Salma Hayek

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.

New Trailer for THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 16th, 2011 at 1:19 pm

A new trailer for Aardman Animation’s The Pirates! Band of Misfits has gone online. This trailer maintains the delightfully goofy tone we’ve seen from past trailers, and delves a bit more into the plot. The story centers on a pirate captain named Pirate Captain (voiced by Hugh Grant) who’s on a quest to win the Pirate of the Year award. We also get a look at the character voiced by Jeremy Piven here. This trailer didn’t grab me as much as the last two, and it kind of feels like a more Americanized version targeted at audiences here in the States. Nevertheless, I’m still very excited to see the finished film, as Aardman’s next picture Arthur Christmas has been rounding up some very positive reactions.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer. The film also features the voices of Salma Hayek, Brendan Gleeson, David Tennant, Imelda Staunton, and Martin Freeman. The Pirates! Band of Misfits opens in 3D on March 30th, 2012.

Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek PUSS IN BOOTS Interview

by Christina Radish    Posted: October 28th, 2011 at 8:18 am

In Puss in Boots, the adorable little creature with the deep voice who became a fan favorite in the Shrek films gets to go on his own adventure. A notorious fighter, lover and outlaw, Puss (Antonio Banderas) sets off with the tough and street smart Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) and his childhood best friend Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis), in search of magic beans to grow a beanstalk that will lead them to the fabled goose that can lay golden eggs. Making things rather difficult for them is the notorious Jack and Jill (Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris), who will do anything to see that the trio does not succeed.

At a press conference for the film, Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek talked about how lucky and proud they are to be a part of the film, working without a script ahead of time as the story was developed along the way, and how the got the unusual opportunity to do a voice recording session together. Check out what they had to say after the jump:

PUSS IN BOOTS Review

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 27th, 2011 at 12:30 pm

Puss in Boots is an adventure movie, but the advertising and the film’s first act would like you to believe otherwise.  The filmmakers can’t be held responsible for DreamWorks Animation’s marketing campaign, but they can take the blame for setting up their movie as an action-comedy before choosing to drop the jokes and shifting into a rote adventure film that takes no chances, makes dated references, and short-changes its title character.  Ironically, the technical aspects of the movie are full of passion, but the story is as soulless and calculated as they come.

International Trailer for THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 25th, 2011 at 7:25 am

The international trailer for The Pirates! Band of Misfits has been released. This may be my favorite trailer for the film yet, as it delves more into plot and maintains that delightfully goofy tone that Aardman (the studio behind Wallace & Gromit) does so well. We also get some good stuff from the character Charles Darwin (yes, that Charles Darwin) and lots of kooky pirates. The story centers on a pirate captain named Pirate Captain (voiced by Hugh Grant) who’s determined to win the Pirate of the Year Award. This one is definitely high on my most anticipated list for 2012.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer. The film also features the voices of Salma Hayek, Brendan Gleeson, David Tennant, Imelda Staunton, Martin Freeman, and Jeremy Piven. The Pirates! Band of Misfits opens in 3D on March 30th, 2012.

Final Trailer and Poster for PUSS IN BOOTS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 6th, 2011 at 7:29 am

After getting bumped up from November 4th to October 28th, Puss in Boots now has a final trailer and poster.  While I didn’t even bother with Shrek Forever After, I’m getting pretty psyched for the spin-off.  The trailers have been funny and charming, the story looks fun (Puss goes off to find the Goose that Lays the Golden Eggs), and there’s no cynical ogre and his irritating donkey sidekick in sight.  The new poster isn’t as good as the one with Puss walking away from an explosion, but it gets the job done.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer (which still says the movie is coming out November 4th, but they clearly cut it before the date was changed) and poster.  The film features the voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Amy Serdaris, and Billy Bob Thornton.

New Images From DreamWorks Animation’s PUSS IN BOOTS

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: September 29th, 2011 at 9:13 am

DreamWorks Animation and Paramount have released a number of new images from director Chris Miller’s Puss  in Boots.  Featuring the voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris, Puss in Boots takes place before the events of Shrek.  Here’s the synopsis:

“Long before he even met Shrek, the notorious fighter, lover and outlaw Puss in Boots becomes a hero when he sets off on an adventure with the tough and street smart Kitty Softpaws and the mastermind Humpty Dumpty to save his town.  This is the true story of The Cat, The Myth, The Legend…The Boots.”

I got to see the opening of the film earlier this year and walked away very impressed by the footage.  Of course, it might have something to do with Guillermo del Toro…as he executive produced the film.  Hit the jump for the new images.  Puss in Boots gets released November 4.

THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS Trailer

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 14th, 2011 at 9:20 am

I want to see a good pirate movie this year and I certainly didn’t get one with Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.  But there may be hope in Aardman Animation’s The Pirates! Band of Misfits.  For those who don’t know, Aardman are the folks behind Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run and judging by the trailer for The Pirates! they’ve done another terrific job.  Not only do they once again provide their charming claymation, but there were numerous jokes in the trailer that had me cracking up.  The film will be getting a presentation at Comic-Con and I’m excited to see more.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The film features the voices of Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek, Brendan Gleeson, David Tennant, Imelda Staunton, Martin Freeman, and Jeremy Piven.  The Pirates! Band of Misfits opens in 3D on March 30, 2012.

