Daniel Craig Confirmed For Two New Bond Films

MGM has officially reached an agreement to have Daniel Craig continue to play British superspy James Bond for at least another two films. The next Bond film Skyfall is out later this year, directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes; co-starring Javier Bardem and the usual cluster of gorgeous Bond girl beauties.

There had been widespread speculation that this third outing could be Craig’s last Bond effort, rounding off the trilogy of film’s that began with Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Concerns worsened after the studio’s financial woes significantly delayed production on Skyfall, leading fans to speculate whether Craig would have the enthusiasm or youthful vigour for any further adventures.

Craig has successfully reinvented the iconic character as a ruthless suave killer, saving the long running series after regrettable years of decline under previous Bond Pierce Brosnan.  Brosnan’s embarrassing final effort Die Another Day featured a cringe worthy Madonna cameo, invisible cars and a North Korean Bad Guy with a Diamond bedazzled face.

Stripping the character back to basics and ending a reliance on gadgetry and clichés, the most recent Bond efforts won critical praise and fan approval. Skyfall will now restore some of the franchise’s familiar elements, most notably by re-introducing gadget master Q, played by rising young British star Ben Wishaw.

Here’s the official trailer below for Skyfall, fans can now enjoy it safe in the knowledge that James Bond WILL return and the Queen has a parachute buddy for the foreseeable future.

Vin Diesel Will Battle Witches

Lionsgate and Summit are in talks with Fast & The Furious star Vin Diesel to take the lead role in new fantasy adventure The Last Witch Hunter.  The project already has a script courtesy of Priest screenwriter Cory Goodman and a slightly bemusing synopsis. Apparently the film will focus on our hero’s efforts to “discourage a group of witches and warlocks from reproducing”.

The Crazies director Breck Eisner is also attached to direct, but it remains to be seen whether the film will turn out to be a CGI action adventure or merely Vin Diesel giving a two hour lecture on family planning, as seems to be implied by Goodman’s initial comments.

If you’re overly keen to see some enthusiastic CGI witch bashing then at least you can satisfy yourself with the long delayed release of Hansel & Gretal Witch Hunters starring Gemma Arterton and Jeremy Remmer.  Official Trailer below:

Jim Carrey Joins Kick Ass 2 Balls To The Wall

Director Jeff Wadlow had reportedly offered Jim Carrey the part of born again Christian super hero Colonel Star in Kick Ass 2: Balls To The Wall. The character leads the team of wannabe heroes Justice Forever in Mark Millar’s dark superhero parody series.

Now Jim Carrey has taken to Twitter to confirm his acceptance of the role, quickly followed by creator Mark Millar who offered his own official confirmation of the news. Millar has been pretty vocal is sharing his delight at landing the a-list funny man for the part. Here’s what he had to say on the casting:

“Matthew Vaughn, Jeff Wadlow and I did a conference call with Jim a couple of weeks back,” said Millar, “and we’ve been itching to talk about this ever since because the energy Jim’s going to bring to Colonel Stars has me buzzing as much as Nic Cage with Big Daddy.We didn’t quite know what Jim was going to be doing in the sequel,but the entire team loves him to bits and I’ve been a fan since I first saw him.”

The sequel already has returning stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Christopher Mintz Plasse and Chloe Moretz confirmed; as Kick-Ass, Hit Girl and Mother F*cker respectively. But Millar has also shared details of the films plot and confirmed there’s at least one major villain casting still to be announced:

“The movie runs from Hit-Girl #1 to Kick-Ass 2 #7,” he said, “and fans of the comic will know that the part of Uncle Ralphie is still to be announced. He’s the big bad from the Hit-Girl series and you, my friends, are in for a treat.”

Renee Zellweger Makes Directing Debut

Sadly it won’t be possible to use the adorable kid from Jerry Maguire, but hopefully armed with another equally precocious child Zelleweger will start production in February 2013.

Safe House Becomes An Unlikey Franchise

The studio is yet to announce whether the new instalment will be a sequel following the continued exploits of Ryan Reynlod’s rookie CIA agent, or some kind of prequel exploring the murky back story of Denzel Washington’s veteran rouge agent.

Rumours have it that the studio is keen to have Washington involved in some way, though given the climax of the first film and Reynold’s obvious rising star power perhaps a straightforward sequel would seem to make most sense.