Public Enemies - What Did You Think?
Arnold Schwarzenegger Meets With Christian Bale. Yep, More Terminator: Salvation Rumors.
Posted on Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 by Hunter Stephenson
A batch of new photos have popped up at Zimbio showing Christian Bale and his wife chatting with Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife. If you run your mouse over the image, you can hear imagined bits of the conversation, or you can watch the meet-up from a distance on YouTube. I’ve also included a close-up of Arnold’s hand. Just Jared confirms that Arnold visited the Terminator: Salvation set. As expected, today brings further speculation about Arnold’s contribution, however small, to McG’s Terminator reboot. An un-vetted tipster at Latino Review had this to say…
“…I have varous contacts in WB and from what i’ve been told the fans are in for a treat. The premise of Arnie’s involvement is to have a fully rendered digital face of Arnie replacing the recently cast Roland Kickinger (The Younger version of Arnie). It seems the Director McG will in no doubt try all he can to ensure the Governator has some sort of involvement and as a result Arnold was on set providing key ADR (Voice over) for the visual effects guys…”
The tipster goes on to compare the digital face-transplant technique to James Cameron’s Avatar, so, um, we shall see. Seriously, I can’t imagine how Roland Kickinger—playing the T-800—would feel about this decision, but stranger things have happened. Last month, T4 producer Moritz Borman had this to say to Wired per Arnold’s involvement: “Schwarzenegger is governing California. He will not be, as a person, in the film.” The consensus seems to be that Arnold will do a voice-over, but nothing is confirmed. We’ll update with any developments.
Discuss: Ideally, what role would you like to see Arnold Schwarzenegger play in the first Terminator movie in McG’s planned trilogy? Have you ever used the word “Governator”?
/Filmcast Ep. 9: The Dark Knight (GUEST: Kevin Smith)
Posted on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 by David Chen
In this week’s episode of the /Filmcast, Kevin Smith joins us to geek out about the new Watchmen and Terminator trailers, and Kevin offers some reflections on the old Tim Burton Batman films. We also review The Dark Knight (SPOILERS INCLUDED). Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Want to sponsor or advertise with the /Filmcast? Feel free to e-mail us at slashfilmcast@gmail.com. You can also reach our voicemail number at 781-583-1993.
Join us next week as we broadcast the /Filmcast live on TUESDAY (NOT Monday) night at 10 PM EST / 7 PM PST to review the new X-Files film.
To hear the entire episode, you can download it here or play now:
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To hear just the segment where Kevin Smith reviews The Dark Knight (WITH SPOILERS), you can download it here or play now:
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The /Filmcast will be having some more great guests to review some amazing movies this summer. To make sure you don’t miss an episode, subscribe to the /Filmcast using the following links:
The New York Times has a photo from the set of McG’s Terminator Salvation. Looks like they blew up a 7-Eleven in the outskirts of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The story also reiterates the sequel’s rumored budget of “more than $200 million”. I understand the knee jerk reaction most people are having to the idea of a fourth Terminator film, but I’ve been hearing some really great things about this production.
Update: Videoeta has more photos from the set, I’ve included a couple below.
Christian Bale Compares Terminator 4 to Batman Begins; Helena Bonham Carter Joins Cast
Posted on Monday, June 30th, 2008 by Peter Sciretta
Christian Bale took to the defensive, insisting that he accepted the role as John Connor in Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins because it reinvents the series.
“What I saw with Terminator was what I saw with Batman Begins,” Bale told /Film at The Dark Knight junket.
But accepting another franchise role was not an easy decision in the least.
“That was actually something that I questioned greatly… ‘Do I want to do that again?’” Bale continued. “While Batman Begins was clearly an origin story and we were in many ways ignoring any of the other films that had come before it, this won’t be the case with Terminator, as we’re staying true to the mythology, certainly to one and two more than three, but it gave us the opportunity and the chance to reinvent and revitalize that. There is no point in making it otherwise. So that is my aim, and that is why I finally decided yes, I want to try this. Because that is the responsibility we have as filmmakers, and that is what I’m aiming to achieve.”
