Since winning Best Actress at the Academy Awards for her performance in Black Swan, Natalie Portman has stepped out of the spotlight to be a mom. But now it’s time to get back to work, and the actress has set up two back-to-back projects with the same director: none other than Terrence Malick, whose Tree of Life is up for Best Picture at this year’s Oscars and has garnered him a nomination for Best Director. I think it’s safe to say there will be a certain amount of prestige attached to these films.

First up is Knight of the Cups, which co-stars Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, and…Isabel Lucas (let’s play a game – which of these actors doesn’t seem to belong here?). Nobody knows much about this one – other than it shoots this summer – but suffice it to say that any Malick movie is going to be highly anticipated among the cinephile community. And immediately following will be a film called Lawless, which co-stars Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett (sound familiar?), Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, and Haley Bennett. Some filming for this was done at last year’s Austin City Limits music festival, but we’re not sure if that was just some kind of character research or if we’ll end up seeing any of that footage in the final cut.

The Playlist brings up an interesting point: though Knight of the Cups and Lawless were initially announced as individual projects, the casting of Portman, Bale, and Blanchett leaves us wondering whether there may be some connection after all. Don’t expect much as far as answers go any time soon; Malick’s projects are almost always shrouded in secrecy.

Malick clearly wants to scratch a filmmaking itch that has been building up for years by taking on so many projects this quickly. There was a five year gap between The New World and Tree of Life, and now he’s got these two projects, plus another one that stars Ben Affleck, Rachel Weisz, and Javier Bardem that’s presumably finished but still without a title or release date.

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The fourth Peter Jackson video blog from the set of The Hobbit focuses on the 3D, specifically the way they use the RED cameras, shooting in 5k, how much of a difference the 48 frames per second will make for the viewers and probably for the first time in the making of a movie, 3D artwork. So grab your red-cyan glasses and watch this awesome video blog right after the break.

This 10 minutes and 46 second video blog goes very in depth on the 3D and shows probably the most we’ve seen from The Hobbit yet. Peter Jackson talks about the original Lord of the Rings and how he would have filmed it in 3D if he had the possibility back then. Instead he made a lot of 3D pictures on the set of the trilogy so look forward to those in some fancy The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey 3D Blu-ray.

Because they use such big lens, getting the right separation with the RED cameras was definitely a challenge and we see how they solved that with special rigs that can actually adjust the convergence point of the 3D on the fly. We also see how challenging working in 3D is for the makeup and wardrobe team and how the sets had to be painted in very bright colors so that it looks right when shown in the darkening 3D.

48 RED cameras and 17 3D rigs are used to shoot The Hobbit and instead of giving the cameras numbers, they named them after family members or friends. At the end of the video they show how they made 3D artwork by having two artists, one working in red, the other in blue, side by side. To really appreciate their work you need a pair of red-cyan glasses.

The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey is directed by Peter Jackson and stars Martin Freeman, Luke Evans, Hugo Weaving, Evangeline Lily, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Stephen Fry and Ian Holm among others. The film follows the story of Bilbo Baggins and his journey to the Lonely Mountain accompanied by 13 dwarfs, to reclaim a treasure stolen from them by the dragon Smaug. It is set to open December 14th 2012 and will be followed a year later by The Hobbit: There and Back Again on December 13th 2013.

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FilmNation Entertainment today announced that they’ll be handling international sales and distribution on Terrence Malick’s next two films, which are currently in pre-production and will shoot back-to-back in 2012.

No plot details for either film have been revealed, but The Tree of Life director has put together two impressive casts. The first film, Lawless, will star Ryan Gosling as the lead character, with Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, and Haley Bennett in supporting roles.

In the second film, Knight of Cups, Bale will take the lead, with Cate Blanchett and Isabel Lucas (Immortals) supporting. The Playlist says both are being described as “separate narratives” so it’s unlikely they’ll have a connection story-wise.

While the filmmakers are keeping quiet, Christian Bale and Terrence Malick were spotted shooting something at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in September so one film (likely Knight of Cups) may be music-related.

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Joe Wright’s filmography is full of things I’ve never cared to see: Atonement, The Soloist, Pride & Prejudice. But all that changed with Hanna, Wright’s first real foray into directing action. For comparison’s sake, it’s similar to The Bourne Identity in the way it balances psychological issues with sporadic bursts of action. The young female action heroine subgenre seems to have risen in popularity in recent years with Kick-Ass and Sucker Punch, but make no mistake: Hanna deals with the genre’s popular themes much more effectively than either of the aforementioned movies. 

