The Playlist

Michael Bay Casts His 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,' Alex Pettyfer & Gabrielle Wilde Lead 'Endless Love' Remake

By Kristen Lopez
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March 25, 2013 2:22 PM
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5 Comments

News

Having landed its Raphael just before in the weekend in the shape of "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" actor Alan Ritchson, Michael Bay hasn't hung around before locking down the rest of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" for the mo-cap-heavy reboot of the comic/animation franchise he's producing for director Jonathan Liebesman. Deadline report that the mutant quartet is being filled out by Pete Ploszek as Leonardo, Jeremy Howard as Donatello and Noel Fisher as Michelangelo. The latter's perhaps the best-known of the quartet, having previously appeared in Liebsesman's "Battle: Los Angeles," as well as "Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part Two" and "Hatfields & McCoys." Howard seems to be a complete newcomer, while Ploszek is our immediate favorite of the four, given that he appeared in an episode of "Parks & Recreation." The four join Megan Fox in the film, which opens on May 20th, 2014.

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Kiefer Sutherland Climbs 'Pompeii,' Rufus Sewell Flexes For 'Hercules,' Michael Angarano Feels 'Heat' & More

By Cain Rodriguez
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March 21, 2013 11:50 AM
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3 Comments

News

In today’s casting round-up, we have news on films from the other Paul Anderson, a documentary filmmaker’s move into fiction, and something that will likely involve a lot of body oil...

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Dwayne Johnson Gets A Sidekick To Help Kick Ass In 'Hercules'

By Joe Cunningham
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February 21, 2013 11:55 AM
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3 Comments

News

If “Fast Five” taught us nothing else, it’s that if you want to immeasurably improve an action film, all you need to do is throw The Rock at it. But what do you do if The Rock is already in your action movie? Well, you hire an up-and-coming European actor, of course. Aksel Hennie starred in last year’s “Headhunters” alongside “Game of Thrones" star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, which debuted to great reviews and grossed a healthy $15 million worldwide on its way to securing a BAFTA nomination. Hennie was excellent in it as the weasely anti-hero Roger Brown, and his reward seems to be a fun-sounding role in Brett Ratner’s forthcoming “Hercules” with Dwayne Johnson.

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Brett Ratner & The Rock Get Competition As Renny Harlin Signs To Direct Rival 'Hercules' Movie In 3D

By Oliver Lyttelton
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February 4, 2013 11:41 AM
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2 Comments

News

There was a point about two decades ago when Renny Harlin threatened to become the next James Cameron. Harlin, the most/only famous person to come out of Finland, started out on the "Nightmare On Elm Street" franchise before having back-to-back action smashes with "Die Hard 2" and "Cliffhanger." With his A-list movie star wife, Geena Davis, he set up two big-budget action films that promised to cement him as one of the biggest directors world, one the revival of a genre that had mostly been forgotten by Hollywood, the other the most expensive spec sale in history.

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Brett Ratner's 'Hercules' With Dwayne Johnson Gets A Summer 2014 Release Date

By Kevin Jagernauth
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January 16, 2013 10:17 PM
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2 Comments

News

Yep, it's officially official. Late last year, MGM and Paramount decided to team up to back the Brett Ratner directed "Hercules," starring Dwayne Johnson. We hoped that it might be a cruel joke on us all, but alas, it's moving forward.

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Paramount & MGM Backing Brett Ratner's 'Hercules' Starring Dwayne Johnson, Shooting Starts Early Next Year

By Oliver Lyttelton
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November 8, 2012 12:27 PM
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2 Comments

News

Ah, Brett Ratner. The much-beloved filmmaker behind such fondly remembered classics as "Rush Hour," "Rush Hour 2" and "Rush Hour 3" is so popular among the film blogging community that every one of his new projects is greeted with a collective 'huzzah!' on the Internet. His fine eye for material, and Scorsese/De Niro-like relationship with Chris Tucker has seen him pick up glowing reviews for films like the Frank Capra-esque "Family Man," the Bryan Singer-esque "X-Men: The Last Stand," and the Brett Ratner-esque "Tower Heist."

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Dwayne Johnson To Star In Action Pic ‘Ciudad’ From 'You, Me & Dupree' Directors The Russo Brothers

By Benjamin Wright
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March 6, 2012 10:38 AM
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1 Comment

News

On a long list of cinema’s best lugheads, or muscle-bound action stars as they would prefer to be called, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would probably fall somewhere in the middle. While never really opening a movie outside of Disney’s family film “The Game Plan” on his own, Johnson has recently fallen back on mega-grossing blockbusters like “Fast Five,” “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” and the upcoming “G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation.” In this writer’s opinion, he’s not without talent, showcasing an admirable comedic timing and acting prowess well above what you’d expect from a guy who started his career getting oiled up for WWE wrestling matches.

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Dwayne Johnson To Get Oiled Up As 'Hercules' For Brett Ratner

By Kevin Jagernauth
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February 23, 2012 3:44 PM
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1 Comment

News

With Brett Ratner already on the comeback path/apology tour with a bunch of smaller gigs including directing a TV pilot, a Jennifer Lopez video and a GLAAD campaign, it looks like his return behind the camera will be (shocker!) another big studio tentpole, with a rising franchise action hero looking to take the lead.

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Brett Ratner Wants To Bronze Up 'Hercules: The Thracian Wars'

By Kevin Jagernauth
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April 28, 2011 9:32 AM
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3 Comments

Are you ready for movies centered around dudes with glistening, oiled up pecs who like, do battle and yell and shit? Well, with "Conan" and "Immortals" on the way you should have your quota filled at least for this year, but if Hollywood has its way, the genre won't disappear without Brett Ratner delivering his take on sweaty dudes wrestling each other to the death.

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