Lena Headey discusses a huge, scary scene for Cersei in Game of Thrones. Terry Gilliam talks satirical ads and cell phones in Zero Theorem. And is a major villain returning to Doctor Who? Plus, a ton of news from Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Check out posters for Transcendence and Transformers 4. Spoilers now!
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Korean actress Kim Soo-hyun confirmed on Twitter that she’d be in the sequel, with the tweet translating to English as:
After a long wait, I’m happy to be back with great news. I have a lot to do ahead of me, but for now, the words ‘Welcome to the Marvel Universe’ are amazing and kind of overwhelming. I was a fan of Marvel Comics, and if you really like something, looks like fate can make it happen.
As for what part she’ll be playing, well, it’s apparently considered a spoiler just to say the name. A Marvel rep reportedly told Korean news site Osen:
Marvel always prohibits telling too much about the story. Her character is already decided and the scene is already written so we cast Kim Soo-Hyun, but we can’t let you know about her character. We only can say that her character is a substantial supporting role.
So go ahead and speculate away as to who she’s playing and why her presence would be a spoiler. [Cinema Blend]
Zero Theorem
Terry Gilliam explained why the film takes place in the future, but lacks cell phones:
I just like mixing technologies. It’s as simple as that. Because if you look at most commercials, the world seems to be this wonderfully smooth-operating beautiful thing. The reality is that the plumbing is leaking. Technology never moves smoothly forward. You think life is quite extraordinary and then you see all the negative things. I’m very good at seeing negative things and I can’t stop myself. And there’s a special problem of being born in America when I was and coming through the ’60s when we really believed we could change the world and make it a better place. And we changed a lot, but there are so many other things that are wrong. So for me, it’s always the things that need fixing that concern me, not the things that work.
He also discussed where the film’s satirical ads came from:
Were the satirical ads in Pat Rushin’s screenplay?
No. That was me. I was just sitting down writing a lot of ads: “The Church of Intelligent Design,” “Batman the Redeemer.” I mean, why wouldn’t you want to believe in Batman? He can save your life.
More at the link. [Wall Street Journal]
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Anthony Mackie describes Captain America: The Winter Soldier as being less of a Captain America sequel and more of an Avengers one:
The great thing about this movie and the theme, it’s really come across to me as like “Avengers 1.5,” because if you look at the cast, I mean, we have Sam Jackson and Robert Redford. And what they’ve been able to do with the script, as well as with the Russo Brothers directing it, is ground the movie in a really humane three-dimensional reality. So, you have characters like me. You have characters like Frank Grillo and Robert Redford’s character that we, as normal people, can relate to. I feel like a lot of superhero movies, it’s hard to get in — a lot of the movies that Marvel does not do its hard to get into because it’s just a bunch of superheroes running around doing superhero shit. But I feel like with this movie, you can look at certain characters and identify with those characters, so it pulls you into the movie. And the way it’s written it’s just a very grounded actual kind of realistic story. Just with a dude in a blue suit running around with a shield.
Mackie also said that his character doesn’t start the film already being Falcon, but has his origin story in The Winter Soldier:
In this movie, not so much Falcon, it’s more so Sam Wilson. They’ve — you know, because of the way it’s written in the comic book and him having so many incarnations — they kind of used this movie to establish my character and my relationship with Black Widow and, you know, Captain, and Sam Jackson’s character, Nick Fury. So, it’s more that I learn as I go. So, hopefully in part three, or “Avengers 2,” you’ll be able to see my character really become the three-dimensional part of the Avengers group. Note to Marvel.
Collider reported a bunch of news from a set visit, including the idea that Cap’s new costume is also a metaphor for the whole film. It was “designed with covert operations and top-grade military technology in mind” but will be a “thematic element” throughout the film. This matches up to the theories that sprang up after the trailer premiered about Cap’s return to using the old suit from the museum and how it contrasts to SHIELD’s version. Collider also reports that part of the idea is how Captain America “once used to represent America and has now become alien to modern thoughts and values due to the passage of time,” which may also relate the use of the different costumes.
