Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is getting a new, ambitious attraction in the form of Avatar Land, inspired by James Cameron’s box office-crushing fantasy sci-fi epic Avatar. This news comes from D23, with Disney’s Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs presenting a first look at the family-oriented experience. You can expect rides, night-time attractions and tall blue-painted cat people upon Avatar Land’s opening in 2017, which will coincide nicely with Cameron’s three sequels. Check out the preview video below that shows off some nifty concept renderings:
Hunnam drops out of Fifty Shades
In more family-friendly news, hardcore erotica adaptation Fifty Shades of Grey has lost its lead Charlie Hunnam due to the Sons of Anarchy star’s “immersive TV schedule which is not allowing him time to adequately prepare for the role of Christian Grey.” Tough news for fans who love the Hunnam; great news for fans who visualised a different bondage buddy for Anastasia Steele.
Things that will happen
Step Brothers and Anchorman 2 co-stars Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly will be teaming up once again for the comedy Devil’s Night, described as “the unofficial holiday [that] made Leonard and Gabe best friends as children, though it would eventually be responsible for tearing them apart. 15 years later, with Devil’s Night growing out of control, they must put their differences aside and reunite to save their neighbourhood from utter destruction.” (via The Wrap)
Completing his run as The Doctor for the BBC’s current season of Doctor Who, Matt Smith will play the role that Christian Bale made iconic in a stage musical adaptation of American Psycho. Yep, American Psycho: The Musical. (via The Guardian). Speaking of Doctor Who, Flicks fave Ben Wheatley (director of Kill List, Sightseers and A Field in England) is to direct the first two episodes of the new series starring Peter Capaldi. Wheatley gave Screendaily the scoop, saying “I am very excited and honoured to be asked to direct the first two episodes of the new series of Doctor Who. I’ve been a fan since childhood (Tom Baker is my Doctor if you are asking)”.
Madonna reportedly “wouldn’t stop texting on her Blackberry” during the New York Film Festival première of 12 Years a Slave, and as a consequence Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League took to Twitter to jokingly ban her from all Drafthouse cinemas until an apology is issued, a stance that he’s happy to uphold:
Until she apologizes to movie fans, Madonna is banned from watching movies @drafthouse. http://t.co/cHMeseJxMJ
— Tim League (@timalamo) October 11, 2013
Also, Avalanche Sharks.
