With the 2012 release date schedule pretty much nailed in, give or take a few films, our eyes have started to wander toward the horizon. Some of this was discussed in one of our recent features in which we asked: are any of these dozen or so films going to arrive in 2012?

The answer is maybe. Some will appear at film festivals this year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will surface with proper 2012 theatrical releases. One of those big, nebulous question marks hovers over one of our most anticipated films of the (hopefully) near future — Jonathan Glazer’s “Under The Skin” starring Scarlett Johansson.

Glazer’s a rare talent, a visual stylist who also cares about character, emotion and dramatic stakes. With two aughts classics under his belt (including his striking debut, “Sexy Beast”) and a list of spooky and impressive music videos, Glazer hasn’t made a feature length effort since “Birth” in 2004. Eight years is a long time between features, but “Under The Skin” — which appears to be in effects-heavy post-production — should be a haunting return to form.

About an alien (Johannsson) that takes the perfect synthetic form of an irresistibly alluring woman, driving remote highways seeking the resource she is here to collect — us — by snaring us with her sexuality, on the surface “Under The Skin” sounds like the 1995 sci-fi thriller “Species,” but in actuality it’s nothing like it. Based on Michel Faber’s novel, the book and screenplay demonstrate something much more nuanced, with incredibly creepy notes almost akin to a sci-fi-ish psychological horror. In fact, if you take that tenor and mix it with the not-so-sci-fi-ish tone of Mark Romanek’s “Never Let Me Go,” it may be a strong indication of how unique this film is likely going to be.

And Scarlett Johansson concurs. “It’s so weird, I’ve never been in a movie where the logline of the movie, where the plot has been so twisted. It’s crazy. ‘Are you eating people on the side of the road?’ I’m like, ‘No, no!’,” she said in a recent interview with Variety, then qualifying what the film is like: “OK, yes I do play an alien who is wearing my own skin. But it’s actually not a science-fiction film; it’s sort of a film that asks existential questions and much more complex than the logline.”

Skeptics take note. Clearly Johansson ranks Glazer among some modern greats: ” It’s hard to say if [my creative relationship with Woody Allen] could ever be replicated with another director but I’d hope so,” she said. “Jonathan Glazer being one of them. I’d [always] jump at the chance to do anything with him.”

The FilmNation synopsis also notes a plot twist for the main character– something that sounds like human sympathy: “[The alien] is deadly efficient, but over time it becomes intrigued by emotions it never knew existed. Drawn to our humanity, ‘it’ slowly becomes ‘she.’ As her empathy grows, her resolve weakens and she goes ‘off mission,’ setting herself on a collision course with her own kind.”

So where is “Under The Skin” on the timetable then? As of right now, its status is virtually unknown. Shot last year in Scotland (where the novel takes place), (some set photos appeared here and here), due to the nature of the story — an extra-terrestrial that absorbs the essence of its prey, transforming into a black goop that envelops, and then dissolves and eats away on its nourishment (in this case, mostly humans) — its likely a lot of time is being spent on effects that are atypically sci-fi and more grounded in the realistic and unnerving tone of the film. And this we assume probably takes even more time to get the subtleties and nuances right.

While it’s been financed by FilmNation, Film4 and the UK Film Council, the film does not have a U.S. distributor yet (StudioCanal has it for the U.K.). Will we see it turn up at one of the film festivals this fall? We can only hope.

source: The Playlist

Scarlett was honoured with the 2,470th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday and she thanked her lucky stars to be immortalised in cement.

She told fans and friends she was “over the moon” about her latest accolade as she unveiled her plaque, confessing she never dared to dream she’s be among the 2,500 famous folk feted on Hollywood Boulevard.

“This industry in which I was practically raised has been so impossibly kind to me. There’s never a day where I go to set and don’t thank my lucky stars to simply be a working actor.”

Her mother, grandmother and sister joined her and The Avengers co-star Jeremy Renner at the ceremony. Renner paid tribute to her, stating: “Scarlett is built like a classic Hollywood movie star. However, it is only betrayed by her no-nonsense attitude, her sharp wit and self-deprecating sense of humour that truly defines her alluring charm. [...] For six months she continuously threw me around, beat me, stepped on me, and wiped the floor with my dignity and self-respect every day all with a smile on her face. But it was her emotional intelligence and commitment to truth that allowed for me to be a better actor and, as a friend, made me a better man.”

We can only congratulate our girl for this. It’s something huge for any actor, to have her own Star in Hollywood’s Walk Of Fame, and at such a young age! We’re thrilled for her. You can read her whole speech here *, and check out tons of pics in our gallery.

GALLERY LINKS:
- Public Events 2012 > Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will honor actress Scarlett Johansson with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. in front of Madame Tussauds Hollywood, 6931 Hollywood Boulevard.

“We are thrilled to honor an actress who has graced the screen and stage since she was eight years old. Over the past 18 years Scarlett has matured into a recognized cinematic presence with an impressive body of work,” stated Ana Martinez, Hollywood Walk of Fame Producer.

You can watch the ceremony streaming live here* from 11:30 AM (PST)

• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, May 2
• Jimmy Kimmel Live, May 3
• The Ellen Show, May 4 (with Robert Downey Jr.)

Check your local listings for details!

