Who is Lars Von Trier? A Snapshot of the Controversial Director

Lars von Trieris one of the most divisive filmmakers of all time, simultaneously celebrated and despised around the world. And that was true before his thoughtless"I am a Nazi"comments at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Controversy is nothing new for the director, who's been called a sadist (his film'Dogville,'was actually inspired by the Marquis de Sade's 'Justine'), a pornographer, a misogynist and worse. He's caused actors to walk off the set and at least one nervous breakdown, but he's also inspired fierce, even slavish, devotion from actors who claim his extreme methods are worth the ordeal.

After working on 'Dogville,' Paul Bettany said of the Danish director,"It's like he simply can't stop himself from saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Lars ... isn't very good at expressing himself."

Read on for more about the man behind the outrageous remarks.

1. He has his fans
He's received countless awards for bold works like 'Breaking the Waves,' and 'Dancer in the Dark.' Martin Scorsese, whorecently agreed to collaborate with von Trier, ranked 'Breaking the Waves' among the top 10 films of the 90s. Paul Thomas Anderson said he would"carry Lars von Trier's luggage anywhere,"and Johnny Depp once told a Danish film magazine:"Tell von Trier I'm waiting for an offer."

"My God, I hope I get to work with this man,''' Kidman told EW after seeing 'Breaking the Waves.' ''I crawled out of the theater, literally just went home and got into bed for two days.... I know it was seen as misogynistic, but I really didn't see it that way.'' She quickly signed onto 'Dogville,' then declined to reprise her role in the film's sequel, 'Manderlay.'




2. He's been called a sadist by more than one actor
Bettany dubbed him ''Woody Allen mixed with a dominatrix."John C. Reillywalked off the setof 'Manderlay,' when the director asked him to help slaughter a live donkey on camera. Most dramatically, singer Bjork, who'd never acted before, suffered a traumatic breakdown on the set of 'Dancer in the Dark.' She reportedlyate her costumeand swore to never act again.




3. And he's been called a misogynist
It's not just his onscreen treatment of his female characters -- who are subjected to rape, prostitution and mutilation -- that's been questioned. After her experience with von Trier, Bjork denounced him as sexist and soul-less. Before he launched into his infamous Nazi rant at this year's Cannes Film fest, von Trier wasalready making inappropriate jokes, including that he was shooting a hard-core porn film withKirsten Dunst, with"very, very unpleasant sex."The mortified Dunst -- who does her first full-frontal nude scene in 'Melancholia' -- was sitting next to him at the time. Bettany admitted in amaking-of book on 'Dogville,'"He's completely useless with women."

4. Some actors actually work with him more than once.
Stellan Skarsgard (of 'Thor' and 'Mamma Mia' fame) has made several films with von Trier, including his latest, 'Melancholia."Charlotte Gainsbourg, who simulated masturbation and genital mutilation for him in 'Antichrist,' is also in 'Melancholia.'"All actors have the ambition of being extreme. ... I wanted to go a bit too far,"she told Digital Spy in 2010, saying that filming 'Antichrist' was"cathartic."Despite his own complaints, Bettany said he'd work with him again"because you learn so much in the process."

6. His actors often win awards for going to extremes
Both Gainsbourg and Bjork won the festival's Best Actress Award the year their films were at Cannes, as did Kirsten Dunst for 'Melancholia.' Newcomer Emily Watson was nominated for an Oscar for her harrowing role in 'Breaking the Waves.'

7. He loves controversy
"Lars is very eager to know that the public understands what he's saying. But if they don't like what he says, he doesn't care,"Vibeke Windeløv, a producing partner, told EW in 2004."That he probably thrives on.'' In reaction to his banishment from Cannes, von Trier said he was"proud"of his new status as persona non grata and invited reporters to hit him, adding that he"might enjoy it."

8. He formed the strict Dogme 95 group, then broke his own rules
He helped form a collective with friend Thomas Vinterberg ('The Celebration'), vowing to make films using only certain restrictions, such as handheld cameras and natural lighting. Directors signed a"vow of chastity"to stick to these rules, and were judged by a board to see if their film qualified as a Dogme 95 work. Von Trier soon was disregarding the Dogme 95 dictates and the group dissolved in 2005.

9. He added the"von"to his name while in film school
While attending the Danish Film School, his fellow students (probably not kindly) dubbed him"von"Trier, and he officially adopted the name in a nod to director Josef von Sternberg.

10. His real life is just as dramatic as his films
In 1995, he learned from his dying mother that his real father was an artist she'd had an affair with in order to"have a child blessed with creative genes."Von Trier tracked down his biological father but their resulting meetings were reportedly so hostile, the man refused to speak to him again. The following year, von Trier left his pregnant wife for their much younger babysitter. He also converted from Judaism to Catholicism and radically changed his filmmaking style, from the very formal, beautifully shot approach of his early films like 'Zentropa' and 'Element of Crime,' to the stripped-down, grainy Dogme 95 approach.



11. He really is a pornographer
Von Trier shocked audiences with the explicitness of the sex scenes in 1998's 'The Idiots.' That same year, his legitimate film company Zentropa began to produce hardcore pornography. In 2009, the pressure of his business partners forced him to abandon the X-rated sideline.

12. He's always been odd
''Nobody in the state of Denmark wanted to have anything to do with Lars,'' Peter Aalbak Jensen, co-owner of Zentropa, told EW. ''He was arrogant, crazy. He dressed up in black leather, looked like a skinhead, and insulted everyone around him."

He's also got more phobias than film credits. Among his fears: crowds, fires, hospitals, shellfish, and modern transportation."Basically, I'm afraid of everything in life, except filmmaking,"von Trier has said.

Joergen Leth, a fellow Danish director and close friend, dismissed the ban from Cannes as a"ridiculous"over-reaction to essentially harmless eccentricity."We're used to Lars von Trier going nuts in one way or another,"he said.

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Weird Casting: Are These Actors Age-Appropriate?

Today's A-listers are versatile chameleons who convince audiences they can inhabit the lives of just about anyone in any context. What they can't do as convincingly is portray characters whose ages differ widely from their own.

Age might not be anything but a number, according to R&B singer Aaliyah, but it is important in establishing realism.

Still, a lot of recent casting announcements seem to be placing familiar actors in roles that don't seem age-appropriate.

Sure, as audiences, we can suspend our disbelief, but that willingness may be stretched to the breaking point in some of these upcoming films.

Here are a few of them, from the"How Will This Work?"file.

Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havisham
Earlier this week came theconfirmationof the long-rumored casting ofHelena Bonham Carterin an upcoming remake of Dickens' 'Great Expectations.' When I read about this, I wondered what her role would be, since she's too old to play Estella and too young to play Miss Havisham.

