20TH CENTURY FOX’S 2015 Lineup is on Full Adventure

20th Century Fox, avant-garde studio behind breakthrough concepts in filmmaking such as the immersive 3D technology in “Avatar,” the better-than-ever sequels of franchise films such as “Ice Age” and superheroes such as “X-Men” films, non-stop heart-pounding action flicks and phenomenal book-to-film adaptations of “The Fault In Our Stars,” “Life of Pi” and “Maze Runner” welcomes 2015 with unforgettable and highly-entertaining movies poised to set new box-office records.

Ben Stiller and the his magical friends and new ones are back in the third and final instalment of “Night at the Museum” franchise, “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.” The adventure begins when Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) discovers that the iconic historical heroes, seems to be out of control – fighting, brandishing guns and causing chaos at the Museum of Natural History, where Larry runs the extraordinary ‘Night Program’ and must find a way to keep the magic alive.

“Taken 3” will prove that Brian Mills is up to the task and better than anyone there will ever be in protecting his family with his particular set of skills as ex-covert agent in this third instalment of the hugely successful action franchise. In the movie, the game has changed and the stakes at its highest, Mills is a fugitive on the run, after being framed for a murder and is hell-bent to uncover the group behind the killing.

Michael Keaton puts on his winning cape in the highly-acclaimed “Birdman” (or “The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance”) along with an ensemble of an impressive cast including Edward Norton, Zach Galifianakis, Amy Ryan, Naomi Watts, Andrea Riseborough and Emma Stone. Keaton plays Riggan Thomas, a washed up actor who refused an offer to play the fourth time to reprise his role in the highly successful “Birdman” movies. Instead, he tries to reinvent himself by writing and directing a stage play that would push him further as an actor.

“AVENGERS” SEQUEL, “CINDERELLA” Lead DISNEY'S 2015 Film Line Up

Walt Disney Studios Philippines will release nine movies in 2015, led by Marvel's “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” the live-action “Cinderella” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the first Star Wars installment since 2005.

Disney's opening film for the new year will be Rob Marshall's “Into the Woods,” already a December blockbuster in the U.S. and stars Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Chris Pine and Emily Blunt. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel — all tied together by an original story.

In March, “Cinderella” will get the live-action treatment, the way Disney brought fantasy characters like “Maleficent” and “Alice in Wonderland” to the bigscreen. “Cinderella” is directed by Kenneth Branagh and features Lily James (“Downton Abbey”) and Cate Blanchett.

“Avengers: Age of Ultron” will start its box-office campaign in April. The sequel will once again feature the team-up of superheroes Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, with some new additions. The team must reassemble to defeat Ultron, a terrifying technological villain hell-bent on human extinction. The first “Avengers” earned $1.5 billion in 2012.

The month of May will see Disney’s riveting mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” in which a jaded scientist (George Clooney) and an optimistic teen embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space.

In June, Pixar will bow its original movie “Inside Out,” which will take audiences to the most extraordinary location of all—inside the mind, complete with anthromorphized emotions Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness.

Marvel's “Ant-Man” starring Paul Rudd will see action in July. Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang (Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats.

Jon Favreau’s “The Jungle Book” will be a live-action retelling of another literary classic — and Disney animation — when it bows in October.

In November, Pixar's “The Good Dinosaur” will ask the generations-old question: What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? The film promises to be an extraordinary journey of self-discovery full of thrilling adventure, hilarious characters and poignant heart.

Disney ends the year with J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the first of new “Star Wars” films through the studio's acquisition of Lucasfilm.

“The Force Awakens” is expected to bolster the studio’s offerings through sequels and spinoffs the way Marvel launched a series of superhero franchises for the company, which benefitted the rest of Disney’s divisions.

Disney Studios generated around $3.4 billion at the worldwide box office ($1.37 billion domestic) in 2014 through the release of 13 movies.

Its top earner was Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” at $772 million, followed by “Maleficent,” with $758 million, and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” another hit for Marvel, at $714 million.