Saoirse Ronan – an actress I’ve never seen before on screen – is phenomenal in the title role. She’s captivating, capable of switching between starry-eyed wonder and straight-faced badassery with the ease of someone far more experienced. Raised in the forest by her rogue ex-CIA agent father Erik Heller (Eric Bana), Hanna has been trained her entire life to be a solider. Armed with knowledge of the world memorized from an encyclopedia, Hanna spends the first twenty-ish minutes of the film convincing her father she’s “ready.” Erik agrees, and they set a plan in motion that aims to destroy Marissa Weigler (Cate Blanchett), Erik’s old CIA handler.

Bana disappears for long stretches of the film, but he gives a compelling performance when he pops up. He’s a versatile actor: for my money, he was the best part of both Wolfgang Petersen’s Troy and Judd Apatow’s Funny People. Cate Blanchett – an actress I normally despise, despite her near-universal critical acclaim – was also relegated to a smaller role than the trailer indicates, and much to my surprise, I enjoyed her performance. She adopted some sort of Southern or Texas accent (a creative decision I assumed would make her even more difficult to tolerate), but she showed restraint and didn’t overplay it. This may be the first time I’ve truly appreciated her in a film (keeping in mind that as of now, I’ve only seen a handful of her movies).

More than anything, Hanna is Joe Wright’s canvas to explore the strangeness of growing up and punctuate these thoughtful, dreamy moments with bouts of ass kicking. Hanna meets a traveling family led by Olivia Williams (“Dollhouse”) and Jason Flemyng (Deep Rising), and forms the first friendship she’s ever had with their daughter, Sophie (Jessica Barden). Sophie couldn’t be farther away from Hanna in a cultural sense, but this provides Wright with some material to ponder that tactile sense of bonding with a friend for the first time that almost everyone can relate to. (Perhaps not quite to the extent that this movie delves into it, but at least on some level.) Wright does a good job at balancing the two aspects, using violence to highlight the power of the relationships formed and giving action film fans something to chew on. There are some phenomenal sequences in this movie: Hanna’s interaction with fake Marissa in the holding room, the cargo container chase scene, and – this film’s pride and joy – the magnificent long take following Eric Bana through the bus station and continuing down into an extended fight in a subway chamber. (That subway fight will certainly be one of my favorite scenes of the year.)

I don’t know anything about The Chemical Brothers, who did the score for this movie, but I do know that their work here was fantastic. The score is pulse-pounding in all the right places and inquisitive when it needs to be, using synths and techno beats to emphasize action and xylophones and bell tones to indicate innocence and curiosity. The score is a work of art unto itself, one that has real staying power and will probably be one of my favorites at year’s end. As of this writing, some of the score is streaming for free online over at MySpace, so check it out over there. It’s not music I’d normally be inclined to listen to, but it compliments the action on screen really well and the whistling melody adds to the overt fairy tale qualities of the film.

In my review of Sucker Punch, I pleaded that we’d see some smarter blockbusters during this summer season. I wouldn’t categorize Hanna as a blockbuster by any means (quite the contrary, in fact – the movie has a very down-to-Earth vibe to it), but this is the kind of intelligence I’m hoping for. Joe Wright knows what’s up: it’s not an impossible task to make a movie with a message that also includes excellent action scenes. Fans of the Bourne series, this one’s for you. Until next time…

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As of March 21, 2011 cameras will officially be rolling on the set of The Hobbit in New Zealand. In preparation for the beginning of filming Warner Bros/New Line Cinema and MGM released a statement which includes details on all the cast and crew, and a synopsis.

Director Peter Jackson has also launched a facebook page which will be updated throughout filming and post-production, and two set photos featuring Jackson have been uploaded.

You can read the full press release below:

Wellington, NZ, March 21, 2011—Production has commenced in Wellington, New Zealand, on “The Hobbit,” filmmaker Peter Jackson’s two film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s widely read masterpiece.

“The Hobbit” is set in Middle-earth 60 years before Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar-winning “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”

The two films, with screenplays by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson, will be shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming will take place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.

“The Hobbit” follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.

Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever … Gollum.

Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities … A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

Martin Freeman takes the title role as Bilbo Baggins and Ian McKellen returns in the role of Gandalf the Grey. The Dwarves are played by Richard Armitage (Thorin Oakenshield), Ken Stott (Balin), Graham McTavish (Dwalin), William Kircher (Bifur) James Nesbitt (Bofur), Stephen Hunter (Bombur), Rob Kazinsky (Fili), Aidan Turner (Kili), Peter Hambleton (Gloin), John Callen (Oin), Jed Brophy (Nori), Mark Hadlow (Dori) and Adam Brown (Ori). Reprising their roles from “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy are Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Andy Serkis as Gollum and Elijah Wood as Frodo. Jeffrey Thomas and Mike Mizrahi also join the cast as Dwarf Kings Thror and Thrain, respectively. Further casting announcements are expected.

“The Hobbit” is produced by Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, alongside Carolynne Cunningham. Executive producers are Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner, with Philippa Boyens as co-producer. The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, also from the production team of Jackson and Walsh, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office. In 2003, “The Return of the King” swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The trilogy’s production was also unprecedented at the time.

Among the creative behind-the-scenes team returning to Jackson’s crew are director of photography Andrew Lesnie, production designer Dan Hennah, conceptual designers Alan Lee and John Howe, composer Howard Shore and make-up and hair designer Peter King. Costumes are designed by Ann Maskrey and Richard Taylor.

Taylor is also overseeing the design and production of weaponry, armour and prosthetics which are once again being made by the award winning Weta Workshop. Weta Digital take on the visual effects for both films, led by the film’s visual effects supervisor, Joe Letteri. Post production will take place at Park Road Post Production in Wellington.

“The Hobbit” films are co-produced by New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television licensing being handled by MGM. The two films are planned for release in late 2012 and 2013, respectively.

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At the age of 16 Saoirse Ronan has already been nominated for an Oscar for her performance in Atonement and played the lead character in Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones. Now she is turning to action in Hanna, which re-teams her with Atonement director Joe Wright.

Today Focus Features released the first trailer for the film, and if you enjoyed Hit-Girl’s antics in Kick-Ass earlier this year you may be interested in this.

Watch below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRUx88vRjIk

In the movie Saoirse Ronan plays a 14-year-old Eastern European girl raised by her father (Eric Bana) to be a cold-blooded killing machine. Cate Blanchett also stars in the film as an icy intelligence operative on a mission to find Bana, a former CIA operative, but they get to Hanna first.

Hit-Girl showed that people are up for seeing young female assassins on the big screen, and it’ll be interesting to see how Hanna is received. It looks to have taken a more serious tone, where as Kick-Ass took a more comedic approach to a young girl violently killing grown men.

The movie will be released April 8th.

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So far most of the casting for The Hobbit has involved new faces who will be making their Middle Earth debut, however as well as Ian McKellen as Gandalf Peter Jackson will be bringing back another familiar face from the trilogy, Cate Blanchett.

The One Ring were today sent a press release from Warner Bros. confirmed that Blanchett will reprise her role of Galadriel, the Lady of Lothlorien (although the character doesn’t appear in the book).

On Blanchett’s return Peter Jackson said:

“Cate is one of my favorite actors to work with and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have her reprise the role she so beautifully brought to life in the earlier films”

In other casting news Ken Stott (Charlie Wilson’s War) will play the Dwarf Lord Balin, Sylvester McCoy (“Doctor Who”) will play the wizard Radagast the Brown and well-known Swedish actor, Mikael Persbrandt (Everlasting Moments) will play the shape-shifter Beorn. British actor Ryan Gage (Outlaw) will play Drogo Baggins, with New Zealand actors Jed Brophy (District 9) playing the role of the dwarf Nori, and William Kircher (Legend of the Seeker) rounding out the company of Thorin Oakensheild in role of the dwarf Bifur.

Filming will begin in February in New Zealand, with Martin Freeman playing Bilbo Baggins.

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According to FirstShowing Hanna director Joe Wright confirmed at the New York Comic Con that British electronic music duo The Chemical Brothers “will be scoring the entire movie to provide a more ‘modern beat’ instead of the classical scores of his previous films.”

Music from The Chemical Brothers has been used in movies before, but this will be the first time they have scored an entire film, much like with Daft Punk scoring Tron Legacy.