But in fact, the 44-year-old will be playing the latter role, the batty old dowager who's never taken off her wedding dress since being left at the altar decades ago.

Bonham Carter can certainly bring the crazy, but she hardly seems mature and wizened enough. (In the last major remake of the story, Anne Bancroft, then 67, played the role.)

Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan as mother and daughter
Even more curious was theannouncementof 'Byzantium,' directorNeil Jordan'sreturn to vampire movies, which will starGemma ArtertonandSaoirse Ronanas vampires who pose as sisters. That's believable, but they duo is actually supposed to be mother and daughter.

This is problematic because Arterton is 25 and Ronan is 17. So Arterton was 8 when she gave birth? Okay, vampires don't exactly age like we poor mortals do, but still, does that make sense?

Leo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan in 'The Great Gatsby'
Then there'sBaz Lurhmann'supcoming version of'The Great Gatsby,'starringLeonardo DiCaprioas Gatsby andCarey Mulliganas Daisy. Fitzgerald fans know that Daisy is supposed to be Gatsby's long-lost love, which suggests that they're more or less the same age. But DiCaprio is 36, and Mulligan, who was playing teenagers just a couple years ago in movies like'An Education,'is 25. Did they have their long-ago romance when she was a child?

Kiefer Sutherland and Kate Bosworth as a couple
Some other eyebrow-raisers: The forthcoming'Fairytale of New York'will starKiefer Sutherlandas an Irish comedian who falls for an American woman, played byKate Bosworth. The producer says the two stars have a"magical connection,"which is good because Sutherland is 44 and Bosworth is 28. Actually, that 16-year age gap is modest compared with some of the romantic pairings the movies try to sell us.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis as the same person!
Also intriguing is 'Looper,' a sci-fi thrillerpicked up for distribution this weekstarringJoseph Gordon-Levittas a time-traveling hitman who discovers that one of his targets is a version of himself, 30 years older (Bruce Willis). Gordon-Levitt is 30, Willis is 55. Compared to some of these other movies, this time-twisting plot and casting actually make sense.

•Follow Gary Susman on Twitter @garysusman.

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Tom Cruise Ready for Sci-Fi 'Oblivion'

Tom Cruiseloves his science fiction. The star of 'Minority Report' and 'War of the Worlds' has just signed on to topline Universal's sci-fi film 'Oblivion,' which was written and will be directed by 'TRON: Legacy' helmerJoseph Kosinski.

The film, a post-apocalyptic thriller that takes place on a devastated Earth, was originally set up at Disney, but that studio put it into turnaround and Universal snapped it up, tacking a $100 budget on the project, according toDeadline.

Kosinski came up with the story and, along with writer Arvid Nelson and illustrator Andree Wallin, made it into a graphic novel that will be released later this year before the film's release in 2012. William Monahan 'The Departed') wrote the script for the PG-13 film, which is being rewritten by Karl Gajdusek ('Dead Like Me').

Here's the story line: In a future where the Earth's surface has been irradiated beyond recognition, the remnants of humanity live above the clouds, safe from the brutal alien Scavengers that stalk the ruins. But when surface drone repairman Jak (Cruise) discovers a mysterious woman in a crash-landed pod, it sets off an unstoppable chain of events that will force him to question everything he knows.

'Oblivion' will be the next film for Cruise, who is at work on the big-screen adaptation'Rock of Ages,'the rock 'n' roll musical being directed by Adam Shankman; Cruise just finished Brad Bird's'Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol,'which will be released Dec. 16.

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They Walk: Disney Releases Poster for 'The Muppets'

It's been way too many years since theMuppetshave graced the big screen -- 11 and a half to be exact -- but all that will be remedied in November when Disney (which owns so many franchises it's getting impossible to keep track of them, from the Muppets to Pooh to Marvel) brings'The Muppets'to theaters everywhere. Though the release date is six months away, the folks at Disney have graced us with a poster hyping the Nov. 23 debut of the film.

What do you see in the kinda creepy poster featuring the Muppets standing around in a pose that's a cross between 'The X-Files' and 'Law& Order: Special Victims Unit'? Feet. Hot dawg, the Muppets have feet. Is this a harbinger of the CGI Muppet world to come -- or just artistic license for the poster? We won't know until he first trailers and teasers begin to trickle out. In the meantime, check out the Disney-provided synopsis below, and then the poster after the jump.

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter (pictured above), the world's biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage 'The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever' and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate.

Segel co-wrote and executive produced 'The Muppets,' which is directed by James Bobin (director-writer for HBO's 'Flight of the Conchords').

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Early Edition: Seniors Fight Zombies; Stephen Fry Joins 'The Hobbit'; More

And the oldsters keep a rolling along. Last year we had almost-senior citizens fighting a government conspiracy in 'Red'; next year we'll have a pair of oldie but goodies fighting off zombies in 18th century England. According toScreen Daily,Ian McKellenandJudi Denchwill star in the comedy'The Curse of the Buxom Strumpet,'about the inhabitants of a small seaside town who are struck down with a deadly illness, turning them into unfeeling creatures who eat anything they can get their hands on. The film, which will be shooting later this year in Scotland, is directed byMatthew Butlerand is based on his 2010 short comedy, 'E'gad, Zombies!' Also attached to star:Gillian AndersonandMark Williams(Arthur Weasley in the 'Harry Potter' films).

The Playlisthas reported that actor-screenwriter-director-novelist and TV hostStephen Fryhas been cast in the key role of the Master of Laketown in'The Hobbit.'The character is a greedy, but mostly benevolent, ruler of a trading town of men that's plagued by attacks by an evil dragon. Director Peter Jackson revealed the casting on his Facebook page which, Playlist says, is"how all the cool kids make their casting announcement these days."

Maggie Gyllenhaal-- everyone's girl next door -- is finally taking a shocking role: She's signed up to star in the supernatural thriller'Voice From the Stone,'which is based on the Italian novel 'Le Voce della pietra' by Silvio Raffo. According toVariety,Gyllenhaal will play a nurse trying to help a boy haunted by malevolent forces within the walls of an old house in the Italian countryside.

