Posts tagged Bill nighy at Cinematical

Posts with tag bill nighy

New 'Valkyrie' Photos Online

Posted Mar 31st 2008 7:32PM by Jessica Barnes
Filed under: Drama, United Artists, Tom Cruise, Movie Marketing, Images

So for starters, the newest photos from Valkyrie manage to make Tom Cruise look a lot more dashing. Good thing, too, because the only other photo release prompted a flurry of cheap shots aimed at everybody's favorite tabloid whipping boy. Empire now has three new studio stills from Bryan Singer's historical drama about the infamous July 20th plot to assassinate Hitler. Joining Cruise are Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh, Eddie Izzard and Terrence Stamp. There are also some extra shots in the newsstand edition of Empire this month, along with an interview with Singer.

Cruise stars as German Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg. In 1944, Stauffenberg along with other high-ranking officers in the Nazi party attempted to assassinate Adolph Hitler. Stauffenberg and his crew attempted to kill Hitler with a bomb planted in a briefcase. Obviously they failed, and the key players were rounded up almost immediately. By 1945, most of the men involved had committed suicide or had been executed in a variety of nasty ways.

Continue reading New 'Valkyrie' Photos Online

'Valkyrie' Release Date Pushed Back to October, 2008

Posted Dec 15th 2007 7:02PM by Patrick Walsh
Filed under: Action, Drama, Thrillers, Mystery & Suspense, United Artists, Distribution, Exhibition, Tom Cruise, Movie Marketing

The release dates, they are a-changing! Universal just moved the release of the action flick Wanted, which stars Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy, from March to June 27th, 2008. That June release date was also held by Pixar's new one, WALL-E, and the Tom Cruise "Hitler assassination plot" flick -- Valkyrie. According to Coming Soon, Valkyrie has officially budged (though I think it would have absolutely crushed Wanted and it's courting a different audience than Wall-E). United Artists will now release the film on October 3rd of 2008 -- a date also held by less intense competition -- Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and Guy Ritchie's Gerald Butler drama RocknRolla.

Valkyrie is directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects) and Nathan Alexander. Tom Cruise has become everyone's favorite punching bag lately, and reaction to the trailer, particularly Cruise's lack of a German accent, was pretty hostile. (Although probably not as hostile as it would have been had he...attempted a German accent!) But the plot sounds awesome, Singer is a great director (Superman Returns aside), and it's got a hell of a cast -- including Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh, Stephen Fry, Eddie lzzard, Terence Stamp, Tom Wilkinson, and Black Book's stunning Carice Van Houton. How bad could it be? It's got to be better than Wanted -- have you seen the trailer for that thing? Haven't I seen that movie, oh, a thousand times already?

Cage, Buscemi and Morgan Join 'G-Force'

Posted Nov 21st 2007 4:02PM by Christopher Campbell
Filed under: Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Casting, Disney, Family Films

I love talking animals as much as the next guy, but does Steve Buscemi always have to play some kind of toothy rodent? Actually, it's possible he only did that once, for Charlotte's Web (I'm not sure what kind of animal he is in Home on the Range). But wasn't that enough? Sure, he kinda looks rodent-like, but I'm sure he has the range when we're not looking at his mug. Anyway, according to The Hollywood Reporter, this time around it's a hamster named Bucky, who Buscemi will provide his voice for in the Disney movie G-Force. As we told you a few months back, G-Force is a Jerry Bruckheimer production that mixes live-action and computer animation and is about a group of genetically enhanced commando guinea pigs who have to stop an evil billionaire with world-domination dreams. Other voices will be provided by Nicolas Cage, as a mole named Speckles, and Tracy Morgan, as a guinea pig named Blaster.

As for the live-action roles, new to the cast are Bill Nighy, as an industrialist, and Will Arnett, as an FBI agent. And thank goodness for them, because the actors previously brought on to appear in the movie were too obscure for me to handle. They included Gabriel Casseus (Black Hawk Down) , Zach Galifianakis (Into the Wild), Kelli Garner (The Aviator) and Jack Conley (Fun With Dick and Jane). I know in a movie like this it's all about the talking animals, but with Nighy we've got ourselves a real movie. And with Arnett we have a funnier movie. Bruckheimer told THR that this will be another movie to be enjoyed by everyone "from the smallest kid to the oldest grandparent." He also pointed out that the movie's director, Oscar-winning visual effects master Hoyt Yeatman, came up with the idea with his son. From there it was apparently passed on to National Treasure screenwriters Cormac and Marianne Wibberley (aka The Wibberleys). G-Force is currently in production and expects a May 2009 release (Just a hint to Bruckheimer: it might make sense to add an extra dimension to this movie, since I think everything else animated coming out that month is going to be in 3D).