Disaster Film “SAN ANDREAS” Teaser Trailer

New Line Cinema and Village Roadshow Pictures have just shared the teaser trailer of their upcoming action thriller “San Andreas” starring Dwayne Johnson which may be viewed here.



The film reunites Johnson with director Brad Peyton and producer Beau Flynn, following their collaboration on the global hit “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.”

In “San Andreas,” a search and rescue helicopter pilot (Johnson) and his estranged wife make their way together from Los Angeles to San Francisco to save their only daughter, after the infamous San Andreas Fault finally gives – triggering a magnitude 9 earthquake. But their treacherous journey north is only the beginning. And when they think the worst may be over…it’s just getting started.

The film also stars Carla Gugino (“Night at the Museum”), Alexandra Daddario (“Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters”), Ioan Gruffudd (“Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”), Archie Panjabi (TV’s “The Good Wife”), Hugo Johnstone-Burt (Australian TV’s “Home and Away”), Art Parkinson (TV’s “Game of Thrones”) and Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti (“Cinderella Man”).

Opening across the Philippines in both 3D and 2D format in May 2015, “San Andreas” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

“CINDERELLA” Characters Posters Revealed

Walt Disney Studios has rolled out three new character posters for “Cinderella” featuring Ella and the Prince (Lily James, Richard Madden), the Wicked Stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and the Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter).

A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, “Cinderella” brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually-dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation. The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope.

Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit.

Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin and a few mice, changes Cinderella’s life forever.

Directed by Academy Award® nominee Kenneth Branagh (“Thor,” “Hamlet”), “Cinderella” is produced by Simon Kinberg (“X-Men: Days of Future Past,” “Elysium”), Allison Shearmur (“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part I”) and David Barron (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”) with Tim Lewis (“Goldeneye”) serving as executive producer. The screenplay is by Chris Weitz (“About a Boy,” “The Golden Compass”).

“Cinderella” will be released in the Philippines on March 11, 2015 through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International. For more information, visit: http://www.disney.com/Cinderella.

Step into the Teaser Trailer of THE WALK

The exhilarating first trailer of director Robert Zemeckis' new thriller “The Walk,” a true story based on French high-wire artist Philippe Petit's book "To Reach the Clouds," has just been released and may be viewed here.



“The Walk” stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the young dreamer who dared the impossible: an illegal wire walk between the World Trade Center towers. Last August 7, 2014 is the 40th anniversary of the astounding event, now being brought back to vivid life in the third act climax of the film.

Twelve people have walked on the moon, but only one man has ever, or will ever, walk in the immense void between the World Trade Center towers. Guided by his real-life mentor, Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), and aided by an unlikely band of international recruits, Petit and his gang overcome long odds, betrayals, dissension and countless close calls to conceive and execute their mad plan.

Robert Zemeckis, the director of such marvels as “Forrest Gump,” “Cast Away,” “Back to The Future,” “The Polar Express” and “Flight,” again uses cutting edge technology in the service of an emotional, character-driven story. With innovative photorealistic techniques and IMAX 3D wizardry, “The Walk” is true big-screen cinema, a chance for moviegoers to viscerally experience the feeling of reaching the clouds. The film is a love letter to Paris and New York City in the 1970s, but most of all, to the Towers of the World Trade Center.

Opening across the Philippines in October 2015, “The Walk” will be distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

First “HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2” Image Revealed as Mel Brooks Joins Cast

Sony Pictures Animation announced last November 27, 2014 the casting of Oscar®-, Tony-, Grammy- and Emmy-winning writer, director, performer, composer and producer Mel Brooks in the sequel to the 2012 worldwide hit, “Hotel Transylvania 2.”

Brooks has been cast in the role of Vlad, the ancient, undead and incredibly grumpy father to Dracula (Adam Sandler). Dracula, Mavis, Jonathan and all of their monster friends are back in the brand new comedy adventure: when the old-old-old-fashioned vampire Vlad arrives at the hotel for an impromptu family get-together, Hotel Transylvania is in for a comic collision of supernatural old-school and modern day cool.