Topher Grace,whose career since leaving 'That '70s Show' has not been impressive, has been cast opposite Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton in the dramedy'Gently Down the Stream.'Katherine Heigl and Amanda Seyfried also will star. The film, to be written and directed by Justin Zackham (who wrote 2007's 'The Bucket List,'), centers on a woman who confronts her ex-husband and his new girlfriend. {The Wrap}

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Watch a Pair of New Clips From 'On Stranger Tides'

The new 'POTC'(not to be confused with 'POTUS') is opening this weekend at a million theaters around the world (in 3D to boot) and though we've been inundated with hype every which way we turn, for some reason we just can't get enough of Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and the new cast of 'On Stranger Tides.' The folks at Disney released on Tuesday two new short clips that we're sure have been cut down from longer featurettes that will be featured on the DVD/Blu-ray that will most likely be released in the fourth quarter of this year: one on Blackbeard, mermaids and zombies, the other on the international cast.

For those of you returning from an extended trip to a monastery, here's the official synopsis, followed by the two clips after the jump.

Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed adventure. Crossing paths with the enigmatic Angelica (Penélope Cruz), he's not sure if it's love­or if she's a ruthless con artist who's using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the"Queen Anne's Revenge,"the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn't know whom to fear more: Blackbeard or Angelica, with whom he shares a mysterious past. The international cast includes franchise vets Geoffrey Rush as the vengeful Captain Hector Barbossa and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack's longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs, plus Sam Claflin as a stalwart missionary and Astrid Bergès-Frisbey as a mysterious mermaid.

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New on DVD& Blu-ray, Week of May 17: 'The Mechanic' and 'The Rite'

There's plenty of thrills and chills on the DVD shelf this week. Heading the list is the latest outing from the one-man wrecking crew that is Jason Statham, who stars in'The Mechanic'as an elite assassin who has to take on his former bad guy boss to avenge the death of his mentor. Then there's'The Rite,'which stars Anthony Hopkins and Colin O'Donoghue in a moderately scary tale of a young priest who travels to the Vatican to become a modern-day exorcist, but he gets more than he bargained for when he teams up with a village priest to drive the devil out of a pregnant woman. This one is based on real-life characters and events. Read on.

'The Mechanic
What It's About:This remake of the Charles Bronson-starring 1972 film of the same name has tough-guy Jason Statham as the eponymous hit man, an elite assassin who is the best in the business. He always works alone, making sure his jobs are clean, fast and precise -- and made to look like accidents. When his mentor (Donald Sutherland) is murdered, he teams up with the older man's son (Ben Foster), a neer-do-well loose cannon, to mentor him and go after the bad guys -- with disastrous results. There's plenty of killings, bloodshed, explosions, car accidents and stunts to warm the hearts of die-hard action fans.

It's Kinda Like:'The Punisher' meets James Bond

What We Say:This lean, mean killing-machine of a movie starts out with a bang, an assassination of a South American drug lord that sets the tone for the rest of the film. In just the first 10 minutes, the mechanic is depicted as a hunk, a great lover, a connoisseur of high-end audio equipment (expensive manual turntable and tubed electronics), and a handyman in the garage -- the guy is rebuilding a vintage red Jaguar XKE sports car in his spare time. Though he's a stone killer, you can't help but love him. Foster, on the other hand, is not very likable, and that's fine, since he's the wannabe hit man without the finesse of his mentor. And then there's the sleazy, corporate bad guys you just love to hate. Though it's predictable at times, there's enough in this straight-ahead thriller to keep you waiting for more.

• Extras:Deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes featurette.
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Watch 'The Mechanic' trailer:



'The Rite'
What It's About:Colin O'Donoghue stars as Michael Kovak, a young mortician turned seminary student who finds that his skepticism about God is getting in the way of implementing his vows. To pay off his debt for his priestly studies, he reluctantly agrees to attend exorcism school at the Vatican (apparently there has been an increase in exorcisms around the world and the Church needs priests schooled in the ancient art of driving out the devil). While in Rome he's assigned to work with an older, unorthodox priest, Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins), who introduces him to the darker side of the faith and teaches him the fine art of confronting satan.

It's Kinda Like:'The Exorcist' meets 'Going My Way'

What We Say:This low-keyed supernatural thriller relies more on unseen horror (weird voices, violently shaking doors, writhing bodies) than on outrageous special effects (there's no pea-soap vomit or spinning heads here, as Father Lucas says about midway through the movie), although there is a smattering of blood and gore -- but just enough to advance the story line. Mostly it's the incredible Anthony Hopkins stealing the screen as a priest who takes exorcisms as part of his daily chore to keep the faith for the faithful. It's slow-moving at times, low-key, and not all that scary (though it does have its moments) -- but, hey, God works in mysterious ways.

• Extras:Alternate ending; additional scenes;"The Rite: Soldier of God,"a featurette on Father Gary Thomas, the Vatican-ordained exorcist whose life story inspired the film (includes footage shot inside the Exorcism Academy).
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Beginning at noon on Tuesday: Win a copy of 'The Rite' Blu-ray combo pack by tweeting the following message:
@WB_Home_Ent I just watched a deleted scene on @moviefonehttp://aol.it/kN8nhk#WinTheRite

Watch an exclusive clip from the DVD:

PRODUCTION PLAYER! DO NOT DELETE.

Other New May 17 DVD Releases:

'Daydream Nation':A city girl moves to a small town and becomes entangled in a love triangle between her high school teacher and a stoner classmate. Stars Kat Dennings, Reece Thompson, Josh Lucas, Andie MacDowell.
'The Other Woman':Natalie Portman gives a mature performance in this sensitive and compelling modern drama about a law-school graduate who falls in love with her married boss; after he divorces his bitter wife, they marry, but happiness turns to grief when their newborn baby dies and she has to deal with her 8-year-old stepson and a jealous ex.
'The Roommate':A college student finds that her new roommate has an obsession with her, which quickly turns violent. Variation on 'Single White Female.' Stars Leighton Meester, Minka Kelly, Cam Gigandet, Aly Michalka.
'Vanishing on 7th Street':When a massive power outage plunges the city of Detroit into total darkness, a disparate group of individuals find that they're the only remaining people in the city and, soon enough, they realize that an encroaching darkness is out to get them as well. Stars Hayden Christensen, John Leguizamo, Thandie Newton.


May 17 Blu-ray Debuts:

'Beverly Hills Cop'(1984)The film that cemented Eddie Murphy's place as an A-list star gets the Blu-ray treatment with commentary by director Martin Brest; three featurettes:"Beverly Hills Cop -- The Phenomenon Begins,""A Glimpse Inside the Casting Process"and"The Music of Beverly Hills Cop"; as well as an interactive"Location Map."
'Diabolique'(1954) This intense thriller from Henri-Georges Clouzot ('The Wages of Fear') is the story of two women -- one the fragile wife of a sadistic school headmaster, the other his willful mistress -- who team up to hatch a daring revenge plot to put him in his place. Shocking for its time, the film still holds up with its narrative twists and turns and unforgettably scary images. Features outstanding performances by Simone Signoret, Vera Clouzot and Paul Meurisse. From The Criterion Collection.
'Pale Flower'(1964)The Japanese New Wave thrived in the 1960s, with such directors as Seijun Suzuki, Kinji Fukasaku and Masahiro Shinoda making movies that explored the moral code, violence and honor of the Yakuza, generally pitting a lone gangster against the mob mentality. Among the best is Shinoda's 'Pale Flower,' a cool and seductive film about a Yakuza, fresh out of prison, who becomes entangled with a beautiful yet enigmatic gambling addict; what at first seems a redemptive relationship ends up leading him further down the criminal path. From The Criterion Collection.

