Tom Hiddleston and Scarlett Johansson Land New TV Roles

An actor can't live on Marvel alone...well, actually they probably could, but in the gaps between movies we usually see the studio's biggest stars take on more creatively rewarding projects. And now we're seeing two of them, Tom Hiddleston and Scarlett Johansson, headed to the small screen for interesting new event series.

First up, Hiddleston will star alongside Dr. House...er, Hugh Laurie in The Night Manager, based on the espionage novel by spymaster John Le Carre (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, A Most Wanted Man). The story is penned by David Farr (Hanna) and follows "Jonathan Pine, a British soldier turned luxurious hotel night auditor. Pine crosses paths with a French-Arab woman named Sophie with ties to Richard Onslow Roper, an English black marketer who specializes in weapons. The woman provides Pine with incriminating documents, which he forwards to a friend in British intelligence. After Sophie winds up dead, Pine works with intelligence operatives and goes undercover as part of a sting against Roper to avenge Sophie's death." No network deals are in place for this one yet but expect that to change considering the popularity of the actors involved.

And Scarlett Johansson is about to take on her first major TV role in The Custom of the Country, a limited series from renowned playwright/screenwriter Christopher Hampton (Atonement). Based on Edith Wharton's 1913 novel, the series will have Johansson taking on the role of the ruthless Undine Spragg, a Midwestern woman who unscrupulously climbs New York's high society of nouveau riche. The plan is for the series to land on a premium cable network but no deals are in place yet. [Deadline]

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Hugh Laurie is the villain in Brad Bird's 'Tomorrowland'

Chances are we're not going to know anything more about Brad Bird and Damon Lindelof's Tomorrowland until they're good and ready, but at least we know who'll be starring in it. With George Clooney already aboard the top secret project, the next to come aboard is Dr. House himself, Hugh Laurie, and of course he's playing a bad guy.

Remember, he was supposed to play the villain in Robotech before dropping out a few months ago, so this makes for a solid replacement gig. All we know about the film so far is that it's said to be in the vein of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and is based on an idea from deep within Disney's history.

Another reason to be excited. Tomorrowland opens on December 19th 2014. [THR]

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Michael Keaton replaces Hugh Laurie in 'Robocop'

With Hugh Laurie recently dropping out of Jose Padilha's soon-to-be filming Robocop remake, there was a need to find his replacement in a hurry. Fortunately, they managed to find someone to step in pretty quick, and it's arguably an upgrade as Michael Keaton will now play the villainous CEO of OmniCorp, the guy who creates the android cop for his own sinister purposes.

That's good news and all, but the best part about the story is this quote from Padilha. Bear in mind that like five minutes ago we found out he described the whole production process as "Hell"....


“Michael is the final addition to the amazing cast we have assembled for this film and it is so great to have the last puzzle piece in place. It is thrilling that everything has come together to bring this innovative new vision of RoboCop to life. We’ve got a great script, a great cast, some killer ED-209’s and I can’t wait to get Alex Murphy back on the streets”

That's right, dude. Sell it! Push that company line! Everything's awesome. Robocop opens on August 9th 2013 and stars Joel Kinnaman, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman, Abbie Cornish, Jay Baruchel, Michael K. Williams, Jennifer Ehle, and Marianne Jean-Baptise. [Deadline]

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Uh oh. Director Jose Padilha describes 'Robocop' remake as "Hell"

Uh oh. It's never good when a director starts to speak openly about the trouble they're having getting any particular film made. It's even worse when it comes from a guy like Brazilian director Jose Padilha, who has been established through his Elite Squad flicks and is making his first foray into Hollywood with the Robocop remake. Apparently, things aren't quite going in the way he's used to, and he relayed his feelings on it to his buddy, director Fernando Meirelles(City of God, The Constant Gardener), who revealed it to the Portugese site, Cinema Com Rapadura. Here's a rough translation of what Meirelles said....

