Jessica Chastain

Naomi Watts Replaces Jessica Chastain in Princess Diana Biopic CAUGHT IN FLIGHT

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 8:27 am

Naomi Watts has replaced Jessica Chastain in Oliver Hirschbiegel‘s Princess Diana biopic, Caught in Flight.  We reported in November that the film focused on Diana’s real-life secret affair with heart surgeon, Dr. Hasnat Khan, “who was said to be the love of her life.”  However, THR broadens the synopsis by saying the movies takes place “during the last two years of her life,” and “the script charts her search for personal happiness as she turned into a major international campaigner and humanitarian.”  However, since her relationship with Khan reportedly began in 1995 and Diana died in 1997, the timeline still holds.  Presumably, the search for “personal happiness” involved Khan.

Filming on Caught in Flight is set to take place in the UK later this year.  Watts will next be seen in the drama The Impossible, and she’s co-starring opposite Robin Wright in The Grandmothers.

Joel Edgerton and Jessica Chastain to Star in Paired Films, THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY: HIS and THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY: HERS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 2nd, 2012 at 1:58 pm

Joel Edgerton and Jessica Chastain will star in The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: His and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Hers.  The love story explores a New York City couple’s relationship during a difficult time in their marriage from the perspectives of the restaurant owner husband and of the wife, who goes back to college.  Presumably, “His” will be from Edgerton’s perspective and “Hers” will be from Chastain’s.  Ned Benson‘s two scripts sound like an intriguing premise, and it doesn’t hurt having Edgerton and Chastain as your leads.  William Hurt is in talks to join the cast.

Variety adds that the films will be stand-alone, so it’s not like one is the sequel to the other.  Having them released at the same time and available to view in either order is an exciting prospect.  Myriad Pictures plans to shop the project around the Berlin Film Festival next week.  Hit the jump for the press release and a quick refresher on Edgerton and Chastain’s upcoming projects.

2012 Oscar Nominations Announced; HUGO and THE ARTIST Lead the Pack

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 24th, 2012 at 6:05 am

The nominations for the 84th Annual Academy Awards have finally been unveiled. Many of the categories have fallen in line just as most have predicted (I fared alright with my predictions, but not great), with Hugo scoring 11 nods, followed closely by The Artist with 10. The biggest surprises are War Horse and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close getting in for Best Picture, the exclusion of The Adventures of Tintin from Best Animated Feature, and The Tree of Life nabbing Best Picture and Best Director nods (hooray!). On the snub side of things, despite landing the most precursor critics awards of any other actor in the race thus far, Albert Brooks was denied a Best Supporting Actor nod for his stellar work in Drive (boo). Additionally, Tilda Swinton was overlooked for giving the best performance of the year in We Need to Talk About Kevin, and AMPAS has no love for Michael Fassbender‘s haunting work in Shame.

There’s still plenty to be happy about, as Gary Oldman has his first ever Oscar Nomination (yes, that’s right) and Melissa McCarthy is a Best Supporting Actress nominee. Hit the jump to check out the full list of nominees. The 84th Academy Awards will be presented by Billy Crystal on February 26th.

Oscars 2012: Adam Predicts the Nominees

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 21st, 2012 at 2:38 pm

As I’ve been covering awards season pretty extensively here on the site over the past few months, I figured it would be appropriate to (foolishly) try to predict the upcoming Oscar nominations. It’s been a fairly tame year, as a few frontrunners were singled out early in the race and have held their ground throughout the grueling awards season. We haven’t been without a few surprises, as Steven Spielberg’s War Horse took a massive tumble following snubs from most of the major guilds, and David Fincher has surged back into the race bringing his adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with him.

Though there are plenty of safe bets when it comes to the 2012 Oscar nominations, there are still a few wildcards and tricky categories. I’ve put on my prognosticating cap (those interested can purchase one of these nifty hats at your local Target) and compiled a list of who and what I think will make the cut. Hit the jump to see how I think the nods will stack up when they’re announced on January 24th.

Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston, and Martin Short Join MADAGASCAR 3; Shirley MacLaine Is Ben Stiller’s Mom in WALTER MITTY

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 13th, 2012 at 11:46 am

We’ve got a couple of casting stories to bring you this afternoon. First up, Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston, and Martin Short have been added to the voice cast of DreamWorks Animation’s Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted. It’s a curious bit of news, as the film hits theaters in a matter of months and a full trailer has already been released, but I’m assuming the three are up for minor roles. Heat Vision’s report doesn’t specify what characters Chastain, Cranston, and Short will be lending their voices to, but Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Sacha Baron Cohen are all reprising their roles from the first two films.

