Daily Breeze: What's Breezing

The Daily Breeze...

Tom Hanks is developing another show at HBO. Damon and Affleck team up and head to Boston like it's the Good Will Hunting days. Coldaply. Justin Timberlake. Captain America. And the return of a Butt Head.



- Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are gonna party like it's 1997. The two friends and Oscar winners will team up in the near future for a movie about the reputed former godfather of the Irish Mob. As Matt Damon said in an interview with GQ: "We're doing a Whitey Bulger movie." Damon will star as the notorious gangster while Affleck will direct. Affleck is currently filming his next picture, the Iran hostage crisis film Argo, and will most likely direct the film after completing that project. Terence Winter, of The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire, will pen the screenplay.

- Tom Hanks is developing another show at HBO, but this time the project is not a war epic or a series detailing the space race, instead the setting shifts to another American institution: college. The half-hour comedy, titled Players, will follow the lives of college athletes and is in development from Hanks and long-time producing partner and Playtone co-founder Gary Goetzman.

- The quality hit from the summer and arguably marvels best "second" wave production Captain America: The First Avenger gets the Blu-Ray and DVD treatment this week. Extra features include how to get a six pack and the short documentary on Steve Rogers titled: "From Frail to Feared."

- Coldplay drops their fifth album, Mylo Xyloto, this week. Lead singer Chris Martin explains to MTV the details: "It's definitely a schizophrenic album ... it keeps changing sounds. That's why we called it such a strange thing, Mylo Xyloto. Because we felt like so many people have already made up their minds about us, both good and bad, that we can sort of start again from scratch and try and reflect all the music we listen to and we love." Some people will scream.

- Speaking of MTV... Beavis and Butt Head makes a glorious return to television this week on Thursday night. This time around the duo will be riffing on the likes of the Jersey Shore and 16 and Pregnant. Beavis and Butt-head Do America is classic. Cornholio.

- In Time races into theaters, the latest film from Gattaca director Andrew Niccol. The film stars Justin Timberlake, along with the slick cast of Cillian Murphy, Vincent Kartheiser, Olivia Wilde, Johnny Galecki and Matt Bomer, as a man who is accused of murder and has to go on the run. The catch in this one? It's a retro-future when the aging gene has been switched off and people stop aging at 25 years old. Time is money, literally. JT starts running when he inherits a fortune of time from a dead upper-class man over a century old prior to his death. The premise might sound a bit out there, but trust the director on this one. Gattaca is one of the most underrated films of the 90's.

- Some crazy stuff happened on Boardwalk Empire last night.

And Just Like That...Summer is Upon Us

Big ups for warm days, long nights, the beach, beers and bbq's.
Definitely go see "Super 8" this summer. Imagine a mix of "The Goonies," "Close Encounters," "E.T." and "Stand By Me," filled with great story, suspense, mystery, wonder and fucking dopeness.
Watch a season of a TV show you missed over the year this summer. I recommend this one. Or this one.
Have fun at the movies this summer. Pick one: "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (June 29), Horrible Bosses (July 8), Captain America: the First Avenger (July 22), 30 Minutes or Less (August 12).
Watch some good television this summer. It's called "BREAKING BAD."
Also good on TV this summer: "White Collar" (USA), "Falling Skies" (TNT), "Real Time With Bill Maher" (HBO), "Entourage" (HBO), "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO).
Go to a baseball game this summer. Or two. Or three. Or four. Go to one in a city where you're not from. Like this one.
If you've never watched "The Godfather" before in your life, watch it this summer.
....Or do nothing. Fuck it, it's summer right?

Derek Luke Is Gabe Jones In "Captain America"

In this Internet day and age, it's hard to imagine a spoiler or plot detail staying secret for too long, especially when it comes to some of the more high-profile films set to be released in the near future, including this summer's "The First Avenger: Captain America."

That film had quite a few secrets leak out over the past few months, but one thing that stayed quiet was who actor Derek Luke would play in the film. That is until now. Although the role was cast months ago, it's only now finally been revealed whom Luke will play in Marvel's upcoming superhero film.

According to Blackfilm, its been confirmed that Luke will play Gabe Jones, an original member of the elite Howling Commandos combat squad of World War II in "The First Avenger: Captain America."

In the original comics, Jones was the first African-American to serve in an integrated unit and a close confidante to Sergeant Nick Fury, who is played in the films by Samuel L. Jackson. Jones would later join Fury as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Luke is part of a studded cast that includes Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Hugo Weaving, Sebastian Stan, Toby Jones, Samuel L. Jackson, Dominic Cooper, Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci, and Neal McDonough.

Luke has been a powerful actor throughout his career and he definitely will bring some intensity and quality acting skills to his part. It really seems that Joe Johnston's film is going to pay a lot of homage to the original comics, which is always a plus for fan boys out there. The footage from the film really looks great so far and it has the feel of an "Indiana Jones" film with superhero elements mixed in, which is not a bad thing at all.

The film is scheduled to open July 22nd 2011.

Marvel Moves "The Avengers" To the West Coast

Marvel's upcoming film "The Avengers" is easily the most anticipated film of 2012, and while it's sure to make a boatload of money, the company is looking to cut corners when it comes to production.

At first, Joss Whedon's film was to be shot largely in New York City and Manhattan, but according to Bleeding Cool the production is looking to scale back tat part of the production, and move things mainly to Los Angeles.

The New York filming will focus mostly on exterior establishing shots with the rest filmed on sound stages or CG-enhanced select locations around Southern California. Many other productions have used this tactic to represent New York, including "Castle," "Mad Men" and the final season of "24," which did a fantastic job of representing the city.

Not only is filming cheaper than shooting on location in New York, but the move significantly reduces the cost of transporting and accommodating much of the film's talent as most reside in the Los Angeles area.

