-
The Hollywood Reporter confirms that Natalie Portman will star in Black Swan, the next movie from director Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler, The Fountain, Requiem for a Dream). The "supernatural thriller" has Portman playing a veteran ballerina who develops a rivalry with another dancer — who may, or may not, be a product of the her imagination.
Black Swan was originally picked up in 2007 by Universal, which eventually let it go. The Creative Artists Agency represents both Portman and Aronofsky and is pitching the project to other studios. It is being produced by Phoenix Pictures and Aronfosky's own Protozoa Pictures. John MacLaughlin wrote the original script, which was later revised by Protozoa's Mark Heyman.
The movie could begin shooting sometime this year, if it sells quickly. Aronofsky is also at work on a remake of Paul Verhoeven's 1987 sci-fi action hit RoboCop.
Posted 06.16.09 by reelz -
Mickey Rourke's career has experienced a resurgence following his turn in Sin City and his Oscar-nominated performance as a charismatic but troubled has-been wrester in Darren Aronofksy's The Wrestler. Now, Rourke will appear as the nemesis of Tony "Iron Man" Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Rourke talked about his upcoming role as the villain in Iron Man 2. Rourke plays the heavily tattooed Russian Ivan, also known as Whiplash. In preparation, Rourke took a stab at learning a little of his character's native tongue:
I decided to do half my role in Russian, and that's hard because the Russian language doesn't roll off the English-speaking tongue very easily. I spent three hours a day with a teacher, and after two weeks I know four sentences! Let me see, it's sort of like ... "Yezzamee menya ... Yezzamee manya obott ... Er, nemaboootty menya..." It means, "If someone kills me, don't wake me up, because I'd rather be dead than live in your world."
We can't wait to see what Rourke looks and sounds like dishing out those lines.
Posted 06.08.09 by reelz -
If there's one thing director Darren Aronofsky has proven over the course of his relatively young career in Hollywood, it is to expect the unexpected.
The Wrestler tells the tale of the downtrodden former wrestling star Randy "The Ram" Robinson (aka Robin Ramzinski). Mickey Rourke's deeply emotional portrayal has been the talk of the town over the past month, and the actor was just nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance. More than just a story about a single individual, The Wrestler is an examination of the less-glamorous afterlife of a professional wrestling star.
Read more about Aronofsky's critically acclaimed examination of the wrestling world in our Exclusive Interview with The Wrestler Director Darren Aronofsky.
Posted 12.17.08 by reelz -
Nearly two months ago Variety teased us with their review of Mickey Rourke's performance in The Wrestler, calling it a "galvanizing, humorous, deeply moving portrait that instantly takes its place among the great, iconic screen performances." The movie, directed by Darren Aronofsky, is getting Oscar buzz, too, and we've finally got the trailer.
Posted 11.21.08 by reelz -
We are pretty sure Julia Stiles is a robot. Also, we've always been impressed by her aura of justice and righteousness. For example, say you jaywalked around Julia Stiles, or cheated on your taxes while she was watching. We suspect she'd have something to say about it. All of this makes her an ideal choice to play the lead in the just-announced RoboCop remake, which will feature Darren Aronofsky at the helm and a budget as high as $100 million. Aronofsky is a certified visionary, so perhaps he too will see the wisdom in casting Stiles as his lead. In addition, we'd like to see some Roombas involved in this production. How come there are so many Hollywood action movies about robotic policemen, and none about robotic vacuum cleaners? This is your chance to correct this disappointing imbalance, Aronofsky. Don't blow it!
Posted 07.25.08 by reelz -
We always knew that Brad Pitt secretly wanted to be a Bostonian. And now he will get his chance at the accent that proves to be most actors' Waterloo.
Pitt has just signed to star opposite Mark Wahlberg in The Fighter, a drama about Boston boxer/world lightweight champion "Irish" Mickey Ward. Wahlberg will play Ward, and Pitt will play his half-brother/boxer Dicky Eglund.
Matt Damon was supposed to play Eglund, but ceded the role to Pitt when his schedule became too crowded with other projects. Darren Aronofsky (The Fountain, Pi) will direct.
Just remember this, Mr. Pitt: Not everyone from Boston sounds like a Kennedy. In fact, only Kennedys do. Now good luck, and may the road rise to meet you.
Source: Variety.
Posted 09.21.07 by reelz