again - maybe Mark will be so upset that Michael can't spell his last name he won't sign on... :-)

TRANSFORMERS 4 is slated for a June 29, 2014 release.

Sources: CBM | MichaelBay

James Franco Going Ape In 3D!!

Love this bit of casting. James Franco has confirmed he is in RISE OF THE APES which is the prequel to PLANET OF THE APES.

Apparently many A list actors were vying for the role of a "young, driven scientist who becomes a crucial figure in the war between humans and apes".

RISE OF THE APES starts shooting July 5.

Can't wait for this one! I think the franchise needs a prequel and so far all signs are positive for this effort. Franco is a quality and proven talent.

Source: Variety

Why Isn't Jon Favreau Pulling The 3D Trigger For COWBOYS AND ALIENS Right Now?

I am really shocked to hear that at this point the COWBOYS AND ALIENS production shoot will be in 2D! According to Deadline, Favreau is planning on a June 2D start in New Mexico for a July 29, 2011 release. So does this mean he is avoiding 3D altogether, aiming for conversion or just plain chickening out for this project? :-)

We know Jon is interested in 3D. He has said so many, many times and he was impressed with James Cameron's AVATAR. So what is with the delay? The aliens will clearly be a SciFi element to this western and 3D is a match in heaven for that genre. It would look gorgeous and make the scenes all the more believable. We all have to suspend disbelief and quite frankly to have cowboys have any chance against technically superior aliens is a stretch. In my mind, 3D is a REQUIREMENT here.

In more related news, Paul Dano and Clancy Brown are also joining the COWBOYS AND ALIENS cast as cowboys and Keith Carradine is saddling up to play the town sheriff.

In the end though, I think Favreau knows what he is doing. IRON MAN 2 was awesome. Would have been better in 3D, but still awesome. I feel the same for C&A. I am really hoping that the project goes 3D and native 3D at that. Pull the trigger Jon!

CONAN Casting Rumors: Stephen Lang And Rachel Nichols!

Jim here. According to LatinoReview, apparently Stephen Lang (you all know him right? A little character known as Col. Quaritch in AVATAR?) has been offered the role of Khalar Singh who happens to be the main villain in CONAN.

Khalar Singh's character was described last fall as: In his 40s to 50s, Asian or Middle Eastern, Central Asian, Mongol, Turkish, or Persian, open to all ethnicities; commanding in size and manner, a warlord and formidable warrior, brilliant, cruel, weathered and tanned by the many campaigns he has waged and won. He is driven in his quest to find the Queen of Acheron and has been building an empire to do so. His goal is to find the Queen whose blood will bring life to the demonic minions of Acheron while making himself king of this hellish power. With this power, Khalar will protect his legacy against the onslaught of master sorcerer, Thoth-Amon so that his weak son, Fariq may rule after his death. While riding into a Cimmerian village to recruit his old comrade, Corin, his large collection of mercenaries slaughters them to the last soul when Corin refuses to join them. The village’s only survivor was young Conan. When Khalar’s search has finally narrowed to the likely discovery of the queen at a monastery of female monks, he also learns Conan is older and hungry for revenge.

The deal is not final yet and negotiations are still underway.

Same goes for the role of Tamara. LatinoReview also says that Rachel Nichols (Scarlett in G.I. JOE) has been approached. Seems that Nichols beat out Jessica Lucas (CLOVERFIELD) and Sarah Shahi (THE L WORD).

Tamara's character is 18 to 24 years old, Caucasian or Middle Eastern, open to all ethnicities; beautiful, studious, correct, a novitiate of a Greek influenced monastery. A master of martial arts, she has been trained to be the Queen’s servant, bodyguard and best friend. She and many other female bodyguards to the queen have been in hiding most of their lives because of the curse of Acheron, which would take the queen’s life to bring almost immortal power to its king. When Khalar Singh, a powerful warlord with ambitions to become the king of Acheron, storms the monastery and captures all of the novitiates, she is separated from Ilira, the one she must protect. With all of her strength and will, Tamara is determined to find and rescue her. She finds herself in league with Conan because of a mutual need to find Khalar Singh. She is not in the least intimidated by Conan’s size or grim demeanor and their alliance eventually blossoms into something that surprises them both.

LatinoReview also broke the news that Leo Howard (Young Snake Eyes in G.I. JOE) has been cast as the "Young Conan" too. Seems they have a pretty good source in the Millenium organization! :-)

More when we get it! CONAN is shaping up quite nicely I think. Lang will bring a lot of power and intensity to the villain role. I have always been a huge fan of his.

Of course CONAN going S3D is still a rumor, but I am too thrilled to not cover it... so it better happen!

Sigourney Weaver All But Confirms Her Involvement In AVATAR 2: She Ain't Dead Yet...

Jim here. Another morsel of information has been added to the mix for AVATAR 2: Signourney Weaver is seriously hinting that she will be in the sequel to AVATAR - even though she supposedly died in the original!

The story comes from AICN where a reader sent in a link to a French video where Weaver discloses the info. Weaver can speak French too. The interesting part is after the 3:30m mark and you can hear her in English.

Anyone who has watched the movie knows that she didn't seem to die, but rather "she is with Eywa". Her consciousness or "soul" has transferred to the tree of souls.

This opens up many, MANY scenarios now that we know that there is a real chance she is returning. Will she be teamed up with Eywa somehow? Very interesting! She does back track a bit though by saying she can't promise anything, but the info is a bombshell of sorts.

Here is the clip! Thanks to Shawn for the headsup :-) Working on some more AVATAR 2 news shortly!