DISNEY CONFIRMS ANGELINA JOLIE FOR "MALEFICENT" AND IN TALKS FOR "POPPINS" FILM

Emma Thompson at TIFF 2006

A couple bits of exciting news from Disney! Angelina Jolie as many of us know, is set to star in upcoming Live-Action Fantasy Maleficent, which touches upon the Evil Fairy's origins prior to her cursing Sleeping Beauty. They always say Actors make Films for their Kids. Would it be safe to say that her inspiration for this is the Jolie-Pitt Clan? The Film which is set for release March 14, 2014, will be helmed by Robert Stromberg, Production Designer for Avatar and Alice in Wonderland 3-D. He also will be directing another upcoming Disney Feature, Oz the Great and Powerful (Michelle Williams, James Franco, Mila Kunis).

 Although it still has yet to be confirmed, Variety is reporting that Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson are nearing negotiations to star in Saving Mr. Banks, which centers on Walt Disney's 14-year courting of Author P.L. Travers to write the Script for eventual 1964 Classic, Mary Poppins starring Julie Andrews.  Hanks is said to be playing Walt Disney himself, while Thompson is being eyed for Travers. If this isn't Oscar Bait, I don't know what is!  Sounds brilliant.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

"EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Nine year-old Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn) loses his Father Thomas (Tom Hanks) tragically as a result of the September 11th World Trade Center attacks. Before his passing, Thomas leaves behind a mysterious Key in his closet, leading Oskar to go an on all-consuming search throughout the five Boroughs of New York City to find its accompanying Lock.
This quest however, happens without his grieving Mother Linda's (Sandra Bullock) knowledge and along the way, Oskar gets a bit of unlikely help from an Elderly Gentleman (Max von Sydow) who is renting a room from his Grandmother (Zoe Caldwell). The Boy must face and conquer his own personal demons in unraveling this great Mystery in honour of his beloved Father.

Director Stephen Daldry (The Reader, The Hours) truly can do no wrong and such is the case with the intense, detailed and heartfelt Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, an Adaptation of the bestselling Novel by Jonathan Safran Foer.  Despite already an impeccable Cast, all eyes migrate to Breakout Star Horn, a discovery from Game Show Jeopardy. The young Actor handles the quiet nuances required of his Role with equal dexterity as its more melodramatic moments.  A true indication of his ability comes in a particularly tricky and verbose scene where he is paired with von Sydow, rattling off his lines with the skill and conviction of a true Professional beyond his years.  Horn holds his own beautifully in key tender moments with Oscar-caliber talents Bullock, Jeffrey Wright and Viola Davis.

ENTER TO WIN AN ADVANCE PASS TO SEE "EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE" IN TORONTO

Still from Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

I'm extremely honoured and incredibly pleased to be hosting this Giveaway together with Warner Bros. Canada.  Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close has all the makings of a real Holiday Classic.  The heartwarming Story follows Oskar (Thomas Horn), an 11 year-old Boy who goes on a search throughout New York City to find the mysterious Lock to the Key his deceased Father left behind to him.  Oskar's Father Thomas (Tom Hanks) died in the World Trade Center Attacks. Stephen Daldry (The Hours, The Reader) directs.

This Advance Screening takes place in Toronto on Monday, December 19, 2011. Although the allotment of Tickets still are being finalized, you can click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook to enter.  All entries must be received by December 16, 2011.  Good luck, Mavenati - this is one you don't want to miss!

As an added Bonus, I will be on-hand following the Screening to hand all Winners a Copy of the Novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (Movie Tie-in Edition) by Jonathan Safran Foer now in-stores from Thomas Allen.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR "EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE"

Official Artwork for Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Grab a Kleenex ...or ten. The Trailer for the Stephen Daldry's Adaptation of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close finally has surfaced. Quick-paced and melancholy, it looks to have that same Boy-like wonderment in the face of Tragedy that 2002's The Hours had and that same powerful storytelling 2008's The Reader possessed.

Although it originally was to be released via Warner Bros. in January 2012, it looks now like plans are ahead of schedule, pushing for a Christmas release, marking Sandra Bullock's first Film post-Oscar/Divorce and also what looks to be the start of a promising for Child Actor, Thomas Horn.