New Trailer for PUSS IN BOOTS

by Jason Barr    Posted: June 20th, 2011 at 5:29 pm

The theatrical trailer for DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots has landed online and I have to admit that it looks like it could be a lot of fun. Featuring the vocal talents of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton, and Amy Sedaris, the pic is set before the feline protagonist meets up with Shrek and centers on an adventure in which he must protect the “Golden Eggs” from falling into the wrong hands. While I’m as skeptical as the next person about the necessity of spinoffs such as Puss, if its done in an entertaining and clever way I won’t hold its inherently derivative nature against it. Based on what I’ve seen and heard from the film thus far, it looks as if Puss in Boots could stand on its own fairly well.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer for yourself. Directed by Chris Miller (Shrek the Third) , Puss in Boots hits 3D theaters later this year on November 4th.

First Look at PUSS IN BOOTS’ Kitty Softpaws (Voiced by Salma Hayek)

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 5th, 2011 at 12:23 pm

This year’s Cannes has a hilarious juxtaposition of acting roles when it comes to Antonio Banderas.  He’s starring in Pedro Almodovar’s creepy-looking The Skin That I Inhabit where he plays a plastic surgeon who avenges his daughter’s rape.  However, he’ll also be making the press rounds for DreamWorks Animation’s Puss in Boots, which is making a presentation at the festival.  If you’re a reporter covering both press events, don’t specify which movie you’re asking Banderas about and let the chips fall where they may.

In advance of the film’s presentation, the first image of Puss’ love interest Kitty Softpaws (voiced by Salma Hayek) has been released.  Kitty is a cat burglar who steals Puss’ boots and his heart.  Hit the jump for more details on the film and to check out the image.  Puss in Boots opens in 3D on November 4th.

Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek and More to Provide Voices for Aardman’s THE PIRATES! IN AN ADVENTURE WITH SCIENTISTS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 5th, 2011 at 11:48 am

Aardman Animation has assembled an impressive voice cast for their upcoming stop-motion 3D animated film The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists.  Variety reports that Hugh Grant, Martin Freeman, Salma Hayek, David Tennant, Imelda Staunton, Jeremy Piven, Brendan Gleeson, Brian Blessed, and Ashley Jensen will all lend their voices to the film.  The movie will be the first voice acting role for Grant and he’ll play the lead role of a “bearded Pirate Captain who travels far and wide in a quest to win the much coveted Pirate of the Year Award.”  I’m already smiling at the thought of someone with Grant’s signature foppish, befuddled delivery playing a pirate.   Chicken Run co-director Peter Lord will direct alongside Jeff Newitt.

While Pixar is usually dubbed the “Animation Studio with the Perfect Track Record” I’ve always been incredibly charmed by Aardman’s films.  They’ve only done three feature films to date (Chicken Run, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, and Flushed Away) and I’ve enjoyed all of them.  Their latest film, Arthur Christmas, opens in 3D on November 23rd.

Emile Hirsch Joins Oliver Stone’s SAVAGES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 22nd, 2011 at 1:28 pm

Oliver Stone’s Savages continues to round up an impressive cast even though Stone hasn’t made a good film in over a decade.  According to Variety, the latest talented actor to board the flick is Emile Hirsh.  There are currently no details on which role he’ll play, but he’ll be starring alongside Benecio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, John Travolta, and Uma Thurman.  The film is based on Don Winslow’s novel which centers a pair of marijuana growers (Kitsch and Johnson) who are forced to work in a Mexican cartel after their friend is kidnapped.  Stone is revising the script Winslow co-wrote with Shane Salerno.

Hirsch recently wrapped filming on William Friedkin’s dark comedy Killer Joe and he’s currently at work on The Motel Life alongside Stephen Dorff and Dakota Fanning.  Hit the jump to read the synopsis for Savages.

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.

Taylor Kitsch, Salma Hayek, and Olivia Wilde Under Consideration for Oliver Stone’s SAVAGES

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: March 19th, 2011 at 2:03 pm

We heard earlier in the week Aaron Johnson (Kick Ass) was offered the role of Ben in Oliver Stone’s adaptation of Savages.  Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights) is now in talks to play Chon, who grows marijuana with Ben in Laguna Beach in the novel by Don Winslow.  The story centers around the boys’ struggle with a Mexican drug cartel that tries to muscle in on Ben and Chon’s business, even kidnapping their “beautiful young playmate and accomplice” Ophelia.  Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone) was in talks to play Ophelia, but had to drop out due to her commitment to The Hunger Games.  Deadline indicates that Stone is looking at Olivia Wilde (Tron: Legacy) and other unspecified candidates similar to Ms. Wilde for the role.  Likewise, Stone is talking to Salma Hayek to play the cartel matriarch, “an iron-fisted beauty who becomes intrigued and practically maternal over the kidnapped [Ophelia].”

Universal Pictures is reportedly the frontrunner among three studios to land the distribution deal for Savages.  Filming is scheduled to begin in June.  Read the book synopsis after the break.

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.

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