Happy Friday, film lovers! Hey, before you head out to the theater this weekend to see Don’t Breathe, we’ve got one last news roundup up for you. Including the latest on the Ready Player One adaptation, some casting news on Alita: Battle Angel, and a whole lot more…
Ready Player One
Judging by the photos we’ve seen so far from the UK set of Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the acclaimed science-fiction novel Ready Player One, the film looks like it will indeed preserve the grungy dystopian feel of Ernest Cline’s original story. But what’s most intriguing about the latest set of pics to arrive online is how they offer proof that the book’s fascination with pop culture, particularly ’80s pop culture, will also remain intact. But not all old movies will make the cut. While Spielberg has previously stated that Ready Player One will feature the novel’s DeLorean, he’s also remarked that, aside from this Back to the Future reference, the film won’t really pay homage to productions he’s had a hand in. One major exception, however, has just been spotted on set…
Set dressing Livery Street for #ReadyPlayerOne in @BirminghamJQ @myjq @STPAULS_BRUM @brumpic #spielberginbrum pic.twitter.com/2CcNaMcqBB
— Michelle Green (@Green_Mush) August 24, 2016
And for you superhero fans out there…
Set dressing Livery Street for #ReadyPlayerOne in @BirminghamJQ @myjq @STPAULS_BRUM @brumpic #spielberginbrum pic.twitter.com/ldcswvvpta — Michelle Green (@Green_Mush) August 24, 2016
Unsurprisingly, both Gremlins and the Flash are properties owned by Warner Bros., which is producing and distributing Ready Player One. So I’m curious as to whether non-Warner cultural touchstones will receive as much of a shout-out when the film opens on March 30, 2018.
[Twitter]
Alita: Battle Angel
And speaking of science-fiction adaptations, we’ve been hearing about a big screen, live-action version of Yukito Kishiro’s manga Battle Angel Alita for almost as long as I can remember. So I’m still amazed the thing is finally on the road to happening. The latest word on the Robert Rodriguez-helmed Alita: Battle Angel is that Christoph Waltz is in talks to play the book’s Doctor Dyson, a cybersurgeon who serves as a father figure to the titular warrior (to be played by Rosa Salazar). Well, it’s at least nice to hear that Waltz won’t be playing yet another villain.
Morgan
Still more sci-fi! In yesterday’s Movie Morsels we showed you a couple of new promos for the thriller Morgan, starring Kate Mara as a corporate troubleshooter investigating a case of genetic engineering gone wrong. Now we have a new video in which two real-life robots watch the film’s trailer. Warning: this is even more disturbing than the trailer itself, so don’t watch it if you’re not looking for new nightmares…
The Nutcracker
Casting for Lasse “Chocolat” Hallstrom’s upcoming take on that timeless holiday tale The Nutcracker continues. The latest word is that the immortal Helen Mirren (pictured above in Red) is in talks to join the film as a character named Mother Ginger. If cast, she’ll join star Mackenzie Foy, Keira Knightley, Morgan Freeman, and ballerina Misty Copeland.
Planetarium
Finally today, while Natalie Portman may be done with the Thor franchise, she’s not entirely finished with the fantastic. The Oscar winner’s Planetarium sees her and Lily-Rose Depp playing two spiritualist sisters in 1930s Paris who attract the attention of a filmmaker who seeks to use their powers in his latest production. Here’s the trailer for the film, which premieres at next month’s Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals…
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What do you think of today’s top stories? Let us know below!
Featured Image: Warner Bros.
Images: The Weinstein Company, Summit Entertainment