Check out other new May 17 DVD releases at OnVideo.

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'Thor' Still Hammers Competition: Box Office Report May 13-15

Lightning struck twice for'Thor,'which remained on top of the box office chart for a second weekend even as two new wide releases tried to steal its thunder. Still, the testosterone-heavy flick suffered a steep drop from last week's business, while the female ensemble comedy'Bridesmaids'scored an impressive debut that exceeded expectations.

The Norse god grabbed another $34.5 million this weekend, according to studio estimates. That's enough for a 10-day total of $119.3 million. Still, it represents a 48 percent plunge fromlast week's$65.7 million opening. Such drastic drop-offs are common for spring and summer action blockbusters entering their second week. Actually, 'Thor's' drop is less severe than those of 2009's 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' (69 percent), last year's 'Clash of the Titans' (57 percent), or last week's'Fast Five,'(63 percent). But then, 'Thor' has enjoyed generally good reviews and word-of-mouth.


'Bridesmaids' was widely expected to open at $20 million or below, since studios aren't good at marketing female-fronted comedies (that title was expected to be a turnoff for guys). It was also competing against two wedding-themed films that opened last week,'Jumping the Broom'and'Something Borrowed.'But this one was well-marketed (it played up the role of bromance producerJudd Apatowand the film's gross-out humor at least as much as it did star/co-writerKristen Wiig) and got excellent reviews and word of mouth. Also, 'Broom' and 'Borrowed' didn't have strong legs (both lost at least half of last week's business and fell out of the top five). As a result, 'Bridesmaids' was able to ring up an impressive $24.4 million, according to estimates, opening at No. 2. And that was with an audience that was predominantly female and over 30, according to studio polling. Critics have been saying for years that this is an untapped audience the marketplace often ignores; now they have some proof.

'Fast Five' fell to third place this weekend with an estimated $19.5 million, down 40 percent from last week's already steep spill, even though it actually added 131 screens this week. Still, the movie has driven off with $168.7 million over three weekends in North America and another $271 million overseas. In other words, start gassing up for 'Fast Six.'

'Priest'debuted with a disappointing $14.5 million, according to estimates, and that's with 3D surcharges included. The previous theological horror thriller from starPaul Bettanyand directorScott Stewart, 2010's'Legion,'opened with $17.5 million. But that was in January, while 'Priest' vied with early-summer blockbusters 'Thor' and 'Fast Five' for the young-male genre audience.

Rounding out the top five was'Rio,'which is still playing in nearly 3,000 theaters after five weeks. Still the top choice among family films, 'Rio' added another $8.0 million to its nest, according to estimates (down a tiny 6 percent from a week ago), for a total to date of $125.0 million.

'Thor' - Trailer No. 3

The full top 10:
1.'Thor,'$34.5 million (3,963 screens), $119.3 million total
2.'Bridesmaids,'$24.4 million (2,918),new release
3.'Fast Five,'$19.5 million (3,793, $168.7 million
4.'Priest,'$14.5 million (2,864),new release
5.'Rio,'$8.0 million (2,929), $125.0 million
6.'Jumping the Broom,'$7.3 million (2,035), $26.0 million
7.'Something Borrowed,'$7.0 million (2,904), $25.6 million
8.'Water for Elephants,'$4.1 million (2,425), $48.5 million
9.'Soul Surfer,'$1.8 million (1,468), $39.2 million
10.'Hoowinked Too! Hood vs. Evil,'$1.0 million (1,276), $8.4 million

Follow Gary Susman on Twitter @garysusman.

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Saoirse Ronan Turns Vamp for Neil Jordan

Saoirse Ronanmade a formidable teen assassin in 'Hanna,' now the 'Atonement' star is set to sink her fangs into an artsy vampire flick for director Neil Jordan in 'Byzantium.'

She's also just signed to'The Host,'based on 'Twilight' author Stephenie Meyer's novel, which isnotabout vampires, but aliens. The busy actress, alas, isn't able to make time for the lengthy'Hobbit'shoot, thus leaving her growing geek movie checklist incomplete.

In 'Byzantium,' her character is turned into a vampire by her own mother (Gemma Arterton of 'Prince of Persia'); the pair then prey on their victims as a team, sometimes pretending to be sisters.

The original script is penned by Moira Buffini, who adapted this year's well-reviewed 'Jane Eyre.' The movie has a planned October start date.


For the project, Oscar winner Jordan is reuniting with producer Stephen Woolley, with whom he partnered on 'The Compay of Wolves,' 'The Crying Game,' and 'Breakfast on Pluto.'

"I love the horror genre and we've been working on this for three or four years. I sent it to Neil and he liked the script,"Woolley said."We'd both recently revisited Angela Carter's book {'In the Company of Wolves'} and it was just chance that when I called {Jordan}, we were thinking along the same lines."

{The Hollywood Reporter,Digital Spy}

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Today on indieWIRE: Cannes Fest Brings Princess Di Doc& Other Flicks to La Croisette

• The Cannes Film Festival was temporarily hijacked Friday by the market premiere for 'Unlawful Killing,' Keith Allen's"inquest into the inquest"of Princess Diana's death.Dana Harrisreported on the screening ofthe controversial project.

• Eric Kohncaught theFrench procedural 'Poliss,'the third feature directed by French actress Maïwenn Le Besco, which recounts several real-life cases of the Child Protection Unit."Maïwenn uses a shaky-cam style to give the movie a quasi-documentary feel, while drawing the established ingredients of conventional police drama,"wrote Kohn in his review."However, with its densely episodic structure, it's almost too busy with good ideas."The film earned a B.

• Kohn was harsher onthe buzz title 'Habemus Papam,'from Nanni Moretti, winner of the Palme d'Or in 2001 for 'The Son's Room.'"Intermittently amusing, the movie never digs deep enough to justify its philosophical connotations, and lacks enough comic inspiration to sustain its lighter ingredients,"he said of the the Vatican set tale.