The plot finds the zoo animals yet again trying to make their way back to New York City, but this time they find themselves on the wrong side of the law in Europe. Frances McDormand voices the villain in the pic, which hits theaters June 8th. Hit the jump for casting news regarding Ben Stiller’s directorial project The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

Joel Edgerton Officially Joins Kathryn Bigelow’s Untitled Hunt for Osama Bin Laden Drama [UPDATED]

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 5th, 2012 at 3:22 pm

Joel Edgerton is in, again. After having been previously reported as the star of Kathryn Bigelow’s (The Hurt Locker) untitled hunt for Osama Bin Laden drama, the Warrior star was forced to withdraw from consideration after scheduling issues with the 300 prequel looked to prevent him from toplining the project. Now Variety reports that Edgerton has officially signed on to star in the pic, which centers on the Navy Seal team that tracked and eventually killed Bin Laden. We recently reported that Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation) was in talks to topline the drama, but Variety’s new report makes no mention of the actor. It’s possible he was the second choice to Edgerton, and now that Edgerton’s scheduling issues have been cleared up (he passed on the 300 prequel) Pratt is out.

The script was written by Bigelow’s Hurt Locker scribe Mark Boal, and the only other actor officially signed on is Jason Clarke. Rooney Mara had been eyed to play a female reporter embedded with the Seal team, but her Girl with the Dragon Tattoo promotion schedule prevented her from joining the pic. Edgerton is currently filming The Great Gatsby. The untitled film (previously titled Kill Bin Laden) opens December 19th, 2012. [Update: Deadline reports that in addition to Edgerton, Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong, and Edgar Ramirez (Carlos) have joined the stellar ensemble. They also include Pratt in the cast listing, so it looks like he's still on the project after all.]

THE DEBT Blu-ray Review

by Rob Wieland    Posted: January 3rd, 2012 at 7:00 am

Tis the season for dead drops and tricked out gadgets. 2011 is ending with a bang thanks to a few big name spy movies coming out at the end of the year Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is a perfect fit for the action junkies.  Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy appeals to those looking for more double crosses and trust issues.  Another spy film just hit DVD and Blu-Ray from earlier in the year. The Debt comes packed with big-name English actors, an Academy Award winning director and a story that spans three decades. Is it worth accepting this mission? Check out our review after the jump.

Online Film Critics Society Shows Love to THE TREE OF LIFE with 5 Awards including Best Picture

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 2nd, 2012 at 7:26 am

The Online Film Critics Society has chosen The Tree of Life as the Best Picture of 2011.  OFCS also awarded the film Best Director (Terrence Malick), Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain), Best Editing, and Best Cinematography.  At this point, it’s looking like The Tree of Life has enough steam to pick up an Oscar nomination for Best Picture since the Academy has the option of nominating up to ten films for the top prize.

OFCS did agree with my choices for Best Actor (Michael Fassbender for Shame) and Best Actress (Tilda Swinton for We Need to Talk about Kevin).  In addition to being a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association, I’m also a member of OFCS.  I only voted Tree of Life for Best Cinematography, but I don’t mind it winning other awards because I understand why other critics have dug the flick.  Hit the jump for the full list of winners.

New York Film Critics Name THE ARTIST Best Picture; Brad Pitt and Meryl Streep Win Top Acting Prizes

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 29th, 2011 at 10:26 am

Awards season is officially in full-swing, with this morning’s announcements of the Gotham Awards winners and the full list of nominees for the upcoming Independent Spirit Awards. Now it’s the critics’ turn, as the New York Critics Circle have unveiled their list for the best in film of 2011. The Artist took home the top two prizes (Best Picture and Director), solidifying its status as an Oscar frontrunner. Brad Pitt was named Best Actor for his work in Moneyball and The Tree of Life, with the former also taking the Best Screenplay prize for Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian. As for Best Actress, the undeniably talented Meryl Streep took the honor for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.

In the supporting categories, Albert Brooks was recognized for his dastardly role in Drive, while the prolific Jessica Chastain was named Best Supporting Actress for her work in The Tree of Life, The Help, and Take Shelter. While The Artist was already running into the Oscars with a good deal of steam, Moneyball‘s two wins give the film a much needed boost heading into the thick of awards season. Hit the jump to see the full list of winners.

Independent Spirit Awards Nominations Announced; DRIVE, 50/50, and THE ARTIST Up for Top Prize

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 29th, 2011 at 9:15 am

The nominations for the 27th Annual Independent Spirit Awards were announced this morning with The Artist and Take Shelter each nabbing five nominations. In addition to The Artist and Take Shelter, Drive, 50/50, The Descendants, and Beginners will duke it out for the top prize. Absent from the Best Feature list is Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, though the film was recognized in Best Supporting Male (Corey Stoll) and Best Cinematography. Also of note, Elizabeth Olsen and John Hawkes landed nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Male for Martha Marcy May Marlene, and Ryan Gosling and Woody Harrelson were both singled out in Best Actor for Drive and Rampart respectively.

