filmnews_Layout 1 31/03/2011 15:07 Page 1

FILM

A RK K N I G H T RI S ES !
THE D
Nolan casts Hathaway
and Hardy in sequel
Warner Brothers have ended all speculation
regarding the casting of upcoming film The
Dark Knight Rises by announcing that Anne
Hathaway and Tom Hardy will feature in the
title.
Hathaway and Hardy will play the roles of
Catwoman and Bane in what is widely ex-
pected to be Nolans’ final entry in the series,
making it a trilogy.
The film is currently scheduled for a summer
2012 release, with filming due to complete
in November this year. Rumours had fo-
cused on the character of The Riddler play-
ing a major part in the film, titled ‘The Dark
Knight Rises’. However, it now seems that
these stories were unfounded, as the Cat-
woman and Bane have been announced.
Both these characters have featured in ear-
lier Batman based films, with Michelle Pheif-
fer starring as Selina Kyle in Tim Burtons
1992 ‘Batman Returns’. The character of
Bane appeared in the gigantic flop that was
Joel Shumachers’ ‘Batman & Robin’. Bat-
man fans were unhappy with the portrayal
of Bane in Shumachers’ film, as they felt the
character deserved to be more than a simple
henchman. The character has been forever
present in the Batman comics, being one of
Batmans’ most notable villains.
Tom Hardys’ participation is of no surprise
to fans after his impressive turn in the biopic
‘Bronson’, and in Nolans’ blockbuster Incep-
tion, one of the highest grossing films of
2010.
The news has caused a mixed reaction from
fans of the franchise, with many happy with
the actors chosen, but not the characters
they will portray. Andrew Adlen, a lifelong
The Dark Knight Rises will
comic book fan and Batman enthusiast com-
complete Nolans’ Batman
mented, “As pleased as I am with the casting
trilogy
of Tom Hardy, I am a little bit disappointed
that Nolan chose to use Bane and didn’t go
for a character with a lot more depth, such
regards to both actress and character. Hav- The previous film in the series, The Dark
as Black Mask or the Riddler. Then again
ing seen a few of Hathaway’s films there is Knight, grossed $1,001,921,825 worldwide.
there was controversy among Batman fans
no doubt that she is a capable actress and I This triggered Warner Brothers to begin
when Heath Ledger was cast as the Joker for
think she suits the role of Selina Kyle per- plans for the next film in the series. It took
the Dark Knight and it ended up being one
fectly. Hopefully Nolan will use her in the a while to come together, as Nolan was at
of the best films of the last 10 years, so I sup-
same way Tim Burton did in Batman TheRe-Dark to be reluctant
thought Rises
firstKnight to make
will be the finalan-
pose you have to trust Nolan’s judgement. I
turns, as a love interest of Bruce Wayne and other, but the sequel was officially con-
think Nolan has made the right choice with chapter in Nolans Batman story
as a nemesis of Batman.” firmed in early 2010.

30
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‘Kings Speech’ up
for 12 Oscars
‘The Kings Speech’ and ‘The Social Net-
work’ are up for numerous awards in this
year’s Oscars, after the nominations for the
2011 Academy Awards were announced.
Raking in 12 nominations, British film ‘The
Kings Speech’ is sure to be a big winner. The
title is nominated for Best Picture, Best Di-
rector, Best Actor and Best Original Screen-
play amongst others. Other titles up for the
Best Picture award include ‘Black Swan’,
‘The Fighter’, ‘Inception’, ‘The Kids Are All
Right’, ‘127 Hours’, ‘Toy Story 3’, ‘True
Grit’ and ‘Winters Bone’.
The Best Director category followed a simi-
lar pattern to Best Picture, with David O.
Russell, Tom Hooper, the Coen Brothers
and Darren Aronofsky picking up nomina-
tions.
Colin Firth is runaway favourite for the Best
Actor Oscar, but he will face tough opposi-
tion from Javier Bardem for Biutiful and the
impressive James Franco for his role in
Danny Boyles’ 127 Hours.
Natalie Portman leads the nominations for
Best Actress, with Nicole Kidman, Michelle
Williams and Annette Benning also nomi-
nated.
Sutherland: ‘24’
film still on
schedule
Kiefer Sutherland has quashed rumours that
the planned film adaption of ‘24’ is dead.
The 44 year old actor has stated that filming
will begin as planned later this year. Reports
had suggested that a script for the film had
been rejected, leaving the project dead in
the water.
Sutherland however commented that these
problems will not affect production, “It’s a
very difficult thing to take something that
you’ve done for eight years and almost 200
episodes, and try and find a story that’s
unique and yet also service the history of the
show.”
The American show, which started in 2001,
has now ran for 8 seasons. A feature length
version of the shows has been released be-
fore, with the straight to DVD 24: Redemp-
tion. Studio executives will be hoping for a
cinema release for the new film.
FILM
TWITS
Jim Carrey
I'm thankful 4 the love of my
Family and 2 the Native Ameri-
cans who invited us 4 dinner
and let us take their stuff!
Happy Spanksgivin!
Simon Pegg
Cypress Mountain is like one big-
ger than Cypress Hill and two
bigger than Cypress Mound. It's
way bigger than Cypress Lump. A
to the Mfing K
Ben Stiller
Just saw Paul McCartney at the
Apollo. Beyond great!! He is
beyond iconic, he and his band
were amazing. Fell like I am 12
years old. Wow.
Eli Roth
It really is the ultimate Jewish
Christmas to spend it in Shang-
hai. It's like every other one
was a warmup for this one.
31
Favraeu steps
down from Iron
Man 3
Jon Favreau has confirmed that he will not
be directing the next entry in the Iron Man
film franchise.
The director, who took the hot seat for both
Iron Man and Iron Man 2, has parted ways
with Marvel Comics. Writing on his personal
Twitter account, Favreau said that he will in-
stead by directing ‘Magic Kingdom’. “It’s
true; I’m directing Magic Kingdom, not Iron
Man 3. I’ve had a great run with Marvel and
wish them all the best.”
The news means that Marvel will now begin
the search for a new director, they do have
time however, as the film is slated for a 2013
summer release.
Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr has a
director approval role written into his con-
tract for the franchise, therefore any ap-
pointment would have to be run by the
actor first.
Favreau has later stated “I look forward to
seeing what others can do playing in the
same world.”
Farrell for ‘Total
Recall’
Colin Farrell has been confirmed as the lead
for film remake ‘Total Recall’.
Producer Neal Moritz stated that the actor
has signed up for the film, with filming be-
ginning in May.
The producer also commented on how the
remake will not replicate the original 1990
Paul Verhoeven action film, starring Arnold
Schwarznegger.
“It’s closer to the book, the big difference is
we don’t go into space” said Moritz.
Director Len Wiseman is on board, whose
previous efforts include Die Hard 4.0 and
Underworld.
“I think the world that Len Wiseman is cre-
ating is incredible. It’s a real world, where
cities are just built up, up, up, up. There are
all these technological advancements, and
it’s just really, it’s cool.”
Whether or not the lack of space will annoy
the die hard fans of the original is to be seen,
but with Farrell on board and filming starting
soon, more details are sure to be leaked be-
fore the end of the year.
For more film information be sure to visit
www.modernagemag.blogspot.com.