Thompson on Hollywood

FIRST LOOK: Idris Elba Reveals New Sides of South African Leader in 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom'

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Check out this first look at Justin Chadwick's "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," which stars Idris Elba and Naomie Harris as Nelson and Winnie Mandela. From the screenplay by Bill Nicholson ("Gladiator," "Les Miserables"), the biopic reveals sides of the pivotal South African leader most of us do not know. Yes, the film documents his rise from rural villager to political prisoner and country changer, but it also introduces Mandela as a playboy who loves women, fast cars and boxing. Naomie Harris will soon become better known as the latest Bond Girl opposite Daniel Craig in "Skyfall." Elba ("The Wire," "Luther," and "Prometheus") is currently reprising his role as Heimdall in "Thor 2." "Mandela" began shooting in May, mostly on the actual location where the events took place, from the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu Natal.

By Maggie Lange
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October 22, 2012 12:42 PM
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In the Works: Scott's 'Blade Runner' Sequel "happening," Affleck Returns to Lehane to 'Live by Night'

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Ridley Scott will be reportedly revisiting "Blade Runner," while Ben Affleck is in talks to return to Lehane material.

By Beth Hanna
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October 12, 2012 1:15 PM
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In the Works: Jodie Foster Set to Wrangle 'Money Monster'

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Jodie Foster has lined up her next directing gig with indie drama "Money Monster," from a script by Alan DiFiore and Jim Kouf. The story centers on a TV personality whose Wall Street trading tips get him in trouble when he's held hostage on air by a disgruntled viewer.

By Anne Thompson and Beth Hanna
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October 11, 2012 6:02 PM
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Destiny Ekaragha's Directorial Debut 'Gone Too Far' Begins Production in London Late October

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Principal photography will begin later this month on Destiny Ekaragha's feature directorial debut "Gone Too Far," a coming-of-age comedy adapted for the screen by Bola Agabje, based on her own Laurence Olivier Award-winning 2007 stage play of the same title.

By Beth Hanna
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October 10, 2012 2:55 PM
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In the Works: Lynne Ramsay Nabs Backing for Her Take on 'Moby Dick,' Sci-Fi Thriller 'Mobius'

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Scott Pictures will be producing Lynne Ramsay's excitingly ambitious project "Mobius," a sci-fi psychological thriller based on Herman Melville's "Moby Dick." The whale of a tale will be set in deep space, where a crew is lead into ever deeper peril by an unhinged captain on a death mission, obsessed with revenge on an elusive alien entity.

By Beth Hanna
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October 3, 2012 12:49 PM
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In the Works: On-Location Principal Shooting for John McDonagh's 'Calvary' Begins in Ireland

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Principal photography has begun on John Michael McDonagh's "Calvary," the follow-up to his 2011 Celtic crime comedy "The Guard," with Brendan Gleeson again starring, but swapping his Irish bad lieutenant Gerry Boyle for a good-hearted priest up against a hostile congregation.

By Beth Hanna
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October 2, 2012 1:39 PM
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In the Works: Stephen Frears to Direct 'Philomena,' Starring Coogan and Dench

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Stephen Frears has signed on to direct the Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope-penned "Philomena," a mother-son drama starring Coogan and Judi Dench. The script is an adaptation of Martin Sixsmith's "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee," and follows the true story of Sixsmith's wife's search for the son she gave up for adoption.

By Beth Hanna
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October 1, 2012 4:23 PM
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TIFF Sales Alert: Nic Cage Stars in David Gordon Green's Latest, 'Joe'

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Cage has always gone back and forth between payday flicks and worthy indies, with a tad too much emphasis on the former, in our view. It's hard to recall that he once won an Oscar for "Leaving Las Vegas."

By Anne Thompson
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September 7, 2012 4:22 PM
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'Snow White and the Hunstman' Star Claflin Confirmed for 'Hunger Games' But Will He Do SWATH Sequel?

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Universal was originally planning a "Snow White and the Huntsman" sequel that would bring back both Kristen Stewart and director Rupert Sanders. The idea behind the first David Koepp script turned on doing more with the unresolved romantic triangle between Snow White (Stewart), the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) and William (Sam Claflin).

By Anne Thompson
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August 22, 2012 4:29 PM
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In the Works: 'Magnificent Seven' Remake Names a Writer, Penn's 'Crazy for the Storm' & Ronan for 'Mary Queen of Scots'

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-Saoirse Ronan is attached to play the ill-fated title role in "Mary Queen of Scots." Working Title is producing, with a script by Michael Hirst. Eighteen-year old Ronan may seem young to play a queen, but Mary was named Queen of Scotland when she was six days old...