Benicio Del Toro

Oliver Stone’s SAVAGES Bumped up to July 6th

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 31st, 2012 at 9:07 am

Oliver Stone‘s adaptation of Don Winslow‘s crime novel Savages has been moved up from September 28th to July 6th.  Deadline reports that Universal changed the date after a test screening late last week.  The film centers on two Laguna Beach marijuana kingpins (Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson) who encounter a world of trouble when their shared girlfriend (Blake Lively) is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel.  The film’s impressive cast also features Benicio Del Toro, Demian Bichir, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Salma Hayek, and Emile Hirsch.

Hit the jump for an official synopsis and what Savages will be up against at the box office.

First Look at Blake Lively and Benicio Del Toro in Oliver Stone’s SAVAGES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 27th, 2012 at 11:14 am

The first image from director Oliver Stone’s Savages has been released, and it’s heavy on the carcinogens. Based on the novel of the same name, the film centers on two Laguna Beach marijuana kingpins (Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson) who encounter a world of trouble when their shared girlfriend (Blake Lively) is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel. This image shows a battered Lively being taunted by a smoke spewing Benicio Del Toro, who plays the cartel’s leader. While Stone has been pretty hit-or-miss the past few years, he seems like the perfect guy to take on the world of drug trafficking. The logline and fantastic cast (John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Salma Hayek, and Emile Hirsch co-star) already had me intrigued, and this new image firmly cements the film as one of my most anticipated of the year. I sincerely hope it harkens back to the more ballsy material of Stone’s early career.

Hit the jump to check out the image. Savages opens September 28th.

Benicio Del Toro Drops Out of STAR TREK 2; Villain May Be Khan After All

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 5th, 2011 at 3:25 pm

Mere days after the interwebs ran rampant with speculation as to whether Benicio Del Toro would be playing Khan in J.J. Abrams’ sequel 2009’s Star Trek, the actor has dropped out of the film altogether. The actor entered negotiations to play the film’s villain earlier this month, followed by rumors that he would be taking on the role of Khan in the sci-fi follow up. Hit the jump for more, including more fuel for the Khan rumor mill.

Martin Scorsese Says He’s Prepping SILENCE As His Next Project

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 5th, 2011 at 2:25 pm

Director Martin Scorsese is currently doing the rounds for his latest effort, the splendidly fantastic Hugo, but many are wondering which project he’ll tackle next. While he had previously stated that he planned on getting to his adaptation of Shusaku Endo’s novel Silence after Hugo, he recently attached himself to an adaptation of The Snowman and a remake of The Gambler, throwing some doubt on whether or not he would actually get to the 17th Century Japan-set pic. Well now the director has confirmed that Silence will indeed be his next film, and said that they’re currently working to pull everything together. Hit the jump for more, including whether or not Daniel Day-Lewis is still set to star.

Is Benicio Del Toro Playing Khan in STAR TREK 2? [Updated]

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 2nd, 2011 at 7:40 pm

Last month, we reported that Benicio Del Toro would be playing the villain in Star Trek 2.  Even before Del Toro’s casting, there has been non-stop speculation on who director J.J. Abrams and screenwriters Damon Lindelof, Roberto Orci, and Alex Kurtzman would choose as the baddie.  The name that kept popping up in fanboy circles was Khan Noonien Singh, the memorable antagonist from arguably the best Star Trek movie, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.  I thought this was a terrible idea, but unfortunately, it may have won the day.

Latino Review is reporting that Del Toro will play Khan in the upcoming sequel.  Hit the jump for more on Khan and why I hope this news is wrong.  [Update:  Abrams has commented on this rumor.  Hit the jump for what he had to say.]

Benicio Del Toro to Play the Villain in STAR TREK 2

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: November 4th, 2011 at 4:39 pm

After recently committing to directing Star Trek 2, J. J. Abrams has apparently found his villain. Benicio Del Toro has been chosen as the antagonist to the sequel of Abrams’ 2009 smash hit. Although most of the original cast is returning, the villain had yet to be chosen by Abrams. Though the deal hasn’t been inked yet, sources say Del Toro should be signed by the end of the weekend. Del Toro himself has previously met with Abrams to discuss his involvement but remains in the dark as to the role for secrecy’s sake.

Del Toro is a fantastic choice for a villain and can next be seen in Oliver Stone’s Savages as the antagonistic leader of a Mexican drug cartel. Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Damon Lindelof will return to pen Star Trek 2’s script. The project also stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, Karl Urban and John Cho. Production is scheduled to start in early 2012, but no release date has been announced.  Hit the jump for more. [Clarification: Del Toro is likely to be offered the role , and we believe it's a fair assumption that he'll take it.]

