An official press release from Focus Features has confirmed that Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises) will play musical legend Elton John in an upcoming biopic directed by Michael Gracey, making his feature debut, from a script written by Billy Elliot‘s Lee Hall. It’s a casting decision that’s sure to make you to a mental double take, but we’ve seen Hardy transform himself before in Nicolas Winding Refn’s excellent Bronson.
What? You haven’t seen Bronson? You should; it’s great.
Hobbit: The Desolation of Stamps
New Zealand Post is bracing for Hobbit-mania of global proportions for the latest issue of stamps and coins to mark the release of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Get a closer look of the collectables above by clicking on the image.
The stamps and legal tender coins are available for pre-order online today at www.nzpost.co.nz/thehobbit and will go on sale from 1 November 2013 at PostShops, REAL Aotearoa stores, or by phoning 0800 782 677.
NZ Doco Awarded for its Awesomeness
Antarctica: A Year On Ice by New Zealander Anthony Powell is gaining acclaim at festivals across North America.
So far the film has won *takes deep breath*:
Grand Jury Selection Best Film Laughlin International Film Festival
Best Documentary Bel-Air Film Festival
Peoples Choice Best Film Scottsdale International Film Festival
Peoples Choice Discovery Award Best First Film (Documentary Category) Calgary International Film Festival
Peoples Choice Best Documentary Calgary International Film Festival
Peoples Choice Best Adventure Reel Breckenridge Film Festival
That’s an outstanding achievement for Powell and the crew. Homai te pakipaki.
Things that will happen
UK actor Jamie Dornan (TV’s The Fall) will be the new Christian Grey in the upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey feature adaptation, taking over from Charlie Hunnam who left the project. (Via Variety)
The Mortal Instruments will continue production on its sequel City of Ashes, despite the first film gaining less-than-stellar Box Office takings and Liam’s almighty disdain. (Via Collider)
Following from this year’s sci-fi Oblivion, which is really quite good, Tom Cruise will reunite with director Joseph Kosinski once again for a racing movie entitled Go Like Hell. (Via The Wrap)
Things that won’t happen
Writer Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3, Little Miss Sunshine) won’t be working on Star Wars VII any longer due to director J.J. Abrams not being satisfied with the script. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back) will take over screenplay duties. (Via Badass Digest)
The Monuments Men won’t be releasing in the U.S. until early 2014. The WWII true-story drama had to delay its initial release in order to tighten up the visual effects. (Via L.A. Times)
You won’t be able to resist telling people about this stupendous LEGO Pacific Rim recreation of a Kaiju and a Jaeger duking it out in the middle of a block city. (more images via /Film)
