Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Warner Bros. Announces Release Dates for its "LEGO" Films

Warner Bros. Pictures Confirms the LEGO® Pieces of Its Animation Slate into 2018

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Building a strong slate of animated tentpoles that extends well into 2018, Warner Bros. Pictures confirmed the release dates of three much-anticipated LEGO® features. The announcement was made by Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President, International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

    “We are so pleased to continue our creative partnership with Warner Bros. on these upcoming projects. It’s truly amazing to see how the big screen lends another dimension to the rich LEGO world, and offers new ways for fans to be engaged and entertained by these characters.”

The next LEGO film to open will be the as-yet-untitled LEGO Batman™ feature, which is coming to theatres earlier than planned, with the global launch starting domestically on February 10, 2017. Seven months later comes “Ninjago,” which had been slated for release in fall 2016; however the film is still under construction so it is being moved to September 22, 2017 domestically, with international dates to follow. “The LEGO Movie Sequel,” the follow-up to the smash hit “The LEGO Movie,” is opening one week earlier than originally slated, now being released domestically on May 18, 2018, beginning its worldwide release.

In making the announcement, Fellman stated, “We are very excited about dating our upcoming LEGO animated features, which already have a worldwide fan following, built on the foundation of the first film. These three films already in the pipeline are just the beginning of a creative and diverse animation slate that will be delighting audiences for years to come.”

Kwan Vandenberg added, “We are looking forward to expanding the LEGO film franchise globally with these three incredibly imaginative movies, each offering something different to appeal to a broad range of audiences around the world.”

Jill Wilfert, Vice President of Licensing and Entertainment from The LEGO Group, noted, “We are so pleased to continue our creative partnership with Warner Bros. on these upcoming projects. It’s truly amazing to see how the big screen lends another dimension to the rich LEGO world, and offers new ways for fans to be engaged and entertained by these characters.”

LEGO, the LEGO logo, NINJAGO, the minifigure and the brick and knob configuration are trademarks of The LEGO Group. ©2015 The LEGO Group. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.


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Terminator Meets "Mission: Impossible" - Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Cruise



Arnold Schwarzenegger (left) shakes hands with Tom Cruise at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Nevada - courtesy of Paramount Pictures.


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Andy Samberg and Kelsey Grammer Give Voice to Warner's Bros.' "Storks"

Warner Bros. Pictures to Deliver “Storks” on September 23, 2016

Andy Samberg and Kelsey Grammer lend their voices to the new original animated adventure from the Warner Animation Group.

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures has announced that audiences can expect the studio’s new animated feature “Storks” to arrive in theatres on September 23, 2016. The announcement was made by Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President, International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

    “We are thrilled to be broadening our animation slate with the new adventure ‘Storks.’”

Nicholas Stoller (“Neighbors”) and Doug Sweetland (Oscar-nominated short “Presto”) are co-directing the feature from an original script by Stoller. Stoller is also producing the film, together with Brad Lewis. Glenn Ficarra, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, John Requa and Jared Stern are serving as executive producers.

Andy Samberg and Kelsey Grammer are set to star in “Storks,” with more voice cast to be announced.

With a totally original story developed under the umbrella of the Warner Animation Group, the film will deliver a fresh and funny look at the fable behind storks.

In announcing the date, Fellman stated, “We are thrilled to be broadening our animation slate with the new adventure ‘Storks.’”

Kwan Vandenberg, added, “‘Storks’ is an innovative idea that is sure to delight kids and families all over the world.”

Greg Silverman, Warner Bros. Pictures’ President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, noted, “This is an exciting project that demonstrates the boundless creativity and imagination of the Warner Animation Group and our dear friend and frequent collaborator, Nick Stoller.”

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Adam McKay's "The Big Short" Announces Cast Brad Pitt and Steve Carell

PARAMOUNT PICTURES, NEW REGENCY AND PLAN B ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE BALE, CARELL, GOSLING AND PITT COMING ABOARD “THE BIG SHORT” FROM DIRECTOR ADAM MCKAY

PRODUCTION HAS BEGUN IN NEW ORLEANS

HOLLYWOOD, CA – Paramount Pictures, New Regency and Plan B Entertainment today announced casting for “THE BIG SHORT,” with Christian Bale (“AMERICAN HUSTLE,” “THE DARK KNIGHT” trilogy), Steve Carell (“FOXCATCHER”), Ryan Gosling (“DRIVE,” “CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE”) and Brad Pitt (“FURY,” “WORLD WAR Z”) coming aboard the project for director Adam McKay (the “ANCHORMAN” films, “THE OTHER GUYS”). The film also stars Melissa Leo (“THE FIGHTER,” “FROZEN RIVER”) and Marisa Tomei (“CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE,” “THE WRESTLER”).

The film’s screenplay is written by McKay, from a script by Charles Randolph (“LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS”), based on Michael Lewis’ bestselling non-fiction book The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine.

“THE BIG SHORT” is the remarkable true story of the genius contrarian investors who, recognizing just how insane the housing bubble had become, figured out how to “short” the market prior to the financial collapse of 2008.

