Natalie Portman discusses the rumors that she's joining The Dark Knight Rises and the Superman reboot. A super-detailed, super-spoilery Thor plot summary hits the net. Plus a second of Captain America footage, a Spider-Man reboot set report, and much more!
The Dark Knight Rises
Louisiana entertainment magazine Scene recently asked Warner Bros executive Ravi Mehta to comment on the rumors that the movie will shoot in New Orleans:
Scene: Are we going to get to interview Christopher Nolan in a couple of months?
RM: [Laughs] Someone took that story and ran wild with it. I know they are going to the U.K., L.A. and there will be a third city.Scene: Is New Orleans at least in the running?
RM: Well, I'm sure! Why not, right? You've guys have got great incentives and [we've had] positive experiences in Louisiana.
Now, that would seem to confirm the UK and Los Angeles as shooting locations, while leaving Nolan's preferred Gotham City stand-in Chicago in limbo. Still, it's worth remembering that the script has only just been turned in, and a lot can change in the pre-production process that might alter the final choice of locations. [Scene]
Natalie Portman has denied the rumors she's up for major roles in the film, saying she hasn't heard anything about casting for the movie. Portman was supposedly on a list of about six major actresses up for two separate roles in Christopher Nolan's last Batman film. [EW via Super Hero Hype]
Superman Reboot
Portman also says she hasn't heard anything about playing Lois Lane in Zack Snyder's reboot. [EW via Super Hero Hype]
Thor
A person claiming to work for "a boss who deals with figuring out the audiences' opinion on movies after they have seen them" says he has seen a rough cut of Thor, and he has provided a detailed synopsis. Among other things, it sounds much more cosmic than we'd expected — the frost giants come from their own frost planet, where Thor's father, Odin, got into battle with them and took a casket. Some frost giants come to Asgard and try to break into the palace to steal the casket back, but Thor thwarts them. After this breach of the treaty, Thor wants to wage war on the frost people because they broke the treaty, but Thor's dad refuses. So Thor goes anyway, with a few warriors, and kicks lots of ass before finally getting into a tight spot and getting rescued by Odin.
Later, it turns out that Loki let the frost giants into Asgard — he made a deal with the frost giants to help them in return for killing his father and giving Loki control over Asgard. On Earth, Thor defeats the Destroyer with one blow to the head — then goes back to Asgard to confront Loki — who is killing the frost king, saving Odin's life and destroying the frost planet. Thor and Loki wind up struggling on the Rainbow Bridge, and they're in danger of falling into a wormhole, when Odin shows up. It turns out Loki did it all to gain Odin's respect. But Odin says he didn't want peace "like this," so Loki jumps into the wormhole. Thor is safely restored to Asgard, but still thinks about Natalie Portman, whom he left on Earth. And she's searching for him too, using scientific equipment.
This description has since been corroborated by another inside source, who is supposed to be 100% reliable according to the reporter. So, as these things go, it seems reasonably legit, but keep in mind this is only a rough cut and the film could change quite a bit between now and its May release date. [Super Hero Hype forum via ComicBookMovie]
Spider-Man Reboot
Someone claims to have received a "Notice of Filming" for upcoming filming at San Fernando Valley's Taft High School, a known Spider-Man reboot location. The person details what the notice promises in the filming:
It says there will be a "HELICOPTER LANDING/TAKING OFF FROM EXTERIOR BASKETBALL COURTS, 7AM-10PM" There will also be atmospheric smoke effects, weapons brandished, emergency vehicles with lights flashing, exterior dialogue, condor and crane, picture vehicles, wetting of the street, and talent is thrown out of window breaking glass.''
