Josh Brolin is the Voice of Thanos

If there's one character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that fans are so excited to finally see, it's the big bad villain Thanos who was teased in the last part of The Avengers movie, and will also be appearing in Guardians of the Galaxy, and is obviously anticipated to be the big villain for Marvel's Phase 3 with the third Avengers movie. Obviously, the character will mostly be CGI, but it is the voice actor who will provide more of the soul of the character (they'll also probably do a Motion-Capture for that actor (just as in the case of Mark Ruffalo for Hulk) to enable him to do physical acting to go along with the animated character as well. That actor who will do so has already been named. It's gonna be JOSH BROLIN! [hit the jump to continue]

"Kingsman: The Secret Service" is the new title of The Secret Service adaptation; sets official release date, posters, and trailer

The upcoming film adaptation of the Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons graphic novel series "The Secret Service" now has a new title and an official release date. Directed by Matthew Vaughn (who also directed "X-Men First Class" and that other Mark Millar story "Kick-Ass"), this adaptation has been retitled: "Kingsman: The Secret Service" and now has an official release date set on October 24, 2014. The Philippine release date has yet to be announced. [hit the jump to continue on to the cast, poster, and trailer]

Divergent Sequel; Insurgent Currently in Production

Following the success of "Divergent" Lionsgate films has been moving along with the development and production of its sequel. Principal photography has commenced on the feature film adaptation of "Insurgent" the second installment of the blockbuster "Divergent" action adventure franchise, starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, and Academy Award winner Kate Winslet.  Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer joins returning cast members Jai Courtney, Ray Stevenson, Zoë Kravitz, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q and Mekhi Phifer.  Based on author Veronica Roth’s New York Times best seller, the film is being directed by Robert Schwentke from a screenplay by Brian Duffield and Akiva Goldsman. Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher are producing the film through their Red Wagon Entertainment banner along with Pouya Shahbazian. Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman are executive producing through their Mandeville Films banner along with Neil Burger and Barry Waldman. Lionsgate will have "Insurgent" set for North American release March 20, 2015. [hit the jump to continue]

Syowing this Week [May 28, 2014 to June 3, 2014]

Maleficent
This is a live-action re-imagining of Walt Disney's 1959 animated film Sleeping Beauty, and portrays the story from the perspective of the antagonist, Maleficent. This dark fantasy adventure film is directed by Robert Stromberg from a screenplay written by Linda Woolverton, it stars Angelina Jolie as the eponymous Disney Villainess character, also stars Elle Fanning and Sharlto Copley.
SKEDS:
Robinsons Movieworld Cinema 1 [3D]
1:15 PM | 3:25 PM | 5:35 PM | 7:45 PM
Robinsons Movieworld Cinema 4
11:55 AM | 2:00 PM | 4:05 PM | 6:10 PM | 8:15 PM
SM Iloilo Cinema 8 [3D]
11:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 4:00 PM | 6:30 PM | 9:00 PM
SM Iloilo Cinema D-Cinema
11:40 AM | 2:00 PM | 4:20 PM | 6:40 PM | 9:00 PM
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Ekstra
One of the best Filipino movies of 2013, this socio-realist drama-comedy film by Jeffrey Jeturian, stars Vilma Santos as Loida Malabanan, who spends her days dreaming of her big break while working with the country’s best small screen actors. As the shoot goes on, we get a glimpse of the truth in the ruling system of the production as well as the exploitation of the marginalized laborers like her. The film includes special participation from actors and actresses such as Marian Rivera, Piolo Pascual, Cherie Gil, Pilar Pilapil, Eula Valdez, Cherry Pie Picache, and Richard Yap.
SKED: FDCP CINEMATHEQUE ILOILO
May 27, 2014 to June 1, 2014
Tuesday to Friday - 3:30 PM | 5:30 PM // Saturday & Sunday - 1:30 PM | 3:30 PM
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Maybe This Time
This Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng stars Sarah Geronimo and Coco Martin. This is a story between two people who will be reminded about the importance of being true to one’s self in order for true love to happen.
SKEDS:
Robinsons Movieworld Cinema 3
1:15 PM | 3:35 PM | 5:55 PM | 8:15 PM
Robinsons Movieworld Cinema 5
12:15 PM | 2:35 PM | 4:55 PM | 7:15 PM
SM Iloilo Cinema 4
1:00 PM | 3:40 PM | 6:20 PM | 9:00 PM
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The Quiet Ones
This British horror film directed by John Pogue centers upon Jared Harris as a college professor attempting to create a poltergeist. The film is loosely based on the Philip experiment, a 1972 parapsychology experiment conducted in Toronto.
SKEDS:
Robinsons Movieworld Cinema 2
12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 8:00 PM
SM Iloilo Cinema 7
1:30 PM | 4:00 PM | 6:30 PM | 9:00 PM
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X-Men: Days Of Future Past
This movie is the sequel to both the  2006 movie "X-Men: The Last Stand" and the 2011 "X-Men: First Class". This story, inspired by the 1981 Uncanny X-Men storyline "Days of Future Past" by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, focuses on two time periods and Wolverine being sent to 1973 to save the future of mutantkind. The film stars an ensemble cast, including Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Nicholas Hoult, Shawn Ashmore, Peter Dinklage, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. The story was conceived by Simon Kinberg, Matthew Vaughn, and Jane Goldman, with Kinberg writing the screenplay.
SKEDS:
Robinsons Movieworld Cinema 6 = 12:20 PM | 3:00 PM | 5:40 PM | 8:20 PM
SM Iloilo Cinema 1 = 11:00 AM | 2:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 8:00 PM
SM Iloilo Cinema 6 = 12:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 9:00 PM
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Godzilla (2014)
This American reboot of the Godzilla film franchise retells the origins of Godzilla in contemporary times as a "terrifying force of nature", depicted in a style faithful to the Toho series of Godzilla films. It stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, Juliette Binoche, Sally Hawkins, David Strathairn, and Bryan Cranston. The screenplay is credited to Max Borenstein but includes contributions from David Callaham, David S. Goyer, Drew Pearce, and Frank Darabont.
SKED: SM Iloilo Cinema 3 = 12:30 PM | 3:20 PM | 6:10 PM | 9:00 PM
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The Amazing Spider-Man 2
This is the sequel to the 2012 film The Amazing Spider-Man, it's directed by Marc Webb,  James Vanderbilt wrote the screenplay and Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci rewrote it. It stars Andrew Garfield as the title character, Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Campbell Scott, Embeth Davidtz, Colm Feore, Paul Giamatti and Sally Field
SKED: SM Iloilo Cinema 2 =11:30 AM | 2:40 PM | 5:50 PM | 9:00 PM

[ Screening Schedules are subject to change without prior notice ]

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them sets release date; Cuaron denies being attached to the project

Surely, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a movie that Harry Potter fans are looking forward to, but it may take quite some time before its release date. Warner Bros. has announced that Fantastic Beasts will have its theatrical release on November 18, 2016. The film is based on the J.K. Rowling book of the same name, which takes place within the Harry Potter universe but doesn’t involve any of the main characters from the insanely popular book series. Development of the project is moving along quietly. Rowling herself is penning the screenplay for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, but a director has yet to be attached. Alfonso Cuaron, who directed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, was initially attached to direct this project, but has denied these reports.

While speaking with Spanish news agency EFE (via Digital Spy), Cuaron stated that he will not be directing Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Cuaron's quote goes:
“[Directing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban] was a very beautiful experience for me. I have a lot of love for that universe and I tremendously admire JK Rowling, but today, for the present, projects based around lots of visual effects don’t attract me. I’m coming out of a five-year process of doing visual effects and now I sort of want to clean my palate of that a little bit.” [hit the jump to continue]

Rurouni Kenshin Sequels set Philippine Release Dates

Good news Samurai X fans, Warner Brothers Philippines has announced today that Rurouni Kenshin 2 and 3 will have their Philippine release dates sked August and September this year. Part 2, which is entitled Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno is set to be released on August 20, 2014 (Japan release date set on August 1), and Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends is set for release on September 24, 2014 (to be released in Japan September 13). The news broke out today via Warner Bros Philippines' facebook page. [hit the jump to continue]

