It’s Official: Confirming previously-reported talks,
Harrison Ford will co-star in
Ender’s Game, the upcoming big-screen adaptation of Orson Scott Card’s classic science-fiction novel. Ford will join
Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin (also newly-added), and
Ben Kingsley;
Gavin Hood will direct. (
The Hollywood Reporter)
China vs. Batman: Recently,
Christian Bale got roughed up when he tried to visit a blind activist in China, who has been confined to his home by authorities. A spokesperson for the Chinese government states: "He was not invited to fabricate news or shoot films in a certain village.” Somehow, we don’t think that’s the end of the story; Bale was in China to promote his starring role in
The Flowers of War, which is under consideration as a nominee for Best Foreign Language Film. (
The Guardian)
Phew! Master Filmmaker Lands Distribution: The next movie from
Woody Allen, financed independently, has secured U.S. distribution. Sony Pictures Classics has acquired
Nero Fiddled and plans to release the comedy next summer; Allen stars with Alec Baldwin, Roberto Benigni, Penélope Cruz, Judy Davis, Jesse Eisenberg, Greta Gerwig, and Ellen Page. (
Thompson on Hollywood)
Everyone’s a Critic: A juror described Andrew Niccol’s 2005 drama
Lord of War as “that terrible
Nicolas Cage movie” in a newspaper interview, a remark that landed her back in court yesterday. Heather Hobson was the jury forewoman in a recent trial of a real-life Russian arms dealer depicted fictionally in the film; the arms dealer was convicted but the case has been appealed. (
New York Times)