Wednesday, September 30

• Three Additions to Cast of Pixar's John Carter of Mars

  The Hollywood Reporter writes that three more actors will star in Pixar's first live-action movie, John Carter of Mars. Thomas Haden Church, James Purefoy, and Mark Strong have joined a cast that already includes Willem Dafoe, Samantha Morton, Taylor Kitsch, and Lynn Collins.

  The story involves John Carter (Kitsch), a Civil War veteran who is transported to Mars. But this isn't the barren red planet we know; this Mars is a violent society involving "12-foot-tall green barbarians," according to IMDb.

  Church will portray a warrior with a desire for power, Purefoy a captain, and Strong the ruler of a people called the Thems. Directing the movie is Andrew Stanton, who also co-wrote the script. Stanton has already helmed several Pixar features, including Wall-E, Finding Nemo, and A Bug's Life.

  The movie is still in pre-production and is scheduled for a 2012 release.

  
  

  Posted 09/30/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Samantha Morton | Taylor Kitsch | Willem Dafoe | Andrew Stanton | Lynn Collins | James Purefoy | Thomas Haden Church | Mark Strong | John Carter of Mars

Monday, September 21

• Paul Giamatti to Play the King in Ironclad

  He's played a villain before, but never while wearing a crown. Actor Paul Giamatti just signed to play the tyrannical King John in the Jonathan English-helmed Ironclad, a period action movie about a group of Knights Templar who defend Rochester Castle from a siege by the king's army in 13th-century England.

  Ironclad is being produced by Rick Benattar and will feature James Purefoy in the lead role. The script is by English and Erick Kastel. Production is expected to begin in October.

  
  

  Posted 09/21/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Paul Giamatti | Jonathan English | James Purefoy

Wednesday, September 16

• Who Is Solomon Kane?

  Here's an upcoming action movie that has pretty much slipped under the radar.

  Solomon Kane, a character from the stories of Robert E. Howard (Conan the Barbarian), is a 16th-Century Puritan who spends his days destroying evil wherever he finds it. In the movie adaptation, Kane has given up his life of violence in order to save his soul — but he picks up the blade again to save an innocent life as an evil force arises.

  The movie is directed by Michael J. Bassett, who helmed Deathwatch and Wilderness, and stars James Purefoy (Resident Evil) as the title character, as well as Pete Postlethwaite, Jason Flemyng, and Max von Sydow.

  Here's the Solomon Kane trailer and a new behind-the-scenes video clip. It looks a little bit like a Van Helsing clone, but we're interested anyway.

  
  

  Posted 09/16/2009 by Jim

  Related: Max von Sydow | Pete Postlethwaite | Jason Flemying | Michael J. Bassett | James Purefoy | Solomon Kane