Susan Downey

Robert Downey Jr. SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS Interview

by Christina Radish    Posted: December 10th, 2011 at 8:05 pm

In Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as the world most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. Accustomed to being the smartest man in the room, criminal mastermind Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris) throws Holmes off of his game, with his capacity for evil and lack of a moral compass keeping him steps ahead. As Holmes’ investigation into Moriarty’s plot becomes more dangerous, it also puts his friend and colleague, Dr. Watson (Jude Law), at risk and threatens to alter the course of history.

At a press conference to promote the film’s December 16^th theatrical release, Robert Downey Jr. talked about the challenge of taking the character and story to another level for the sequel, always keeping Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in mind when playing the role, transforming into a woman this time around, and working with Jared Harris and developing the adversarial relationship between Holmes and Moriarty. Check out what he had to say after the jump.

TOP 5: SHERLOCK HOLMES Set Visit Coverage, BREAKING DAWN, MIRROR MIRROR Trailer, THE HUNGER GAMES Trailer, Wizarding World of Harry Potter Coverage

by Jason Barr    Posted: November 19th, 2011 at 11:48 am

As I write today, in the back of mind rests more than a handful of permutations for my Black Friday plan of attack. Do I really need a new 42 inch HDTV? How about various seasons of television on DVD/Blu-ray for rock bottom prices? What about one of those sweet Dyson vacuum cleaners with the roller ball? The answer to all of the above is most likely a resounding “no”, but need isn’t what Black Friday is all about. Not even close. Black Friday is all about getting something/anything on the cheap if for no other reason than because if you don’t, then the person behind you in line will. Oh, America. How I love thee.

In this week’s “Top 5″ installment you’ll find our set visit coverage for Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, our review and interviews for a little movie you may have heard about called The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, the first trailer for director Tarsem Singh’s Snow White-tale Mirror Mirror, a new trailer for Gary Ross’ The Hunger Games adaptation, and Steve’s coverage from his visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando. Hit the jump for a brief recap and link to each.

Producers Susan Downey and Lionel Wigram On Set Interview SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: November 14th, 2011 at 10:00 am

As the producers of the Sherlock Holmes movies, Susan Downey and Lionel Wigram (who helped write the first film) deserve a lot of credit for bringing Holmes into the 21st Century and making him appeal to a new generation of moviegoers.  If you’re a movie nerd, you know the challenges of trying to bring classic literary characters to life.  Especially ones that have been done many times before.

Anyway, earlier this year I got to visit the set of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows when the production was filming about forty-five minutes outside of London. While on set, I got to participate in a group interview with Downey and Wigram.  We talked about the new cast members (Stephen Fry, Noomi Rapace and Jared Harris) and why they wanted them, Moriarty’s plan, where and when the sequel takes place, if there were any discussions about 3D, their thoughts on a 3rd Sherlock Holmes, and a lot more.  Hit the jump for more.

Warner Bros. and Robert Downey Jr. Acquire THE ACCIDENTAL GENIUS

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: October 13th, 2011 at 5:50 pm

Having stretched his considerably talented mental acuity in such roles as Tony Stark, the billionaire prodigy behind Iron Man, and Sherlock Holmes, the famed detective, it’s not a stretch to call Robert Downey Jr. a genius. He’ll get a chance to play a third mental giant in The Accidental Genius, a new pitch picked up by Warner Bros (per Deadline). The drama centers on a man of previously average intelligence who wakes from a coma to find himself gifted with a superior intellect. (You can draw parallels to Downey Jr.’s career here, if you’d like.) The man teams up with a prodigy-turned-burnout (or here) to decipher strange symbols that could unlock the secret to a century-old, world-altering mystery.

The Accidental Genius is a nod to a true-to-life medical condition in which a coma patient may awaken with heightened cognition. Downey Jr and Susan Downey will produce through Team Downey with Ben Silverman’s Electus. Adam Gibgot, the writer of The Accidental Genius, will also be executive producer with David Gambino. Gibgot recently wrote the pilot for Oliver Stone’s drama Darkhorse on FX.

Robert Downey Jr. May Star in PERRY MASON Feature Film for Warner Bros.

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 5th, 2011 at 8:52 am

Warner Bros., Robert Downey Jr., and Susan Downey are teaming for a feature film re-launch of the classic courtroom drama series Perry Mason.  Variety reports that Downey Jr. is eyeing the title role of defense attorney who privately investigates crimes on behalf of his clients and always discovers that someone else was the criminal.  Surprisingly, in none of the Perry Mason books by Erle Stanley Gardner (where the character originated in the 1930s), radio shows, TV episodes, or TV movies bore the title “Perry Mason: Thanks for Nothing, Cops.“  The character’s most famous incarnation was on the TV series with Mason being played by Raymond Burr.

