Not quite up to date on your film news? Not to worry! We here at The Indiependent have it covered. In this edition of ‘In Case You Missed It’, we’ll be covering BAFTA winners, some of the latest film trailers to hit the internet AND the lowdown on Spiderman’s long awaited return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
NEWS: BAFTAS, BOND AND BIG PLANS FOR SPIDEY
BOYHOOD AND THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING WIN BIG AT BAFTA
Boyhood, The Theory of Everything and The Grand Budapest Hotel were the biggest winners at this year’s BAFTAs, with Richard Linklater’s 12 year project taking Best Film, Best Director and Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Arquette). The ceremony, which was held last Sunday and hosted by Stephen Fry, also saw Eddie Redmayne take the Leading Actor gong for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything – which in addition won Best British Film and Adapted Screenplay. Redmayne’s win, along with the victories of Julianne Moore (Still Alice), Arquette and J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), strengthen their odds of possible Oscar glory in two weeks time. The other big winner of the night was Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, which was nominated for 11 awards and took home the gongs for Original Screenplay, Film Music, Costume and Make-Up. Despite Birdman‘s 10 nominations, Alejandro Iñárritu’s dark comedy only won one award -for cinematography – while Alan Turing biopic The Imitation Game – in spite of 9 nominations – got nothing. Other winners of the night included Polish film Ida for Best Film Not in the English Language, Pride’s David Livingstone and Stephen Beresford for Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer and The Lego Movie for Best Animation. Jack O’Connell was also named the recipient of the public-voted Rising Star BAFTA, beating off the likes of Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller for the prize. Director Mike Leigh was awarded this year’s fellowship and BBC Films were celebrated for their contribution to the British Industry. There was also a special tribute for former BAFTA chairman and legendary actor-director, Lord Richard Attenborough, in which video-linked eulogies by HRH Prince William and Robert Downey Jr were shown.
PLANS TO INGRATIATE SPIDERMAN INTO MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE REVEALED
It has been announced that Marvel and Universal Studios have reached a deal which will allow Spider-Man to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As part of the deal, Marvel’s Kevin Feige will co-produce the next Spider-Man film – due to be released on July 28 2017 – alongside Sony’s Amy Pascal. As for the webslinger himself, he will appear in a yet to be specified Marvel film before this (early rumours point to Captain America: Civil War which is due to start filming in April) as an introduction to the MCU. In addition, it will be Sony who will finance and distribute the film, as well as having final creative control over what we see. Sony will also retain the rights to Spider-Man for the foreseeable future. The announcement also brings with it some changes for both sides. Sony’s plans for possible Sinister Six and Venom films appear to have been shelved, while it was revealed that all Marvel’s Phase Three release dates from Thor: Ragnarok to Inhumans will be altered to accommodate Spidey’s film (except Avengers: Infinity War). As for Andrew Garfield, it’s been confirmed by multiple sources that he was offered the chance to reprise the role but has declined – much to fans’ upset. The press release announcing the partnership does talk about taking the character in a “new creative direction” which has lead to some speculation about exactly who will be wearing the famous costume next and also whether or not it will actually be Peter Parker or an alternative Spider-Man such as Miles Morales…
FIRST SPECTRE IMAGE REVEALED, ALONG WITH BEHIND THE SCENES FOOTAGE
It was late last year that news of the latest James Bond movie – Spectre – was finally released. Now, as shooting of the film continues, we have been given an exclusive first look at Daniel Craig’s fourth outing as 007, as well as a behind the scenes video, featuring words from some of the cast and crew. In the image (right), we see the ultimate gentlemen spy looking cool on the snowy mountain-tops of Austria, gun in hand and ready for action. Much speculation surrounds the movie, with this still only adding to the elusiveness; if Christoph Waltz’s villain Franz Oberhauser turns out to be, as it is widely assumed. the iconic Bond baddie and SPECTRE mastermind, Ernst Blofeld – could this snowy terrain be home to his secret base? The behind the scenes video answers no questions there, but does feature actors Lea Seydoux and Dave Bautista speaking briefly about filming in the wintry environment, as well as members of the crew offering some teasing tidbits of the first shoot. Directed by Sam Mendes, and also starring Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw, Spectre is set for release on October 23rd this year.
PADDINGTON SEQUEL IN THE WORKS?