• Morettiaddressed the pressfollowing the first official screening."This time last year, the Church was in crisis with all the scandals and there were terrible stories written about the Church,"Moretti noted."Even in Poland, John Paul II was being questioned and people asked me to perhaps change the screenplay. But I already had my screenplay, my Pope and I wanted to go with my story."

• Newshit today that the Spike Jonze-Simon Cahn animated short 'Mourir Aupres de Toi' (To Die Next to You) -- a stop-motion film entirely handmade from felt -- will premiere May 18 in the Cannes Film Festival's Critics' Week, immediately preceding Jonathan Caouette's new documentary, 'Walk Away Renee.'

• The Weinstein Co. continued to get purchase happy with the acquisition of the U.S. rights to 'The Iron Lady,"' starring Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher and Jim Broadbent as her husband.Thompson on Hollywoodreportedon the ins and outs of the Weinsteins' latest business deal.

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Festival de Cannes Opening Day Photos

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Couldn't make it to the 64th Festival de Cannes this year? Well, neither could we ... but that hasn't stopped us from enjoying the fest from a distance. Opening day was highlighted by the premiere of Woody Allen's latest, 'Memories of Paris,' a gala dinner and red carpet, and -- Lady Gaga. Enjoy.

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Early Edition: New Role Is 'Bourne' for Rachel Weisz; 'Pan' Gets French-Swiss Dark Touch; More

After we complained last week that there were just not enough meaty roles forRachel Weisz(she was up, for once, for a hot role in 'Oz: The Great and Powerful,' as Evanora, the evil, older witch sister to co-star Mila Kunis), we now find out viaDeadlinethat she's in talks to star oppositeJeremy Rennerin Universal Pictures' reboot of the Bourne franchise, the Tony Gilroy-directed'The Bourne Legacy.'That's double the pleasure if she can take both parts; Deadline says 'Bourne' begins shooting in September, and 'Oz' is planned to go into production this summer. Tight fit.

Here's another kids tale remolded and taken to the dark side:Varietyreports thatAaron EckhartandAnnaSophia Robbhave signed on to star as Hook and Wendy in a Swiss-French fantasy thriller version of 'Peter Pan.' Titled'Pan,'the film has Captain Hook as a former police detective in pursuit of a childlike kidnapper, and Wendy as the villain's lone survivor who must help Hook track him down. Sean Bean has been cast as chief detective Smee, Hook's only ally on the force. The project, which sounds more like a comic book than a film, begins lensing throughout Eastern Europe in October.

Kiefer Sutherland, Gerard Depardieu, Til Schweiger, Thomas Jane, Johnny Hallyday, Jon Lovitz and Eric Cantona will star in'Sleight of Hand,'a heist comedy about a crew of small-time crooks in Paris who inadvertently end up possessing a rare gold coin belonging to a notorious French gangster. Brad Mirman ('Resurrection') is directing. {The Hollywood Reporter}

The festival de Cannes had not even kicked off yet (it starts today) when The Weinstein Company announced Tuesday it was near a deal to acquire rights to'The Artist,'a black-and-white silent film that takes place in 1927 Hollywood and focuses on a silent movie star whose career slips after the rise of the talkies, while a pretty young extra uses sound films to launch her career. The film, which stars Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Missi Pyle and Penelope Ann Miller, premieres in competition on Sunday. {Deadline}

More from Hunger:Woody Harrelsonhas added his name to the encyclopedic cast of Lionsgate's'The Hunger Games.'He'll play Haymitch Abernathy, the mentor of the lead character, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), who Abernathy trains to fight in a televised battle to the death among teen teams. Already cast in major roles: Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci and Wes Bentley. {THR}

'Rock of Ages'just lost its '30 Rock.'Alec Baldwin,whom director Adam Shankman announced in March would be in the film about heavy metal music on the Sunset Strip in the 1980s, has decided not to join the cast. Never fear, though, the adaptation of the Broadway hit still includes Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Malin Akerman, Bryan Cranston, Mary J. Blige, Julianne Hough and newcomer Diego Boneta. {THR}

French actorJean Renohas joined the cast of Summit Entertainment's thriller'I, Alex Cross,'the latest adaptation of a novel from James Patterson's Alex Cross series. Tyler Perry stars as Cross, Ed burns co-stars as his partner, and Matthew Fox will play a villain. In this outing, the detectives take on a vicious serial killer (are there any other kinds?). Rob Cohen is directing, with production scheduled for August for a fall 2012 or early 2013 release. {Variety}

Naomi Watts, Kiev ScriberandChristina Hendricksare set to star in the boxing drama'The Bleeder,'based on the true story of former New Jersey heavyweight boxer and womanizer Chuck Weaner who went 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali and inspired Sylvester Stallone to pen 'Rocky.' The film, according toVariety, is being shopped to buyers at Cannes this week by Hyde Park Intel. Jeff Feuerzeig will direct.

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Early Edition: Darren Aronofsky Takes on 'Human Nature'; Thor Becomes the Huntsman; More

Darren Aronofsky'slatest film just might be a science fiction adventure starringGeorge Clooney.According toVulture,just a few weeks after the director said he wouldn't be making 'The Wolverine' (that's Aronofsky fans applauding), the 'Black Swan' director has set his sights on a 15-year-old original spec script called'Human Nature,'about a man who is cryogenically frozen and wakes up years later in a world where humans have become pets of another species. Vulture says that Clooney is attached to the project. This should fit in perfectly with Aronofsky's generally jaundiced take on the nature of human existence. Can't wait.

'Sons of Anarchy' starCharlie Hunnamis making a nice segue to the big screen: He's negotiating to star in Guillermo del Toro's'Pacific Rim,'a futuristic tale in which giant malevolent creatures threaten to destroy the earth and humans have to come up with some sophisticated weapons to fight back. According toDeadline,'Pacific Rim' surfaced as an important movie when del Toro focused his attention on it after Universal halted 'At the Mountains of Madness,' which del Toro was going to make with Tom Cruise.

Money talks. As anticipated,Chris Hemsworth,coming off a $65 million dollar opening with his Marvel movie 'Thor,' is in negotiations to star with Kristen Stewart in 'Snow White and the Huntsman.' Australian Hemsworth began talking with Universal last week and, after the very nice opening weekend for 'Thor,' began negotiations in earnest with the studio. The quirky take on 'Snow White' has the huntsman taking off with Snow White after refusing to to kill her. Stewart stars as Snow White, Charlize Theron as the evil queen and Sam Claflin ('Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides') is Stewart's love interest. {THR}

Here and There:
'Seeking a Friend for the End of the World,'the Lorene Scafaria-directed film that stars Steve Carell and Keira Knightley in a tale about a man who travels cross county to link up with his old girlfriend just when the world is coming to an end, has been picked up by Focus Features for U.S. distribution {TheWrap} ... Lionsgate has announced that it is will make'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D,'which will be helmed by 'Takers' director John Luessenhop. Production is slated to begin in June {THR} ...Stanley Tucciis the latest to be added to the cast of'The Hunger Games.'He'll play Caesar Flickerman, the TV host for the Games (kind of like Richard Dawson in 'The Running Man') who interviews all of the contestants and sends them on their way. Gary Ross is directing the adaptation of the Suzanne Collins novel. {Variety}

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'Thor' Thunders Into Theaters: Box Office Report May 6-8

It's hammer time.