Meanwhile, the trades are reporting that Helena Bonham Carter is in talks to join the film in a “small but pivotal” role.
In the highly anticipated new installment of The Terminator film franchise, set in post-apocalyptic 2018, Christian Bale stars as John Connor, the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind. The film also stars Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese, Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Connor, Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams, Common as Barnes, and Jadagrace as Star. Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins hits theaters on May 22nd 2009.
Terminator 4 Teaser Trailer Attached to The Dark Knight
Posted on Wednesday, June 11th, 2008 by Peter Sciretta
An advance look at a marketing teaser poster for McG’s Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins was revealed at the New York Licensing Show. The tagline on the bottom reads “Becoming Self-Aware Memorial Day 2009″.
MTV says that the first official teaser poster will hit theaters on July 18th, to coincide with Warner Bros’ release of The Dark Knight. Attached to the Batman sequel will be the film’s first teaser trailer. The film is only a month into production, so it’s likely that the teaser will contain little or no footage from the actual film. And hey, you were going to The Dark Knight anyways, now you have another reason to be excited. And who knows, we might even get a peak at Zack Snyder’s Watchmen too (that is, unless they decide to hold off until Comic-Con)
Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins hits theaters on May 22nd 2009.
McG Denies T4 Ending Spoiler; Apologizes For His Ridiculous Nickname
Posted on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 by Peter Sciretta
McG has posted yet another blog post on the Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins Blog. While he doesn’t come out and completely debunk the rumor that has most of the internet up in arms, the director assures us that “there are only three people who know the ending.” He gives us some insight into the world of this story:
“It took Skynet a lot of research and development to get to the T-800, and this movie explores that ’space between.’ … In this film, there are Hydrobots that patrol the water, Transports that move human prisoners around, Harvesters that collect human beings as lab rats for Skynet and Aerostats that survey all that is going on with the resistance the world over,” McG writes. “We’ve started shooting the T-600 - the bigger, grimier, nastier version that preceded the T-800. Like Reese says, they’re easier to spot but they pack a mini gun and carry kick ass fire power. They’re eight-foot tall killers that prowl the badlands looking for anything with a heartbeat to terminate.”
Sounds pretty friggin cool if you ask me. McG describes the T-600 as “bummer, rubbery skin, prosthetic look that “cloaks an unrelenting machine with a singular focus of killing.” Could be kind of creepy. As well as Arnold played a robot, there is nothing creepier than a robot that doesnt look human. Something with a driving force behind it that just cant be stopped. I think thats why everyone loves Winston’s design of the endoskelleton so much. As for that PG-13 rating that fans have been making a huge fuss over, McG asks that we “don’t get too uptight about the prospect of the film being PG-13.”
“We have entertained the idea of a PG-13 rating largely because Batman Begins, in my opinion, was made compromise-free. So we’ll see. The movie comes first and it will be protected at all times…”
And I think he has a huge point. One must remember this is a war against machines. The robots don’t bleed. You can do all sorts of violent things to them without a film being R rated. And I think films like Batman Begins and Live Free or Die Hard hvae pushed the boundaries of this restriction. And in the funniest move I’ve seen in a while, McG basically apologizes for having a stupid nickname:
“I realize my name is ridiculous. I was born Joseph McGinty Nichol. McG is short for McGinty. I have been called this since the day I was born to create separation from my Uncle Joe and Grandpa Joe. I realize it sounds like some Hollywood nickname, hip-hop choice. But the truth is, this is simply my name - for every day of elementary school, every zit-filled day of high school. I have been taking shit for it ever since. I get it, I would think it’s lame too. But it’s just a name, and to change it now would seem fraudulent.”
WHAT?!?: Has the Ending/Mega-Spoiler For Terminator 4 Been Revealed?
Posted on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 by Hunter Stephenson
“I have arrived to destroy your Internetz!”