They also report that the comic backstory between Black Widow and the Winter Soldier is acknowledged by the film, but not explored. And Sharon Carter/Agent 13 is described as “another option for Captain America and for Steve Rogers to think about moving forward in his life.” [Collider]
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay
Director Francis Lawrence spoke about the effect of Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s loss on the cast and crew:
It was obviously very rough for all of us. He was a friend. He was an amazing actor, an iconic actor. He was someone I really looked up to. . . .We shut down for a day to give people time to deal with the sudden shock of it all. And to try and sort of figure things out a little bit. . . .We as a cast and crew definitely honored him. We gathered everyone together and had a big moment for him. We still think about him every day. It’s hard not to imagine him being here.
Lawrence also confirmed that Hoffman was “mostly finished” filming, but that the loss of the character did mean that some things would have to be changed:
There was very, very little that was left. Even if (Hoffman) had a number of days left, most of those moments were appearances in other scenes. Most of his dialogue was done. . . . We’re still figuring some of that out.
And here’s the official synopsis of Mockingjay Part I:
The worldwide phenomenon of The Hunger Games continues to set the world on fire with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, which finds Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of Commander Coin (Julianne Moore) and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and a nation moved by her courage.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 is directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Danny Strong and Peter Craig and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the third in a trilogy written by Suzanne Collins that has over 65 million copies in print in the U.S. alone.
Fantastic Four
Michael B. Jordan again addressed the reaction to his being cast as Johnny Storm, saying:
It was expected. You kinda know going into it that people are used to seeing something one way, it’s a continuity thing more than anything. People don’t like change too much. But annoyed? Eh, you just kinda accept it, it is what it is. You can’t make everybody happy. You just gotta accept that and know. I’m an actor, I have to do my job. I’m going to do my job the best I can and the way I’ve been doing it my entire life, my entire career. I grew up a comic book guy, I read comic books as a kid growing up, and the Fantastic Four/Human Torch is one of my favorite characters so I’m going to give it my everything. I can’t wait. I don’t really let it bother me at all. I just want to go into it and do the best job I can. We’ll see what happens.
Jordan also explained why he’s looking forward to it, regardless:
The Human Torch is, ‘yknow, that’s fun. That’s going to be a good time…To play a superhero? That’s dreams coming true. It’s not going to be hard. It’s going to be fun to kind of show a side of me that I don’t really get to show on screen, to be a little bit lighter, funnier, just more personality. It’s going to be fun.
Batman Vs. Superman
It’s not exactly surprising, given that it’s a quasi sequel to Man of Steel, but Zack Snyder told reporters that they’re ready to create a brand new universe that will orbit “near the Man-of-Steel world.” [Calgary Herald]
Transcendence
Here’s a new poster. [Coming Soon]
Transformers 4: Age of Extinction
Here’s a new character poster for Li Bingbing’s character, CEO Sue Yueming, whose company may be involved in making Transformer technology. [Transformers Live Action Movie Blog]
Game of Thrones
Lena Headey said that she believes Cersei’s Penance Walk – which sees Cersei stripped naked and with a shaved head, forced to walk through King’s Landing and its angry crowds – will happen in season five. She’s already preparing for it, though:
We [Headey and showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss] talk about it a lot because I love her…you kind of grab David and Dan and you’re like, ‘What are you thinking?’ And they love to tease you. They love to wind you up. Sometimes you think, ‘oh, they’re being serious,’ because it’s terrifying.
I think, you know, it’s interesting, that part for me. I’ve been very adamant about keeping her kind of clothed because I think that’s part of her power. And she can still be sort of sexual and weird and female, but she doesn’t have to be naked. And I think it makes for a more shocking disempowering moment when this happens. So, we’ll see. I’m a little scared.
