EDDIE REDMAYNE: FANTASTIC BEAST
After years of being a working British actor, taking jobs to keep crumpets on the table in films such as Elizabeth: The Golden Age and The Other Boleyn Girl, Eddie Redmayne has become a household name in the last year, with his Oscar-winning role as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. Being a household name actor in modern times basically means you are immediately locked in to a multi-film deal in at least one blockbuster franchise, a rule so unbreakable that Redmayne has now joined the Harry Potter universe, even though all the Harry Potter movies have finished.
It’s been talked about for a while but The Wrap reports that Redmayne is now confirmed to be starring as ‘magizoologist’ Newt Scamander in Potter-spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The film will be helmed by David Yates, he of the last 100 or so Harry Potter movies, and will have a script written by J.K. Rowling herself.
Said Yates:
Eddie Redmayne has emerged as one of today’s most extraordinarily talented and acclaimed actors. We are thrilled to welcome him into J.K. Rowling‘s Wizarding World, where we know he will deliver a remarkable performance as Newt Scamander, the central character in ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Eddie is a fearless actor, brimming with invention, wit and humanity. I couldn’t be more excited about the prospect of working with him as we start this new adventure in J.K. Rowling‘s wonderful world, and I know she feels the same way
Fearless as it was for Redmayne to stroll into a gimme Oscar role and millions of dollars, this is probably a good fit for him. Benedict Cumberbatch, the Coke to his Pepsi, has got the Marvel side of things locked down, Lord of the Rings stuff is done and he is perfect for the part of Newt Scamander, in the sense that he is British and not already something else from Harry Potter. This will mark an exciting entry into genre fiction for him, because I’m sure he has already bleached his part in Jupiter Ascending right the way out of his brain forever.
BIG TROUBLE, LITTLE CREATIVITY
They’re remaking Big Trouble in Little China. I’m a reasonable guy. But I’ve just experienced some very unreasonable things.
The check is in the mail for Dwayne Johnson, the man who just keeps making hits in Hollywood, as he is in talks to star in the remake of John Carpenter’s larger-than-life 80s adventure, presumably as ol’ Jack Burton (Incredible as Gracie “The Rock” Law would be). He’s also going to produce the film alongside partners Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia. Messing with a cult hit like Big Trouble seems inadvisable, but Playing Devil’s Advocate for a minute, in The Thing, John Carpenter himself remade a 30 year old movie and ended up a classic of the genre and possibly his best work, and Johnson is supposedly a fan of the movie and a pretty spot on pick to play the infinitely confident but totally clueless Jack Burton. On the other hand, they’ve already remade a bunch of Carpenter movies and every remake was inessential, and maaaybe The Rock is just not a guy you want around anything Chinese in any context ever…who knows. All we can do now is sit tight, hold the fort and keep the homes fires burning. And if the movie isn’t good…call the president.
HAPPYPLACE CURATORS PIXAR FINALLY ADD DINOSAURS
Sometimes life can be difficult, you know? Let’s cut the words short. Wrap yourselves in the comfort blanket that is Pixar, and the teaser for their next movie, which involves dinosaurs. You like dinosaurs don’t you? Yes you do, yes you do. Shhh, shh it’s all gonna be okay.