Harrison Ford to replace Bruce Willis in The Expendables 3
Sylvester Stallone's love letter to forgotten testosterone-driven action films, The Expendables, has found a good audience. While they feature too much plot and not enough one-liners, the Expendables films have at least been entertaining, if only for the fact that they combine some of the greatest action stars of the past 30 years. Today, news came out that another action icon will be joining the fraternity via Stallone's personal Twitter:
WILLIS OUT... HARRISON FORD IN !!!! GREAT NEWS !!!!! Been waiting years for this!!!!
— Sylvester Stallone (@TheSlyStallone) August 6, 2013
It appears that Mr. Indiana Jones himself will become expendable, joining franchise newcomers Nicolas Cage, Jackie Chan, Milla Jovovich, and Wesley Snipes. However, the news is a bit bittersweet as Bruce Willis will not be returning. I'm a fan of Ford, but he doesn't carry the same machismo that Willis does. As the stable continues to grow, I'm sure more names will be announced. Are there any other actors you feel could fit the franchise?
[via /Film]
Ryan Gosling, Zac Efron eyed for Star Wars Episode VII
Well well well, it seems as if Disney and J.J. Abrams are swinging for the fences with the upcoming 7th Star Wars film if this rumor is true. Reports have come out that both Ryan Gosling (Only God Forgives) and Zac Efron (Me and Orson Welles) have auditioned for roles in the next episode of the space opera. While Gosling and Efron aren't exactly household names (definitely not on the same level as, for example, George Clooney, Robert Downey, Jr, etc.), they have their large followings.
Word has it that Gosling auditioned for the role as Luke Skywalker's son, Ben Skywalker, who didn't have a large role in the Star Wars Expanded Universe novels. There's no official word on who Efron auditioned for, but it can be assumed that he was auditioning for the main role of Jacen Solo, Han and Leia's son. Last month, it seemed as if the new trilogy would focus on Jaina and Jacen Solo, so it's within reason that Efron would audition for the main protagonist. However, the official plot hasn't been confirmed, so everything is still speculation.
Regardless, having Ryan Gosling and Zac Efron attached would be huge for the future of Star Wars.
[via /Film]
William Fichtner confirmed to play Shredder in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot
Michael Bay is definitely taking some liberties with the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live-action film reboot. While no roles have been confirmed, other than the voices of Leonardo (Pete Ploszek), Michelangelo (Noel Fisher), Donatello (Jeremy Howard), Raphael (Alan Ritchson), and Splinter (Danny Woodburn) , both Will Arnett (Arrested Development) and Megan Fox (Transformers) have been attached to the film. Earlier this week, it was reported that William Fichtner will be portraying the turtles' arch-nemesis, Shredder (Prison Break).
This is an interesting development as Shredder has traditionally been portrayed as a former Japanese samurai... ninja... bad guy. I'm all for changing up various elements when it comes to adaptations, especially when it comes to reboots for new generations. However, this casting choice might be a bit off. Michael Bay's name already carries a level of apprehension, the least of which involving the rumored script for the film that I may or may not have read through. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is at least a year away, so we can only hope that the final product will do the franchise justice.
[via Collider]