[Blastr]
Although the episode titles were announced already, HBO also released descriptions of the season’s overall arc, plus the first four episodes of the season:
Encouraged by the Red Wedding slaughter in the Riverlands that wiped out many of their Stark nemeses, the Lannisters’ hold on the Iron Throne remains intact…but can they survive their own egos, as well as new and ongoing threats from the south, north and east? While an unbowed Stannis Baratheon continues to rebuild his army in Dragonstone, a more immediate danger comes from the south, as Oberyn Martell, the Lannister-loathing “Red Viper of Dorne,” arrives at King’s Landing to attend Joffrey’s wedding to Margaery Tyrell, and perhaps act on an ulterior agenda. In the north, a depleted Night’s Watch seems overmatched against the inexorable Wall advances of Mance Rayder’s army of wildlings, which in turn is being trailed by an even more formidable foe: the undead White Walkers. As if that weren’t enough, Daenerys Targaryen, accompanied by her menacing trio of dragons and army of Unsullied, is poised to liberate Meereen, the largest city in Slaver’s Bay, which could ultimately provide her with enough ships to sail to Westeros and reclaim the Iron Throne.
Episode #31: “Two Swords”
Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 6 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) welcomes a guest to King’s Landing. At Castle Black, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) finds himself unwelcome. Dany (Emilia Clarke) is pointed to Meereen, the mother of all slave cities. Arya (Maisie Williams) runs into an old friend.
Episode #32: “The Lion and the Rose”
Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 13 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Tyrion lends Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) a hand. Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) and Margaery (Natalie Dormer) host a breakfast. At Dragonstone, Stannis (Stephen Dillane) loses patience with Davos (Liam Cunningham). Ramsay (Iwan Rheon) finds a purpose for his pet. North of the Wall, Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) sees where they must go.
Episode #33: “Breaker of Chains”
Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 20 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Tyrion ponders his options. Tywin (Charles Dance) extends an olive branch. Sam (John Bradley) realizes Castle Black isn’t safe, and Jon proposes a bold plan. The Hound (Rory McCann) teaches Arya the way things are. Dany chooses her champion.
Episode #34: “Oathkeeper”
Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 27 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Dany balances justice and mercy. Jaime tasks Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) with his honor. Jon secures volunteers while Bran, Jojen (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Meera (Ellie Kendrick) and Hodor (Kristian Nairn) stumble on shelter.
Doctor Who
Pinch of salt and all, but Sylvester McCoy reportedly said at a Newcastle Film and Comic Con panel that the Master would return this season. It won’t be John Simm, though, but a different actor, whom McCoy referred to as “very scary.” [Doctor Who TV]
Mark Gatiss has seen at least the script for the first episode of the new season, saying that Steven Moffat’s episode is “thrilling.” He also talked about what Peter Capaldi brings to the role:
Peter has a very different energy to Matt Smith and to David Tennant. He’s older which changes everything – it’s amazing what a change does!
… The Doctor’s always the Doctor – but you can have a lot of fun playing with people’s expectations. Everyone knows how the previous Doctor would react in any given situation – and now you just don’t know.
Steve Thompson will write episode five of season 8, and Moffat is confirmed as the writer for the first and fourth episodes. [Den of Geek]
The Walking Dead
Lauren Cohen pointed out that Glenn and Maggie have been the show’s only consistent couple, and said:
I don’t know if that puts us more at risk of dying or less. It’s such a necessary hope and I definitely feel that invisible bridge between Glenn and Maggie the whole time of trying to find each other, and needing that.
The rest of her podcast interview can be heard at the link. [Entertainment Weekly]
True Blood
Here’s a video with Ryan Kwanten saying that we’ll be losing some characters before the show ends. [Access Hollywood]
The Vampire Diaries
Executive Producer Caroline Dries says that they’re unlikely to go visit Katherine in whatever afterlife she’s found herself in:
