Why Russell Crowe Really Turned Down Wolverine: He's Not Into Cartoons

It's become quite the water cooler geek topic over the past few weeks regarding the news that Russell Crowe turned down the opportunity to play Wolverine in 2000's X-Men, leading the way for Hugh Jackman's rise to fame in the role.

In this interview with Access Hollywood's Michelle Beadle at the NYC press junket for Les Misérables, Crowe dishes on why taking the part of the popular Marvel Mutant was not right for him at the time, having just come off of Gladiator. Crowe apparently felt the characters were too similar, and apparently suggested to director Bryan Singer that he take a look at his friend and fellow Aussie Hugh Jackman. And we know how that all turned out.

But what has been predominantly absent in most of these recent reports is where Scottish actor Dougray Scott fits into all this. Scott was initially set to play Wolverine, but was unable to make the start date for X-Men in 1999 when he had to honor his commitment to playing the main villain in John Woo's Mission: Impossible II, which ran weeks over its shooting schedule. Jackman was then cast as Wolverine shortly before filming began. Where in this timeline Crowe's presence in relation to Scott's remains to be revealed.

Whether you think Wolverine was too similar to Maximus or not, take note how Crowe dismounts off the topic in the video by dismissing the whole X-Men deal as "it's a cartoon. I'm not really into those."

In twelve years time, Crowe must have re-considered his views regarding said "cartoons," signing on to play Superman's dad Jor-El in the upcoming Man of Steel. But hey, if the role was good enough for Brando, it should be good enough for Crowe, right?

SOURCE: AccessHollywood.com

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Hugh Jackman In Talks For 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' & Confirms Crowe's Past Wolverine Casting

I'm a bit late to the party here, but nonetheless check out this Access Hollywood interview with Hugh Jackman, where he explains to Michelle Beadle how his old friend Russell Crowe's disinterest in the role of Wolverine changed his life forever.

Sure the story has been circling the web for the past few weeks now, but what has been predominantly absent in most of these recent reports is where Scottish actor Dougray Scott fits into all this.

Scott was initially set to play Wolverine, but was unable to make the start date for X-Men in 1999 and honor his commitment to John Woo's Mission: Impossible II, which ran weeks over its initial production schedule. Director Bryan Singer was forced to re-cast the role and Jackman stepped in shortly before filming commenced. Where in this casting timeline Crowe actually lies in remains to be revealed.

While in New York City to talk up Les Misérables, Jackman also reveals he is in talks with Bryan Singer to appear in X-Men: Days of Future Past. But if there is no one more gung-ho for the big screen X-Men franchise than Jackman. Frankly, it would be more surprising if he didn't take part in it.

SOURCE: AccessHollywood.com

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Anne Hathaway Already Shedding Tears Thinking About Selina Kyle, And Knows Nothing About A 'Catwoman' Spin-Off

So this has been picked up many times over by now, but I can see this as something remaining of online interest until this Catwoman spin-off film is finally confirmed to never happen.

In the video below, Anne Hathaway chats with Access Hollywood's Michelle Beadle more on how she dearly misses her Selina Kyle character from The Dark Knight Rises than any spin-off updates from the film.

“No one’s talked to me about it,” the 2008 Oscar Nominee said about returning to the big screen as Selina Kyle (who was never actually referred to as Catwoman).

"I was at a press Q & A thing the other night for a screening of The Dark Knight, and the moderator asked me, ‘So what was it like to say goodbye to the character?’ And I burst into tears, because I miss her,” she said.

“It just makes me cry. I miss her. I love Selina so much and I love her presence in my life and getting to… I’m crying again.”

“So assuming there was enough Kleenex in the world, I would love to do a spin-off.”

SOURCE: AccessHollywood.com

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Could 'Star Wars' Be In Peter Jackson's Future?

Today I had the privilege of sitting down with Peter Jackson for a one-on-one interview at the press junket for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in  New York City, which in unto itself is too geek cool to even think too hard about.

I was on assignment reporting for Access Hollywood, and a much as I would like to immediately detail every single word of what transpired during the interviews with Jackson and the other cast members, the reality of it is I can share only the material that is first posted on their website or broadcast on their shows. So expect bits and pieces of my interviews to pop up here in the next week or so, as they become available.

That said, while I certainly did have the pleasure to chat with the visionary director/writer and producer on all things The Hobbit, I could not in good geek conscience let him go without asking about the upcoming trilogy of Star Wars films, or the planned spin-offs. And frankly, which director has not or will not be asked about them in the next year or so, muck less Peter Jackson?

Would the master of Middle Earth consider crossing over into a galaxy far far away?

“Star Wars? I dunno. I’ve never really thought about it. I’m busy for the next couple of years, he said with a laugh, as he is still has weeks of pick-ups to do for the next two Hobbit films next year. "So I’m off the cards for the next Star Wars film unfortunately.” So scratch off at least Episode VII.

“But, I’ve got huge admiration for what George [Lucas] created. He did what [J.R.R.] Tolkien did, really,” Jackson said. "He created a mythology.

"I don’t know. Someone would have to ask me and I’d have to have a very serious think about it.”

Completing the next two films in the trilogy will conceivably keep Jackson insanely busy, and off the map for outside projects until 2014, when The Hobbit: There And Back Again is released. Star Wars: Episode VII is set for the big screen in 2015, which makes him a possible candidate for Episodes VIII and IX.

Obviously all of this is 150% (or more) fan boy speculation here, but that is the factual timetable as it stands, and now we have an insight into how he feels on the matter.

Hey Disney, all you need to do is ASK HIM!!!

And of course, if any involvement with Star Wars were to move forward, Jackson may be better suited or interested in expanding that universe in one of the off-shoot films, which would give him far more freedom to make his own mark rather than work within the parameters of the sequel trilogy that Lucas has already plotted out.

SOURCE: AccessHollywood.com

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Pierce Brosnan On Daniel Craig As James Bond: "I Haven't Seen His Movies!"

Pierce Brosnan, one of the elite six who have played 007 on the big screen, admits to Access Hollywood that he has yet to see a James Bond film starring his successor Daniel Craig.

In this video interview conducted during 2012 The Toronto Film Festival, while talking up his new film Love Is All You Need, the topic of James Bond and the character's upcoming 50th Anniversary was something that could not be overlooked, and Access' Scott Mantz first asked Brosnan to reflect on his contribution to the enduring legacy of the series from 1995 to 2002.

"It's a small group of men now who played this role. So I'm deeply proud to be a part of it. It changed my life. It in many ways allowed me to make my own company, make my own films, the Thomas Crown (Affair), or The Matador, or Evelyn. And it's just the gift that keeps giving. So once you are that man, and if you embrace it, celebrate it, you can have a great time."

But there was an unexpected response when asked about moving past the series and his reaction to the first time he saw Daniel Craig's performance as the legendary secret agent in Casino Royale or Quantum of Solace.

"I haven't!" he laughed.

"I haven't seen his movies. I haven't looked," said the actor, who starred as 007 in GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day.

"I think it's time, Daniel. I know you're doing great out there," he said to camera to the current Bond. "I know he's stealing thunder as he should and will continue to do so," he added regarding his friend Daniel Craig.

He honestly elaborated his concerns on following Timothy Dalton's two film stint as 007. "It was so difficult to enter into that that mansion, that world. And then to do it, and to get away with it and to have it live around you. And you to be the character, and when it finished I just had to keep looking in another direction because it's a hard one to dig yourself out from under. Or to move on. Or how do you move on from it?'" he admitted.

But that's not to say that Brosnan has not had the opportunity to check out the newer films in the series. He recalled a time when he was confronted with the perfect chance to watch Casino Royale, as an in-flight movie no less.

"I was on a plane years back and Casino Royale came on, and I thought 'Ah well, 37,000 feet. It's a good vantage point to watch it, to see what this lad's up to, you know Daniel,"' he recalled.

"He and I know each other, we're friends. Anyway, I was watching it, it broke down, and I was like 'Excuse me? Can I just, you know? Kaput.' And so it started up again, and it broke down. And then I tried it a third time and it wouldn't work. And I thought 'Alright, time enough. Time enough for that. I'll come and see it.' But it's what a celebration. I mean there was no other movie like it in the history of the films in fifty years."

There probably would have been double take after double take on that plane, as people passed by Brosnan's seat and catching a glimpse of James Bond watching a James Bond movie. But for Brosnan, there may be little escaping the upcoming onslaught of the fantastic Skyfall (reviewed on NerdyRottenScoundrel.com here), which like GoldenEye, could not do the series more proud as a defining, if not a re-defining chapter.

SOURCE: Access Hollywood

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Jeremy Renner Talks Hawkeye Spin-Off & More 'Mission: Impossible'

While talking to Access Hollywood at the press junket for The Bourne Legacy, in addition to fielding questions on adding another successful franchise to his resume, the in-demand actor was asked for his reaction to phenomenal success of The Avengers, which has earned nearly $1.5 billion dollars at the worldwide box office.

"I have no control over that obviously. I have no say in why that happened," he said. "I'm happy to be a small fraction of that, and that piece of history I guess."

When it comes to much discussed possibility of a future spin-off film featuring Hawkeye (and perhaps teaming up with Scarlet Johannson's Black Widow), Renner was wide open and ready to reprise the role of the bow & arrow armed superhero, but admitted it was a decision not left entirely in his hands.

"It really doesn't matter what I think," he revealed. "It's up to Marvel, and maybe what the fans think. If they want something, I'm really interested in exploring that character more for sure."

As far as gearing up for another round in the Mission: Impossible series, where it has been rumored he would inherit the franchise from Tom Cruise, Renner would be eager and willing to continue playing Agent William Brandt.

"It's a crystal ball thing. It's up to Tom and Paramount. Again, I'm happy to do that. It's a lighter fare for me anyways and I like being a part of that."

You can check out the interview below:

SOURCE: AccessHollywood.com

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Poster For 'Oz The Great And Powerful' Revealed

Earlier this week, Disney released a teaser one-sheet for the Sam Raimi-directed Oz The Great And Powerful, which re-imagines the Earthly humble beginnings of the iconic title character from L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel (and the later 1939 Hollywood big screen version), The Wizard Of Oz.

This prequel trip down the yellow brick road re-unites the Spider-Man director with his Harry Osborn, James Franco, as Oscar Diggs (The Wizard), and casts Mila Kunis (Theodora), Michelle Williams, (Glinda), and Rachel Wiesz (Evanora) as the three Witches from the enchanted Land of Oz.

Actress Joey King (Crazy, Stupid, Love) let slip a few details that reveal Sam Raimi plans to pay homage to the visual style seen in the orignial film.

“We’re doing the same thing as the first Wizard of Oz, we’re making it black and white in the beginning and then (it gets) colorful when we enter the Land of Oz. It’s also going to be a 3D movie; I’m so excited about that. It’s going to add a whole new level to the awesomeness of Oz."

Here is the official synopsis from Disney:

"Disney’s fantastical adventure, Oz the Great and Powerful, directed by Sam Raimi (Spider-Man 1-3, The Evil Dead movies) imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well."

I had the opportunity to interview James Franco last August for Access Hollywood at the Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes junket, and asked him what we could expect from this new take on the iconic character, as they were already in production on Oz in Detroit.

“I am playing the Wizard of Oz, but if you’ll remember, the Wizard in the original 1939 film is an older man," he said. "So it’s another great opportunity to kind of do a new rendition on a franchise or a tradition, but it’s in a fresh way.”

“There are no real expectations of how the younger version of Oz should be,” he explained. “I do follow a tradition, but I also have a certain amount of freedom to create the character.”

 

Sam Raimi will be at the Disney presentation at Comic-Con on Thursday to talk up the film (and undoubtedly be bombarded with questions regarding his thoughts about The Amazing Spider-Man). Oz The Great And Powerful is set for release in 3-D on March 8, 2013.

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