The post-911 Drama follows a Boy named Oskar (Horn) who searches New York for a Lock to the Key his Father (Tom Hanks) gave him prior to passing away. 

See the Trailer in full below:

LEONARDO DICAPRIO TOPS FORBES' HIGHEST-EARNING ACTORS LIST

Still from J Edgar

We already know who the Highest-Paid Actresses are according to Forbes, but they've now announced their list of Hollywood's five Highest-Earning Actors for the year ending May 1, 2011. 

 The Top Five are as follows:

LARRY CROWNE - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Larry Crowne

Although not necessarily his meatiest material to-date, Tom Hanks shines bright in latest self-directed and co-written Rom-Com, Larry Crowne, about a 40-something Man fired from his Job at a Discount Retailer. Due to changes in the current economic climate, Larry is forced to upgrade his skills and thus decides to return to College where among other courses, he studies Speech Delivery under a de-motivated yet immensely attractive Professor Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts).

Unable to afford Gas for his SUV, Larry buys a Scooter from his Neighbour Lamar (Cedric the Entertainer) at a Yard Sale and then is introduced by classmate Talia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) to a group of Scooter-riding, well-meaning Misfits who help turn his life around. As he begins to apply himself to his studies in trying to maintain a work/life balance, his feelings for Mercedes grow stronger. There is only one catch though – Mercedes not only is his Professor which presents professional risks to her by being involved with Larry – she also is married still (albeit unhappily) to husband Dean (Bryan Cranston).

ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF THE OST TO "LARRY CROWNE"

Just about everybody's excited to see Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts reunite on-screen in Larry Crowne! The Romantic Comedy follows the story of a middle-aged Man who loses his job and is forced to re-invent himself by going back to College, where he falls in love with his Professor.

In theatres July 1, 2011 via Alliance Films, you can watch its Trailer in full below:

TOM HANKS & JULIA ROBERTS ON "LARRY CROWNE"

Julia Roberts & Tom Hanks in June 2011 issue of W Magazine

Too hot! Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks cover the June issue of W Magazine as part of the build-up to their upcoming Film together, Larry Crowne.

Lynn Hirschberg sits down and interviews Hanks and Roberts separately in the fascinating Piece.  Hanks who co-writes and directs Larry Crowne, reveals that this upcoming Film is a social commentary on America today, feeling that he is living in cynical times.  Hanks says, "People are afraid of change. People say, I can’t do this or that. Why? Because I’d have to change something. Well, yes: You should change. The idea of change makes them nervous, but I think change is good. Always.".

Roberts however who is v. conscious of her age comments on her choice to steer from Rom-Coms at this stage in her career saying, "I think it’s called growing up. Light and funny has a more compelling quality when you’re younger. But I haven’t abandoned the genre: I love falling down; I love Lucille Ball. It’s just that a lot of those stories revolve around problems that I can’t convincingly portray at this age.".

TRAILER FOR "LARRY CROWNE"

Still from Larry Crowne

This Trailer totally brought a smile to my face. Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks - together again! Universal Pictures' Larry Crowne opens July 1, 2011, re-teaming Roberts and Hanks for the first time since 2007's Charlie Wilson's War.

The Comedy is about a Man who gets fired from his job, going back to College where he meets and falls in love with his Professor.  Larry Crowne is directed by Hanks and is Co-written by him also with My Big Fat Greek Wedding Helmer Nia Vardalos.  Can we all agree that Vardalos is long overdue for a hit?

Watch the Trailer in full below:

SANDRA BULLOCK & TOM HANKS FILM "EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE" IN NEW YORK CITY

In what looks like an absolute Tearjerker, Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks have begun filming their new project Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.  This marks Bullock's return to work after a year marked by many personal highs and lows.
Set in New York City and based upon the 2005 Novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, it is about an eleven year-old Boy named Oscar (Thomas Horn) who goes on an all-out search for the lock to the key his Father (Hanks) left him before he was killed in the 9/11 Attacks.

Stephen Daldry, Director of sublime The Hours, helms the project which also features an excellent Cast of Jeffrey Wright, John Goodman, Viola Davis and James Gandolfini. 2012 Oscar Contender.

Just Jared has posted some snaps from the Set here.