Drew Goddard exits Daredevil TV Series

More big bad news for Marvel fans this weekend. According to sources, award winning writer/director Drew Goddard has left the upcoming Marvel TV series DAREDEVIL. Goddard was supposed to write and direct the first episode of Daredevil, while also serving as series Showrunner and Executive Producer for the 13-episode series premiering on Netflix in 2015. Drew Goddard will hand over showrunning duties to Steven S. DeKnight, who is finalizing a deal to board the series. Goddard will segue to writing and directing Sony's Spider-Man spinoff Sinister Six, which will focus on the villains from that universe. He'll remain with Daredevil and serve as a consultant on the drama.

Daredevil's new showrunner Steven S. DeKnight was the showrunner on three seasons of Starz's Spartacus which was wrapped in 2013. His credits include working with Goddard on Joss Whedon's Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer well as Whedon's Dollhouse and The CW's Smallville.

As for Sony's Sinister Six, it's actually a bit wierd that Goddard has prioritized working on this project instead, what with Amazing Spider-man 2 now being considered by many movie analysts as both a critical and commercial disappointment for the studio.

Director Edgar Wright Exits ANT-MAN over Creative Differences

Bad news to Marvel fans; Edgar Wright has vacated the director’s chair of Marvel’s Ant-Man.  Marvel Studios and Wright released a statement explaining the reason for the departure, saying it was “due to differences  in their vision of the film.”  This move is not expected to impact the July 17, 2015 release date as Marvel is zeroing in on a replacement, though no negotiations are currently in place. Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly are still expected to star alongside Corey Stoll, Michael Peña and Patrick Wilson.

Marvel and Edgar Wright jointly announced today that the studio and director have parted ways on ANT-MAN due to differences in their vision of the film. The decision to move on is amicable and does not impact the release date on July 17, 2015. A new director will be announced shortly. [hit the jump to continue]

Man of Steel's sequel title is "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice"

After much speculation, the Man of Steel sequel which has been referred to as the Batman/Superman movie or the Superman vs Batman movie, now puts the confusion to rest and confirms that its official title is going to be: "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice" The official logo, website, and a press release has been released for the upcoming movie which is set on May 6, 2016. [hit the jump to read the press release]

Fans Offered to have a Cameo on Star Wars Episode VII

Are you one of those who are excited for STAR WARS Episode VII? Do you want to have the chance to fly to London (where they’re shooting most of the movie) to visit the set, meet the cast, and get a cameo in the movie? Well, in a special video message from the set of Star Wars: Episode VII, director J.J. Abrams announced the creation of Star Wars: Force for Change, a brand new Star Wars initiative from Disney and Lucasfilm in collaboration with Bad Robot dedicated to finding creative solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems. The first Star Wars: Force for Change campaign will raise funds and awareness for the United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) Innovation Labs and its innovative programs that are benefitting the world’s most vulnerable children. [continue after the jump]

Godzilla Sequel now being planned

GODZILLA just had his big, big monster success at the box office. And of course in Hollywood, that translates into having to prepare for a sequel. And yes, it's now been confirmed that a sequel for Godzilla will be made. Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are moving forward with a sequel, although there are currently no details about the plot. They played their cards right in making this new Godzilla movie. And although the film may not necessarily be a critic-stamped "great movie" it was awesome enough to appeal to the larger demographic of people who just want to watch a big, thrilling monster movie. Now, we wonder what kind of monster will he be facing next. Let's just wait till the early tremors of his return...

Gambit movie to be made; Channing Tatum to play the title character

Gambit is one of the X-men characters that actually came in late in the franchise, as he was only introduced in the comics in the 90's. But he got popular pretty quick with the 90's kids. And ever since the first X-men movie, there had been a number of fans who were already crying for Gambit to make that silver screen appearance. Gambit is pretty big and it's really not a surprise to find out that a spin-off spotlight movie for Gambit movie is in development. And the rumors are now confirmed: Channing Tatum will play Gambit.

