Public Enemies - What Did You Think?
Aaron Eckhart and Richard Jenkins Join Johnny Depp in The Rum Diary
Posted on Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 by Hunter Stephenson
Keep an eye on this one. Aaron Eckhart and Richard Jenkins have joined the cast of The Rum Diary, which will see Johnny Depp playing a doppelganger of the late Hunter S. Thompson for the second time. Eckhart will play a wealthy rival to Depp’s boozy journalist, with both men seeking the pleasantries of a beach floozie to be played by Amber Heard (The Informers, nudity).
Jenkins, who last year mastered the “living out my own private hell with dignity” niche in The Visitor and Step Brothers, will play Lotterman, the supervisor of the shoddy and troubled newspaper that employs Depp. Set in San Juan during the 1950s and based loosely on Thompson’s time there as a young pre-Gonzo writer, the adaptation was written and will be directed by Bruce Robinson, best known for the druggie British cult classic Withnail and I.
The general sentiment seems to be one of surprise and merriment that Diary is finally being made after years of discussion. A lot of the talk seemed to occur late at night on Miami Beach which I didn’t necessarily view as promising. Alas, it begins filming next month in Puerto Rico! With the addition of Eckhart and Jenkins, awards consideration could be a possibility, no? And I do hope that Nick Nolte, who was at one point attached and is executive producing, still fits into this tale of chaos, tasty bar food, and disillusionment. He knows the material “like a bone in the throat.”
via THR
Could Two-Face Return For Dark Knight Sequel?
Posted on Sunday, January 11th, 2009 by Peter Sciretta
One of the biggest moments of contention in The Dark Knight involved the demise of Two-Face. Many fans believe that the half-burnt Bat villain is still alive as The Batman rides off into the light at the end of the film, but all the facts conflict with that theory.
- The movie novelization reads “sprawled, neck twisted, the mutilated side of his face exposed, his left eye open and staring sightlessly. He was obviously dead.”
- The screenplay reads “Dent lies at the bottom of the hole, his neck broken. DEAD.”
- And even actor Aaron Eckhart has said in past interviews that “[Two-Face]’s dead. I asked Chris if there was a chance of coming back. ‘No way,’ he said. ‘He’s toast.’” Which is not just a confirmation from the actor but also the director.
But when asked by MTV News at tonight’s Golden Globes, Eckhart had a slightly different answer:
Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight, Thank You For Smoking) has signed on to star in Columbia Pictures’s big sci-fi action film Battle: Los Angeles. Chris Bertolini’s spec screenplay tells the story of a Marine platoon’s battle against an alien invasion in downtown Los Angeles. Eckhart will play the platoon leader.
Originally pitched as a West Coast Cloverfield, director Jonathan Liebesman is planning to make something more along the vibe of “Independence Day meets Black Hawk Down.” Problem is that Liebesman is the guy behind Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning and Darkness Falls, which makes him no Ridley Scott. LatinoReview called the film “dull and boring and infuriating at times”, and admitted that there was little to nothing to like about the film’s story or characters.
Discuss: Can Eckhart save Battle: Los Angeles?
source: THR
Aaron Eckhart Reveals Fate of Harvey Dent and Two-Face
Posted on Thursday, September 4th, 2008 by Hunter Stephenson
Yesterday, a screener for The Dark Knight leaked all over the interwebs, so the entire world has officially enjoyed Chris Nolan’s Batman sequel. Nevertheless, let me whisper “SPOILER ALERT” in your ear like a geeky Craig Mack. In a couple of new interviews, co-star Aaron Eckhart has revealed the ultimate fate of Harvey Dent and Two-Face per the ending to TDK and this second sequel we love to speculate about…
“[My character is] dead. I couldn’t even get the words out of my mouth. ‘Hey, Chris, am I–?’ ‘No. You’re dead. You’re dead,’” Eckhart told AICN. “…Well, it’d be easier than anything to bring him back, but… it’s like Chris said on the tour. He wasn’t thinking about the next movie when he made [THE DARK KNIGHT]. All the vegetables were in this stew. I think that this franchise has shown that it doesn’t have to bring back characters. I mean, there’s still Catwoman. I’ve heard Angelina Jolie really wants to do Catwoman; I think that’s a great idea. I’ll be a happy audience member this time.”