“Hotel Transylvania 2” is being directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, produced by Michelle Murdocca, executive-produced by Sandler, Allen Covert,and Ben Waisbren, and written by Robert Smigel. Brooks – who takes on the role 40 years after helming the horror-comedy classic “Young Frankenstein” – said, “I’m having a wonderful time with the character Vlad. He’s been around for eons and he’s a pretty crabby guy. Basically, he reminds me of me.” Brooks isn’t the only icon who will be voicing Vlad, as Sony Pictures Releasing International is securing the talents of additional high-profile stars around the world to voice the ancient one for the non-English versions of the film.

So far, these regional Vlads include: France’s Michel Galabru, the esteemed 92-year-old actor who has appeared in more than 200 films; Japan’s Junji Inagawa, whose voice is instantly recognizable as the “go to” narrator of horror films, radio programs and DVDs; Holland’s Bram Van Der Vlugt, who, for decades, was the most requested Dutch TV/film “Sinterklaas” (Saint Nicholas); and Belgium’s Jacques Vermeire, the well-known Flemish performer with decades of memorable comic television and feature film performances.

Opening across the Philippines on September 2015, “Hotel Transylvania 2” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

“TERMINATOR GENISYS” Launches First Trailer

Paramount Pictures has released the teaser trailer for the upcoming futuristic thriller “Terminator Genisys” which you can check out here:


 
The year is 2029. John Connor, leader of the resistance continues the war against the machines. At the Los Angeles offensive, John’s fears of the unknown future begin to emerge when TECOM spies reveal a new plot by SkyNet that will attack him from both fronts; past and future, and will ultimately change warfare forever.

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, J.K. Simmons, Dayo Okeniyi, Byung Hun Lee and Matt Smith.

“Terminator Genisys” is directed by Alan Taylor (“Thor: The Dark World”) from a screenplay by Laeta Kalogridis and Patrick Lussier. Opening across the Philippines on July 2015, “Terminator Genisys” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH To Play “DOCTOR STRANGE”

Benedict Cumberbatch has entered the world of the mystic arts.

The actor will star in Marvel’s “Doctor Strange,” scheduled to hit theaters November 4, 2016 (including the Philippines). The film, directed by Scott Derrickson with Jon Spaihts writing the screenplay, will follow the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions.

“Stephen Strange’s story requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity,” said Producer Kevin Feige. “In 2016, Benedict will show audiences what makes Doctor Strange such a unique and compelling character.”

Cumberbatch rose to international prominence with his critically acclaimed turn as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous creation in “Sherlock,” currently preparing its fourth season. The series’ most recent season earned Cumberbatch the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie in 2014, after winning the BAFTA/LA Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year in 2013.

Cumberbatch most recently starred in “The Imitation Game,” playing famed mathematician and logician Alan Turing, and will soon be seen in “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” as Smaug and the Necromancer. For the role of Smaug, Cumberbatch stepped into the world of motion capture to bring the dragon to life. He will next be seen in Scott Cooper’s film “Black Mass,” the story of Whitey Bulger coming to theaters next September, where he stars opposite Johnny Depp and Joel Edgerton. The star’s other credits include the Academy Award-winning “12 Years a Slave,” “War Horse,” “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” “August: Osage County,” “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “The Fifth Estate,” and “Parade’s End.” Benedict will be returning to the stage this summer in Hamlet at the Barbican with Lyndsey Turner directing. His last stage performance in Danny Boyle’s Frankenstein opposite Jonny Lee Miller awarded him the Olivier.

With “Doctor Strange,” Cumberbatch is just the latest actor to join the bold Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, introducing new heroes and continuing the adventures of fan favorites across multiple films.

Digital Wizardry Comes to Life in “NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB”

Walk into the world’s most magnificent museums in the third installment of the global hit franchise Night At the Museum that have captivated audience round the globe starring Ben Stiller.