Earlier this year, there had already been several buzzes that a Channing Tatum - Gambit movie will be made, it's because X-Men producer Lauren Shuler Donner has been expressing her wishes to see Gambit on the silver screen with Channing Tatum to play the role.  She explained that she was “dying to do a Gambit movie” with Tatum, and it was just a matter of getting the studio on board.  A month ago, Tatum said he had met with Donner and would love to play the role because he’s a huge fan of the character.  However, there was still the question of whether or not it would all come together. [hit the jump to continue]

The Look for Batman in the Batman/Superman movie has been Revealed

The first image of Ben Affleck as Batman in director Zack Snyder’s superhero sequel Batman vs. Superman (unofficial title) has landed online.  Affleck plays Bruce Wayne/Batman to Henry Cavill’s Superman in the follow-up to Snyder’s 2013 film Man of Steel, with Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, and Diane Lane reprising their roles, Gal Gadot onboard as Wonder Woman, and Jesse Eisenberg set as the clever villain Lex Luthor. This yet-to-be-titled Batman/Superman movie is scheduled for May 6, 2016.

H.R. Giger passes away at 74

Swiss surrealist artist H.R. Giger who designed the monster and revolutionary sci-fi sets for the film "Alien" has died on Monday May 12, 2014, in Zurich from injuries he obtained after suffering a fall, an employee of the H.R. Giger Museum said, confirming reports in Swiss media.. He was 74. [hit the jump to continue]

"Thy Womb" to be shown this week

As far as international awards go, and international reputation, Filipino filmmaker Brillante Mendoza stands as the current reigning master auteur. Among many other awards and achievements, he won the award for Best Director for his film “Kinatay” at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. One of his multi-awarded films "Thy Womb" is set to be screened this coming week (only from May 13, 2014 to May 18, 2014), at the FDCP Cinematheque, B & C Building, Solis Street, Iloilo City. [hit the jump to continue]

Writer Leigh Whannell will direct Insidious 3

Sony Pictures and Blumhouse Productions has announced that Leigh Whannell will direct the third chapter of the INSIDIOUS film franchise which he will also write.  Focus Features, which acquired the rights to release INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3 from FilmDistrict, plans to release it on April 3, 2015. Blumhouse Productions, which produced both INSIDIOUS and INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2, is producing the next installment along with Oren Peli and James Wan. Whannell has written both INSIDIOUS and INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2 which earned more than $40 million at the box office in its opening weekend making it one of the largest horror genre openings ever and one of the biggest openings for a film released in the month of September. Whannell most recently wrote and starred in the Sundance hit COOTIES, the SXSW darling THE MULE, and, along with Wan, co-created the hit SAW franchise. Steven Schneider, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Peter Schlessel, Lia Buman, and Xavier Marchand are executive producing. Principal photography of the movie is scheduled to start this summer on July 7th. [hit the jump to continue]

Disney plans to make three more Star Wars spin-off movies

Once the Star Wars property fell into the hands of Disney, we can be sure to assume that Disney would be driving this big potential franchise machine into maximum capacity. They suddenly have this flood of ideas for the Star Wars property. Aside from the upcoming Star Wars: Episode 7, there's the planned TV series, one of them is the animated TV series Star Wars Rebels which is already set to be launched. But Disney has revealed that they are planning full-length spin-off movies for Star Wars as well, expanding the Star Wars universe into its literal definition. [hit the jump to continue]

Lionsgate and Saban are developing a new Power Rangers movie

Super Sentai had already been "a thing" not only in Japan, but also in the Philippines since the 70's and 80's (what with Star Rangers, Mask Rider Black, and Bioman), but it wasn't till America and Australia took notice of it and introduced the Western world to The Power Rangers in the early 90's. It was then when it had become this children's show phenomenon in the 90's. Now, Saban Entertainment is joining forces with Lionsgate films to make a new live-action Power Rangers movie. [hit the jump to continue]

STAR WARS 7 Principal Photography Starts May 14, and they're looking for Extras

a scene during the 1977 Star Wars, which had lots of extras

After waiting for the entire day for Star Wars news on May 4 (which has been referred to as "Star Wars" day - May the Fourth... be with you - get it?), the only news that came out of it was that shooting for the Episode 7 begins May 14, and that production is looking for extras. Well, that news is only good if you  live in England and are legally eligible to work in London and the UK. [hit the jump for details]

