Yesterday seemed like an all-you-can-eat buffet of movie news, so today’s Movie Morsels is a veritable smorgasbord of cinematic delights. We’ve got the skinny on who might be starring in Suicide Squad, the latest on who’s joining Ben-Hur, details about the Gambit solo film and much more.
Gambit
After DC Comics dominated yesterday’s headlines and Disney made waves with a bombshell of a Captain America 3 announcement, it was about time we heard from the other tentacles of the writhing kraken that is Marvel Studios. In an interview with MTV, Channing Tatum talked about the new approach they’ll be taking with the Cajun card-flinging con man’s solo film:
“I don’t want to give too much away because we don’t know that much right now other than…we obviously know who Gambit is. We really do want to try our hardest to give something fresh. We’re obviously going to go to the saving the world superhero movies eventually, but maybe not for the first one.
“We want to introduce this character in a very different way. You know, when you try to do something different you never really know, right off the bat, what that is. We’re feeling our way, and really just kind of proving the concept of that person.â€
A very different way? So just like not the way we met him in Wolverine: Origins, right? Or maybe at a high-stakes poker tournament where he accidentally imbues his hand with kinetic energy? Anyway, you can color me intrigued, Tatum. [MTV]
DC Comics
In case you missed it yesterday, Warner Bros. unveiled a massive production slate of DC Comics movies including Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice League, The Flash, and more. Find out what’s coming out between now and 2020. [Nerdist]
Suicide Squad
The movie was just officially announced by Warner Bros. yesterday and there is already news that they’re courting some major talent for the David Ayer-directed Suicide Squad. Among those being targeted to embrace their villainous side are Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Smith, and Tom Hardy. Which members of the Squad they’d be playing though remains a mystery, but how sweet would a movie with those four actors be? Although as much as I love Gosling, I have difficulty picturing him as a member of a superhero team. [ComingSoon]
The Lego Movie
Actually, that should read The Lego Movie(s) because Warner Bros. also announced a trilogy of LEGO-inspired films as a follow-up to this year’s best animated film. You can read all about what’s in store — LEGO Batman (!) — plus get the details on a Harry Potter spin-off trilogy right here. [Nerdist]
Steve Jobs
“Hey, you know what the world needs right now? Another Steve Jobs biopic! You know who would be great to play him? Christian Bale,” said no one ever. Yet in spite of that seemingly impossible statement, that’s exactly what’s happening. Bale recently bailed on an adaptation of The Deep Blue Goodbye and, looking for another project to fill his dance card, he is in talks to play Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in the Danny Boyle-helmed biopic written by Aaron Sorkin. Bale will be stepping into the shoes recently vacated by Leonardo DiCaprio, so it definitely seems they’re definitely casting for the “super intense A-lister who dives headlong into roles and really, really digs biopics”.
The biopic will reportedly take place over the course of three major product launches, according to ScreenCrush:
“This entire movie is going to be three scenes, and three scenes only, that all take place in real time. There’ll be no time cuts. Each of these three scenes is going to take place before a product launch…The first one being the Mac, the second one being NeXT after he left Apple and the third one being the iPod.”
iSuppose I’ll see it anyway…Â [ScreenCrush]
Ben-Hur
As if playing Wonder Woman wasn’t enough, it looks like Gal Gadot is doubling down on playing characters of ancient origin. It’s being reported that the Israeli actress is circling the female lead in the forthcoming Timur Bekmambetov-directed remake of Ben-Hur. She would be stepping into the role of Esther, a slave who eventually falls in love with Ben-Hur (played by Jack Huston). Filling out the rest of the cast are Huston, Morgan Freeman, and Toby Kebbell, so she’d be in very esteemed company. [Latino Review]
Also boarding the project? A fine import from the faraway land of Dorne! Game of Thrones star Pedro Pascal has joined the project as Pontius Piate, who plays a significant role in this version of the film, which is closer to the 1880 Lew Wallace novel than the 1959 Charlton Heston-starring film. [Deadline]
Honestly, this film gets cooler every time I hear about it. Hopefully it can live up to the hype.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Have you had your fill of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies posters yet? Well, too bad because you’ll be getting one for each and every member of the five armies. Warner Bros. has released three more posters and three new banners too because the only thing longer than Peter Jackson’s Hobbit films is the promotional campaign around them. [Collider]
Horrible Bosses 2
The world’s most put-upon employees are back and this time they’re bringing an ensemble poster with them! The latest poster for Horrible Bosses 2 assembles the entire gang and, as usual, no one looks as uncomfortable as Charlie Day. [Yahoo! Movies]
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What do you think of today’s top stories? Let me know in the comments below or tell me on Twitter (@osteoferocious)!
Images: DC Comics, Warner Bros.
