Savages

First TV Spot for Oliver Stone’s SAVAGES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 24th, 2012 at 12:36 pm

The first TV spot for director Oliver Stone’s Savages has gone online.  The film stars Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson as two Laguna Beach marijuana kingpins who encounter a world of trouble when their shared girlfriend (Blake Lively) is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel.  Though Stone’s recent output hasn’t exactly been stellar, Savages looks to put him back in Platoon/Natural Born Killers territory and I’m eager to see his version of a large-scale action pic.  This TV spot does a fine job of setting up the plot, but I’m not the biggest fan of song choice.  Nevertheless, I like the footage we’ve seen thus far and the very talented Kitsch deserves to have at least one successful release this year.  Here’s hoping for the best.

Hit the jump to watch the TV spot.  The film also stars Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Demian Bichir, Emile Hirsch, Uma Thurman, and John Travolta.  Savages opens July 6th.

Universal Wins CinemaCon By Premiering Footage from 9 Movies Including LES MISERABLES, SAVAGES, THIS IS 40, TED, R.I.P.D., OBLIVION, BOURNE LEGACY, More

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: April 27th, 2012 at 10:20 am

While Universal Pictures skipped CinemaCon/ShoWest the past couple of years, they more than made up for it with the best presentation of 2012.   While all the studios have great-looking movies arriving in 2012 and 2013, I wanted to see every single movie Universal talked about at CinemaCon  In addition, not only did they bring in the movie stars and directors, they world premiered footage from nine movies including Les Miserables, Ted, Savages, This is 40, R.I.P.D., Oblivion, The Bourne Legacy, Snow White and the Huntsman, and 47 Ronin.  In addition, they made sure to remind attendees that while filming hasn’t started on Fast and Furious 6 (the working title), it’s arriving next May, and Despicable Me 2 opens in July.  For what I thought about all the movies plus a complete video blog recap, hit the jump.

Trailer for Oliver Stone’s SAVAGES Starring Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, and Blake Lively [UPDATED]

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 5th, 2012 at 10:10 am

After yesterday’s brief teaser, the full trailer for Oliver Stone‘s Savages has gone online.  The film stars Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson as two Laguna Beach marijuana kingpins who encounter a world of trouble when their shared girlfriend (Blake Lively) is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel.  The movie looks like a fun change of pace for Stone, and a bit of a throwback to Natural Born Killers, but without the muddled message on violence and media.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Stone has worked in a comment on America’s War on Drugs, but at least it looks like he’s surrounded it with a slam-bang action flick.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The film also stars The film also stars Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Demian Bichir, Emile Hirsch, Uma Thurman, and John Travolta.  Savages opens July 6th. [Updated: We've updated the article with a new image from the film]

Teaser Footage from Oliver Stone’s SAVAGES Starring Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 4th, 2012 at 9:46 am

Earlier this week, we showed you the first poster for Oliver Stone‘s crime-thriller Savages.  Today, teaser footage from the film has been released.  The film stars Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson as two Laguna Beach marijuana kingpins who encounter a world of trouble when their shared girlfriend (Blake Lively) is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel.  You won’t gather any of that from the 15-seconds of footage, but you will pick up that Stone has taken a page from Tony Scott‘s playbook of sweaty characters and over-saturated cinematography.

Hit the jump to check out the footage.  The film also stars Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Demian Bichir, Emile Hirsch, Uma Thurman, and John Travolta.  Savages opens July 6th.

First Poster for Oliver Stone’s SAVAGES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 2nd, 2012 at 11:45 am

The first poster for Oliver Stone’s adaptation of Don Winslow’s crime novel Savages has gone online.  The pic stars Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson as two Laguna Beach marijuana kingpins who encounter a world of trouble when their shared girlfriend (Blake Lively) is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel.  I was already intrigued by the impressive cast Stone assembled, then Universal moved the film to a prime summer release date after apparently being wowed by a test screening.  This poster hints at an epic and entertaining crime saga, and I’m eager to see Stone have some fun.  I haven’t been wowed by the director’s recent output but when he’s on, he’s on, and I’m hoping Savages is a summer crowd-pleaser.

Hit the jump to check out the poster.  The film also stars Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Demian Bichir, Emile Hirsch, Uma Thurman and John Travolta. Savages opens on July 6th.

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.

More Synopses for Universal 2012 Films Including SAVAGES, DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX and Untitled Judd Apatow Comedy; Title Change for EVERYBODY LOVES WHALES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: September 15th, 2011 at 11:17 am

Earlier this year, we posted the first synopses for a few of Universal Pictures’ films slated for release next year. Today, we’ve got a few more synopses to share with you from some the studio’s upcoming slate. Included is Oliver Stone’s drug-smuggling drama Savages, the 3D animated feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, and the Knocked Up spinoff Untitled Judd Apatow Comedy. Additionally, we have a new synopsis and a title change for Big Miracle, the Drew Barrymore-starred family film that was formerly titled Everybody Loves Whales.

Hit the jump for a rundown of the cast and synopsis for each film. Big Miracle opens February 3, 2012, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax opens March 2, 2012, Savages opens September 28, 2012, and Untitled Judd Apatow Comedy opens December 21, 2012.