Hit the jump to check out the full list of nominations. Recognizing the best in independent film, the awards will be handed out on February 25th, the day before the Oscars.

THE WETTEST COUNTY, Starring Shia LaBeouf and Tom Hardy, Set for April 20, 2012

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 15th, 2011 at 7:42 am

The Weinstein Company has set John Hillcoat‘s The Wettest County for April 20, 2012.  Nick Cave (The Proposition) wrote the script based Matt Bondourant‘s novel about two brothers (played by Shia LaBeouf and Tom Hardy) who become bootleggers in the South during Prohibition.  In addition to LaBeouf and Hardy, the outstanding cast also includes Mia Wasikowska, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Guy Pearce, Dane DeHaan, and Jessica Chastain.  It looked like TWC would be setting the movie up for an awards run, but the studio already has its line-up set with The Artist, The Iron Lady, and My Week with Marilyn.  That doesn’t mean that Wettest County is bad, but it may not be appealing to Academy voters.  Neither were Hillcoat’s previous films, The Proposition and The Road.

Hit the jump for Wettest County‘s competition on April 20, 2012, and for a synopsis of Bondourant’s novel.

THE TREE OF LIFE Blu-ray Review

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: November 8th, 2011 at 6:43 am

There is a critical sport in wrestling with Terrence Malick. Because the director doesn’t do press, and spent nineteen years not making movies, Malick is such an oddball – on top of his films not coming across in classic Hollywood narratives -  that reviews often try to engage the man as much as the film. But when you make a film as personal as The Tree of Life, that’s bound to happen. Here, Malick uses a mother (Jessica Chastain) and son (Sean Penn) to delve into the pain of death and life – going so far back as the birth of planet Earth – to understand what it means to be alive. Part of that is coming to understand one’s relationship with the father (Brad Pitt). The easy dismissal is that the film is pretentious, which is just as easy as declaring the film an impenetrable masterpiece. Our review of The Tree of Life on Blu-ray follows after the jump.

Jessica Chastain to Star in Princess Diana Biopic, CAUGHT IN FLIGHT

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 6th, 2011 at 8:38 pm

Jessica Chastain (The Debt) is set to star in the Princess Diana biopic Caught in Flight for director Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall).  According to Thompson on Hollywood, the movie will revolve around Diana’s real-life secret affair with heart surgeon, Dr. Hasnat Kahn, “who was said to be the love of her life.”  Their two-year affair began in 1995, and Kahn maintained his silence until he spoke on record to The Telegraph in 2008.  TOH adds that the movie is described as a “love story between a princess locked in a tower and an ordinary man.”  Some would say that Di was just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.

Hit the jump for more on the project.  Pre-production is set to begin in March 2012.  Chastain will next be seen in Ralph Fiennes Coriolanus, and she’ll star opposite Tom Cruise in the sci-fi blockbuster Horizons.

More Details on Terrence Malick’s Untitled Romantic Drama Starring Ben Affleck and Rachel McAdams

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 3rd, 2011 at 7:58 am

Earlier this week, we reported that writer-director Terrence Malick had two new films (both starring Christian Bale) in the pipeline, which was surprising considering the huge time gap between Malick’s previous movies.  But neither of the Bale movies are the follow-up to The Tree of Life.  Malick’s next movie is an untitled romantic drama (previously titled The Burial) he shot last year, and 24 Frames has some new details on the plot.  To begin, it’s Malick’s first movie set in the present day, and he’s currently at work editing the picture, which he expects to be finished by next year (although that doesn’t mean a distributor will release it in 2012).  So what’s this mystery flick about?  Philandering!  Europeans!  Oklahoma!

Hit the jump for more details.  The film stars Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Olga Kurylenko, Javier Bardem, Rachel Weisz, Barry Pepper, and Jessica Chastain.

Jessica Chastain Lands Opposite Tom Cruise in HORIZONS

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: September 26th, 2011 at 5:40 pm

After an exhaustive search of some of Hollywood’s most gorgeous and talented women, Jessica Chastain (The Help) has won one of two female leads in the writer/director Joseph Kosinski (TRON: Legacy) pic, Horizons.  Formerly known as Oblivion, Horizons features two female leads: a mysterious traveler and the wife of the protagonist.  It’s not yet clear which role Chastain is negotiating for, but it is being reported that one of the above-mentioned actresses may land the remaining lead.

Horizons also stars Tom Cruise as a veteran soldier who gets court-martialed (probably for buzzing the tower) and sent to the surface of the uninhabitable Earth which has been destroyed by an alien race.  At some point, Cruise’s character discovers a woman who crash lands in a pod, which catalyzes his questioning of his lot in life. Hit the jump for more on Horizons.

Copyright ©2005 - 2012. All Rights Reserved. California web design