According to Variety, “the movie will be set in the rough and tumble world of early 1930s Los Angeles, and feature fan favorites such as Mason’s secretary, Della Street, private investigator Paul Drake, and Mason’s longtime courtroom nemesis, Hamilton Burger.”  The film is currently looking for a writer to adapt an original story by Downey Jr. and executive producer David Gambino.  This is all well and good, but I hope the film features the classic theme song from the TV series.  Hit the jump to give it a listen.

Warner Bros. Developing USS Indianapolis Film; THE PACIFIC’s Robert Schenkkan to Write the Script Based on the Life of Hunter Scott

by Jason Barr    Posted: August 17th, 2011 at 4:06 pm

While many of us were first introduced to the sinking of the USS Indianapolis through Robert Shaw’s timeless recollection in Jaws, its demise in 1945 remains the single greatest loss of life in U.S. Navy history. As a result, its sinking continues to be of interest for those in the film industry. Warner Bros. helps provide evidence for my last statement as they have acquired the life rights to 11 year-old Hunter Scott with the intention of turning it into a feature film. Heat Vision reports that the studio, alongside Robert and Susan Downey of Team Downey, have acquired Scott’s rights and hired scribe Robert Schenkkan (HBO’s The Pacific) to pen the screenplay.

For those unfamiliar, at the ripe age of 11, Scott learned of the Indianapolis via the aforementioned scene from Jaws and subsequently took it upon himself to help clear the name of the Indianapolis’ late, court-martialed captain, Charles McVay. His research led to him testify before Congress on McVay’s behalf and to the eventual clearing of the captain’s official record. Per the report, Warner Bros. is not the first to take a crack at Scott’s story as J.J. Abrams attempted to bring it to the silver screen for Universal who put it into turnaround a few years ago.

THE KING’S SPEECH Oscar Winner David Seidler Will Write THE JUDGE and GAMES OF 1940

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: March 23rd, 2011 at 9:45 pm

For me, the greatest outcome of The King’s Speech‘s success was getting to know screenwriter David Seidler — the wittiest, most eloquent interviewee on the press circuit in 2010.  One Oscar later, and Seidler is rightfully in demand.  He just signed on to write for two projects: the family drama The Judge and the WWII tale Games of 1940.

Nick Schenk (Gran Torino) wrote the original script for The Judge, which centers on an attorney who returns home for his mother’s funeral — he learns that his father who suffers from Alzheimer’s is suspected of murder.  Warner Bros. has hired Seidler to rewrite the screenplay.  David Dobkin (Fred Claus) will direct The Judge and produce with Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey.

Hit the jump for more on Games of 1940.

Collider Goes to the Set of SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS; Read a Preview Here

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: February 22nd, 2011 at 10:00 am

Moriarty (Jared Harris) is sitting at a table inside the Hotel De La Ville in Paris surrounded by people.  He’s reading a newspaper inside the cafe.  After a few seconds, someone walks in to tell him something.  While I can’t hear what they’re saying, the news must be important, as he gets up after hearing it.  As he rises out of the chair, the focus of the shot pulls to an old man sitting at a table in the foreground of the frame.  The man is unremarkable.  He wears a suit of no importance.  He has a long grey beard and long grey hair.  I didn’t notice him until the camera pulled focus.  As Moriarty leaves the room and the man jumps out of his chair, I realize it’s Sherlock Holmes in disguise.

But let me back up a second.

Last month, on the day the Sundance Film Festival started, I got to visit the set of Sherlock Holmes 2 (now called Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows) when the production was filming 45 miles outside London at Waddesdon Manor.  While the filming that day was supposed to be taking place in Paris, director Guy Ritchie was using the manor as a stand-in for the city.  The manor was built to look like a French Renaissance-style château, and standing inside the breathtaking building, I understood why they’d want to film there.  Read more about  my visit to the set of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows after the jump.

New Image and Details for SHERLOCK HOLMES 2

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 14th, 2011 at 9:15 am

A new image has been released for Sherlock Holmes 2 along with some new details on the film.  Hero Complex reports that currently-untitled sequel takes place a year after the events of the first film and sees Holmes in pursuit of Professor Moriarty (Mad Men‘s Jared Harris), who “might be the world’s first supervillain”.  The film also introduces Noomi Rapace in her first American role as a “feisty” gypsy named Sim.  Along for the ride is Stephen Fry as Sherlock’s brother Mycroft Holmes, a character who is, according to producer Susan Downey, “stranger and perhaps even more brilliant,” than Sherlock.  Meanwhile, as Sherlock and Watson pursue Moriarty, Watson is trying to keep his relationship with Mary Morstan (Kelly Reilly) afloat.