We’ve held off on posting about the gargantuan Terminator 4 spoiler that hit AICN yesterday because it just seemed so ‘tarded. Then again, this is a PG-13 Terminator with a subtitle that belongs on a Madonna biography, so anything can happen. ;) Well, CHUD has connected the dots based on their own inside info and the verdict is that the ending/mega-spoiler may very well be legit. In their words, AICN just kicked McG’s film (the new first in a new trilogy) “in the balls.” Need I say that everything below this point is glowing radioactive with SPOILERS so do not read if you think your exoskeleton will melt.
Discuss: Please let us know what you think, you daring spoiler-seekers. Do you still have doubts (about the spoiler’s authenticity)? If it is indeed legit, do you feel this twist is a zany dealbreaker, because I do?
Bryce Dallas Howard is Kate Connor in Terminator 4
Posted on Sunday, June 1st, 2008 by Peter Sciretta
Warner Bros has decided to replace Charlotte Gainsbourg with Bryce Dallas Howard in Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins. The official reason for the change is a schedule conflict. If the actors strike were to happen the restart of Terminator 4 shooting would conflict with a French comedy Gainsbourg is attached to. Howard is now in negotiations to play Kate Connor, the wife of human resistance leader John Connor, played by Christian Bale.
The character of Kate was introduced in Terminator 3 as Kate Brewster, played by Claire Danes. If you remember correctly Brewster was actually the one who sent the last terminator (played by Arnold) back in time to protect John, as Connor was said to have been assassinated on July 4th 2032 by the same T-850. The film begins 14 years before his assassination.
McG is certainly “casting UP” for this film, and at least Howard doesn’t have to dye her hair for the part. Bryce Dallas Howard, the daughter of Ron Howard, is a classically trained sctress with a theater background. An alumna of Steppenwolf and The Actors Center, Howard is probably best known for her film roles in the M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village and Lady in the Water, and as a supporting role as Gwen Stacy in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Series in 2008 for As You Like It.
Principal photography began last month and the movie is currently filming at the Albuquerque Studios and on location throughout New Mexico. Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins hits theaters on May 22nd 2009.
source: THR
McG has posted the first update on the official website for Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins, featuring our first look at concept art for post-judgment day Los Angeles. Click on the image below to enlarge. I think even the naysayers have to admit, it looks f’n cool.
But to play devil’s advocate: a lot of concept art for even bad movies looks cool. It’s also important to note that this is the first time McG has attempted to reach out to the fans to reassure them that his vision is not to ruin Terminator 4:
“Like you guys, I’ve been a long-time fan of the series and I understand your passion for the Terminator movies — and it’s my full intention to deliver a film that lives up to the previous three installments. I’ve spent time with James Cameron, spoken to Arnold Schwarzenegger, gone over the story with Jonah Nolan, and enlisted Stan Winston,” wrote McG. “Everything we’re shooting is designed to be tactile and real, you’ll be seeing a whole set of inspired designs you’ve never seen before, and best of all you’ll finally get to see some of the post-judgment day future that was only hinted at in the previous movies.”
McG also talks about the casting:
“John Connor will be pushed to the brink. And for me, Christian Bale embodies Connor’s strength and tenacity perfectly. And after visiting Sam Worthington on the set of Avatar, I know he’s perfect for his role,” writes the director. “As you know, Anton Yelchin is playing Kyle Reese, and his prep has been unbelievable. The guy’s been watching all three Terminators incessantly and he’s definitely going to capture the essence of the character Michael Biehn created in Cameron’s first film.”
The music video/commercial turned feature director says that he has already seen the first sequence they shot at Griffith Observatory cut together and claims “Anton and Sam are excellent.”
Discuss: C’mon guys, should we give McG a chance?
Terminator 4: New Casting and Story Details Revealed
Posted on Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 by Peter Sciretta
Warner Bros sent out a press release announcing the start of production on Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins (wait, didn’t they decide to change the title a while back? I’m confused…) And yes, this press release is a tad bit late, considering the film began lensing in Albuquerque, New Mexico almost two and a half weeks ago (May 5th). If it’s old news, then why report it at all? Well because the press release features a brand now plot synopsis:
In the highly anticipated new installment of The Terminator film franchise, set in post-apocalyptic 2018, Christian Bale stars as John Connor, the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind. The film also stars Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese, Charlotte Gainsbourg as Kate Connor, Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams, Common as Barnes, and Jadagrace as Star.