Bryan Singer's 'Valkyrie' Gets an Official Trailer

Posted Nov 8th 2007 7:02PM by Erik Davis
Filed under: Drama, Trailer Trash, Tom Cruise, Movie Marketing, Trailers and Clips

We've seen pictures, a featurette went live on Apple yesterday, and now Yahoo has the first official trailer for this summer's Valkyrie, directed by Bryan Singer, and starring one heckuva cast including Tom Cruise, Carice van Houten, Bill Nighy, Terrence Stamp, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Wilkinson and Eddie Izzard. Apart from it being a tad weird to watch English and American actors play a group of high-ranking German officers, the film looks great. I've been looking forward to Singer stepping away from the superhero world for a bit; I absolutely loved The Usual Suspects and it's been ten years since the guy came out with something on the big screen that wasn't based on a comic book. Coincidentally (or not), Singer's last hardcore drama (Apt Pupil) also dealt with Nazi themes, but this time the director decided to take it one step further and set his film in Germany, during World War II.

Based on a true story, Valkyrie (which was written by Christopher McQuarrie, who also penned Suspects) follows a group of German officers who, in 1944, conspired to assassinate Adolf Hitler in an attempt to end the war. The trailer looks sharp, cold, and though Cruise seems a bit out of place (then again, maybe it's just me), the rest of the cast look solid in their roles. Additionally, as freak-ish as it might sound, Cruise looks exactly like the real-life character he's portraying, Col. Claus von Stauffenberg. Valkyrie will attempt to find a home stuffed between two giant comic-related films (The Incredible Hulk, The Dark Knight), but I have a feeling it'll do just fine when the film hits theaters on July 27.

Retro Cinema: Shaun of the Dead

Posted Oct 27th 2007 6:32PM by Christopher Campbell
Filed under: Comedy, Horror, Universal, Retro Cinema

I'm no horror buff, but I do love the zombies. Well, I love the idea of zombies. I'm not really that interested in watching all the low-budget zombie movies, all the Italian zombie movies, or all the non-Romero Living Dead movies. But it's funny, I was looking over Ryan's recent Cinematical Seven of reasons he doesn't care for zombie movies, and it dually serves as my own list of reasons I like zombie movies. Or at least those zombie movies that apply. Primarily, I like zombie movies for the first reason: the symbolism.

Shaun of the Dead may be a comedic zombie movie, and it may not have any political undertones or serious social commentary, as do Romero's films and other prominent examples of the genre, but it does permit a scholarly subtext reading nonetheless. And because I'm a scholarly sort of gent (or maybe really I just like to over-analyze everything), I'm going to take this opportunity to look at this deeper level of the movie. Sure, I could just write about why I think the movie is one of the most hilarious I've ever seen, but that would be boring; plus, I respect that some people don't have the same sense of humor as me.

Shaun's symbolism comes in the form of the romantic story. The movie, often referred to as a "rom zom com" (romantic zombie comedy), actually serves as a sort of cinematic relationship guide, comically instructing us about dealing with commitment issues. Look at the order in which the members of Shaun's party are killed (killed dead, not undead): #1: his stepfather (Bill Nighy); #2: his mum (Penelope Wilton); #3: the other guy who loves his girl (the underrated Dylan Moran, who must be seen in Run Fatboy Run); #4: his roommate (Peter Serafinowicz); and finally, #5: his immature best friend (Nick Frost). These are the people that have to die in order for Shaun (Simon Pegg) to devote his full attention to Liz (Kate Ashfield). In real, non-lethal terms, they are the people Shaun has to let go of before he can fully connect in a relationship.