There's some more details at the link. [ComicBookMovie]
The Avengers
Marvel has confirmed that a few parts of the movie will be shot in Michigan, although there's no word on what part of the state they plan to use or how it might figure into production. [Detroit Free Press]
Captain America
Here's a super-short promo for Entertainment Tonight's feature on Captain America, which features our first brief glimpse at Captain America footage! There's not a ton to see here, although eagle-eyed viewers might be able to see Dum Dum Dugan in his bowler hat walking behind Captain America, plus Cap's triangular shield: [ComicBookMovie]
Composer Michael Giacchino has supposedly received a copy of the screenplay and is under consideration to score the movie, according to someone who claims his brother delivered the script to Giacchino's house. The source then claims Giacchino said there was a good chance he would be involved in scoring the movie, possibly working with fellow composer Bruce Broughton. Obviously, this is all very unconfirmed and (at best) third-hand information, so take it all with a grain of salt. [John Williams Fan Network via Comic Book Resources]
Star Trek 2
There's plenty of competition for this title, but this might be the least newsworthy bit of non-news about the Star Trek sequel yet. A casting sheet that was posted to the Salt Lake City section of Craigslist has been revealed to be fake. This particular bogus casting sheet didn't even have the decency to include a fake plot synopsis or call for exciting but obviously made-up characters like "Harry Mudd's entourage" or "Horta polishers." Oh well. [TrekMovie]
Rendezvous with Rama
Discussing a couple of his possible future science fiction projects, David Fincher explained what he and Morgan Freeman are hoping to accomplish with their long-simmering adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke's novel, and whether it will actually happen: [Collider]
It's a question of things lining up, I mean, you know Rendezvous With Rama is a great story that has an amazing role for Morgan Freeman who is an amazing actor and would be amazing in this thing. The question was can we get a script that's worthy of Morgan and can we get a script that is worthy of Arthur Clarke and can we do all of that in an envelope that will allow the movie to take the kinds of chances that it wants to take. ‘Cuz we want to make a movie where kids go out of the theatre and instead of buying an action figure they buy a telescope. That was the hope… So there have been people that have been interested in this idea and we have never been able to get a script. So the answer is, you know, is the story good enough, is the script the best telling of the story, is there an undeniable person to hang it on, is it technologically feasible. All those things come into play.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
He also confirmed that his upcoming Jules Verne adaptation will be in 3D. [/Film]
Tin-Tin
These three stills from the film have been around for a while, but now they're available in high-res versions: [FirstShowing.net]
Sucker Punch
Time for some updates and corrections on some of last Friday's spoilers. According to a bunch of inside sources, Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch will not be in 3D, ads for a Samsung 3D showcase notwithstanding. [Collider]
Nightmare Before Christmas 2
Meanwhile, producer Derek Frey spoke on Tim Burton's behalf and completely denied the rumor that a sequel to the Burton-produced original is in the works, saying Burton is much too busy with Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Dark Shadows to be working on anything else. [The Playlist]
The Green Hornet
Here's some cool behind-the-scenes photos that give you a sense of the making and look of the film: [ComicBookMovie]
Here's an audio interview with star Seth Rogen, in which he describes using some rather salty language the challenges of making this movie: [ComicBookMovie]
Torchwood: The New World
Here's another basic synopsis for the upcoming miniseries:
The new ten-part series of the Doctor Who spin-off will see the return of regular Torchwood characters Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) and Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles). Gwen will be shown living peacefully in Wales with husband Rhys (Kai Owen) and new baby Anwen when she encounters a "new, epic danger" that will "push [her] to the limit." Having left Earth at the conclusion of previous miniseries "Children of Earth", Harkness will be drawn back to the Torchwood institute by "his unstated love for Gwen." Torchwood: The New World will air in 2011 on BBC One in the UK and on Starz in the US.
This again mentions Jack's love for Gwen, which it's worth remembering doesn't have to be romantic love. Considering the events of "Children of Earth", Gwen is about the only thing like a family Jack has got left. [Facebook via ComicBookMovie]
Chuck
Executive producer Chris Fedak revealed John Larroquette will indeed be back as Roan Montgomery, in an episode where Chuck and the team have to take on a Moroccan general with an all-women mercenary army. Carina will be back in the upcoming Charlie's Angels themed episode, though that will probably be her last appearance for a while. The writers have picked out a name for Ellie and Captain Awesome's baby, although it won't be revealed until all the characters get to give their input on a preferred baby name. Also, fatherhood will prove to be Awesome's greatest test. There's a lot more goodies at the link. [EW]
No Ordinary Family
Here's a synopsis and a bunch of promo photos for the "No Ordinary Detention", featuring a guest appearance by Warehouse 13's own Myka Bering, Joanne Kelly: [ComicBookMovie]
While Internal Affairs officer Rachel Jacobs (Joanne Kelly) investigates reports of a rogue cop, Jim risks revealing himself as the prime suspect when the police station is overrun by a group of thugs, and he is the only hope of survival. Meanwhile, while trying to nurse an ailing Joshua back to health at the lab, Katie and Stephanie run into Human Resources VP Victoria Morrow (Rebecca Mader) and begin to suspect that she isn't who she says she is.
The Cape
NBC has released a few new clips, including the Cape's first meeting with Summer Glau's Orwell and a training sequence:
Click to view
Click to view
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Primeval
Here's a ton of cast promo photos for the upcoming series 4: [ComicBookMovie]
V
Another promo is out for the return of V: [The V-Files]
Here's an audio interview with Morena Baccarin in which she uses language much less salty than Seth Rogen's to discuss the upcoming second season: [ComicBookMovie]
Additional reporting by Chelsea Lo Pinto and Charlie Jane Anders.