Reel Facts & Opinions

FACT: After months upon months of internet rumor and speculation, Oscar winner Marion Cotillard and Joseph Gordon-Levitt have been confirmed for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, the much-anticipated trilogy-capper from director Christopher Nolan. Cotillard will play a Wayne Enterprises board member and Levitt will play a cop. Both actors appeared in Nolan’s INCEPTION in 2010.

OPINION: Both Cotillard and Levitt are fine additions to the already strong cast, but one has to hope that Nolan doesn’t become “one of those directors”; the type that HAS to cast the same actor(s) in every movie they make. In the past, this has worked beautifully for some (Martin Scorsese and Robert DeNiro), but for others it eventually becomes annoying and laughable (Tim Burton and Helena Bonham-Carter). Nolan has always had an eye for talent; often pulling unknowns out of nowhere and placing them on the map. Hopefully, he can reel himself in and make darn sure he’s getting the right talent for the right role.

FACT: John Luessenop, the director of this year’s lukewarm TAKERS, is in talks to direct LEATHERFACE 3D, a film that would be the second reboot of THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE.

OPINION: Raise your hand if you asked for this movie to made. Raise your hand if you asked for it to be made in (goddamn) 3D. Now, take that hand and punch yourself in the face 500 times until you learn your lesson.

FACT: Ben Affleck has dropped out of contention for the role of Tom Buchanan in Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming (sigh, goddamn) 3D adaptation of THE GREAT GATSBY. Scheduling was the issue, as Affleck is committed to direct ARGO, a drama about the 1979 Iran hostage crisis.

OPINION: Since Luhrmann (ROMEO & JULIET, MOULIN ROUGE!) seems intent on ruining GATSBY with cheap-ass thrills in the form of the 3rd dimension, this blogger has to cheer and root for Affleck here. Affleck’s directing chops have been getting sharper as of late (THE TOWN, anyone?), and at least he keeps his shit in the 2nd dimension where it belongs.

What say you?