No one could touch'Thor'at the box office this weekend. The hammer-wielding thunder god debuted at No. 1 with an estimated $66 million, about as much as the rest of the top five combined.

'Thor' didn't open as big as some other Marvel movies, like the first 'Iron Man' ($102 million in 2008). Still, that $66 million was right in line with expectations, with some 60 percent of that generated from 3D and IMAX screenings. Plus, the movie has already earned $176 million overseas. So shed no tears for the earthbound Norse god.

Vin Dieselandthe Rockmay be weeping a little, however, since'Fast Five'took the biggest pounding from 'Thor.' After opening at No. 1a week ago, it dropped a drastic 63 percent of last week's business and fell to second place. Then again, a weekend take estimated at $32.5 million is nothing to cry about. Nor is a ten-day total of $139.9 million.

Vying for third place this Mother's Day weekend were wedding-themed comedies'Jumping the Broom'and'Something Borrowed.'At press time, 'Jumping' had a slight edge, though that could change when final numbers are released Monday. Its estimated $13.7 million (compared to $13.2 million for 'Borrowed') is especially impressive, considering that it opened on 869 fewer theaters than 'Borrowed,' and that it's competing for the same predominantly African-American audience as'Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family,'still in the top 10. 'Jumping,' however had decent reviews, while few critics liked 'Borrowed.' So 'Jumping,' with a reported budget of $6.6 million, is already a hit, while 'Borrowed,' which cost a reported $35 million, will have trouble making back its budget.

Rounding out the top five was'Rio,'still the top choice for families with young children. It earned an estimated $8.2 million, a decline of 45 percent from last week. Its four-week total is $114.9 million.

'Thor' - Trailer No. 3

The full top 10:
1.'Thor,'$66.0 million (3,955 screens),new release
2.'Fast Five,'$32.5 million (3,662), $139.9 million total
3.'Jumping the Broom,'$13.7 million (2,035),new release
4.'Something Borrowed,'$13.2 million (2,904),new release
5.'Rio,'$8.2 million (3,258), $114.9 million
6.'Water for Elephants,'$5.6 million (2,614), $41.6 million
7.'Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family,'$3.9 million (1,881), $46.8 millionl
8.'Prom,'$2.4 million (2,730), $7.8 million
9.'Soul Surfer,'$2.1 million (1,781), $36.7 million
10.'Hoowinked Too! Hood vs. Evil,'$1.9 million (2,505), $6.7 million

Follow Gary Susman on Twitter @garysusman.

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2011 Summer Movie Guide: Independents

This summer, fans of independent cinema will be treated to tales about a hobo with a shotgun, a chimp raised as a human child, and troll hunters -- as well as a whole bunch of stuff about teenage angst. Check out our list of the summer's most interesting indie offerings.

'Passion Play'
Opening:In Theaters Now (Limited Release)

Starring:Mickey Rourke,Bill Murray,Rhys Ifans,Megan Fox

What It's About: Rourke and Fox do the May-December thing in this film noir. He's a down-on-his-luck trumpet player, she's a mysterious circus sideshow attraction. Bill Murray plays the mob boss who could tear them apart, which should be fun. Quite frankly, this film got pretty bad reviews during the festival circuit, and Rourkewas recently overheard saying that it's"terrible."It should still get some interest on its cast alone.

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'Hobo With a Shotgun'
Opening:In Theaters Now (Limited Release)

Starring:Rutger Hauer,Brian Downey,Gregory Smith

What It's About: Like 'Snakes on a Plane,' or 'Hot Tub Time Machine,' before it, 'Hobo With a Shotguns''s mere title makes it a contender. Canadian directorJason Eisenerinitially conceived of the movie as part of the fake-trailer contest to promote 'Grindhouse,' which Eisener won. Rutger Hauer plays the title character, and he uses his aforementioned weapon to clean up a town with an unprintable name that has fallen under the control of a family of sadistic thugs.

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'Daydream Nation'
Opening:In Theaters Now (Limited Release)

Starring:Kat Dennings,Andie McDowelll,Josh Lucas,Reece Thompson

What It's About: Sophisticated 17-year-old's (Dennings) widowed father moves her from a big city to a small town where she seduces her attractive young teacher (Josh Lucas). High school stoner (Thompson) is also interested in a relationship with the new girl in town. Oh, and there's a serial killer on the loose. While 'Daydream Nation' features aneclectic indie-rock soundtrack, oddly none of the songs are from Sonic Youth, the band that inspired the film's title.

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'Skateland'
Opening:Friday, May 13 (Limited Release)

Starring:Shilo Fernandez,Ashley Greene,James LeGros

What It's About: Ah, the eighties. No text messages, no Internet, no PS2, so the kids were forced to spend their free time mindlessly mulling about the roller rink. So what happens when the roller rink closes? That's the dilemma for a group of unmotivated small town Texas teens in this coming of age offering from first time director Anthony Burns, who also wrote the script, which is based on his own East Texas childhood.

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'Hesher'
Opening:Friday, May 13(Limited Release)

Starring:Joseph Gordon Levitt,Natalie Portman,Devin Brochu,Rainn Wilson

What It's About: Gordon-Levitt is Hesher, a substance-abusing, tattooed metalhead who forms an improbable friendship with a younger boy (Devin Brochu) who is mourning the death of his mother. Wilson plays the father and widower, catatonic in his grief. Natalie Portman, in a pair of homely glasses, portrays a supermarket checkout girl with no self-esteem. Despite his blunt, unconventional ways and rough exterior, Hesher somehow touches the lives of them all.

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'The Tree of Life'
Opening:Friday, May 27 (Limited Release)

Starring:Brad Pitt,Sean Penn,Jessica Chastain

What It's About: Growing up, Jack absorbs the lessons of both his mother, who stresses love and mercy, and his father, who preaches toughness and self-reliance. These conflicted messages eat at Jack into his adulthood, and he struggles to reconcile them and find beauty and purpose in the world.Terrence Malickwrote and directed, so expect big themes and stunning cinematography.