The Philippines on the spotlight at The Terracotta Far East Film Festival in London

The Terracotta Far East Film Festival (TFEFF) is the biggest annual event for Asian cinema in London, and its spotlight will be on the Philippines, hailing it as ‘the next big thing’. Seven Filipino feature films will be featured in the upcoming event which will be held at The Prince Charles Cinema and The Institute of Contemporary Art, London between May 23 to June 1, 2014. The films to be screened are Siege Ledesma’s “Shift,” Veronica Velasco’s “Tuhog,” Raya Martin’s “How to Disappear Completely,” Andrew Leavold’s “The Search for Weng-Weng,” Nathan Adolfson’s “A Thief, A Kid & A Killer,” Erik Matti’s “On the Job,” and also his “Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles” which is included in the horror features.
[hit the jump to check out the screening skeds]

Cathy Garcia Molina helms screen adaptation of "She's Dating the Gangster"

Cathy Garcia Molina's next film is "She’s Dating the Gangster" which is based on the book, written by Bianca Bernardino, of the same title. The film stars the hot young onscreen couple, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. "She’s Dating the Gangster" tells the heart-wrenching tale of 17-year-old Athena Dizon and campus bad boy Kenji de los Reyes, two teenagers who begin a pretend relationship that ultimately transforms into something deeper. This is the kind of film that is a perfect vehicle for teen pulp romance, the kind that Kathryn and Daniel star in. Despite the fact that this seems like another cheesy mainstream cinema bubble love story, this is directed by Cathy Garcia Molina; the director who manages to make mainstream love story flicks which are seriously much better and much higher quality than the average mainstream tagalog movie. She has directed such films as "One More Chance", "A Very Special Love", and "My Amnesia Girl". "She’s Dating the Gangster" is currently in production. Its target playdate will be during the third quarter of 2014.

Justin Kurzel in talks to direct the Assassin's Creed movie

Though the project has been in slow development, despite its August 7, 2015 release date, the Assassin’s Creed movie had thus far been moving ahead without a director.  Now things are moving up, as Justin Kurzel is in talks to helm the video game adaptation.  Michael Fassbender is producing and attached to star in the pic, and Kurzel last helmed the upcoming Macbeth feature film adaptation in which Fassbender is also the star.

Daniel Espinosa (Safe House) and Gareth Evans (The Raid) had been rumored to direct Assassin’s Creed a few months ago, but Fassbender has lobbied hard for Kurzel to land the job.  Screenwriter Michael Lesslie, who also wrote Macbeth, performed the most recent rewrite on the script.  Kurzel is currently in post-production on the Shakespeare adaptation, but he’ll likely move right into Assassin’s Creed once he’s finished.

[source: Collider]

Chito Roño's next movie; legal drama entitled The Trial

Chito Roño, director of Badil, Private Show, and Emir, is currently prepping his next movie, which is a legal drama entitled "The Trial". It stars John Lloyd Cruz, Gretchen Barretto, Jessy Mendiola and Richard Gomez. Richard plays a lawyer and Gretchen plays a doctor, both are married but are on the verge of a break-up. A love triangle ensues when John Lloyd's character steps into their lives. "The Trial" is a legal drama "based on the way justice is misused". No specific release date has been announced as of yet.

Bob Hoskins passes away

Actor Bob Hoskins has passed away at the age of 71.  According to his agent (via Empire), Hoskins died of pneumonia in hospital on Tuesday. He had retired from acting in 2012 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  Hoskins had over 100 acting credits to his name, and his final on-screen performance was playing “Muir” in Snow White and the Huntsman. Hoskins career contained a diverse and rich collection of roles.  After starring in various TV series, Hoskins breakthrough role came in the 1980 crime drama The Long Good Friday. 

From there, he took on a diverse array of characters including turns in Brazil, The Cotton Club, Nixon, and Hook.  He actually ended up playing Captain Hook’s sidekick Smee not only in Hook but again in the unrelated Peter Pan adaptation, the TV miniseries Neverland. [Hit the jump to continue]