There were some big things have been happening this week in the movie news world. Details of the big bad antagonist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a Hollywood legend returning to the big screen are among the said things. So, let’s get started shall we?
Recently production has gotten underway on the movie reboot of Tomb Raider. It will star Academy Award winner Alicia Vikander, departing character-driven dramas for a big budget adventure, in the title role as Lara Croft, the lone daughter of an aristocratic family who goes out to dangerous locations looking for artifacts with supernatural powers. A number of set photos have been released featuring Vikander shooting scenes in Lara Croft’s signature costume, two of which you can see above.
As audiences know, the video game movie has proven very to be a very tough nut to crack. The film’s before with Angelina Jolie had some success, though it was met with lukewarm reception. When it comes to Vikander as the lead, there’s no denying her supreme talent, being an Academy Award winner and all. That of course doesn’t really mean the movie will be good. There was also quality talent in Warcraft and Assassin’s Creed and neither of those had real warm reception.
It’s not Vikander’s first foray into action, having had roles recently in the amazingly underseen The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and an important supporting role in Jason Bourne. With Vikander as the lead and a solid supporting cast around her, things could be looking up for this video game adaptation. That supporting cast for the reboot includes Dominic West and Walton Goggins and opens in theaters March 16th. 2018.
Even though he’s had limited screen time in three different Marvel Cinematic Universe movies to this point, Thanos is undoubtedly the biggest, baddest villain the Marvel Cinematic Universe will have ever seen. While on the set of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 during a roundtable interview with different media members, Marvel Studios President (and major genius) Kevin Feige said the Mad Titan will get his full due in Avengers: Infinity War. He went so far as to say you could consider Thanos the main character.
Now, I wouldn’t read too deeply into this. I think what Mr. Feige means is that he’ll get more development than previous MCU antagonists have. That would be a wise move, seeing as how Thanos has had around roughly 5-7 minutes of screen time between three movies (two of which were in post-credit scenes). You can’t really tease a character like that and not delve into a backstory and motivations as to why a certain character does what they do. It goes without saying that Feige and his crew, along with the Russos have earned the trust of fans all over. Avengers: Infinity War hits theaters May 4th, 2018.
When it comes to discussion of the all-time legendary actors, Jack Nicholson is undoubtedly in that conversation. Not having been in a feature film in almost seven years, he’s been in something of a retirement state. Well, it seems he’ll soon be making a return to the big screen. According to Variety, Nicholson has joined the English-language remake of recent German film Toni Erdmann. He’ll be starring opposite Kristen Wiig, who will be having a father-daughter relationship.
This is quite a cool development. Apparently Nicholson had just seen the original recently (It by the way is nominated for Best Foreign Language film at the Academy Awards) and really loved it, and wanted in on the project. So, he then went to Paramount to seal the rights for the remake. Toni Erdmann is a German dramedy about an old man with a reputation for pranking and disguise-wearing who tries to reconnect with his no frills, corporate consultant daughter, played by Wiig.
Little is known about the remake other than Adam McKay and Will Ferrell are on as producers. With the people involved, and the original having an Oscar nomination, this is certainly one to have an eye on in the future.
Finally, after speaking on a legendary actor, let’s turn our attention to one of the best crime dramas of all time in Scarface. A number of months ago there was a remake announced, which will star Diego Luna (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) presumably in the role of Tony Montana, previously made famous by Al Pacino. That remake now has both a screenplay(s) and a release date. Being written by none other than Joel and Ethan Coen, it will see release on August 10th, 2018.
There will certainly be a fair share of fans who Don’t want to see it happen and don’t want it touched. It’s important to remember though, that Scarface is a remake itself. That said, this film is shaping up to be very promising. Luna is a proven good actor, and is coming off a breakthrough role of sorts in the Star Wars universe. Couple in a script written by the four-time Academy Award winning Coen Brothers and you’ve got the makings of a potentially great remake of a remake.
What stands out to you among these stories? Let me know in the comments section.
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