Notice the new release features two new casting tidbits:
Charlotte Gainsbourg (The Science of Sleep, 21 Grams), pictured right, as Kate Connor, a character introduced in Terminator 3 as Kate Brewster, played by Claire Danes. If you remember correctly Brewster was actually the one who sent the last terminator back in time to protect John, as Connor was said to have been assassinated on July 4th 2032 by a T-850. Judging by the character’s name, it appears that Kate and John have since gotten married. The film begins 14 years before his assassination. However, one must wonder if that plot point may change now that John knows it is coming.
And no, we have no idea Jadagrace is. She’s not listed on IMDb, and Warner Bros doesn’t yet have bio information available. We did some digging and found that someone named Jadagrace Gordy is listed as a former student of Gary Spatz’s The Playground (started in 2005), a conservatory for young actors. Yes, YOUNG actors. Interesting… We’ll keep you update.
Principal photography is taking place at the Albuquerque Studios and on location throughout New Mexico. Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins hits theaters on May 22nd 2009.
Christian Bale Signed For All Three Terminator Films
Posted on Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 by Peter Sciretta
As if there was any doubt, Halcyon Pictures honcho Victor Kucibek confirmed today that Christian Bale is signed on for not one, but three Terminator films. I’m pretty sure most people already knew that. McG’s Terminator 4 will begin a three picture story arc about the future war between man and machines. Bale plays John Conner, the leader of the human rebel faction. Sam Worthington is the star of the new trilogy, as Marcus, one of the survivors fighting the machines under Connor’s leadership. Anton Yelchin is also on board as Kyle Reese.
You can make all the snide comments about McG that you want, but it’s obvious to me that Halcyon has really thought this one over. This is not just another sloppy sequel. They have hired a team of talented actors and have a gameplan to do what few franchises have done before this time. You can say that George Lucas planned for six (or if you read old interviews, nine) Star Wars films when he went into production on A New Hope, and you can tell me how The Wachowski Brothers supposedly had a plan for a trilogy of Matrix films, but I just don’t buy it. I’m sure they had a tentative treatment of things that would happen, but the resulting films prove that it wasn’t a well written plan (for example: The Leia kiss). With this new Terminator series, we’re talking about a story told over the course of three films. Think Lord of the Rings. Imagine all the possibilities. Put your pessimism away for a second and think about how cool it could possibly be.
source: BBC
Character designer Miles Teves explained how the new Terminator 4 will go back to the future in the design of the new Terminators.
 ”I did all kinds of work on the new sort of Terminator… uh, I can’t describe without being in breach of contract… But there is a new endo-skelleton-type super Terminator that in a way is actually cruder than any of the ones from any of the other films,” explains Teves on the Fanboy Confidential podcast. “This one sort of takes place before all the other films in a weird way. So everything in the film is actually supposed to be cruder technology than we see even in the first Terminator.”
Teves, who worked on Legend and Robocop, complains that filmmakers, like JJ Abrams’ Star Trek or Lucas with the Star Wars prequels, have a tendency like going more futuristic with the technology (Enterprise) when they should be going more retro. But Miles promises this will be different.
“It’s very different. It will probably be the most different film of the [series],” says Teves. “…the first three films are essentially these hard driving chase films where you have this unstoppable force pursuing the hero. This is dramatically different in its structure and characters. It’s sort of the John Conner story, but strangely enough John Conner was not the main character. There is another guy who is the main protagonist of the film.”
This basically confirms rumors that Marcus (played in the film by Sam Worthington) will actually be the lead in the film, while John Connor (Christian Bale) is actually more of a supporting character.
“It completely takes place in the machine world in the post apocalyptic aftermath,” says Teves. “There will be lots of hardware and cool toys to be sold. And hopefully they will not water them down and they’ll be as cool as the designs. And there was cool designs. A lot of tanks, a lot of vehicles, a lot of weird machines.”