Rounding out the cast is Tracy Letts (“Homeland,” “ELVIS & NIXON”), Hamish Linklater (“The Newsroom,” “42”), John Magaro (“UNBROKEN,” “NOT FADE AWAY”), Byron Mann (“THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS,” “RISE OF THE LEGEND”), Rafe Spall (“LIFE OF PI,” “PROMETHEUS”), Jeremy Strong (“SELMA,” “ZERO DARK THIRTY”) and Finn Wittrock (“UNBROKEN,” “American Horror Story”).

The movie will be produced by Academy Award®-winners Pitt, Dede Gardner (“SELMA,” “12 YEARS A SLAVE”) and Jeremy Kleiner (“SELMA,” “12 YEARS A SLAVE”) via their Plan B Entertainment banner.

Production has begun in New Orleans.


About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About New Regency
Founded in 1991 by renowned producer Arnon Milchan, New Regency is actively engaged in entertaining the world.  The company has produced some of the most successful and critically-acclaimed films of all time with over 125 films and more than 50 television series in the company’s vast library, including 2014 Academy Award®-winning Best Picture, “12 Years A Slave.” New Regency is also dedicated to continuing to foster its unparalleled filmmaker relationships and today boasts partnerships with most acclaimed and sought-after creative forces in the industry.

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In Stores April 22, 2015: Dark Circle's "The Black Hood #3"

THE BLACK HOOD #3
NEW ONGOING SERIES FROM DARK CIRCLE

“The Bullet’s Kiss, Part 3” The Black Hood is supposed to be dead. Shot, de-masked, autopsied, buried. So who’s running around town in a ratty black hood, declaring war on the underworld? The City of Philadelphia is electrified by the fleeting glimpses they see on social media—but both the cops and the drug gangs want him stopped at all costs. However, the new Black Hood may not have to be stopped. He’s coming unglued all on his own…

Script: Duane Swierczynski
Art: Michael Gaydos, Rachel Deering, Kelly Fitzpatrick
Cover: Francesco Francavilla
Variant Cover: David Mack
Variant Cover: Howard Chaykin
Dark Circle Movie Throwback Variant Cover: Robert Hack
On Sale Date: Wed., 4/22/2015
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.

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Warner Bros.' "Pan" Changes Release Date to October 2015

Warner Bros. Pictures’ Action Adventure “Pan” is Flying High into the Fall Season

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Giving both the film and the filmmakers some extra breathing room, the opening date of Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “Pan” has been moved to fall and will begin its global launch with the new domestic release date of October 9, 2015. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President, International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

    “As you might expect, the fantastical story of Peter Pan involves very complex effects and I did not want to compromise on quality in finishing the film. This allows me and my team the time to complete the movie and tell the story the way it should be told.”

In making the announcement, Fellman said, “We wanted to give ‘Pan’ the space to extend its theatrical run, so taking it out of the cluttered summer season made the most sense. Moving the film to the heart of the fall will allow us more time to screen the picture, enabling us to capitalize on what we anticipate will be strong word of mouth.”

Kwan Vandenberg added, “Peter Pan is a beloved figure the world over, and the fall corridor is perfect for this epic adventure story that explores the origins of this young hero. In many markets we can take advantage of school holidays that ensure a greater opportunity for families to enjoy ‘Pan’ together.”

Director Joe Wright expressed his support for the move, noting, “As you might expect, the fantastical story of Peter Pan involves very complex effects and I did not want to compromise on quality in finishing the film. This allows me and my team the time to complete the movie and tell the story the way it should be told.”

From director Joe Wright (“Atonement,” “Pride & Prejudice”) comes “Pan,” a live-action feature presenting a wholly original adventure about the beginnings of the beloved characters created by J.M. Barrie.

Peter (Levi Miller) is a mischievous 12-year-old boy with an irrepressible rebellious streak, but in the bleak London orphanage where he has lived his whole life those qualities do not exactly fly. Then one incredible night, Peter is whisked away from the orphanage and spirited off to a world of pirates, warriors and fairies called Neverland. There, he finds amazing adventures and fights life-or-death battles while trying to uncover the secret of his mother, who left him at the orphanage so long ago, and his rightful place in this magical land. Teamed with the warrior Tiger Lily (Rooney Mara) and a new friend named James Hook (Garrett Hedlund), Peter must defeat the ruthless pirate Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman) to save Neverland and discover his true destiny—to become the hero who will forever be known as Peter Pan.

Wright directed “Pan” from a screenplay written by Jason Fuchs. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Oscar nominee Paul Webster (“Atonement”) are producing, with Tim Lewis serving as executive producer.

The film stars Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman (“Les Misérables”), Garrett Hedlund (“Inside Llewyn Davis”), Oscar nominee Rooney Mara (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”), newcomer Levi Miller, and Amanda Seyfried (“Les Misérables”). Rounding out the cast are Adeel Akhtar (“The Dictator”) as Smee; Taejoo Na (“The Kick”) as Kwahu; Nonso Anozie (“Son of God,” “Atonement”) as Bishop; Kathy Burke (“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”) as Mother Barnabas; Kurt Egyiawan (“Skyfall”) as Murray; Lewis MacDougall (UK TV’s “In the Name of the Children”) as Nibs; and Jack Charles (“Mystery Road”) as The Chief.

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, in Association with RatPac-Dune Entertainment, a Berlanti Production, a Joe Wright film, “Pan.” Filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, “Pan” is set for release in 3D and 2D in select theatres and IMAX® on October 9, 2015.

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Monday, April 20, 2015