Blake Lively, John Travolta, and Uma Thurman Join Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson SAVAGES

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: April 21st, 2011 at 7:29 pm

We heard last week Blake Lively was the frontrunner to play Ophelia in Oliver Stone’s adaptation of Savages, though for scheduling she had to choose between Savages and Oz: The Great and Powerful.  It seems Disney must look elsewhere for a Glinda the Good Witch, because Lively has signed on to Savages.  Additionally, John Travolta and Uma Thurman have joined a cast that is blossoming terrifically.  Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Salma Hayek, and Benicio Del Toro have long eyed roles in the film; Deadline writes confidently tonight that all four are on board.

Shane Salerno adapted the screenplay with Savages author Don Winslow.  The story centers a pair of marijuana growers (Kitsch and Johnson) who get into trouble with a Mexican drug cartel.  Read the full synopsis after the jump.

Benicio Del Toro in Talks to Join Oliver Stone’s SAVAGES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 22nd, 2011 at 5:01 pm

Director Oliver Stone seems to be rounding out the cast for his upcoming adaptation of Don Winslow’s novel Savages. Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass) and Taylor Kitsch (TV’s Friday Night Lights) are set to play two pot-growers whose shared girlfriend is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel demanding that they grow exclusively for them. Now Deadline reports that Benicio Del Toro is in talks to take on the role of the leader of the drug cartel and villain of the film.

Salma Hayek is also in discussions with Stone to play the matriarch of the cartel that becomes maternal to the boys’ kidnapped girlfriend Ophelia. Jennifer Lawrence was originally in talks to portray Ophelia, but her casting in The Hunger Games prevented her from taking the role. Stone is said to be “casting a wide net” to look for actresses to take on the leading female role. The script is currently being honed by Stone, Winslow and Shane Salerno (Shaft). Filming is set to begin in June. Hit the jump for a synopsis of the book.

Johnny Depp Drops Out of SEVEN FRIENDS OF PANCHO VILLA; Gael Garcia Bernal and Benicio Del Toro Circling Lead Role

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 22nd, 2011 at 8:42 am

In December 2009, we reported that Johnny Depp was in talks to star in Emir Kusturica’s biopic Seven Friends of Pancho Villa and the Woman with Six Fingers.  Depp (who previously worked with Kusturica on 1992′s Arizona Dream) was to play Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa with Salma Hayek attached to co-star.  However, Blic Online [via Bleeding Cool] is reporting that Depp has dropped out of the project due to scheduling conflicts, and now Gael Garcia Bernal and Benicio Del Toro are circling the role of Villa.  Oddly, both men have played the revolutionary Che Guevara before (Bernal in The Motorcycle Diaries and Del Toro in Che) and may costar in Martin Scorsese’s Silence.  Blic reports that Kusturica will meet with both actors in Cuba and then make his decision.

Hit the jump for a brief refresher on Bernal and Del Toro’s other potential projects.

Martin Scorsese’s Next Film to be Jesuit Priest Drama SILENCE Possibly Starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Benicio Del Toro

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 16th, 2011 at 6:08 pm

Well, that was fast. We recently reported that director Martin Scorsese is attached to direct the stockbroker drama The Wolf of Wall Street with Leonardo DiCaprio set to star, with filming possibly starting as soon as June. It appears the presumption that Wall Street would be Scorsese’s next film was a bit premature. Now it looks like the director’s next project after he wraps his family film Hugo Cabret is the long-gestating drama Silence, about two 17^th century Jesuit priests facing persecution in Japan.

Daniel Day-Lewis, Benicio Del Toro and Gael Garcia Bernal have all previously been set to star in the film, but The Playlist reports that their status with the project ambiguous at the moment. They did, however, confirm that this will be Scorsese’s next film. This is one of those projects that Scorsese has been flirting with for a while, and I’m fairly certain the entire film community would love to see it finally get made, especially with that cast. Hit the jump for more, including a synopsis of the novel.

