Saoirse Ronan has read for Star Wars Episode VII
Irish actress Saoirse Ronan (Hanna) recently confirmed that she has auditioned for a role in the upcoming Star Wars Episode VII. Ronan's confirmation serves as the biggest name to come out of any actual interest for the film. However, Ronan downplayed the importance of her audition by stating that "so has everyone [else]" in regards to reading for the role (perhaps for the rumored Jaina Solo character?). Considering that Ronan is only 19, if she were to be cast into a major role, she could grow alongside the franchise without the typical Hollywood fear of her "becoming too old." Plus, Ronan has shown she can hold her own in an action film in Hanna. It's still too early to call favorites, but I definitely wouldn't mind seeing Ronan cast in perhaps the largest role of her career.
[via Collider]
Google tests Google Play vending machines in Tokyo
Vending machines are literally everywhere in Japan. During my trip to Tokyo this past August, I couldn't go a block without seeing at least one vending machine. Unlike the vending machines here in the States, Japan utilizes the machines for everything from beer, milk, and energy drinks to ramen, pastries, and even panties. How fitting is it, then that Google would test their own vending machines in Tokyo?
Google is introducing Google Play vending machines in Shibuya, Tokyo's version of New York's Times Square. The vending machines will upload both paid and free-to-play games onto Android phones via a touch screen. This is a pretty cool concept for Google to explore, considering the overt nature of vending machines throughout Tokyo. The machines' placement in front of the Parco, one of the trendiest department stores in Tokyo, near the famous Shibuya Crossing will also bring in large audiences.
Japan can keep their Google Play vending machines as long as they can export their beer machines to us.
[via Engadget]
Two years separate Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Avengers
Marvel Studios has done an amazing job creating a unified universe in which its characters can co-exist. Everything from Iron Man to Iron Man 3 all follow a specific timeline where the events of every individual film affects each subsequent film, such as The Avengers' alien attack being referenced in Iron Man 3. However, with multiple Marvel Studios films coming out every year, it can be confusing to keep track of what happens when, especially if the films themselves span a distinct period of time.
Luckily, the Black Widow herself, Scarlett Johansson, recently shed some light on the specific passage of time between The Avengers and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. In an interview with Refinery 29, Johansson mentions the passage of time and the relationship between her Black Widow and Chris Evans' Captain America:
This film is in real time. It’s been two years since [the characters] appeared, and now both are agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. fighting in the streets. We are not superheroes flying side by side. They help each other because we are fighting in a similar way. It’s a working relationship. By a series of unfortunate encounters, they will be in a situation in which their friendship becomes more intimate. They share many similarities because they live on the defensive without relying on anyone. Also, the two have been working for the government throughout their professional careers. With their friendship they begin to question what they want and what is their true identity
With Thor: The Dark World taking place six months after Iron Man 3 (or a full year after The Avengers), it'll be interesting to see how that film's events will influence what happens in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. One thing's for sure: the more we see of Mark Ruffalo's Hulk, the better.
[via /Film]
First cast photo for Transformers: Age of Extinction
The first official cast photo from the upcoming Transformers: Age of Extinction was released over the weekend. While they don't feature any of the previously announced cars or a glimpse at any robot (dinosaur)s, it does feature the new human cast taking over Michael Bay's maligned film franchise of the beloved toy/cartoon line. Keen eyes will notice that film staple Shia LaBeouf/Sam Witwicky is nowhere to be found. In his place is Marky Mark himself in the lead role.
Mark Wahlberg stars as Cade, a mechanic with a young daughter (The Last Airbender's Nicola Peltz) who discovers something that draws the Autobots and Decepticons out. As always, shenanigans of robotic proportions break out, the government attempts to do government things, and the humans will probably take up too much screen time away from the main attraction: robot dinosaurs. Jack Reynor (Dollhouse) is also featured in the image.
Quite frankly, even with Wahlberg in the lead role, unless the film focuses more on the Transformers themselves and less on the humans, I won't really care, Dinobots notwithstanding. Regardless, there are fans out there that will take what they can get, Transformers: Age of Extinction will make millions of dollars, and Michael Bay will forever feel justified for bastardizing a popular '80s franchise.