Click here for Part 2 of our Summer Independent Movie Preview--
featuring Ewan McGregor, Norwegian trolls and a hard-partying chimpanzee.

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Hot Doc a Day: 'Becoming Chaz'

Hot Docs, North America's biggest documentary film festival, kicks off its 2011 run on April 28 in Toronto. Jam-packed with documentaries running through May 8,Moviefone Canadawill be there from start to finish, offering up looks at some of the festival's noted films.

Chaz Bonois a man.

This wasn't always the case. Gender transition is examined emotionally, spiritually and physically in the stellar documentary 'Becoming Chaz,' which captures the final moments of Sonny and Cher's daughter -- before she becomes their son.

The film joins Chaz and girlfriend Jennifer well into the process. What once was a lesbian couple now find themselves realizing the complications that come with transitioning. Jennifer is an amazing supporter with a great sense of humor about a new regime of surgeries, testosterone injections and weight gain -– but what about living with a man?

The first 30 minutes of 'Becoming Chaz' deals specifically with breast-removal surgery. Borrowing money, the couple sticks together through consultations and pre-surgery prep. Surprisingly, Bono lets directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato capture some of the most intimate moments of the procedure. Back home and healing, an odd selection of little dogs and hairless cats keep Chaz and Jennifer company, while an amazing group of supporters surround the unconventional couple.

As testosterone treatment continues to produce changes in Chaz's attitude and body, Jennifer wonders if their relationship can survive. Both have suffered from substance abuse, which rears its head again through portions of the doc.

Family members and friends come to terms with the transition, and some are thrilled ... but what does Mom think? Cher gives a down-to-earth and revealing interview in the film, with commentary about her thoughts added later by Chaz. She is candid about her reservations with the public nature of the transition, and reminisces about her little girl, but ultimately proves to be a supporter.

The film focuses on Chaz, but takes a few side trips to profile some of the not-so-famous members of the trans community. A slightly jarring segment on bottom surgery, the groups who support trans children, and a trans convention all help to round out coverage on the broader subject.

There is a lot of charm in 'Becoming Chaz.' Bono is a celebrity by genetics and as he ringleads the media circus around his announcement, it is easy to see how others would lose their cool over sophomoric interview questions and flashy commentary (that is insensitive at best). Instead he sticks to a relatively simple message that he has always felt like a man, and is now living out his reality.

Spending time with Chaz Bono in this doc, while a specific example, will help people buy into the idea that transitioning is a real thing for real people. I, for one, left the film feeling that Chaz really is one of the guys.

Following the festival circuit, the doc will get a true litmus test when it's screened on the Oprah Winfrey Network later this year.

Screenings:
Sunday, May 8, 6:45PM– TIFF Bell Lightbox 2

For complete schedule and movie listings, visit theHot Docs website.

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Steven Spielberg Adds More Cast Members to 'Lincoln'

Steven Spielberg is amassing his troops for his upcoming, massive biopic of Abraham Lincoln titled, appropriately enough, 'Lincoln.'The Hollywood Reporterreports that Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Hal Holbrook, James Spader, John Hawkes, Tim Blake Nelson, Bruce McGill and Joseph Cross are in negotiations to join the DreamWorks picture.

'Lincoln' is shaping up to be an Academy Award skewing project, with Daniel Day-Lewis playing the 16th president of the United States and Sally Field as his wife, Mary Todd.

Jones will play Thaddeus Stevens, a Republican leader and congressman from Pennsylvania, who was a staunch abolitionist. Gordon-Levitt will play Robert Todd Lincoln, the president's eldest son.

'Lincoln' is based on 'Team of Rivals' by Doris Kearns Goodwin, which centered"on the political collision of Lincoln and the powerful men of his cabinet on the road to abolition and the end of the Civil War."Tony Kushner is adapting the work.

Other actors joining the project -- which will shoot this fall in Virginia for a late 2012 release via Disney's Touchstone label -- include David Costabile, Byron Jennings, Dakin Matthews, Boris McGiver, Gloria Reuben, Jeremy Strong and David Warshofsky.

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Former Child Star Jackie Cooper Dies at Age 88

Jackie Cooper, the first child actor to receive an Academy Award nomination and the gruff editor in the four Christopher Reeve 'Superman' films, has died at age 88.

Cooper died Tuesday at a convalescent home in Santa Monica."He just kinda died of old age,"his attorney, Roger Licht, told Reuters."He wore out."

Thanks to the Hal Roach 'Our Gang' comedies, the actor was the most widely recognized child star of the early 1930s and so popular he was known as"America's Boy."

Cooper acted in 15 'Our Gang' short films between 1929 and 1931 before his uncle, director Norman Taurog, cast him in the title role in'Skippy.'Cooper received his first Oscar nomination for the role at age 9 and is still the youngest performer to be nominated for Best Actor.

He went on to star opposite Wallace Berry in three films, the most famous being 'The Champ' (1931) and 'Treasure Island' (1934).

As he grew older, he found parts harder to come by and, after a wartime stint in the Navy, eventually left Hollywood for Broadway.

While in New York, he worked in live TV as actor, producer and director of 'The People's Choice,' in which he played a city councilman with a talking basset hound, and 'Hennesey,' as a naval medical officer.

In the 1960s, he transitioned behind the scenes to serve as vice president of program development at Columbia Pictures Television. He began to direct episodic TV, wining Emmys for his work on 'M*A*S*H' and 'The White Shadow.'

He returned to the big screen in 1978 as Perry White, editor of the Daily Planet, in 'Superman,' a role he reprised in the three sequels.

He retired from showbiz in 1989, saying,"I'm 67 and worked 64 years."Soured by his experiences as a child actor, Cooper discouraged his four children from acting.

{viaThe Hollywood Reporter}

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Rachel Weisz Gets Witchy Role in 'Oz' Prequel

There's two talented actresses so woefully underused in lead roles that it's a scandal. One is Carla Gugino, who brightens every film she's in, even in a supporting role. The other isRachel Weisz,who brought her talent and good looks to 'The Mummy' franchise, 'The Constant Gardner' and 'The Lovely Bones,' among others, and is now, thankfully, in negotiations for a very, very meaty role: Evanora, one of the evil witches in Disney's'Oz: The Great and Powerful.'

The prequel of sorts to 'The Wizard of Oz,' directed bySam Raimi,already has James Franco and Mila Kunis on board in key roles.

Franco plays a snake oil salesman who has to flee a traveling circus and escapes in a balloon that is whisked by a tornado to an enchanted land. There he gets involved with two powerful, witchy sisters: Evanora, the older of the two, who wants to rule the land (as the Wicked Witch of the East) and who is trying to seduce her sister, Theodora (Kunis), into becoming the Wicked Witch of the West.

