Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman Joins Terrence Malick’s KNIGHT OF CUPS and LAWLESS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 9:07 am

Natalie Portman has set her first two films since giving birth to her son back in June, and both movies will be with Terrence Malick.  According to Deadline, Portman will co-star in Knight of Cups and Lawless, which are shooting back-to-back.  She joins Christian Bale and Cate Blanchett in starring in both movies (although as far as we know, the films don’t share a plot or characters).  Knights of Cups also stars Isabel Lucas, and Lawless‘ cast includes Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, and Haley Bennett.  Knight of Cups shoots this summer and then Lawless will follow in the fall.

Hit the jump for more.

THOR 2 Rewrite Handled by Robert Rodat

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: January 10th, 2012 at 6:55 pm

Lately, Thor 2’s production has been in flux due to the original director Patty Jenkins leaving citing “creative differences” and new director Alan Taylor having to wait for a new writer to rework Don Payne’s original script. It looks as if Marvel Studios has settled on a new screenwriter so now everyone can just settle down and get back to work on making the sequel to one of 2011’s most successful films. Originally considered a contender for the rewriting job, Robert Rodat has bested competitors John Collee and Roger Avary for the position. The Oscar-nominated scribe behind Saving Private Ryan and the creator of TNT’s Falling Skies will have the task of scripting where the Asgardian’s story will head after he wraps things up with the The Avengers this May. Hit the jump for more on Thor 2.

The Wachowskis Courting Natalie Portman to Star in Sci-Fi Movie JUPITER ASCENDING

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: January 4th, 2012 at 8:19 pm

I am interested in anything Andy and Lana Wachowski do.  In recent months, that meant following the development of Cloud Atlas, which wrapped production in December.  Word surfaced in October the filmmakers are looking at a quick turnaround before their next movie, Jupiter Ascending.  The Wachowskis have reportedly reached out to their V for Vendetta heroine Natalie Portman to star in Jupiter.  Production is now tentatively scheduled for this fall, so plot details are under lock and key.  All we know is the genre: science fiction.  With the Wachowskis at the helm, that’s enough for me.  More after the jump:

Natalie Portman Reportedly Upset Over Marvel Firing Director Patty Jenkins from THOR 2

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: December 14th, 2011 at 7:33 pm

Earlier in the month, we reported on director Patty Jenkins leaving Thor 2, and moved on by the time Alan Taylor and Daniel Minahan surfaced as the top replacement candidates.  After all, the departure was attributed to the classic “creative differences,” and it was implied that Marvel would still like to go into business with Jenkins, just not on Thor 2.  However, a new report suggests the split wasn’t quite so amicable, and Thor 2 star Natalie Portman is “deeply upset” over the firing.  Details after the jump.

First Trailer for STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE 3D [Updated]

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 23rd, 2011 at 6:10 pm

As you most likely already know, all six Star Wars films are being re-released in theaters in 3D, starting with Episode I: The Phantom Menace (ie. you have to sit through the prequels before seeing The Empire Strikes Back on the big screen again). The first trailer for Episode I has been released, and it does a pretty good job of selling the re-release. It begins with scenes from all six films in a tiny box, in order to remind you that even though you just bought the complete saga on Blu-ray, your TV is incredibly small and insufficient when compared to a movie theater. The actual scenes from Episode I look fine, and the pod-racing scene should be pretty spectacular. Unfortunately, the 3D doesn’t necessarily enhance Jake Lloyd.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer.  Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D opens on February 10th, 2012.

Patty Jenkins Confirmed to Direct THOR 2

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 13th, 2011 at 1:13 pm

Monster director Patty Jenkins has signed on to direct Thor 2.  Last month we reported that Jenkins was in early talks to direct and we commented on how it was surprising that Marvel would hire someone who’s biggest directing credit to date was an independent drama known primarily for how Charlize Theron uglied up and won an Oscar.  Jenkins is an interesting choice but one that makes me more interested in the film than if some journeyman director had been hired.

We don’t know much about the plot other than Marvel President Kevin Feige’s comment that “[Thor 2 will] primarily be the journey of that character, of he and Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and how the new dynamic with his father is working out, as well as what are the broader stakes for The Nine Worlds.”  Hit the jump for the full press release.  Thor 2 is due out November 15, 2013.

Watch 25 Actors Before They Were Famous in Three Minutes, Including Seth Rogen, Jack Black and Natalie Portman

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: August 15th, 2011 at 4:16 pm

Thank the Maker for YouTube. With the advent of the video-on-demand digital age, no longer is that TV movie role that Actor X did when he was 11-years-old lost forever, and now someone’s put together a compilation of 25 “before they were famous” first roles for our viewing pleasure. Did you know that Daniel Craig was in A Kid in King Arthur’s Court? How about Joseph Gordon-Levitt on Roseanne or Jake Gyllenhaal in City Slickers? No need to hit up Netflix, some choice scenes are now all in one place.

Hit the jump to watch the montage, which includes 25 sometimes painful scenes featuring Jim Carrey, Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, Ryan Gosling, Keanu Reeves, Nicole Kidman, Seth Rogen, Jake Gyllenhaal, Harrison Ford and more.

YOUR HIGHNESS DVD Review

by Gil Kellerman    Posted: August 15th, 2011 at 6:09 am

Your Highness, set in the medieval days of knights, dragons and sorcerers tells the story of two brothers.  Fabious (James Franco) is the quintessential debonair prince, prone to victory in innumerable death-defying quests and feats.  His brother Thadeous (Danny McBride) is an out-of-shape, lazy slob who excels at toking herb and chasing sheep.  But when Fabious’ bride-to-be Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel) is kidnapped by the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux), Fabious sets out on a mission to rescue her.  And by order of their father (Charles Dance), Thadeous is told he must help his brother on his quest.  My review of the DVD after the jump.