CONFIRMED: Michael Shannon, Benicio del Toro and James Franco Set for THE ICEMAN

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 20th, 2011 at 4:16 pm

Back in September, we reported that a trio of actors were reportedly looking at starring in The Iceman, the true story of mob contract-killer Richard Kuklinski.  Today, we’ve got confirmation that Michael Shannon, Benicio del Toro and James Franco have officially joined the cast. Shannon has been cast in the lead role of Kuklinski, with del Toro set to play Kuklinski’s employer, mobster Roy Demeo, and Franco tapped as Kuklinski’s mentor assassin. Directed by Ariel Vromen (Danika), the film is based on the book The Iceman: The True Story of a Cold-Blooded Killer by Anthony Bruno, as well as interview footage. Regarding the casting, Vromen said:

“I am honored to work with such a talented cast on such a compelling story. Since the early stages of development I had the dream of casting Michael Shannon as Kuklinski, as I believe there’s no one else that can play this part better than him.”

Kurklinski earned his nickname by freezing the bodies of his victims, disguising the time of death, and throwing police off-track. Hit the jump to read the full press release, which includes a rather terrifying description of Kuklinski.

Peter Farrelly Says Benicio del Toro Still Top Choice to Play Moe in THE THREE STOOGES

by Matt Frisch    Posted: January 20th, 2011 at 1:28 pm

Although no one has officially signed on yet to the ever-rotating cast of the Farrelly brothers (There’s Something About Mary, Me, Myself & I) The Three Stooges, it looks like the directors have at least set their sights on one cast member for now, Benicio del Toro. Farrelly confirmed Del Toro’s status with the project, as well as addressed what they’re looking for in the audition process:

“Benicio [Del Toro] is the front runner for Moe, but we’ve not made a deal with him yet. Our feeling is that it just can’t be your take on Moe. It’s gotta be Moe. Someone could nail Curly’s mannerisms, but if you’re 130 pounds it probably wouldn’t work.”

Apparently one reason that casting has been held back is that certain actors feel they shouldn’t have to audition for the role given their A-lister status. Hit the jump for more information on the filming of The Three Stooges, as well as past casting rumors.

THE THREE STOOGES Makes the Move to 20th Century Fox; Filming Set to Begin in March

by CJ Simonson    Posted: December 2nd, 2010 at 2:46 pm

The Three Stooges is one roller coaster of news. The film has had its share of impressive names drop in and out, everyone from Sean Penn to Paul Giamatti, with the Farrelly Brothers set to direct. Even just last month Jim Carrey claimed the project was dead. According to Deadline however, the project is back with 20^th Century Fox set to take it over from MGM.  As of now The Farrelly Brothers are still set to direct the film which has a start date of March 14^th.

The film’s original script, penned by Peter and Bobby Farrelly and Mike Cerrone, will remain the movie’s final screenplay despite the move to Fox. The movie remains uncast however, with Jim Carrey and Sean Penn officially out. It is still unsure whether the casting of Benicio Del Toro as Moe remains the same. Conundrum Entertainment, the company that owns the rights to the film, have now followed it from Columbia to MGM to Fox and things are finally looking like the project will happen.  For more details on The Three Stooges film, hit the jump.

James Franco, Michael Shannon, and Benicio Del Toro Join Ariel Vromen’s THE ICEMAN

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: September 30th, 2010 at 9:05 pm

It was recently announced that Mickey Rourke would star in The Ice Man, a biopic based on Richard “The Ice Man” Kuklinsky, a ruthless hitman who claims to have murdered 250 people from 1948-1986.  In the meantime, director Ariel Vromen (Danika) has been developing a different Kulinsky biopic under the slightly different title of The Iceman.  Rourke’s casting appeared to give that project a leg up in the war of biopics, but according to Production Weekly, Vromen countered by rounding up an impressive cast of James Franco, Michael Shannon, and Benicio Del Toro for his film.

In fact, Vromen may have had the upper hand for some time now.  An IMDB user by the name of “arielvromen” posted back in April, “Michael Shannon is The Iceman!!!”  Shannon is a fine actor, whose work justifies three exclamation points.  Franco and Del Toro are pure icing (ha) on the cake.  So, sorry Mickey Rourke.  Unless you get the equivalent of, say, George Clooney and Betty White, I’m rooting for The Iceman over The Ice Man.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of the book which serves as the basis of the film.

THE WOLFMAN Blu-ray Review

by Germain Lussier    Posted: June 10th, 2010 at 7:53 am

Much like a good set of fangs, The Wolfman is all about peaks and valleys. Its peaks are the gory and exciting action scenes. Its valleys are just about everything else. The Blu-ray, which features an unrated directors cut running an extra 16 minutes, does improve the film slightly but not enough to meet the public’s high expectations based on the legacy of the character. On the other hand, the extras are pretty entertaining including some awesome deleted scenes, in depth featurettes and two radically different alternate endings. Read more after the jump.

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