At last week’s BAFTA ceremony, Paddington director Paul King was asked if he’d like to do a sequel. Responding to this question, he asnwered; “We’d love to do another one, there’s lots of Paddington books and source material. He’s a great character to write for and direct so I’d love to do more. I really hope we can make it happen.” It now seems that this might be sooner rather than later. Variety is reporting that Studiocanal is in talks with producer David Heyman about making a second film. In the interview, Studiocanal president Olivier Courson said: “We have to be selective, work with strong brands, top talent, take the time we need, [But] obviously, the result on Paddington is a strong incentive to us and the partners on the movie to work on a sequel, and a strong incentive for Studiocanal to continue in this area.” Paddington grossed £23.9 million at the Box Office last year and was most recently up for Outstanding British Film at BAFTA. The film stars Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Nicole Kidman, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters and Peter Capaldi and is due to be released on DVD & Blu-ray on March 23.THE LATEST TRAILERS
SIR IAN MCKELLEN STARS AS OLD SHERLOCK HOLMES IN NEW CLIP AND POSTER
Sherlock Holmes is a literary character that has been portrayed on screen many, many times. The latest actor to play him is Sir Ian McKellen – best known for his performances as Gandalf in The Lord of The Rings/Hobbit trilogies and Magneto in the X-Men franchise – in the astutely titled Mr Holmes. Directed by Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, The Fifth Estate), the film depicts the infamous detective in his later years, and sets out to explore how even the greatest of minds can be affected with age. Though we are yet to get an official trailer for the film, McKellen teasingly tweeted the poster (right) and a clip (below) last month. The poster shows McKellen in character, wearing a top hat and posing with a cane; imposing that classic Victorian Holmes look. The clip however, sees the aging sleuth hobbling down a picturesque seaside landscape, recanting his memory troubles to a young boy named Roger (his housekeeper’s son). Set in 1947, when Holmes is 93 and retired, there is no visual sign of Watson, but as seen in the clip, Holmes is determined to solve his final cold case and tell it in his own words – without the fancifully subjective narration of his oldest friend. Also featuring Laura Linney and Roger Allam, Mr Holmes does not yet have an exact release date but is expected to arrive in cinemas this summer.
EXTENDED TRAILER FOR MINIONS MOVIE FEATURING VILLAIN VOICED BY SANDRA BULLOCK
One of the aspects of Despicable Me that made it so successful, was the cute and countless number of kindly yellow creatures – known as Minions – under main character Gru’s villainous employment. So naturally, they’ve got their own movie. And in this extended second trailer, we get a more in depth look at the film’s plot, that explores their life ‘Before Gru’. After accidentally vanquishing all of their former masters, the Minions send three of their number – Kevin, Stuart and Bob – to a Comic-Con like Villain Convention in order to find themselves a new boss. Sure enough, the trio find themselves competing to become the henchmen of the stylish but wickedly ambitious Scarlett Overkill – voiced by Sandra Bullock. Also featuring the voice talents of Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Alison Janney and Steve Coogan, Minions is set to be released on June 26th.
GUY RITCHIE’S MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E TRAILER
Guy Ritchie’s latest film sees Man of Steel actor Henry Cavill star as a Bond-like spy in this film adaptation of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Based on the 1960’s MGM television programme of the same name, the film is set in The Cold War and focuses on the mission of two U.N.C.L.E agents. U.N.C.L.E is an organisation whose initials stand for “United Network Command for Law and Enforcement”. Cavill plays Napoleon Solo – an agent who alongside Armie Hammer’s Illya Kuryakin, must stop mysterious international crime unit from destabilising the World’s power using Nuclear technology. Their only lead on the case is the daughter of a missing German scientist, who holds the key to infiltrating the criminal organisation. The pair then must race against time to find him and prevent world catastrophe. Though not quite as raucously fun-looking as Kingsman: The Secret Service, this film is sure to reboot the spy genre in a similarly action-packed way. Also starring Alicia Vikander, Jared Harris and Hugh Grant, The Man From U.N.C.L.E is set to be released in August.
CRIMSON PEAK TRAILER LEAKED
Earlier today, a pirated version of the trailer for Guillermo Del Toro’s latest fantasy-horror Crimson Peak was leaked onto the internet. Being a respectable website, we cannot share these links, but – having caught a glimpse of the video – we can give you a little insight into what you can expect when the official trailer – currently being shown before Fifty Shades of Grey – is finally released. Starring Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska and Jessica Chastain, Crimson Peak is a classic ghost story, entangled in Del Toro’s trademark aptitude for the beautifully macabre and horrific. There is a creeping feel – reminiscent of The Woman In Black – to the trailer, as demonic looking toys slowly crank away and shadowy creatures lurk in the dark. There is also however, a period-set romance to the film, not unlike Pride and Prejudice. This lustful passion is between Wasikowska’s young author Edith Cushing and Hiddleston’s brooding yet mysterious Sir Thomas Sharpe, who marry and go to reside in ‘Crimson Peak’. As Chastain’s character (Lady Lucille Sharp) eludes to, Crimson Peak is an unforgiving mansion, harbouring many dark secrets – all of which are sure to come to light as Edith grows more and more curious. Set for release in October this year, the trailer warns you to ‘Beware of Crimson Peak‘. But with such an intriguing aesthetic, and it’s stellar cast, it’ll be very hard to resist.
Also making news in the world of film: The Assassin’s Creed film featuring Michael Fassbender has been set for a December 2016 release • New trailers for Pitch Perfect 2 and The Divergent Series: Insurgent have been released • Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence in talks for upcoming Sci-Fi movie, Passengers • The first image of Tom Hiddleston’s Dr. Robert Laing in Ben Wheatley’s High Rise was released.
Words by Megan Roxburgh and Annie Honeyball
Compiled by Annie Honeyball