Do you guys agree with Eckhart that it’d be “easier than anything” to bring Two-Face back for the next installment? Like most of us, I’ve had this debate with friends. Given, Two-Face’s arc in TDK is swift (some fans have said too swift) and his final scene in the film is dubiously played (so is The Joker’s), but I feel that infection would have set in and killed him if a character ultimately did not.
One of my minor quibbles with TDK is that Two-Face’s appearance in the film entertains a Dick Tracy-type cinematic reality, whereas The Joker, his goons, and Lt. Gordon are based in a realistic universe that’s drawn comparisons to Heat. Having Two-Face return for another film would only reinforce this extension of disbelief. One of the counter arguments to this is that Dent, beloved by his peers and the city, could be medically treated and make a still-conflicted return with lots of scarring and facial reconstruction. And of course, there’s the chance, albeit small, that Eckhart is setting us up here for a similar surprise. So, Dent’s done, but what about Nolan?
“He never said he’s going to make another one. I’m sure they drove the Brinks truck up to his house and dumped money on his lawn. But I think Chris wants to go out and make other movies, too. And he should. He’s an independent filmmaker at heart.”
Money on the lawn? Meh. Nolan is probably sitting poolside in a purple beret next to an original work of Francis Bacon, demanding that Warner Bros. put his “face on the one dollar bill.”
Discuss: Eckhart’s statements aside, do you think Two-Face should return? If so, in what state and what’s his new arc? As it stands, was TDK’s take a definitive one for this major character? Is there a chance Eckhart is being sly? Angelina Jolie for Catwoman? How many films do you expect Nolan to make before a second sequel?
Gotham Tonight Profiles Bruce Wayne by Gotham City News
The Pitch: A new episode of Gotham City’s Gotham Tonight looks at the tragic, mysterious, and flamboyant life of billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne. Born into enormous wealth, Bruce’s life changed forever when he witnessed the shooting deaths of his parents in downtown Gotham. GCN’s premier news program looks at Bruce’s life then, and now. Gotham Tonight gets exclusive comment from District Attorney Harvey Dent, who’s rumored to be dating Bruce’s old friend Rachel Dawes. And GT also examines the ascent of Bruce Wayne to CEO of Wayne Enterprises - what is the economic giant planning now? Take a tour of Wayne’s new penthouse level apartment and more!
Video of the Day is a daily feature of /Film showcasing geekarific video creations. Have a video we should be feature on VOTD? E-Mail us at orfilms@gmail.com.
/Film Reader Dave sent over news that a new clip from The Dark Knight is now available on the Joker viral site WhySoSerious.com. The new clip gives us our first real glimpse/tease of Aaron Eckhart as Two-Face. Watch the clip below (or in High Definition on the WhySoSerious site) and tell me what you think in the comments!
Here is a round up of stories that just didn’t make the /Film front page, or what we like to call…. Page 2!
TotalFilm has a batch of production photos from Pixar’s WALL-E.
David Poland calls Sex and the City: The Movie “the Lord of the Rings of Chick Flicks… not that it’s anywhere near as good, emotional, artistically made or worthy of box office or awards… IT’S 2 HOURS AND 25 FUCKING MINUTES LONG!!!!”
With news of yesterday morning’s decision by the California Supreme Court, Screenwriter John August has announced he is getting married. Congrads.
France’s MK2 and Britain’s Film4 will produce “Satisfaction,” the second film by U.S. writer-director Miranda July (Me and You and Everybody We Know). [Variety]
Universal Pictures has launched a viral site for the Timur Bekmambetov’s Wanted - FraternityofWeavers.com
Blogwarts has the third official photo from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, but it’s very low resolution and not very revealing.
Rotten Tomatoes‘ Total Recall column focuses on movies with talking live-action animals. This, naturally, is in anticipation of the new Narnia movie.