The latest “Night At The Museum: Secret of the Tomb” completes the trilogy that started some eight years ago and now, all of its beloved and new characters come alive for their greatest adventure yet.

Lost Civilization Opens Into Hellish Gateway in THE PYRAMID

The ancient wonders of the world have long cursed explorers who've dared to uncover their secrets.

Most notable among afflictions is the so-called “Curse of the Pharaohs” – vengeance against adventurers who disturb the sacred tombs of the pyramids. For almost a decade, none dared to disturb the stillness of the tombs, until a group of archaeologists have unearthed “The Pyramid.”

In “The Pyramid,” while investigating their find, father and daughter archaeologists Nora Holden (Ashley Hinshaw) and Miles (Denis O’Hare), along with a news camera crew, find themselves lost and trapped in a maze inside the pyramid.

“A movie like this only works when you have a strong starting point,” notes producer Alexandre Aja. “I liked the idea of using this new technology to find a lost civilization because it felt so real. It was a chance to explore a clash between the old and new school of archeology.”

“SEVENTH SON” Actors Weigh-in on Fantasy Adventure Genre

In a recent sit-down with the press, “Seventh Son” actors Jeff Bridges (“TRON: Legacy”), Ben Barnes (“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”) and Kit Harington (HBO's “Games of Thrones”) discussed fantasy adventure as a film genre, its viability and enduring appeal.

Universal Pictures and Legendary Pictures' “Seventh Son” is based on the book "The Spook's Apprentice" (AKA "The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch") by Joseph Delaney.

In a time of enchantments when legends and magic collide, the sole remaining warrior of a mystical order (Bridges) travels to find a prophesized hero born with incredible powers, the last Seventh Son (Barnes). Torn from his quiet life as a farmhand, the unlikely young hero embarks on a daring adventure with his battle-hardened mentor to vanquish a dark queen (Julianne Moore) and the army of supernatural assassins she has dispatched against their kingdom.

Question: All of you have some familiarity with genre projects, so what was it about “Seventh Son” that got you interested?

Jeff Bridges: There is a wonderful children’s book series, and the first one is The Spook’s Apprentice, written by Joseph Delaney. I’m a big fan of myth and mythology, and I saw this as a chance to make a modern-day myth. It also talks about good and evil. My idea is that good and evil are really different sides of the same coin. I ran across a quote that really set me off. I thought, “If we can accomplish in turning people onto this idea, this would be something I’d like to be involved with.” It’s from Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and the quote is, “If only it were so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere, insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But, the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being, and who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?” And that rang true for me. I think that is something that is evident in the world that we live in today, and certainly in the past. It’s something that’s a work in progress for us human beings. As an artist, I see it as our task to help bring that dream of peace about.

Kit Harington: I have worked in this genre before, but what was interesting about this project was working in a different category within this genre. People seem to forget there are different categories, sometimes. They group everything into fantasy or sci-fi, but within those genres, there are other things. This was different from anything I had done. It was a wonderful mixture between dark and light. It has the elements of the children’s novel in it, and it also has the elements of what horrible acts can be done by humans. I thought that was a really interesting mix to play with.

Ben Barnes: I’ve done some work in the fantasy realm before, but I think a lot of films are presented as an allegory of good versus evil, and they have very interesting subtexts. Not all too often are the characters really explored, to the point of what dilemmas they’re going through, in their approach to what they’re doing. I think that whole concept of good versus evil, and are you evil if you’re attempting to kill or murder something that you believe to be evil, are dilemmas that these characters are struggling with, particularly my character, as an apprentice. He’s somebody who’s new to it, but knows that he’s meant for something more, in this world. How exactly that’s going to play out is something that he doesn’t know, and the idea of fate and destiny is painted on top of that, as well. There’s a lot of interesting things, thematically.

“Seventh Son” is directed by award-winning filmmaker Sergei Bodrov, director of the Oscar®-nominated foreign language films “Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan” and “Prisoner of the Mountains.”

Opening across the Philippines on January 8, 2015, “Seventh Son” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.