No release date has yet been set, but if production begins in July as anticipated, Disney may shoot for an early 2013 date.

{viaVariety,The Hollywood Reporter}

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Director Robert Zemeckis to Return to Live-Action Filmmaking With 'Replay'

Robert Zemeckis, the visionary director behind classics like 'Back to the Future,' 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' and 'Forrest Gump,' is closing in on his first live-action film since 2000's 'Cast Away' with the Warner Bros. thriller 'Replay,' according toVulture.

Zemeckis has spent the last decade working on elaborate motion-capture animated films like 'The Polar Express,' 'Beowulf' and 'A Christmas Carol.' He's had some success in the genre -- the three films have grossed over $400 million domestically -- but it's nice to see him return to working with flesh-and-blood performers. Zemeckis's work with Tom Hanks, for example, has brought the actor two Oscar nominations (for 'Forrest Gump' and 'Cast Away') and one win ('Gump').

The director had been attached to the Paramount drama 'Flight,' which was to star Denzel Washington. But with Washington not yet signed on for 'Flight' and currently filming 'Safe House,' it seems likely Zemeckis will move forward with 'Replay' first and return to 'Flight' later.

Based on the bestselling 1987 novel by Ken Grimwood, 'Replay' tells the story of 43-year-old radio journalist Jeff Winston who dies of a heart attack in 1988 only to reawaken as an 18-year-old in 1963. When Winston wakes up, he retains everything he learned in the 25 years between his days as an Emory University student and his death. Though he always dies in 1988, each time Winston wakes up in the sixties, he can make different choices, resulting in different spouses, children and jobs. Thing become even more twisted when Winston discovers that he may not be the only one this phenomenon is happening to.

Cinema Blendnotes that Zemeckis has only made three films in the last decade and that filming 'Replay' and 'Flight' back-to-back seems out of character for the filmmaker. However, the three films he has completed ('Polar Express,' 'Beowulf' and 'Carol') have all been costly motion-capture films that take a great deal of time to produce. Zemeckis has also been at the forefront of creating the new technology necessary to film in that format.

While he is known to take his time, often for the sake of special effects and technological innovation, Zemeckis can turn out two massive films in short order when he puts his mind to it. The director shot his 2000 film 'Cast Away' in two parts and took a year-long break in the middle of production so Tom Hanks could lose over 50 pounds to portray a man who had been stranded on a desert island for several years. During the break, he used the same crew to film the entirety of his hit ghost movie 'What Lies Beneath.'

The result? 'Cast Away' went on to gross over $409 million worldwide and 'What Lies Beneath' pulled in $155 million in the U.S. and another $136 million overseas.

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Lee Pace Joins 'The Hobbit,' Unknown Fills Vacant Dwarf Role

'Pushing Daisies'Lee Pacewill soon be fitted for a pair of pointed ears and a lovely, long wig: The actor's just agreed to join the'The Hobbit'as Elven King Thranduil.

"Casting these Tolkien stories is very difficult, especially the Elven characters,"director Peter Jackson announced."Lee has always been our first choice for Thranduil. He's going to be great. We loved his performance in a movie called 'The Fall' a few years ago, and have been hoping to work with him since. When we were first discussing who would be right for Thranduil, Lee came into mind almost immediately."

Thranduil happens to be the father of Legolas, the character (we don't need to tell you) played by Orlando Bloom in the 'Lord of the Rings' films.

Jackson tweeted the news on his Facebook page, along with the casting of Kiwi actor Dean O'Gorman as Fili, who's replacing Rob Kazinsky.
"Dean's a terrific Kiwi actor, who I am thrilled to be working with. He's recently been in an excellent TV series down here called 'The Almighty Johnsons' and I should let fans of that show know that our shooting schedule allows Dean to continue with a second series next year,"Jackson posted."Dean will be joining us next week."

Pace can be seen as Garrett in parts one and two of 'Breaking Dawn.' He was also in 'Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day,' 'A Single Man' and 'The Good Shepherd.'

'The Hobbit' will be released as two films in 2012 and 2013.

{ViaEmpire Online}

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Today on indieWIRE: Edward Burns Talks Indie Film, Tribeca Doles Out Awards& More

Today onindieWIRE:Edward Burns talked indie filmmaking,'L'amour fou'director talked fashion and Tribeca dolled out awards.

• Tribeca Film Festival vet and indie stalwartEdward Burnsstopped by the Apple Store in SoHo for Apple and indieWIRE's"Meet the Tribeca Filmmaker"series to talk about his low-budgeted romantic dramedy,'Newlyweds,'which is closing the festival on Saturday.

Lisa Aschan's 'She Monkeys'(Apflickorna) andAlma Har'el's 'Bombay Beach'topped theTribeca Film Festival Jury Awardson Thursday night in New York. For the full list of winners click here.

• Oliver Stonedropped down in San Francisco for the city by the bay's International Film Festival to accept the Founder's Directing Award. After a career-highlights clip reel, Stone and journalist David D'Arcy took the stage for an informal Q&A.

• indieWIREwason the sceneat the event to report on the festival standouts.

• "Automobile junkies and environmentalists are likely to embrace the movie with the same excitement they brought the first one, although since it doesn't reveal a lot of new information,"wroteindieWIRE criticEric Kohnof'Revenge of the Electric Car,'the follow-up to the 2006 documentary 'Who Killed the Electric Car.' The film earned a B from Kohn.

• 'L'amour fou'directorPierre Thorettoncaught up withindieWIREduring Tribeca to discuss his Yves Saint Laurent documentary.

• Gregory Peck'svisagewas honored Friday with the unveiling of his Hollywood Legends Forever Stamp.Thompson on Hollywoodwas on the scene to cover the who's who of attendees gathering at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Samuel Goldwyn Theatre to remember Peck.

• Thompson on Hollywoodgot in the spirit ofthe Royal Weddingand rounded up photo and video highlights from Friday's big event. Click here to admire that dress just one more time.

• It looks likeSteven Soderbergh'sretirement plans may have gotten pushed back. The ever-busy director has signed on to direct'Magic Mike,' Channing Tatum'spassion projectabout his early days as a stripper.The Playlistreported on Soderbergh's surprising decision to get back in the saddle one more time.

• When 'The High Cost of Living'hits theaters in May, audiences will witnessZach Braff's dark side.The Playlistsat down with Braff to talk over his decision to play a drug dealer who unwittingly causes the loss of a woman's child."The challenge with me was calling myself on my bullshit go-to acting comfort zones,"said Braff,"and really try to throw that out the window and start new."

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