Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman Joins Tom Cruise in OBLIVION

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 10:55 am

Morgan Freeman has joined Tom Cruise, Andrea Riseborough, and Olga Kurylenko in Joseph Kosinski’s sci-fi action flick Oblivion (formerly titled Horizons).  Cruise plays a veteran soldier who’s banished to the surface of a post-apocalyptic Earth and tasked with repairing ships that hunt down the aliens who destroyed our planet. When a mysterious woman (Riseborough) crash-lands nearby, their encounter sets off an eye-opening chain of events.  Deadline reports that Freeman’s role is currently unknown, but it’s a “critical part.”  I don’t have those details either, but I’m willing to wager it will be a dignified, intelligent character who is either a mentor and/or a nemesis.  Call it a hunch. [Update: Variety's Jeff Sneider tweets, "Morgan Freeman will play Malcolm Beech, the leader of the human resistance on Earth."]

Freeman will be seen in theaters later this summer reprising his role as Lucius Fox in The Dark Knight Rises.  He’s also co-starring in Louis Leterrier‘s magician heist flick Now You See Me.

Acquisition News: IFC Films Lands THE SHINING Documentary ROOM 237; Magnolia Pictures Acquires Rob Reiner’s THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 11:02 am

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival just ended and the Berlin Film Festival is about to get underway, so don’t expect the acquisition stories to slow down. As such, we’ve got two fresh acquisitions to share with you today. First up, IFC Films has picked up the Sundance documentary Room 237. The film examines the numerous theories surrounding the “real meaning” of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. The doc was a big hit at the fest (you can read Matt’s review here), but many questioned the logistics of releasing it theatrically due to the fact that it’s comprised of footage from The Shining, which could possibly lead to legal entanglements. IFC’s acquisition is great news and I’m glad to see that us common folk will get a chance to check out the flick sometime soon.

Deadline reports that the film may screen in the New Directors/New Film series in New York, and it’s a likely bet for the Cannes Film Festival. IFC plans on releasing the pic domestically later this year through a day-and-date theatrical and VOD release. If you haven’t surmised from our previous acquisition stories, VOD is all the rage at the moment and is a likely staple in the future of film distribution. Hit the jump for acquisition news concerning Rob Reiner’s The Magic of Belle Isle.

New Trailer for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 19th, 2011 at 10:02 am

The trailer for Christopher Nolan‘s The Dark Knight Rises has gone online.  The trailer is full of ominous warning.  Both Batman and Gordon brought peace to Gotham, but it looks like that has only served to massive destruction and Catwoman warnings.  There’s plenty to like in the trailer: the set design, the tone, the chanting, and how the frame is packed with action.  But there’s one shot that had me cracking up and it’s the destruction of the football field.  I watch that and all I can think is, “Bane just seriously fucked over my fantasy football team.”

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The film stars Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine.  The Dark Knight Rises opens July 20, 2012.

New Hi-Res Images from THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Plus Two Awesome Fan Posters

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: November 27th, 2011 at 4:48 pm

Last week we brought you new images from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises courtesy of Empire magazine. Now we can give you a better look at those shots in addition to some new ones. The high-res photos feature Christian Bale and Tom Hardy as arch-nemeses Batman and Bane ready to square off. In addition to the better quality looks at the Empire magazine covers, there is another shot of the Dark Knight on his Batpod, Bane looking all jacked up and what might be the first image of the new Batwing vs the old Batmobile/Tumbler. We also brought you two fan-made posters that are pretty sweet. Hit the jump to check them out.

First Synopsis and Promo Poster for NOW YOU SEE ME Starring Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 3rd, 2011 at 4:06 pm

Director Louis Letterier’s heist-thriller Now You See Me is quickly becoming one of my most anticipated films of 2013. It’s got a stellar cast (Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco and Melanie Laurent), an intriguing/adventurous premise, and magic! Lots and lots of magic. The story centers on a group of magicians who pull off bank heists during their death-defying acts, and the FBI squad tasked with catching them. Today we’ve got the first full synopsis and a promo poster for the pick from the American Film Market, which you can check out after the jump.

The film was written by Boaz Yakin (Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time) & Edward Ricourt, Josh Applebaum & Andre Nemec (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol), and Ed Solomon (Men in Black). Now You See Me opens January 18th, 2013.