"I talked to José Padilha for a week by phone. He will begin filming Robocop. He is saying that it is the worst experience. For every 10 ideas he has, 9 are cut. Whatever he wants, he has to fight. “This is hell here, " he told me.  The film will be good, but I never suffered so much and do not want to do it again.” He is bitter, but it’s a fighter."

 I think the crucial bit comes in those last two sentences. At least Padilha still thinks the movie will be good, so that's a start. If he had something else I'd be way more concerned, and we'd probably have heard the studio's response by now. But it does make one wonder if maybe Hugh Laurie's departure as the villain is in any way related to any trouble on set. Still, with Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, Abbie Cornish, and Jay Baruchel in the cast already, I have to believe the script is at least solid despite what some are saying. 

We'll see what happens, and if the rumored Clive Owen steps in to fill the bad guy role Laurie left vacant.

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Hugh Laurie drops out as 'Robocop' villain

Looks like Dr. House won't be paying any house calls to Robocop any time soon. Last June it was reported that the actor, who just finished wrapping up the eighth and final season of Fox's hit medical drama, would play the evil CEO of OmniCorp in Jose Padilha's remake. Apparently the deal was never done, and now Variety reports Laurie has pulled out of negotiations.

So that means the search for someone to take his place is now on for what will likely be one of the more showy roles in the film. The head of OmniCorp basically comes up with the idea and creates Robocop to use for his own personal gain. Joel Kinnaman is set to play the cyborg hero, with Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, Abbie Cornish, Jay Baruchel, Jackie Earle Haley, Jennifer Ehle, Michael K. Williams, and the recently added Marianne Jean-Baptise co-starring.

Considering production is slated to begin pretty soon for an August 9th 2013 release, don't expect to wait long for word on Laurie's replacement.

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Trailer Time: 'The Oranges', starring Hugh Laurie and Leighton Meester

For awhile there it seemed as if we'd never get a release date for The Oranges, even as it debuted at last year's TIFF to some pretty good buzz. Word has been quiet on the film ever since, odd considering the level of talent involved, but now with an October release date approaching, we're getting a look at a new trailer which shows off a clever mix of humor, longing, and a touch of heartbreak.

Featuring a stellar cast that includes Hugh Laurie, Allison Janney, Leighton Meester, Oliver Platt, Adam Brody, Alia Shawkat, and Catherine Keener, the dramedy follows the suburban Wailing and Ostroff families. Neighbors and best friends for years, things get a little touchy when dad David Wailing(Laurie) falls for the Ostroff's daughter(Meester) when she returns home for Thanksgiving. Getting beyond the "ick" factor of seeing Dr. House making out with the Gossip Girl chick, their relationship has all the awkwardness and fresh excitement you'd expect. I can see the potential for this film to go a little over-the-top, but with a cast like this they should be able to keep it in check. Julian Farino(Entourage) is directing, with The Oranges set for a limited theatrical run on October 5th. Check out the trailer below....

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Hugh Laurie will continue playing a prick in 'Robocop'

Hugh Laurie has spent the last eight years playing the jerkoff, super-genius Dr. Gregory House on the hit Fox series, House. While his performance has always been pitch perfect, it was a show that became stale a few years ago, so it's been a little surprising that he hasn't made more of an effort to get his movie career rolling. He's been managed to find time for plenty of animated flicks, but as far as live-action goes, it's basically just Street Kings and the festival darling, The Oranges. The latter of those doesn't seem like it'll ever get released.

House has always been one really bad trip away from becoming a pretty terrible dude, so playing a genuinely bad dude shouldn't be too difficult. He'll get a chance to do just that in Jose Padilha's Robocop remake, taking on the role of the evil CEO of OmniCorp, the corporation that creates the cyborg for its own gain. If the role is anything like the one played by Ronny Cox in the previous film, it should be a fun one. I wonder if Laurie will keep the American accent? Nah, he sounds much more devious in his native English.

MGM is working wonders on Robocop right now, with Joel Kinnaman, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman, and Abbie Cornish on board. Look for it to hit theaters on August 9th 2013. [Variety]

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