>Andrew Garfield, James McAvoy, Robert Pattinson, Garrett Hedlund, Chris Pine, Michael Fassbender — all wanted for "Akira"

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After adapting “Book of Eli” to the big screen, Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are currently developing to make movie version of Katsuhiro Otomo‘s 6 volume graphic novel “Akira”. Albert Hughes has been appointed to direct it, while Steve Kloves (who wrote ALL of “Harry Potter” movie franchise and currently “The Amazing Spider-Man”) writes the screenplay. Now thanks to Deadline, the list of actors that are ‘wanted’ to star in the movie version is revealed.

There are two main characters based on the graphic novel: Tetsuo and Kaneda. For the Tetsuo role, studio has given the script to the British talents Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield, and James McAvoy; while for Kaneda, the script has been sent to Garret Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake, and Joaquin Phoenix. The story takes place in New Manhattan where a leader of a biker gang saves his friend from a medical experiment. Seems like the two leading characters will be likely played by an actor from each group. Hmmm, it’s interesting!

So, since I haven’t even read the graphic novel, I think I’m a bit biased on this. Of course I’m going to support Garfield or McAvoy for Tetsuo, and Hedlund or Pine for Kaneda. Steve Kloves has been working with Garfield for “The Amazing Spider-Man”, so I think his involvement is somewhat beneficial for Garfield. But if the studio had to choose based on each actor’s fame to ‘blow up’ the buzz of this adaptation, then maybe they’ll take Pattinson and Timberlake more for consideration.

>Joseph Gordon-Levitt is ALBERTO FALCONE aka The Holiday Killer in "The Dark Knight Rises"

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The buzz about what character will Joseph Gordon-Levitt play in “The Dark Knight Rises” hasn’t stop yet. But earlier today, thanks to Jeff Sneider from Variety, it was reported that Levitt will play a potential villain named Alberto Falcone. Yes, Alberto Falcone is the son of Carmine Falcone, which was played by Tom Wilkinson in the previous “Batman Begins”. Alberto Falcone appeared in Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s Batman series “The Long Halloween” and “Dark Victory” as the main antagonist.

Geez, seems like Bruce Wayne has a lot of villains to handle this time. From Anne Hathaway‘s Catwoman, Tom Hardy‘s Bane, and then Levitt’s Alberto Falcone. But from what I’m seeing, seems like Falcone will be the pivotal enemy in this movie, since he’ll be likely ‘inheriting’ his father’s involvement in “Batman Begins”. Also, Falcone is a Mafia, so he totally has the access of the Gotham City (read: somewhat has ‘authority’). It such a great idea that Christopher Nolan, the mighty director, has been wanting to keep Batman’s villain as realistic as possible, thus his version of Batman is not your average superhero movie. What a genius.

Meanwhile, the involvement of Oscar winning actress Marion Cotillard hasn’t been confirmed until now. I’m still quite confused of what role she’s going to play if she actually signs in, since I’m personally not into the Batman comics so I don’t really acquaint the characters. The Juno Temple news isn’t also confirmed yet, for she is merely ‘eyed’ — not officially signed in. Speaking of Temple’s character: “a street-smart girl in Gotham City”, I’m still wondering why Nolan didn’t ask Ellen Page to do this. I mean, “The Dark Knight Rises” seems to be an “Inception” reunion (sans Leonardo DiCaprio though), and imagining of what Temple’s alleged character looks like, it reminds me of Ellen Page immediately. But since Temple isn’t official yet, I think there’s still a hope for Page to do this role. 😉

EDIT: Well, seems like this news is somehow, ‘twisted’. A rep from Entertainment Weekly said that Levitt will NOT play Alberto Falcone afterall, and that we won’t get any idea of what his role is until close to the film’s release date. So, I think, before any official announcement of Levitt’s role, let’s consider all of these rumors as merely ‘opinions’ or ‘hopes’ from the Batman fans. Agree? 😉

>C. Thomas Howell confirms that the ‘Lizard’ is the main villain in "The Amazing Spider-Man"

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Face it Tiger… You got Lizard as your enemy! As the media is buzzing about which villain is going to be beaten up by Peter Parker in “The Amazing Spider-Man”, C. Thomas Howell has finally confirmed that Dr. Curt Connors, Peter’s lecturer himself, aka The Lizard (played by Rhys Ifans) will be the one. Howell explains about the character he plays as well, which is rather small but has a strong relevance to Spider-Man.

Here’s what Howell said on The Retroradio, “There is not a whole lot to talk about. Sony wants us to be hush-hush right now. I play a relatively small role. I play a construction worker who’s son is caught in the middle of a battle between the Lizard and Spider-Man on the Manhattan bridge. Spider-Man helps me get my son back from this perilous situation. There is some payback there at the end of the movie. Spider-man is kind of hurting. I help him when all of the other people won’t. Part of the story is, the nation thinks he might be a bad guy. They don’t know what to think. Because of my experience on the bridge with my kid, I know he is a good guy. I pitch in and help out at the end. That is the best way,”.

Well if the Lizard is the enemy then does it mean that Gwen Stacy (played by Emma Stone) won’t be dead yet? But recalling from Howell’s explanation about the fight on the Manhattan Bridge, maybe it will differ from the original comic book story that Gwen was killed by the Green Goblin (still hoping so!). I just have to say this because I’m more of a Peter & Mary Jane shipper — they are the real true love! Speaking of Mary Jane Watson, I’m still locking my choice Evan Rachel Wood to play the role. Just dye her hair red and give her green contact lenses then you’ll have the Mary Jane Watson! I’m pretty much sure that she and Andrew Garfield, the Spider-Man, will have a great chemistry. Afterall, both are highly acclaimed actors and will make the famous love story even edgier. At least that’s what I think.

“The Amazing Spider-Man” comes to theatre in 3D on July 3, 2012.

>Official: Joseph Gordon-Levitt joins "The Dark Knight Rises", Juno Temple is eyed for a supporting role

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Even though we all know that he will actually join the cast of “The Dark Knight Rises”, the official announcement is finally here! Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the Golden Globe-nominated actor for his work on “500 Days of Summer” and “Inception” star, has sealed the deal to play an unknown role in “The Dark Knight” sequel directed by Christopher Nolan. This will be a reunion after Levitt worked with Nolan in “Inception”. About the role he’s going to play, I gotta say that we all have no idea. There’s a few speculations which fit Levitt’s appearances though: Robin, the Batman’s sidekick; The Riddler, yet another Batman famous enemy who’s previously played by Jim Carrey in “Batman Forever”; or Deadshot, a member of League of Shadows. Unfortunately we just have to wait for the next announcement since Nolan will seem to keep the identity in secret for quite some time.

Another “The Dark Knight Rises” update is that the studio is currently negotiating with Juno Temple, whose claim to fame was in 2007 Oscar hit “Atonement” and the upcoming “The Three Musketeers”, to play a street-smart girl in Gotham City. And just like Levitt’s unidentified role, I don’t have any idea of who that Gotham girl is. It is also unclear that the character is taken from the official DC Comics figures or Nolan will just make it new.

Now that Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, and Levitt are official to join, I just have to wait for another confirmation from Marion Cotillard who’s also in talks to play in this movie. Believing Gary Oldman who said that this movie will be ‘better’ than “The Dark Knight”, The Academy might want to save a nomination space for “The Dark Knight Rises” starts now.

“The Dark Knight Rises” comes to theatres on July 20, 2012.

>New preview clip of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"

>Huge thanks to Vulture for posting this latest preview video of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”! It looks great though, I won’t explain it any further — just see it yourself!