TOP 5: TIFF 2011 Coverage, REAL STEEL, END OF WATCH, DOLPHIN TALE Set Visits, Nike’s BACK TO THE FUTURE MAGs

by Jason Barr    Posted: September 10th, 2011 at 11:38 am

Happy Saturday, everyone. The fall movie season is upon us and, in honor of its arrival, Adam and myself are working on a “most anticipated” feature which you should be able to check out later this weekend. As a result of working on that little diddy, I’m cutting my typically awe-inspiring opening “Top 5″ paragraph a little short. I know, I know…you’re heartbroken.

In this week’s installment you’ll find all of our coverage from the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival; a plethora of set visit materials from Real Steel, End of Watch and Dolphin Tale; and a look at Nike’s Back to the Future MAGs. Hit the jump for a brief recap and link to each.

Morgan Freeman On Set Interview DOLPHIN TALE

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: September 8th, 2011 at 10:02 am

Morgan Freeman is a prickly pear of an interview. A veteran of the industry for over thirty years, he – like Tommy Lee Jones – does not suffer foolish questions gladly, and proved it in our talk. We got a chance to speak with him on the set of Dolphin Tale, and when engaged he was fun to talk to, but if you hit him with questions that he thought were beneath him, he showed it.

Dolphin Tale is Freeman’s third film co-starring with Ashley Judd, and a rare return to children’s entertainment after his early run as “Easy Reader” on The Electric Company. Freeman is one of the most respected actors in the industry, an academy award winner, and – at this point – a living legend. Check out our talk after the jump.

Morgan Freeman to Play Despised Ex-Magician in NOW YOU SEE ME

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 10th, 2011 at 2:07 pm

Morgan Freeman will join Jesse Eisenberg, Amanda Seyfried, Melanie Laurent, and Mark Ruffalo in Louis Leterrier’s Now You See Me.  The story revolves around FBI agents trying to stop a group of magicians known as “The Four Horsemen” who pull off bank heists during their acts and then shower their audiences with the loot.  Eisenberg will play the lead magician, Seyfried plays the technician who builds the contraptions used by the magician-thieves, and Ruffalo is the main FBI agent.  According to Variety, “Freeman is in talks to play Thaddeus, an ex-magician who has made a career out of exposing other magicians’ illusions, making him a despised figure within the magic community.”  It probably all started when he accidentally revealed the secret of the Aztec Tomb.  It’s a shame because he demanded to be taken seriously.

It sounds like this will be a fun role for Freeman and in the vein of his slightly silly performance in last year’s Red. Freeman will next be seen in the family film Dolphin Tale.  He’s also set to star in Rob Reiner’s Summer at Dog Dave’s and he’ll reprise his role as Lucius Fox in The Dark Knight Rises.

First Official Images from CONTAGION and NEW YEAR’S EVE; New Images from DOLPHIN TALE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 10th, 2011 at 11:44 am

As part of their Fall/Holiday Preview, Warner Bros. has released the first official images from Steven Soderbergh’s Contagion and the rom-com anthology New Year’s Eve.  They’ve also released new images from the family film Dolphin Tale.  The images don’t hold any grand surprises. The Contagion images show that a virus is probably going down. The New Year’s Eve image shows Lea Michele and Jon Bon Jovi making sweet, sweet music together. The Dolphin Tale images show dolphins.

You can check out the images after the jump.  Contagion opens September 9th.  Dolphin Tale opens in 3D on September 23rd.  New Year’s Eve opens December 9th.  Click here for the first image from A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas and click here for the first image from Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

Teaser Trailer for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: July 18th, 2011 at 9:12 am

Judging by the box office, most of you may have seen the first teaser trailer for The Dark Knight Rises attached to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 this past weekend. But if you haven’t, or if you want to see it again (you do), the trailer has been officially released online. The teaser is made up of footage from Christopher Nolan’s first two entries in the franchise intercut with a tiny bit of new footage, including a couple of shots of Tom Hardy as Bane and a Lieutenant Gordon monologue.

It’s not really much, but I’m all for staying in the dark as long as possible. In essence, this is an announcement teaser letting everyone know that Nolan’s Batman trilogy ends next year, and it’s gonna be intense/bad ass/super cool. In that respect, this teaser trailer is a great success. Hit the jump to watch it yourself. The Dark Knight Rises opens July 20^th, 2012.

