Fan Rants

Finally got some interesting news from Warner Brothers about the next Superman movie, Man of Steel.

Press Release from Warner Brothers:

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced today that Michael Shannon will star in the role of General Zod in director Zack Snyder’s new Superman film, titled “Man of Steel.”

“Zod is not only one of Superman’s most formidable enemies, but one of the most significant because he has insights into Superman that others don’t. Michael is a powerful actor who can project both the intelligence and the malice of the character, making him perfect for the role.”

Snyder stated, “Zod is not only one of Superman’s most formidable enemies, but one of the most significant because he has insights into Superman that others don’t. Michael is a powerful actor who can project both the intelligence and the malice of the character, making him perfect for the role.”

As General Zod, Shannon will go toe-to-toe with Henry Cavill, who plays the new Clark Kent/Superman in the film. The main cast also includes Amy Adams as Lois Lane, and Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as Martha and Jonathan Kent.

Michael Shannon was honored with an Academy Award® nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Sam Mendes’ “Revolutionary Road,” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Shannon was most recently seen in the award-winning HBO drama series “Boardwalk Empire,” from executive producer Martin Scorsese. He will next be seen in Sony Pictures Classics’, “Take Shelter,” from director/writer Jeff Nichols.

Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder are the producers of the film. The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.

“Man of Steel” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

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Johnny and I attended the Emerald City Comicon in Seattle over the weekend, and we were lucky enough to catch a sneak preview of the upcoming movie “Super”, starring Rainn Wilson (who you may recognize as Dwight from the NBC show The Office). The basic plot involves Frank, a slightly depressed short order cook whose two “perfect moments” in his life involved pointing out where a mugger ran to a police officer and his wedding day. When his wife leaves him he thinks she has been kidnapped. He decides (with the help of a costumed Nathan Fillion) to become a super hero in order to save her.

I’ll be blunt; this movie is pretty graphically violent. I didn’t go into the film thinking it would be. Graphic violence doesn’t bother me too much, and honestly it’s far less violent and bloody than Kick Ass or Kill Bill. None the less, there are a few cringy moments. He uses a pipe wrench as his weapon of choice for balls sake!

Despite prominent roles for Rainn Wilson, Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon, and Ellen Page, this was a low budget film. While that showed in the production quality (mostly shot with one or two hand held cameras), it seemed to fit right in with the feel of the movie as a whole. The editing was lackluster at times, letting scenes linger too long, but those times were far and few between. For the most part the film flows well.

What really makes this film great is the story and the performances handed in by Wilson and Page. It felt believable, even though we’re talking about a guy running around in a costume whacking people upside the head with a pipe wrench. Who hasn’t felt like doing that?!? (On a side note, I learned that there is a guy in Seattle who puts on a costume and fights crime. Pretty fucking awesome)

In short, I give this movie a B+ and recommend seeing it when it opens on April 15. It will make an excellent tax day treat.

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that producer Christopher Nolan and director Zack Snyder are zeroing in on an intriguing actor to play the villain for Superman reboot: Viggo Mortensen.  Mortensen….is said to be at the top of the list to play General Zod, the evil and super-powered scientist first introduced not in the comic books but in 1980’s Superman II. Terrence Stamp originated the role.

Holy CRAP! Okay, this has gotten me  little more pumped for the next installment of the Superman saga. I am not to keen on the casting of Henry Cavill in the red/blue tights, but a good villain always makes up for things like this. And Viggo would definately be able to pull this off. Perhaps as well as Terrence Stamp did back in the day. Heres some Zod goodness for those nostolgic people out there!

Deadline has some big news for all of us Guillermo Del Toro fans out there, he is making a stop motion version of Pinocchio. And even better, it will be utilizing the Henson studio!

Check out the article over at Deadline and look at these cool images. I am kinda on the fence though as I do love Guillermos work but feel all of the ‘Dark Retelling’ business that has gone on over the years is getting a little old. But audiences seem to like the grittier versions of the childrens classics.

Just in time for the end of the world, Spider-Man returns to the silver screen. Actually this time its the Amazing Spider-Man (yeah, marketing worked really hard on that film title).

Coming from Sony Pictures, the Marc Webb-directed film stars Andrew Garfield will be released on July 3rd 2012. To get all your up-to-date information check out the official website and Facebook page.

Personally I am glad they are using the web shooters. That whole bit where it was actually secreted by Peter kinda made me grimace.