ANNE HATHAWAY JOINS HUGH JACKMAN IN "LES MISÉRABLES"

Hugh Jackman in Toronto - July 2011

In what's shaping up to be a stellar Cast for the upcoming Musical Film Adaptation ofLes Misérables, Anne Hathaway has just been confirmed to play the coveted role of Fantine, as reported by Variety.  Hathaway's career just seems to be getting sweeter being set also to appear in upcoming The Dark Knight Rises as Catwoman next July.  Other Actresses in the running for the role of Fantine include Rebecca Hall and Amy Adams.

Set in 19th-Century France, Hugh Jackman will be taking on the Lead Role of Jean Valjean, a Prisoner on Parole for stealing bread, seeking redemption, while also evading the attentions of Inspector Javert. 

Although Russell Crowe (as Javert), Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter also are linked to the Project, there still is no word yet on who will be playing the important roles of  Cosette and Marius (taken-on recently Nick Jonas in London). Director Tom Hooper, known best for The King's Speech will be helming the Musical.

Universal Pictures will be releasing Les Misérables in the U.S., December 2012.


(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Pirates of the Caribbean:
On Stranger Tides

Did another instalment really need to be made? And did it need really to be in 3-D? No, not really. How does one deny though the worldwide success of the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise, having grossed over $2.6 billion since 2003? Its Legacy is something to be respected and its legions of Followers should have no problems appreciating this latest Chapter also.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is the fourth film in the series from A Jerry Bruckheimer Production and Walt Disney Motion Pictures. Here we follow free-spirited Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he reunites with a mysterious Woman from his past named Angelica (Penélope Cruz) whom he has scorned. The fiery Daughter of tyrannical Blackbeard (Ian McShane) is on a quest with her Father aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge to locate the illusive Fountain of Youth and the two chalices one must drink from in order to live forever.

We never are sure whether Angelica’s feelings towards Jack are genuine or whether she simply wants to use him – with the help of Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and Gibbs (Kevin McNally) - for the benefit of her Father in his conquest. Before Jack and Co. can make their way to the Fountain of Youth, they must survive some internal strife aboard the Ship and also, the dangerous Waters they charter.

ENTER TO WIN A PASS FOR TWO TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING IN TORONTO OF "PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES"

Still from Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Join Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he encounters a mysterious Woman from his past named Angelica (Penélope Cruz). We wonder though, if it's love or if she simply is using him to get to the illusive Fountain of Youth after forcing him aboard the ruthless pirate Blackbeard's (Ian McShane) ship, Queen Anne's Revenge.

Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Walt Disney Motion Pictures proudly present Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and together with Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven, we want to give two lucky Readers in Toronto each a pass for two to see an Advance Screening of the Film on Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 7:00 PM at Scotiabank Theatre.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is directed by Academy Award-winning Director Rob Marshall with a Screen Story and Screenplay written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. It opens in theatres on Friday, May 20, 2011.  Visit the official website here.

To qualify for the win, please leave a comment telling me who produces Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides no later than Monday, May 16, 2011 at 12:00 PM EST. Good luck, Mavenati!

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Motion Pictures)

"THE KING'S SPEECH" SETS BOX OFFICE RECORD IN LIMITED RELEASE

Still from The King's Speech

Congratulations to The Weinstein Co. as they've been long overdue for a hit for a while.   And it looks like they already have the favourite for Best Picture at the 2011 Oscars with The King's Speech which opened in limited release this weekend.  The Film set a Box Office record with an average gross per theatre of $87,500 and $350,000 from just four theatres this weekend. 

Tom Hooper's The King's Speech will open in theatres in wide release December 10, 2010.

Read my review of it here. 

THE KING'S SPEECH REVIEW - TIFF CADILLAC PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD WINNER

The King's Speech

Although I regret not having had a chance to see The King's Speech in its first two screenings at TIFF, I was thrilled to hear that it was selected as this year's winner of the Cadillac People's Choice Award based on festival-goer votes. And I can see why audiences reacted so passionately to the Tom Hooper (The Damned United) film after having seen it now.

The story begins with Bertie (later known as King George VI) being second-in-line to the throne of an ailing King George V. He suffers from a stuttering problem, preventing him from being an effective political leader. With the help of his wife, later known as Queen Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), he winds up receiving the guidance of an unconventional Speech Therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Bertie however, is reluctant to co-operate and Lionel struggles to get him to open-up.

Bertie's brother Edward VIII (Guy Pearce) winds up succeeding to the throne but his love for a twice-divorced woman Wallis Simpson (Eve Best) stirs up a bit of controversy and being adamant in marrying her, Edward winds up foregoing his title as King and Bertie assumes the role.  He however, lacks the self-belief to tackle the daunting role. From here, we see Bertie's transition as King George VI, guiding England into World War II - but it is far from a cakewalk for him.

COLIN FIRTH AND GEOFFREY RUSH IN TORONTO AT TIFF FOR THE KING'S SPEECH

Photographer and Mr. Will-W.: Pop Maven reader Tyrone was ever so nice to share these snaps he got of Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush on their way back to their Hotel last  night.  The two are here to premiere their new film The King's Speech, which continues to be the toast of TIFF so far, with loads of praise pouring in for their performances.

Firth is celebrating his 50th Birthday believe it or not and a small gathering of media and industry was held at Soho House, just outside of Chinatown this evening.  I did get a photo with Firth, who is always amazingly kind, but will post that tomorrow as it's now 3:00 AM and I need to be up at an obscene hour in the morning for another day of Stargazing, Movie Screenings and Television appearances.  Thanks Tyrone for these - they're great!

The King's Speech from The Weinstein Co./Alliance Films (Canada) will be in theatres November 26, 2010.

(Photo credit: Tyrone Kerr)

PRAISE FOR COLIN FIRTH AND GEOFFREY RUSH IN THE KING'S SPEECH

Colin Firth and Helena Bonham-Carter
 in The King's Speech

"Speaking of ensemble pieces, Tom Hooper’s The King’s Speech started things off just right this morning and received a hell of a reaction from the crowd." - Kristopher Tapley, In Contention

The praise keeps pouring in for yet another fine performance from TIFF favourite Colin Firth, along with the legendary Geoffrey Rush in The King's Speech.  The Tom Hooper film is about a man who becomes King George VI but lacks the confidence from others in being a competent King due to his stuttering problem.  He then hires a Speech Therapist to help him lead England through War.  At the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado this weekend, the film received a five minute standing ovation apparently according to In Contention and is definitely one to look out for come Oscars season.  

The King's Speech opens December 1, 2010 via Alliance Films in Canada and will be a Gala Presentation at this year's TIFF on Friday, September 10, 2010 at Roy Thomson Hall.