Hanna stars Saoirse Ronan as a 14-year-old Eastern European girl raised by her father (Eric Bana) to be a cold-blooded killing machine. Cate Blanchett also stars in the film as an icy intelligence operative on a mission to find Bana, a former CIA operative, but they get to Hanna first. The movie will be released next April by Focus Features.

Hit-Girl showed that people are up for seeing young female assassins on the big screen, and it’ll be interesting to see how Hanna is received. It sounds as if the film will be a bit more serious, where as Kick-Ass took a more comedic approach to a young girl violently killing grown men.

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Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood didn’t turn critics into Merry Men however it did make over $300 million worldwide. That that won’t be enough to give Ridley Scott the sequel he wanted but I suppose Universal may consider it if does well on DVD/Blu-ray.

Universal recently announced that a never-before-seen unrated director’s cut of Robin Hood will be released on September 21st, and it will include 15 minutes of new footage. You can pre-order Robin Hood now on:

DVD | Blu-ray

Special features on the two-disc special edition DVD and Blu-ray include:

• Director’s Notebook (BD-exclusive): a seamless multimedia experience focusing on the director’s vision gives viewers a peek inside Ridley Scott’s unique filmmaking process. Incorporating behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Scott and his trusted inner circle of collaborators, this feature launches at critical moments throughout the film to illuminate the task of mounting a vast production like Robin Hood.
• The Art of Nottingham (BD-exclusive): a special look at the portfolio of designs generated for the film, including video introductions by key department heads such as production designer Arthur Max and costume designer Janty Yates. Galleries of concept art, costume designs, storyboards and other imagery are featured.
• Deleted scenes with introduction and commmentary by editor Pietro Scalia
• Rise and Rise Again: Making Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood
• Ballad, Legend & Myth: Pre-production – see how the filmmakers and actors, including Ridley Scott, Brian Grazer and Russell Crowe, tackled the challenge of breathing new life into the longest surviving character in the English language, Robin Hood.
• The More the Merrier: Production – a stellar cast led by Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett descended on England to shoot this massive epic under the direction of Ridley Scott. With an unparalleled passion for detail, Scott oversees all of the production design, costuming, weaponry and action sequences in the film.
• No Quarter Given: Post-production – Sifting through a million feet of shot film, Ridley Scott and editor Pietro Scalia perfect the screen story and work with the post-production team to add layers of sound design, visual effects and Marc Streitenfeld’s beautiful score.
• pocket BLU
  • Advanced Remote Control
  • Video Timeline
  • Mobile-To-Go
  • VIRTUAL Keyboard
  • uHEAR (new feature): This innovative feature instantly skips back a few seconds on your Blu-ray disc and turns on the subtitles for the section you couldn’t hear.
  • INTERACTIVE TICKER (new feature): get the latest information about Universal’s theatrical and Blu-ray releases. Plus, get updates about upcoming BD-Live events, awards and TV shows on NBC.
• BD-Live
• My Scenes

You can pre-order Robin Hood now on:

DVD | Blu-ray

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At the age of 16 Saoirse Ronan has already been nominated for an Oscar for her performance in Atonement and played the lead character in Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones. I don’t know whether it’s because of her talent, luck, or both, but she’s landed herself another meaty role in Hanna as a teenage assassin.

USA Today were given the first official image from the film, which you can see above. Hanna is directed by Atonement director Joe Wright (I guess that explains Ronan’s casting) and also stars Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Hanna (Ronan) is a teenage girl. Uniquely, she has the strength, the stamina, and the smarts of a solider; these come from being raised by her father (Eric Bana), an ex-CIA man, in the wilds of Sweden. Living a life unlike any other teenager, her upbringing and training have been one and the same, all geared to making her the perfect assassin. The turning point in her adolescence is a sharp one; sent into the world by her father on a mission, Hanna journeys stealthily across Europe while eluding agents dispatched after her by a ruthless intelligence operative with secrets of her own (Cate Blanchett). As she nears her ultimate target, Hanna faces startling revelations about her existence and unexpected questions about her humanity.

Focus Features will be releasing the film sometime in 2011, so we can probably expect a trailer towards the end of the year. Hit-Girl recently showed that people are up for seeing young female assassins on the big screen, and it’ll be interesting to see how Hanna is received. It sounds as if the film will be a bit more serious, where as Kick-Ass took a more comedic approach to a young girl violently killing grown men.

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