While this could be seen as a negative move, I really don’t think a change of location will hurt the film creatively, which really is most important thing. In addition, I don't think there's anything wrong with keeping the production close to home at Marvel studios, as well as the fact that most of the cast and crew live in the area.

Production is still slated to kick off in February.

New Captain America Photos and Plot Details!

The first batch of official photos from Marvel's "Captain America" have appeared in the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly. Sweeeeeeeeet.

As well as the new EW cover which was revealed earlier today we now have a look at the photos from inside the issue as well. The first official look of Evans in full Cap gear looks a lot more promising then the stunt pictures which recently surfaced from the set. Clearly he's been working out.
We also got our first look at the back of Stanley Tucci's head inside a 1940's era science lab, Hugo Weaving as the Nazi villain Johann Schmidt prior to becoming the disfigured Red Skull, and an alternate and equally bad ass shield.

The official synopsis is as follows:

The year is 1942, and Steve Rogers is a scrawny lad who desperately wants to fight Nazis for his country but can’t because he’s been deemed physically unfit. His fate — and his physique — is radically transformed when he signs up for Project: Rebirth, a secret military operation that turns wimps into studs using drugs and assorted sci-fi hoo-ha. There’s a love interest (Major Peggy Carter, played Haley Atwell), there’s a sidekick (Bucky Barnes, played by Sebastian Stans), and there’s the Red Skull ( Hitler’s treacherous head of advanced weaponry, whose own plan for world domination involves a magical object known as The Tesseract.

Captain America: The First Avenger opens in 3D on July 22, 2011

Marvel's Kevin Feige On "Doctor Strange," "Iron Fist," "Black Panther"

With two "Iron Man" films already released, "Thor" and "The First Avenger: Captain America" currently in production, Marvel Studios is building up its slate to a massive climax — but what happens after Earth's mightiest heroes assemble on the big screen?

It's generally known that after "The Avengers," Marvel Studios is looking into making smaller-budgeted films based around their second and third-tier characters, but until now, they hadn't been addressed officially.

Talking with MTV News, Marvel's Kevin Feige was asked about what titles could be developed for films post-"Avengers," aside from the already announced "Runaways" adaptation.

Said Feige: "I think what Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction have done with 'Iron Fist' lately is exciting. I think 'Black Panther' and Wakanda has some amazing potential to be a feature film. 'Doctor Strange,' as you've mentioned. There are some obscure titles, too, like 'Guardians of the Galaxy.' I think they've been revamped recently in a fun way in the book."

Obviously Marvel already has its fair share of established characters that could carry their own film, such as War Machine, Black Widow and, considering his reported nine-picture deal, Samuel L. Jackson's very own Nick Fury.

Asked if Nick Fury would get his own film, Feige said: "I think the answer is yes... I think S.H.I.E.L.D. could be its own franchise. I think, frankly, 'The Avengers' is going to be told from that point of view."

Marvel has a lot of flexibility here, but at the same time they could drop the ball. With their films being so popular and the richness of their characters, they can make short films, features, television shows, nearly anything that relates to certain franchises.

Imagine a weekly series detailing the inner workings of S.H.I.E.L.D.? A mission a week type procedural with a laundry list of Marvel characters involved. I think I could get into that. There are a ton of characters they can choose from, and Feige has shown that he's not afraid to spotlight some of the lesser known heroes.

Look for more on Marvel's plans as the release dates for "Thor" and "Captain America" creep closer.

Jeremy Renner Possibly Fills Out Spandex for "The Avengers"

Though its been rumored for months, it now looks like Jeremy Renner is in final negotiations to play Hawkeye in "The Avengers."

According to Heat Vision, Renner was first connected to play the character in "Thor" last year, reports that were shot down as Renner was circling two other projects. Now it seems he'll finally play the character in "Avengers" when it kicks off filming next year.

Renner will play the bow-and-arrow-carrying hero Hawkeye, who--while not one of the initial members of the team when it was created in the 1960s--became an integral member soon after when the misguided villain switched sides.

Renner will join Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man/Tony Stark, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Don Cheadle as War Machine.

The Hulk may also be a character in the movie, but there is no deal that would bring back Ed Norton, who starred as the giant in 2008's "The Incredible Hulk."

While this still isn’t fully confirmed, this would be yet another dream casting choice for Marvel and “The Avengers.” Anyone who saw “The Hurt Locker” knows how powerful and amazing Renner can be, but also the confidence and bravado he has onscreen would be perfect for the Hawkeye character. Here’s hoping this works out.

Filming on 'Captain America' kicks off next month in the UK.

Joe Johnston Planning to Shoot Captain America Next June

There really isn’t much to know when it comes to Marvel’s upcoming "Captain America" film, other than the fact that it will be directed by Joe Johnston and written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (writers of the three “Narnia” films).

But a bit more of information has come out on the film. In a recent interview with Fangoria about Johnston’s upcoming “Wolfman” film, the director mentioned that “Captain America” might start filming this June.

According to the article: "… recalls Johnston, speaking from the art department of The First Avenger: 'Captain America,' which he's readying for a June start."

While it’s a small quote, this is important news for the project. With casting still non-existent at this point, a start date for filming means that at least sometime in the near future the lead role (and subsequent roles) should start to be filled.

Even though there hasn’t been a lot of information on the project thus far, I think this film could surprise everyone. With “Iron Man 2” and “Thor” getting a lot attention, “Captain America” has a chance to stay under-the-radar, which could really work in its favor. A bulk of the film should take place in a WWII setting, which will allow for some creativity, and Johnston has had experience with that time period before (“The Rocketeer”).

“The First Avenger: Captain America” will be released July 22, 2011.