INCEPTION Wins Big at the 2011 Saturn Awards

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 24th, 2011 at 9:00 am

The 37^th Annual Saturn Awards were held last night. The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films honored the best in film, television, special effects and more. Inception was the big winner of the night, taking home five awards including Best Science Fiction Film. Other winners in the top categories include Fringe for Best Network Series, Breaking Bad for best Cable Series, Let Me In for Best Horror Film, Alice in Wonderland for Best Fantasy Film and Salt for Best Action/Adventure Film.

Hit the jump to see the full list of winners, and don’t forget to check out Collider’s interviews from the red carpet at the event. We spoke with Brandon Routh, Fringe’s Lance Reddick, and producer Dean Devlin.

NO STRINGS ATTACHED Blu-ray Review

by Scott Wampler    Posted: May 18th, 2011 at 5:52 am

When we saw the trailers for Ivan Reitman’s No Strings Attached, we all had the same basic reaction:  “Oh, boy, Natalie Portman in a sex comedy!”, a thought that was immediately followed by:  “Oh, no, Ashton Kutcher.”  Yes, over the past decade, Kutcher has found more success as a “personality”, camera salesman, and a reality TV producer than he seems to have found as an actor:  despite a few middle-of-the-road successes at the box office, his filmography has left film geeks cold.  Would No Strings Attached be the first film that breaks away from that sad truth?  Or would No Strings Attached be more Killers-level crap?  Read on for our full review after the jump to find out, folks….

THOR Review

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 5th, 2011 at 9:24 am

Marvel’s Thor is the toughest of the lead Avengers to bring to the big screen.  He’s a cross between a space alien and a Norse god, he wields a hammer named Mjolnir instead of standard superhero weapons like guns or swords, and he wears a cape.  The character could fall so easily into camp territory, but director Kenneth Branagh takes the bold approach of playing the character completely straight but still keeps the movie fun and light.  This balance of broad comedy and bombastic action mixed with straight-faced drama comes from the perfect combination of lead actors Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston.  While the film does have some problems in developing the supporting characters, its biggest sin is in the 3D post-conversion which turns the bright shining lights of Asgard into a dim, blurry mess.  But if you catch the film in 2D, Thor is going to be some of the most fun you have in a theater this year.

4 Clips and 10 Minutes of Behind the Scenes Footage from THOR

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: April 30th, 2011 at 8:28 am

With Thor finally arriving in America next weekend (it’s already playing around the world), Paramount/Marvel have released the EPK and included are four clips and ten minutes of behind the scenes footage.  While the clips have all been previously released, this is the first time we have all four in one place.  In addition, if you’re curious what it’s really like on a movie set, the behind the scenes footage is great to watch.  However, if you are trying to avoid spoilers, you might want to check it out after you’ve seen the movie.

As I said when I posted my review/video blog on Thor, I thought the movie was great.  Also, while Thor is not an easy transition from comic books to movie screens, director Kenneth Branagh made it work and I cannot wait to see everyone together in The Avengers next summer.  Hit the jump to watch the clips and look for new interviews next week.  Thor stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Rene Russo, Stellan Skarsgard, Jaimie Alexander, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Josh Dallas, Tadanobu Asano, Idris Elba, Clark Gregg and Colm Feore.

New Featurette, Clip, and Japanese Trailer for THOR

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 28th, 2011 at 12:33 pm

With only eight days left until the release of Kenneth Branagh’s Thor, Marvel is pushing hard on the film’s marketing.  Despite taking the opening weekend of May (traditionally seen as the current first week of the summer movie season, although Fast Five may as well open it this Friday), the film is a tough sell as it blends fantasy and real-world elements around a character who sits on the second tier of Marvel’s superheroes.

Among the new marketing that’s been released is a Japanese trailer that gives a fair amount of screen-time to Hogun who is played by Tadanobu Asano (Asano just happens to be the only major Japanese star in the film).  There’s also a featurette centering on Natalie Portman’s character, Jane Foster.  Finally, Jaimie Alexander—who plays Asgardian warrior Sif—went on Jimmy Kimmel Live to show off a clip from the film.  Hit the jump for the Japanese trailer, clip and featurette.  Thor opens in 3D on May 6th.

BLACK SWAN Blu-ray Review

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: April 27th, 2011 at 11:01 am

For the first time in his career, Darren Aronofsky directed a hit film. All the more strange, he did it with a tale about a ballet dancer. Black Swan stars Natalie Portman – who won an Oscar for her efforts – as Nina Sayers, the dancer picked for the lead role in Swan Lake. The director (Vincent Cassel) knows she can play the more innocent white swan, but does she have the passion/evil/freedom/aggression to play the black swan, the evil doppelganger? Perhaps with some help from the more sexually suggestive dancer Lily (Mila Kunis). Hit the jump for my review of Black Swan on Blu-ray.

14 New Images from THOR

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 21st, 2011 at 12:39 pm

Marvel has released some more new images from Kenneth Branagh’s Thor.  Among the new images we have a good look at Rene Russo as Frigga as well as a nice photo of the Warriors Three (Tadanobu Asano, Josh Dallas, and Ray Stevenson).

Hit the jump to check out the new images.  Thor stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgard, Jaimie Alexander, Kat Dennings, Idris Elba, Clark Gregg, and Colm Feore.  It opens in 3D on May 6th.

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