Exclusive: Emile Hirsch Talks THE DARKEST HOUR, SPEED RACER, SAVAGES, KILLER JOE, TWICE BORN and More

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: August 3rd, 2011 at 10:11 pm

At this year’s Comic-Con, I had the chance to sit down with Emile Hirsch for an exclusive interview about Summit’s upcoming sci-fi thriller, The Darkest Hour.  While I could’ve posted the interview a lot sooner, I decided to wait until the studio released the cool looking trailer.  Hopefully you’ve all had a chance to check it out.  What’s important to know is that the movie was filmed on location in Moscow and it was filmed in 3D.  While many movies might film a few days in Russia, the entire production was based there and it was produced by Timur Bekmambetov.  Trust me, The Darkest Hour should be a cool movie and it gets released this December.

During the interview, Hirsch talked about shooting in Moscow, filming in Red Square with thousands of people watching, being at Comic-Con, the Wachowski’s underappreciated Speed Racer (which is one of my favorite films of 2008), Oliver Stone’s Savages, William Friedkin’s Killer Joe, Twice Born with Penelope Cruz (he’s filming this in the fall), and a lot more.  Hit the jump to watch.

Casting Call: Scarlett Johansson in CAN A SONG SAVE YOUR LIFE?, Jake T. Austin is Huck in TOM SAWYER & HUCKLEBERRY FINN, Mia Maestro Joins SAVAGES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 28th, 2011 at 4:21 pm

We’ve got a few casting stories for you this evening. First up, Scarlett Johansson is set to star in John Carney’s (Once) music-oriented film Can a Song Save Your Life?. The Sunday Business Post Online (via The Playlist) reports that Judd Apatow will produce the pic, which centers on “a washed-up A&R man who forms a passionate bond with a young singer-songwriter (Johansson) from out of town.” Carney wrote the screenplay, and Mark Ruffalo and Jim Carrey have been rumored for the male lead. Filming begins in New York next year.

Additionally, Wizards of Waverly Place star Jake T. Austin has landed the role of Huck Finn in Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn. Joel Courtney (Super 8) is in talks to take on the role of Tom Sawyer. Variety reports that Austin is in final negotiations to star in the adaptation of the Mark Twain classic, which Jo Kastner is directing with filming expected to get underway this August in Bulgaria. Hit the jump for the casting news of Mia Maestro joining Oliver Stone’s Savages.

Casting Call: Ray Winstone is a Dwarf in SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN, Joel David Moore Joins SAVAGES, Katie Cassidy in Talks for FREAKY DEAKY

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 22nd, 2011 at 1:05 pm

We’ve got a couple of casting stories for you this afternoon. First up, Ray Winstone has been cast as the seventh and final dwarf in Snow White and the Huntsman. Heat Vision reports that Winstone joins previously announces dwarfs Ian McShane, Eddie Izzard, Bob Hoskins, Toby Jones, Eddie Marsan and Steven Graham. Winstone will play Trajan. Directed by Rupert Sanders, the film centers on princess Snow White (Kristen Stewart) attempting to escape the grasp of her evil stepmother (Charlize Theron) with the help of a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) who trains her to survive. Snow White and the Huntsman hits theaters June 1^st, 2012.

Additionally, Joel David Moore has joined the burgeoning cast of Oliver Stone’s Savages. Based on the book by Don Winslow, the film stars Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Emile Hirsch, John Travolta and Uma Thurman. The story centers on two Laguna Beach marijuana kingpins (Kitsch and Johnson) who encounter a world of trouble when their shared girlfriend (Lively) is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel. Risky Business reports that Moore will play a computer geek who moves from a think tank in Washington to the marijuana business. Savages hits theaters on September 28^th, 2012. Hit the jump for the casting news of Katie Cassidy in Freaky Deaky.

Universal Sets Release Dates for Oliver Stone’s SAVAGES, DESPICABLE ME 2, and OBLIVION Starring Tom Cruise

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 16th, 2011 at 1:55 pm

Universal has announced release dates today for three of its high-profile upcoming properties. First up, Oliver Stone’s Savages is set to hit theaters on September 28^th, 2012 (via Deadline). The film stars Benecio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Emile Hirsch, John Travolta, and Uma Thurman. Based upon the book of the same name, the plot revolves around on two Laguna Beach marijuana kingpins (Kitsch and Johnson) who encounter a world of trouble when their shared girlfriend (Lively) is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel.

In what will undoubtedly be a never-ending franchise Universal has set Despicable Me 2 for a July 3^rd, 2013 release. Though no plot details are known, the original voice cast, including Steve Carell, is expected to return. The studio has also set a July 19^th, 2013 release for Joseph Kosinski’s (Tron: Legacy) sci-fi flick Oblivion. Starring Tom Cruise, the story centers on an ex-soldier left on a deserted Earth following a full-scale war with an alien race.

Demian Bichir in Talks to Join Oliver Stone’s SAVAGES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 9th, 2011 at 6:49 pm

Director Oliver Stone is filling out the cast for his adaptation of Don Winslow’s Savages. Variety reports that Demian Bichir (Che, Weeds) is in talks to join an increasingly impressive cast that now includes Benecio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Emile Hirsch, John Travolta, and Uma Thurman. The story centers on two Laguna Beach marijuana kingpins (Kitsch and Johnson) who encounter a world of trouble when their shared girlfriend (Lively) is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel. Hayek plays the leader of the cartel, Del Toro plays her right-hand-man, and Bichir is in talks to play Hayek’s two-timing attorney.

Stone has revised the script that was written by Winslow and Shane Salerno. The book’s publisher, Simon & Schuester, recently commissioned Winslow to write a prequel to the book, so if Savages is a success at the box office, we may be seeing a follow-up. Despite Stone’s lackluster work as of late, this fantastic cast gives me high hopes for the film. Production on Savages is scheduled to start on July 6^th. Hit the jump to read a synopsis of the novel.

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.

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