GALLERY LINKS:
- Public Events 2012 > ‘The Avengers’ LA World Premiere
– Public Events 2012 > ‘The Avengers’ Moscow Photocall
- Public Events 2012 > ‘The Avengers’ Moscow Press Conference
- Public Events 2012 >‘The Avengers’ Moscow Premiere
- Public Events 2012 >‘The Avengers’ London Premiere

Julianne Moore will mentor Joseph Gordon-Levitt in his untitled directorial debut.

Gordon-Levitt shared his excitement Wednesday on Twitter about snagging the four-time Oscar nominee for his turn behind the camera.

“I’m incredibly happy to have the brilliant Julianne Moore on board!,” Gordon-Levitt tweeted alongside the hashtag #pinchme.

Moore joins Scarlett Johansson in the film. In addition to handling directing chores, Gordon-Levitt will star a swinging Don Juan type who tries to mend his ways. Shooting is scheduled to start in April.

Moore recently earned favorable reviews for her portrayal of Sarah Palin in HBO’s “Game Change.” She is slated to star opposite Lily Collins in the comedy-drama “The English Teacher” and in “What Maisie Knew,” a modern update of a Henry James novella.

Variety first reported Moore’s casting.

source: The Wrap

Fans have been waiting to see “Marvel’s The Avengers” for years. Whether you’re a geek or you got into comic book-based films back in the “Iron Man” days, this is a big one. Geek god Joss Whedon is directing and the cast is full of stars, from Robert Downey Jr. to Chris Hemsworth to Scarlett Johansson. Well, for a lucky few, the wait is over.

“The Avengers” is set to close out the Tribeca film festival. Even better, the studio has invited real life heroes to see the on screen ones battle it out. Firefighters, police officers and military men and women will get to see the film on April 28. The film hits theaters on May 4.

It’s hard to believe the premiere is so close. Are you guys excited about this one? Do you think Joss Whedon can do it justice? Are you worried that it won’t live up to the hype? Let us know your thoughts below.

Alfred Hitchcock And The Making Of Psycho‘s cast just keeps getting better. The latest member of the impressive rep company is Jessica Biel, playing Vera Miles. She joins Anthony Hopkins as Hitchock, Helen Mirren as his wife Alma Reville, James D’Arcy as Anthony Perkins and Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh.

Miles at one point signed a five-year contract with Hitchcock, starring in the pilot of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and in The Wrong Man in 1956. Her 1958 pregnancy meant she missed out on the (eventual) Kim Novak role in Vertigo, after which Hitchcock’s attitude towards her cooled. but he still cast her in Psycho in 1960 as Lila Crane, the sister of the ill-fated Janet Leigh character. Miles reprised the role 23 years later for Richard Franklin’s (suprisingly good) Psycho II.

Alfred Hitchcock And The Making Of Psycho is directed by Sacha Jervasi (Anvil!) and written by John McLaughlin (Black Swan), adapted from Stephen Rebello’s book. The film centers on the relationship between Hitchcock and Reville as he tries to get Psycho financed. But that fractious relationship between Miles and the great director should still provide plenty of behind-the-scenes drama for Biel to sink her teeth into, when shooting starts next month.

source: Empire Online

Director Sacha Gervasi has tapped Scarlett Johansson and James D’Arcy to play “Psycho” stars Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins in Fox Searchlight’s “Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho.”

Anthony Hopkins will play the iconic director, while Helen Mirren will play his wife, Alma.

Gervasi’s pic follows Hitchcock and his struggles during the filmmaking of the horror classic.

John McLaughlin penned the script. Ivan Reitman, Joe Medjuck and Tom Pollack will produce through their Montecito Picture Company along with Tom Thayer.

Sources tell Variety that “Making of Psycho” has drawn comparisons to “My Week With Marilyn,” and that the role of Janet Leigh could lead to the same awards consideration for Johansson that the Marilyn Monroe role did for Michelle Williams.

Though D’Arcy’s role is smaller compared to his co-stars, it’s still considered a major part given how important Perkins is to the “Psycho” legacy.

source: Variety

Scarlett Johansson has been urged to quit making commercials and concentrate on movies.

The ‘We Bought A Zoo’ actress is the face of Moet Champagne and Dolce & Gabbana make-up but her ‘Girl With A Pearl Earring’ co-star Tom Wilkinson believes the actress is wasting her talents in promos.

He told BANG Showbiz: “There are times I want to say to actors, ‘You shouldn’t be doing this, this is the one thing you shouldn’t be doing.’

“An actress I know quite well, who I haven’t seen for a few years now, but I used to know quite well is Scarlett Johansson. I want to say to her enough is enough already with the ads for make-up, she is such a good actress she’s probably making bundles and bundles of money being the face of whatever it is. But nevertheless I want to say she’s such a good actress!

“I was watching her yesterday in something she did with Dennis Quaid ‘In Good Company’. It’s not necessarily a good movie but she is such a good actress, I want to say that’s what you do best, the other stuff is secondary.”

However, Scarlett may not appreciate the advice as Tom – who can next be seen in ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ with Dev Patel and Dame Judi Dench – admits most younger stars don’t ask him for help when he works with them.

The 64-year-old actor said: “I’ve never been asked for advice, not quite in that sense, most actors just know what to do.”

source: National Ledger