Continue reading Retro Cinema: Shaun of the Dead

More Cast Revealed in New 'Valkyrie' Photo

Posted Sep 5th 2007 10:02AM by Erik Davis
Filed under: DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Tom Cruise, Movie Marketing, Images

*Click on photo for larger image

Although Superman hasn't returned ... yet, director Bryan Singer has been hard at work on a film that's temporarily removed him from the comic book world and placed him right smack in the middle of World War II. The Daily Mail has published the first photo featuring the seven men who plotted out a mission to assassinate Adolf Hitler on July 20, 1944. In front of the men -- and printed off Google Maps -- is their ill-fated plan. Is it just me, or do these guys look like they mean business? Pictured from left are actors Kevin McNally, Christian Berkel, Bill Nighy, Tom Cruise, Terrence Stamp, David Schofield and Kenneth Branagh.

Apart from the photo, The Daily Mail also provides a brief bio for each of the men. Unfortunately for each of the seven, since this was such a dangerous plot, if they were to fail it would most likely cost them their lives. And, as we all should know -- spoiler alert -- they were not able to kill Hitler. Thus, reading the ways in which each man perished was rather, um, depressing. With a screenplay from Nathan Alexander and Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects), Valkyrie is set to arrive in theaters on June 27, 2008.

Tom Wilkinson and Bill Nighy Join 'Valkyrie'

Posted Jun 19th 2007 4:31PM by Christopher Campbell
Filed under: Drama, Casting, MGM, United Artists, Tom Cruise, War

I don't know what to think about Tom Cruise playing a German general, but at least he'll be well-supported in Bryan Singer's Valkyrie, which is about an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Hitler during WWII. Last week we learned that rising star Carice van Houten, who just so happens to be my new favorite actress, is on board, possibly as Cruise's character's wife. The only other confirmed member of the cast had been Kenneth Branagh, seemingly as much a fan of playing Nazi as he is of playing Shakespeare. Now we have an official announcement that two of my favorite actors, Tom Wilkinson and Bill Nighy, are also part of the ensemble. The pair was already listed on the IMDb as being "in negotiations" (as are Patrick Wilson and Stephen Fry still), but they have apparently finalized the deal and are now definitely involved.

Wilkinson and Nighy are perfect for the project, because they fit in with Singer's cinematic interests. Like the director, both Wilkinson and Nighy have been able to do comic book or action or other franchise-type movies (Nighy more so) while still maintaining their respective reputations as serious artists. I think that Valkyrie will actually fall somewhere between the two extremes (too Hollywood to be amazing, but too serious to attract the masses), but aside from Cruise the acting talents will at least make the pic seem to be amazing (sure, it could even be amazing, but I'll remain a cynic until I see it). I could probably watch a ten hour film in which Wilkinson and Nighy simply talk about economics (surely their respective characters from Separate Lies and The Girl in the Café could be friends, no?). They are that interesting. I just can't believe this is the first time somebody thought to put them together in the same movie.

Orlando Bloom: 'Even the Writers Can't Explain 'Pirates 3'

Posted May 11th 2007 8:01PM by Christopher Campbell
Filed under: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Disney, Scripts, Family Films, Johnny Depp, Remakes and Sequels

Did you have trouble following the plot of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest? Well, get ready to be more confused by the next installment, which arrives in theaters May 25. Entertainment Weekly has a cover story about the movie in its latest issue, hitting newstands (and my mailbox) today, which includes quotes from stars Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp and director Gore Verbinski. All three seem to be in agreement that audiences and critics are going to have just as tough a time with Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

Bloom goes so far as to joke that writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio can't even explain what's going on in the new movie. Verbinski claims he doesn't mind if people are confused, though. He says the Pirates movies are made to be watched multiple times in order to be fully clear to the viewer. Of course, he seems to think that having a convoluted story means having a deep and intelligent story, because he goes on to tell the magazine that he doesn't want to dumb the movies down to where they are "processed cheese". He wants us to think about Pirates of the Caribbean afterward. Funny, I am one of the few critics who was able to enjoy Dead Man's Chest, but I never once thought about it afterward. Except maybe to tell someone how cool the Davy Jones character looks.