Theatrical Trailer for DOLPHIN TALE Starring Morgan Freeman

by Jason Barr    Posted: June 15th, 2011 at 2:29 pm

The theatrical trailer for the 3D family film Dolphin Tale is now available online. Starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, and Harry Connick Jr., the film tells the story of a dolphin who loses her tail to a crab trap only to have her life saved by a prosthesis created by Mr. Freeman himself. I’m expecting the film to play well to a targeted audience that is looking for the inspirational vibes the trailer possesses. That said, I wouldn’t look for Dolphin Tale to experience the type of critical and financial adornment worn by its marketing pal The Blind Side.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer which features some smooth narration from Freeman. Directed by Charles Martin Smith, Dolphin Tale hits 3D theaters later this year on September 23rd.

Virginia Madsen and Kenan Thompson in Talks for Rob Reiner’s SUMMER AT DOG DAVE’S

by Jason Barr    Posted: May 26th, 2011 at 4:51 pm

Oscar-nominee Virginia Madsen (Sideways) and SNL‘s Kenan Thompson are in the midst of negotiations to join director Rob Reiner’s (When Harry Met Sally) drama Summer at Dog Dave’s. Already starring Morgan Freeman, the film tells the story of a disabled author (Freeman) whose love of the sauce is reducing his creative output. According to Variety, Madsen would make a turn as Freeman’s new neighbor, a single-mother of three who befriends the author and inspires him to, well you can probably guess the outcome (hint: he starts writing again). As for Thompson, the report claims he is in talks to take on the role of Freeman’s “helpful nephew.” Apparently not helpful enough to help him overcome alcoholism, but helpful nonetheless. Production on Summer at Dog Dave’s is set to begin in New York this July with the film aiming for a 2012 release.

Trailer for DOLPHIN TALE Starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, and Harry Connick Jr.

by Jason Barr    Posted: April 7th, 2011 at 5:11 pm

A trailer for director Charles Martin Smith’s Dolphin Tale has landed online. Starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick Jr., and Kris Kristofferson, the film tells the story of a dolphin, Winter, who loses most of her tail to a crab trap and is aided in her recovery by the combined efforts of a doctor (Freeman) who builds a prosthetic tail and a family (Judd, Connick, etc.) who perhaps wills her to survive. While unremarkable, the trailer does a nice job of painting the film in the inspirational light it is meant to be cast. Of course, the “from the studio and producers of The Blind Side” reminder doesn’t hurt in aiding that end either.

Dolphin Tale hits 3D theaters this fall on September 23rd. Hit the jump to check out the trailer. Also, in case you missed it, you can check out our set visit preview by clicking here.

Preview of our DOLPHIN TALE Set Visit; Plus First Images

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: April 4th, 2011 at 9:01 am

So many set visit offers start the same way. “Would you like to go to Florida to see the set of Charles Martin Smith’s Dolphin Tale? It stars Ashely Judd and Morgan Freeman, and you may get to talk to all three.” How does one say no? One doesn’t. I was sent with a handful of online journalists to go on set and meet its stars.

The film is based on the true story of Winter, a dolphin who lost most of her tail in a crab trap. She was considered a lost cause until a doctor (played in the film by Morgan Freeman) invented a prosthetic tail for her. The film is currently set to be released September 23, 2011. We’ll have interviews with Charles Martin Smith, Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, and more once the embargo lifts, but until then I can tell you what the set was like. Hit the jump for more.

Rumor: Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Play Alberto Falcone in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES?

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 10th, 2011 at 9:06 am

Last week, we reported that Joseph Gordon-Levitt was in talks to join The Dark Knight Rises.  Comic Book Movie is now reporting the rumor that he’ll play Alberto Falcone, son of crime boss Carmine Falcone (played by Tom Wilkinson in Batman Begins).  Alberto would be returning to Gotham to take control of the criminal underworld after his father’s absence.  In the comics, Alberto was also the “Holiday Killer” and committed murders on various holidays (it wasn’t the most creative name). It’s important to stress that this is a rumor and while CBM has reported solid stories in the past, the fact that they allow fan-submitted rumors means their true-to-false ratio tends to dip towards false.  We’re all anxious to know who Gordon-Levitt will play, but we’ll need to be patient.  In the meantime, we should just be happy that yet another talented actor is in the flick.

The Dark Knight Rises is due out July 20, 2012.  The film also stars Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, and Morgan Freeman.  Hit the jump for more about Falcone.

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