Variety continues to STEAL stories from movie news websites. How unprofessional. [collider]
Producer Daniel Dubieki says he would like to make a sequel to Jennifer’s Body: “I could see [a sequel] in the future if this movie does well and I think it will. As long as we can bring the right ingredients back to the table, I could totally see that happening. We’re not making it for that reason, but it could work. I’d love to do that.” [shock]
ThePlaylist has a small review of Pineapple Express: “The movie was bloody and hysterical. It was definitely like no other movie I’ve ever seen. [There's] lots of killing, at least 12 on camera deaths, and lots of blood. Insane. PS Danny R. McBride is a scene stealer.”
Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, who represented the Al Gore team during the 2004 Florida recount, has denounced the HBO drama Recount, scheduled to air on May 25. [imdb]
io9 explains How Superhero Movies Made Comic Books Cooler (If Not Better).
ComingSoon has a new poster for Paramount’s The Love Guru, and no one cares.
PixarBlog has the track-listings for the WALL-E soundtrack.
Film School Rejects has the trailer for Don Cheadle’s Traitor.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is currently getting a 73 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
Jon Brion is scoring Charlie Kaufman’s Synecdoche, New York. [playlist]
Tom Cruise is in talks to star in director Phillip Noyce’s thriller 28th Amendment, about a U.S. president (Cruise) who discovers that a secret committee (run by Denzel Washington) has controlled the U.S. government since WWII. [moviehole]
Six Flags Great Adventure announced the grand opening of The Dark Knight coaster which will feature new customized footage of Aaron Eckhart as District Attorney Harvey Dent. The ride also incorporates audio and visual elements from the film which will debut July 18, 2008, offering guests a sneak peak. [SHH]
The Movie Blog theorizes that Paramount might have botched the marketing for Indiana Jones 4.
Rob Corddry has landed his first starring role, a part in “Project A,” an action comedy from Ben Stiller’s production company about a man trained by the U.S. government as a Cold War experiment to become the world’s biggest jerk. [reuters]
Aaron Eckhart Says Two-Face is Gross, Like, Really Gross
Posted on Monday, May 5th, 2008 by Hunter Stephenson
When you see Christopher Nolan’s vision of Two-Face up on screen in The Dark Knight, you have no idea and you’re going to vomit. This is basically what Aaron Eckhart is telling fans in a new interview with the LAT. He also peels back more of the villain’s “vigilante” psyche, leading us into slight spoiler territory. But first, let’s get to the “GROSS!” part…
“I can tell you that, basically, when you look at Two-Face, you should get sick to your stomach. Being the guy under all that, well, that was a lot of fun for me. It’s like you would feel if you met someone whose face had pretty much been ripped off or burned off with acid. …There are fans on the Internet who have done artist’s versions of what they think it will look like, and I can tell you this: They’re thinking small; Chris is going way farther than people think.”
That dimple in his chin might never look the same. :’( Note that he mentions “acid” above, as a debate continues on the interwebs regarding a scene from the latest trailer where Harvey Dent’s face encounters a gasoline-like substance. Interesting. Now for the spoiler (update: some readers feel this is a HUGE MEGA-SPOILER). Do not continue if you do not want to know how TDK’s Batman is different from Two-Face, and the fate of one character, thanks.
“The difference between Batman and Two-Face is how far they are willing to go and how they make their point,” Eckhart said. “Otherwise, we’re talking about vigilante crime-fighting. That’s what Batman is all about. He has a strong sense of justice. And Harvey Dent has an extremely strong sense of justice. His fiancée is killed. He’s horribly injured. But he is still true to himself. He’s a crime fighter, he’s not killing good people. He’s not a bad guy, not purely.”
Yeah, but Eckhart thinks the film sucks, right? No way…
“It’s not simple, and it gets ugly. I think people will be surprised.”
Discuss: Will Two-Face’s face be nastier than the mugs of Fred Krueger and Noriega combined? Awesome.
A Spoiler Regarding Two Face, and Halloween Costumes For The Dark Knight and Joker
Posted on Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 by Hunter Stephenson
Over at SHH, a tipster sent in pics of Halloween costumes and masks from a Las Vegas showcase for The Dark Knight, including those pretty friggin’ eerie Heath Ledger/Joker masks above. Halloween 2008 just got a helluva lot scarier imagining six year old hooligans giggling down darkly lit streets in those things. Also, the tipster supposedly received a spoilerish reason for the lack of Two Face costumes. After the hop, we have the spoiler (I’d rank it a 6 out of 10) and two big photos of the get-ups…
Discuss: Did the spoiler bum you out a little? Would you go as The Joker for Halloween?