As for the critics, who universally panned the second movie (I didn't review it, unfortunately), Depp says they are going to attack At World's End just as much if not more. He understands the reasons why critics took "a dump" on the previous film, predicts that they'll "go below the belt" with the new film, and he says it's all "cool". The villains from the movies had a bit to say on the subject, too. Geoffrey Rush says that when you're doing such complex stunts and action sequences, you can't be thinking of the critics. Bill Nighy adds that the grosses point to the idea that the movies are doing something right, implying that the minority opinions of film reviewers don't seem to matter. Of course, Nighy will never have to worry about what critics say about him, as he's one of the most enjoyable actors working today. And Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End will likewise not have to worry about negative reviews, because it will make a bundle regardless -- that is, as long as enough people don't care about being confused again.

Kenneth Branagh Reportedly In Talks for Bryan Singer's 'Valkyrie'

Posted May 9th 2007 12:31PM by Jessica Barnes
Filed under: Drama, Casting, RumorMonger, War

It seems like Kenneth Branagh could have a thing for playing Nazis. Latino Review has reported that Branagh is in talks to star in Bryan Singer's WWII drama Valkyrie. Nothing is official so far, but according to sources, Branagh along with Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Stephen Fry and Patrick Wilson will be joining Tom Cruise in the story of German Colonel Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg. Stauffenberg led a failed attempt to assassinate Hitler in 1944. The film was written by Singer and Christopher McQuarrie, and this marks their first collaboration with one another since The Usual Suspects.

If Branagh joins the film, it would mark the third time that Branagh has done a Nazi period piece. There was the debacle that was Swing Kids -- although he did have the foresight to have his name taken off that picture. Then in 2001, he played Reinhard Heydrich, an architect of The Holocaust in the TV film Conspiracy. You cannot help but think that Singer might have had that performance in mind when casting talks began. At least I hope it was that performance rather than the big-band hating member of the Gestapo. Branagh is still busy with his own remake of Sleuth with Jude Law and Michael Caine -- you can't deny that Branagh has always had a thing for the cutesy casting since Caine will be returning to the film in the role originally played by Laurence Olivier, and Law is filling in for Caine. Valkyrie is set to start production this summer, so if Branagh is planning on providing a little "Nazi menace" there is still plenty of time.

Brad Pitt's 'State of Play' Gets a Director

Posted Mar 20th 2007 9:31AM by Christopher Campbell
Filed under: Drama, Universal, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Remakes and Sequels

How do you turn an award-winning, six-hour British television mini-series directed by David Yates and starring Bill Nighy into a feature-length motion picture and expect it to work? Well, first you get Brad Pitt to star, which the producers of ~~State and Play~~ State of Play* took care of months ago. Then, you hire a director who is good at providing a filter between two cultures, like Oscar-winner Kevin Macdonald. Universal has just announced MacDonald's attachment, with shooting set to begin this fall). An added bonus for the remake would be to now cast Nighy, Kelly Macdonald and James McAvoy -- he's no stranger to working with Kevin Macdonald, of course -- to reprise their roles (I'm not sure who Pitt is filling in for). Of course, this isn't necessary nor does it make sense for a film about American politicians.

It will still be difficult to completely adapt the mini-series, especially editing the length down, but Matthew Michael Carnahan has apparently already turned in a script the studio is happy with. The plot involves the murder of a congressman's mistress, which is a story we've previously seen in one form or another on television and in film. Regardless of what some people thought of The Last King of Scotland (I loved it), Kevin Macdonald should be the one to make this thing into one of those rare good Hollywood products. Pitt probably won't get the same out of working with Macdonald as Forest Whitaker got (especially since everyone considers it to have been all Whitaker's doing), but I'm sure he's fine with Angelina having the only Oscar in the family.

*Thanks to Gerry for noticing my mistake with the title.

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New 'Valkyrie' Photos Online

'Valkyrie' Release Date Pushed Back to October, 2008

Cage, Buscemi and Morgan Join 'G-Force'

Bryan Singer's 'Valkyrie' Gets an Official Trailer

Retro Cinema: Shaun of the Dead

More Cast Revealed in New 'Valkyrie' Photo

Tom Wilkinson and Bill Nighy Join 'Valkyrie'

Orlando Bloom: 'Even the Writers Can't Explain 'Pirates 3'

Kenneth Branagh Reportedly In Talks for Bryan Singer's 'Valkyrie'

Brad Pitt's 'State of Play' Gets a Director

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