Hit the jump to check out the new image and learn more details about the flick.  Sherlock Holmes 2 is due out December 16th.

Robert Downey Jr. to Possibly Star in EMERGENCY

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 20th, 2010 at 1:09 pm

Columbia Pictures has optioned the rights to Neil Strauss’ non-fiction book Emergency! This Book Will Save Your Life as a possible starring vehicle for Robert Downey Jr.  Downey will produce along with his wife and producing partner Susan Downey as well as Michael De Luca.  Screenwriter Allan Loeb (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps) is handling the script.  Strauss’ book has the author learning various survival skills that he will most likely never need to use in his day-to-day life.

Producer Columbia Pictures President Matt Tolmach said of the project in a press release, “Neil Strauss is a tremendous talent and we think Emergency! is his best work yet.  It’s a hugely entertaining read that couldn’t be more timely or topical. We think there is a fantastic film in this book and Robert and Susan, and of course, Mike are the perfect producers to take on the themes of this project.”

Hit the jump for a refresher on Downey’s other projects along with the full press release.

Pictures from the IRON MAN 2 World Premiere in Hollywood

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: April 27th, 2010 at 9:07 am

Paramount has sent over some pictures from last night’s world premiere of Iron Man 2 in Hollywood.  In attendance were Mickey Rourke, Anastassija Makarenko, Robert Downey Jr. and wife / producer Susan Downey, Scarlett Johansson, Jon Favreau, Paramount’s Rob Moore, Sumner Redstone and Brad Grey, Sylvester Stallone, Samuel L. Jackson, and best of all… The Iron-ettes (the Iron Man 2 dancers).  Hit the jump to check out the images:

SHERLOCK HOMES DVD and Blu-ray Info and Cover Art

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 29th, 2010 at 12:57 pm

Warner Home Video has just announced director Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes will be hitting DVD and Blu-ray on March 30.  While James Cameron’s Avatar has dominated the box office and news the past two months, Sherlock Holmes has quietly made almost $400 million at the worldwide box office and it’s still making money.  For a movie that cost around $100 million to make, Holmes is one of the big success stories of 2009.  That’s probably why the studio is moving forward with a sequel as I type these words.

Hit the jump to check out the cover art and the info we were provided about the DVD and Blu-ray:

12 Movie Clips from THE BOOK OF ELI Starring Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis and Gary Oldman in a Hughes Brothers Film

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 9th, 2010 at 6:56 pm

With the Hughes Brothers The Book of Eli opening this Friday, Warner Bros. has finally released some movie clips.  While some studios are content to release four or perhaps six clips from a film, WB has sent over twelve!  So if you’re trying to stay spoiler free, you will not want to watch these.  Saying that, a few of the clips showcase some of the cool action scenes so perhaps you want to see them now.  The Book of Eli stars Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis, Gary Oldman, Jennifer Beals, Ray Stevenson, Frances de la Tour and Michael Gambon.

Hit the jump for the synopsis and clips:

37 High Resolution Images from SHERLOCK HOLMES. Plus Steve Says the Film is Great

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: December 11th, 2009 at 9:38 am

While Warner Bros. released the final batch of images from Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes yesterday, due to being in London covering the Avatar premiere last night, I’m a bit late posting them.  But while I may be a bit behind, I have another reason for posting the images today…I wanted to say what I thought about Sherlock Holmes as I saw the film and loved it.  While I was nervous about Robert Downey Jr.’s accent, I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Not only does he sound the part, he’s absolutely kick started the Holmes franchise and I would be shocked if they aren’t making a sequel as soon as possible.

Also, even though I love to nitpick movies, this is one of the rare films that I walked out completely satisfied.  Great script. Fantastic performances from everyone involved.  Amazing chemistry between Jude Law and Downey Jr.. A third act that doesn’t suck.  Action scenes that sell why Sherlock Holmes is Sherlock Holmes.  But more than anything, the film is just a lot of fun.  Trust me, this movie is going to be huge and people are going to love it.

But enough of my ramblings, check out all the new high resolution images from Sherlock Holmes after the jump.

New SHERLOCK HOLMES Trailer

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: November 4th, 2009 at 11:03 am

A new trailer for Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes” has been released and it looks fantastic.  If you weren’t excited after watching the first trailer all those months ago, this trailer is going to get you.  It’s loaded with new footage and it really showcases the action.  Also, we get to see some great bromance between Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.

The only thing I’m still nervous about is Downey’s accent.  While it’s not terrible, there is something about it that isn’t working for me. I’m just hoping when I finally see the movie his accent isn’t a distraction.  Check out the trailer after the jump and tell me this doesn’t look like a fun ride.  “Sherlock Holmes” gets released Christmas Day.

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