Sequel Bits: ‘The Hobbit’, ‘Bond 24’, ‘The Fast And The Furious 6’, ‘Red 2’, ‘The Man With The Iron Fists 2’, ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2’
Old people begin and end today’s Sequel Bits, which include updates onRed 2andThe Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2. After the jump:
ScreenwriterOl Parker(who also wrote the first movie) is due to turn in a sequel treatment in the next few weeks. The project is still in the early stages, but insiders report that all of the original leads want to return. While the article doesn’t name specific stars,Judi Dench,Maggie Smith,Bill Nighy,Tom Wilkinson, andDev Patelcomprised the principal cast of the first film. [Vulture]
RZA’sThe Man With the Iron Fistsis still a few days away from the theaters, but producerEli Rothis already thinking about a sequel:
Of course, whether those grand plans actually come to pass depends heavily on how the first film does when it opens this Friday,November 2. [We Got This Covered]
James Bond producerGregg Wilsonrecently sat down with a Swedish site to discuss, among other things, the future of the Bond franchise. It’s already beenconfirmedthat Sony has hiredSkyfallco-writerJohn Loganto pen the next two films, with the first one tentatively due out in fall 2014. Wilson spoke in vague terms about where the series might take the character next (translated from Swedish):
We want to put Bond in situations that feel interesting and who can develop Daniel Craig as an actor. It’s what makes us excited when we take up the story. We need to have a good core of the story and it must be clear from the beginning. It does not work to add it to the end.
Wilson also shot down rumors thatBenedict Cumberbatchhad been tapped to play 007’s next antagonist, in no uncertain terms:
I can confirm that none other thanDaniel Craighas got a role in “Bond 24”. I have not initiated any discussions with Cumberbatch.
I wouldn’t object to Cumberbatch signing on, but afterSkyfallI’ve got faith in whatever the producers want to do. VisitMoviezinefor more.
It’s all but impossible to imagine anyone butIan McKellenplaying Gandalf inPeter Jackson’sThe Hobbittrilogy, but the actor’s initial ambivalence over reprising the role is well known.THRquoted the star talking about it earlier this month, and now McKellen’s going into even further detail on his personal website. The reasoning isn’t really that different from what we’ve heard before. Still, it’s interesting to hear it from his own mouth. Or fingers, I guess, since he typed it.
Ultimately, the decision came down to the simple realization that no one else could really be Gandalf:
What clinched it and made up my mind was the advice of a wise friend: “Ian, all those fans of the LOTR aren’t going to understand or care about your doubts. They just want to see you back as Gandalf.” And then I realised what I’d known all along, that I couldn’t bear to think of another actor donning the pointy hat and grey robes.
Head toMcKellen.comfor more.The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journeyhits theatersDecember 14.
Over onFacebook(viaCollider),Vin Dieselhas shared two more snapshots of himself on the set ofThe Fast and the Furious 6. One shows him walking in front of a sweet ride like a tough guy, while the other seems to show him tenderly embracing someone. Or maybe they’re wrestling. That also seems possible.
Also starringPaul Walker,Dwayne Johnson,Jordana Brewster,Michelle Rodriguez, andLuke Evans,The Fast and the Furious 6opensMay 24.
Finally, we’ve got a small handful of fresh photos fromRed 2, which is currently shooting in London (which doubles as Moscow). Click through the gallery to seeBruce Willis,Mary-Louise Parker,Anthony Hopkins, andJohn Malkovichhanging out in front of green screens.
Red 2will hit theatersAugust 2, 2013. [Coming Soon]
