Giddy up, gamers! Today’s Movie Morsels has a generous supply of behind-the-scenes photographs from Warcraft, as well as news of a Thief adaptation. Plus the latest on Batman v Supeman: Dawn of Justice, the long discussed third Hellboy film, and more!
Warcraft
It’s been a while since we’ve heard much about Duncan Jones‘ upcoming adaptation of the Warcraft video game series, but the amiable filmmaker took to Twitter last week to share a healthy helping of photos of of the film’s oversized sets. At least we know there’s not an excessive amount of green screen at work here. Check ’em out…
That was one of a number of big, beautiful sets built for #WarcraftMovie pic.twitter.com/evNfmHirGI
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) March 3, 2016
.@CStrable Some of the set for the Stormwind city exteriors pic.twitter.com/zUzTf4dNVL — Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) March 3, 2016
Hanging out in Stormwind keep’s throne room… pic.twitter.com/Kr8JI2PJUp
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) March 3, 2016
Just another day on the busy streets of downtown Stormwind. 😉 #WarcraftMovie pic.twitter.com/0VqzBopSyg — Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) March 3, 2016
And an overhead of Stormwind Keep’s “Throne Room” temporarily set up for a meeting. pic.twitter.com/AyVWMzMEe7
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) March 3, 2016
Detailing the early days of mankind’s relationship with Orcs, the June 10th release stars Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Dominic Cooper, Toby Kebbell, Ben Schnetzer, Robert Kazinsky, Daniel Wu, Ruth Negga, Anna Galvin and Clancy Brown.
[Twitter]
Thief
Hey, speaking of video game adaptations: LA’s Straight Up Films has announced it has picked up the rights to Eidos-Montréal and Square Enix’s megapopular Thief franchise. With four games to adapt, a film will be scripted by Not Safe for Work scribes Adam Mason and Simon Boyes.
Eidos-Montréal’s David Anfossi remarks, “With the world of Thief coming to feature film, a larger audience will be able to dive into this universe. Straight Up films shares our passion and has the expertise needed to meet our expectations.”
Straight Up producers Marisa Polvino and Kate Cohen add, “This popular game is entirely unique within the genre, which is why we’re particularly excited to be working with these canny, dedicated filmmakers to bring it to the screen.”
Death Wish
Despite its title, the Death Wish franchise refuses to go gently into that good night. And now no less an action star than Bruce Willis will take on the role of the urban vigilante out for bloody vengeance made famous by Charles Bronson. Directors Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado (Big Bad Wolves) will direct this latest adaptation of the novel by Brian Garfield.
[Deadline]
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Fans scratching their heads over why in the world Warner Brothers has authorized an R-rated cut of a Superman movie may be curious to hear what director Zack Snyder has to say about this alternate version of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Emo, slated to be a part of the film’s home video release:
“We were just like, ‘Okay, look. We’re not making a three-hour movie.’ I mean, even I didn’t want to make a three-hour movie. I drove the cuts probably harder than anyone. The studio, they were willing to let the movie indulge pretty hard. But I felt like it’s at a manageable two-and-a-half hours. Let’s also not forget the credits are super long, the end credits. So the movie’s closer to two hours and 22 minutes.”
Star Ben Affleck comments, “I’m a parent of young kids, and I feel like I wouldn’t want to have a Batman v Superman that I couldn’t show to my younger kids. But on the same token, as an adult, I like to see movies that are R-rated. I think nowadays because we have so many means of distribution and ways that we can do different things, it’s the creative solution to a creative challenge.”
And you can expect extra Easter eggs in the director’s cut, says Snyder:
“There’s a couple, like, Ahman Green, the running back from the Green Bay Packers, he’s in it. And C.T. Fletcher is like this bodybuilder muscle-guru from Compton, this awesome guy. He’s amazing, and he’s in it. And then there’s just a lot of these Easter Eggs in the Director’s Cut that I think are gonna be fun for everyone… There’s one giant one that I won’t tell you about yet that speaks to what’s gonna go on in the greater Justice League universe.”
Finally, producer Charles Roven says the fight scenes will be amped up in this R-rated version:
“There’s not a lot of blood in our movies. The ratings board also judges their PG-13 and R ratings by what they consider to be a level of intensity and how much that intensity goes throughout the entire movie. There are some pretty intense scenes in Batman v Superman, and if they went on longer and had that same level of intensity, that might cause the ratings board to shift their rating.”
Hellboy 3
It’s a sad day for Hellboy movie fans, as franchise star Ron Perlman says that, despite his hopes, Hellboy 3 “probably will never happen, though you never say never never.”
The actor recently launched his Wing and a Prayer Pictures, the first film from which will be the reportedly Frank Capra-esque Pottersville.
[Variety]
What do you think of today’s top stories? Let us know below!
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Images: Sony, Warner Bros.