Harvey Dent’s Dentmobiles Visiting Cities Across the United States Starting Today
Posted on Thursday, March 13th, 2008 by Hunter Stephenson
The campaign dates for Gotham D.A. hopeful Harvey Dent’s “Dentmobile” tour have been revealed on The Dark Knight character’s official site. We’ve posted the tour’s city dates, which kicked off today in New York City, Houston, Columbus (Ohio), Chicago, and Los Angeles and treads both coasts but leaves the Midwest a little ignored, after the jump for your convenience. If any Slashfilm readers make it out there, we’d love to see some good photos, so email them to orfilms[@]gmail.com.
The latest effort in the snowballing viral marketing for Aaron Eckhart’s duel roles as Harvey Dent and Two Face in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins sequel, following the actor’s recent prerecorded phone call, no images of the actual Dentmobile have surfaced, but we’ll be sure to let you know. City dates after the jump…
Harvey Dent Making Phone Calls Across the Nation! Dent’s Website Completely Revamped!
Posted on Friday, March 7th, 2008 by Hunter Stephenson
If you receive a call from a number marked 1-000-000-0000, pick it up, it’s Harvey Dent and he wants your vote! The Dent viral campaign for The Dark Knight has kicked off something fierce this evening. Not only are the prerecorded calls going out from Dent himself, but IBelieveInHarveyDent.com has been uploaded with a boatload of information. We’re talking a “Dentmobile” that will be touring the nation shortly. Here is the transcription of Dent’s phone message (thanks to Slashfilm reader The Addict). You can now hear the message in mp3 format on the official site as well. Is it just me or does he sound like Henry Rollins?
“Hello, I’m Harvey Dent, Assistant District Attorney of Gotham, and I’m calling to ask for your support. We all know what’s wrong with Gotham. Crime is out of control. And instead of protecting our streets, too many cops have become criminals themselves.
This is why my mission has been to stamp out police corruption, and this is why I’m considering a run for district attorney. But I can’t do it alone. I need to know if you, the people of Gotham, want change. Do you want a Gotham free from the grip of criminals and the corrupt? Are you ready to join a crusade to take back our city? If this is a change you desire, if you are fed up with living in fear, go to ibelieveinharveydent.com and see how you can join the struggle to take back our city. I’m ready to fight for Gotham, if you are ready to fight too.”
After the jump I’ll break down what’s been added to the site…
Aaron Eckhart’s Harvey Dent/Two Face Performances in The Dark Knight Revealed?
Posted on Friday, March 7th, 2008 by Hunter Stephenson
Before you head out this Friday to wrap your hands around a cold brewsky, try wrapping your head around the following description of Aaron Eckhart’s performance(s) as Harvery Dent and Two Face in July’s The Dark Knight. Over at CHUD, Jeremy Smith spills all he knows about what Christopher Nolan has in store for us. It is pretty WTF, so here we go…
“Basically, Nolan shot complementary takes of Eckhart in Two-Face makeup so he could visually represent the duality of Dent in a less cartoony fashion,” says Smith. …[Harvey/Two Face] is a fifty-fifty split of the same actor giving two wildly divergent performances in the same shot.
And because he has two takes of each scene, Nolan has the luxury of shaping Eckhart’s performance in post; it’s just a matter of switching the dial between normal Harvey and bug-fuck Two-Face. Again, both will be present in the shot, but only one will dominate the poor bastard’s conflicted consciousness at any given moment. The technical audacity required in pulling this off may be the reason Two-Face was held back in the trailer.”
So, anyone who was hoping that Nolan’s Dent/Two Face would bear resemblance to Mel Gibson in The Man Without a Face or Tommy Lee Jones in Batman Forever…shame, shame! If the following report is on the money, Nolan is literally going to split Eckhart’s performance in half and launch the film’s crazy factor into outer space. In fact, The Dark Knight might turn out to be one of the darkest, most ruthless PG-13 movies ever, summer or not, from the sounds of it.
Discuss: How do you imagine Nolan’s rather ballsy technique turning out on the big screen?