[via /Film]
EA settles for "tens of millions" in NCAA lawsuit
A huge win for NCAA athletes was reached last week as Electronic Arts announced it has settled with lawyers over the use of athletes' names and likenesses in past NCAA sports games. While an exact amount hasn't been revealed, the rumored "tens of millions" of dollars will be shared amongst current and former NCAA athletes featured in EA Sports' NCAA Football and NCAA Basketball games. However, while EA settled, the NCAA is still preparing to fight the lawsuit as they are the lone defendant in the case.
The debate over the commercialization of college sports will continue for a long time, but this settlement is one victory that could represent a change in entertainment practices of large groups profiting off of the athletes' talents. In related news, EA also announced that they will not be releasing NCAA Football '14 this year per the settlement. It's unknown if the popular video game franchise (alongside its basketball counterpart) will continue, but the company is "evaluating our plan for the future of the franchise."
[via USA Today]
Weekend Box Office: 9/27 - 9/29
The power of a family-friendly animated film was in full force this weekend as Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 topped this weekend's box office by tripling the second place film's sales. The sequel to the surprisingly funny and witty Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs had a great first weekend return for Sony Pictures Animation, proving popular amongst families. Coming in second was last week's top film, Prisoners. Newcomers Rush, Baggage Claim, and Don Jon round out the Top 5.
What's interesting from this weekend's returns is the Mexican indie film, Instructions Not Included. Despite only playing on 948 screens, the Eugenio Derbez-written/directed/starring film made $3.3m this weekend, adding to its cumulative revenue of $38.5m and the prestigious title of Top Spanish Language Film of All-Time in the US. Who says independent foreign films don't have a place in theaters?
The rest of this weekend's box office sales are below.
1. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 - $35,000,000
2. Prisoners - $11,270,000
3. Rush - $10,313,530
4. Baggage Claim - $9,300,000
5. Don Jon - $9,000,000
6. Insidious Chapter 2 - $6,747,000
7. The Family - $3,674,000
8. Instructions Not Included - $3,380,000
9. We're the Millers - $2,865,000
10. The Butler - $2,417,000
[via Rentrak]
Taylor Swift to co-star in film adaptation of The Giver
Photo by Virgil Solis
The Giver was one of those children's literature books that aimed to be more than just that. Lois Lowry's 1993 novel was about a dystopian town in which its citizens embraced "Sameness" that allowed them to simply live without any emotional depth. The Ceremony of Twelve is a commemoration of every child's 12th birthday in which they are assigned the job they will do for the rest of their lives. However, a boy named Jonas is selected to become the Receiver of Memory, receiving memories of life before Sameness was established for situations in which the community can't come to a decision that requires such things. The novel then explores common themes such as existentialism, human freedom, etc.
For years, a film adaptation of the novel has been shelved, but it appears that all things are a go for next year. Today, The Weinstein Company publicized their cast and crew for The Giver, which includes Phil Noyce (Salt) directing, Brenton Thwaites in the lead role, Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski) as the titular The Giver, Katie Holmes as Jonas' Mother, Meryl Streep as the Chief Elder, Alexander Skarsgard (Melancholia) as Jonas' Father, and... Taylor Swift. In a film full of Oscar-award winners based on a beloved children's novel, Taylor Swift has somehow made her way on to the cast. Thanks, Hollywood.
[via Entertainment Weekly]
Star Wars Episode VII could be partially shot on IMAX cameras
Star Wars Episode VII is guaranteed to be huge. Whether or not it makes a ton of money at the box office (which it will) or is panned by every film critic (which it possibly will be), the next sequel telling the story from a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away represents the first major shift in the popular franchise since George Lucas decided to bastardize Darth Vader's character by telling Anakin Skywalker's story in 1999's Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. With Lucas essentially out of the picture, Disney calling the shots, and the enigmatic J.J. Abrams at the helm, it basically goes without saying (in spite of this cold opening paragraph) that Episode VII will be vastly different than what we've come to expect from the Star Wars franchise over the 14 years.
The most intriguing bit of news that followed Abrams' attachment to the project was his retainment of Star Trek cinematographer Dan Mindel to shoot Episode VII on 35mm. However, following a Goldman Sachs conference earlier this week, IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond revealed that IMAX is in talks with Abrams' team to shoot some scenes on IMAX cameras. Considering Abrams' track record with IMAX, the news comes as no surprise. Furthermore, IMAX tickets cost more, raising the box office intake for Disney, and a film like Episode VII would benefit from a larger screen, at least in regards to huge action sequences full of lens flares. Never change, J.J.
[via Collider]