Cobie Smulders In Final Negotiations To Play Maria Hill In The Avengers

"Cobie Smulders In Final Negotiations To Play Maria Hill In The Avengers"src="http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/23043/cobie_smulders_23043.jpg"style="border: 1px solid black;margin:1px;margin-left:5px;position:relative;"align="right"vspace="3">Before all of the madness that was Super Bowl Sunday and the new trailers forCaptainn America: The First AvengerandThor, the big Marvel story was that Cobie Smulders, best known for playing Robin on the CBS hit sitcomHow I Met Your Mother, was the top choice to playS.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Maria Hillin 2012'sThe Avengers. Just two days later she's gone from"frontrunner"to"has the part."

THRreports that Smulders and Marvel are now in final negotiations to have the actress play a part in the major superhero movie. In the comics, Hill is one of the highest ranking officers in the secretive organization and has previously taken control as Exectutive Director in Nick Fury's (Samuel L. Jackson) absence. The character's most famous storyline is during"Civil War"when she, alongside Tony Stark/Iron Man, attempts to enact the Superhuman Registration Act and locks away any superhero that doesn't comply. Smulders will be one of, so far, two female S.H.I.E.L.D. members, the other being Scarlett Johansson as The Black Widow.

As was mentioned this past weekend, Smulders was director Joss Whedon's choice to play Wonder Woman in what ended up being a failed project, and she seems to be quite a good fit for the role. But now we are left with another question: are they going to make her cut her hair?

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Extended Version Of The Pirates: On Stranger Tides Super Bowl Tralier

"Extended Version Of The Pirates: On Stranger Tides Super Bowl Tralier"src="http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/23025/pirates_of_the_caribbean_23025.jpg"style="border: 1px solid black;margin:1px;margin-left:5px;position:relative;"align="right"vspace="3">Moments ago the new thirty-second teaser forPirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tidesdebutedin the midst of the Super Bowl. But why settle for only 30-seconds? Proving once again that they are without question the most fan-friendly, internet-friendly movie studio in Hollywood Disney has released not only those thirty-seconds ofPiratesbut another 30 more in an extended version of theOn Stranger TidesSuper Bowl teaser.

The teaser has all the things you love about Pirates, namely Jack Sparrow and a lot more. I’m particularly excited by some of the swordfighting sequences which you’ll see flash past. That’s something the original movie nailed but the two sequels never seemed to get right.On Stranger Tidesseems to get swordplay right. Watch:

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The King's Speech Clears Up Animal Rights Issues

"The King's Speech Clears Up Animal Rights Issues"src="http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/23013/the_king_s_speech_23013.jpg"style="border: 1px solid black;margin:1px;margin-left:5px;position:relative;"align="right"vspace="3">Never underestimate the power of literally anything to sway the Oscar race. Nothing is ever set in stone until the ultimate prize is handed out. It’s like a Presidential election with ten candidates. What does a voter do if he or she is supporting a lesser nominee with little to no chance of winning? Do you stick with your gut, or do you vote for one of the front runners simply because you don’t want another front runner to win? These arethe issues that ultimately determine who gets the Academy Award. Well, that and animal rights.

According toThe Hollywood Reporter,The King’s Speechwas threatened with a lawsuit by animal rights group The American Humane Society over its use of the phrase“No animals were harmed” during the closing credits. Most people don’t realize that’s a real stamp of approval placed on a film by The American Humane Society after script reviews and a set visit. Problem being that the AHS had nothing to do with theKing's Speechproduction.

When the story first broke, many were openly speculating on the possibility of backlash from the Academy’s numerous animal rights activists, but just as the gossip was heating up, the two sides resolved their dispute. Apparently, no animals were harmed in the making ofThe King’s Speech, but as a British production, The American Humane Society was not involved. The company simply wanted the Oscar contender to remove said phrasing. All has been taken care of, and now voters will be left to mull over the merits of each picture on their own. At least until another issue pops up.

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James Franco Wanted For Oz: The Great And Powerful

"James Franco Wanted For Oz: The Great And Powerful"src="http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/23009/james_franco_23009.jpg"style="border: 1px solid black;margin:1px;margin-left:5px;position:relative;"align="right"vspace="3">The number of projects that James Franco is signing on to borders on parody. In addition to trying to get a graduate degree at Yale, Franco has signed on to write, director and/or star in no less than nine projects. Now I'm beginning to think that there's something go wrong with him mentally.

THRreports that Franco is now the frontrunner to star in Sam Raimi'sOz, the Great and Powerful. It was just two weeks ago thatRobert Downey Jr., another actor with an airtight schedule, was forced to drop the movie, at which time it was rumored that Johnny Depp would be stepping into his place. According to the new report, Depp actually took meetings about the role, but decided that it wasn't for him. Franco, of course, has plenty of experience working with Raimi, having starred in all three of hisSpider-Manmovies as Harry Osborn. In the film, a prequel of sorts toThe Wizard of Oz, would see Franco play the Wizard as an expert con man who, after a ballooning accident, lands in the magical land of Oz. Starting up a relationship with Good Witch Glinda, they hatch a plan to get rid of her two evil sisters. While there is no start date just yet, the plan is to start filming in the latter half of this year.

While I can definitely see Franco playing this role, I really am afraid that the guy is spreading himself too thin. The guy is immensely talented, but if he keeps working at this pace he's going to burn out before he turns 40. Perhaps if he does decide to sign on to this one, he'll decide to postpone one of the others.

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Even More Captain America Images Surface Online

"Even More Captain America Images Surface Online"src="http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/22976/Captain_America_The_First_Avenger_22976.jpg"style="border: 1px solid black;margin:1px;margin-left:5px;position:relative;"align="right"vspace="3">Earlier this week, the cover for the new issue of Empire came online, giving us yetanother look at the heroof what should be one of this summer's biggest blockbusters:Captain America: The First Avenger. But, as I said then, it was unlikely that it would be the only new image from the film that they would be printing and today I've been proven right.

Screen Cravehas gotten their hands on some scans from the inside of the newest issue ofEmpirethat provide looks at an assortment of characters, including the first shots of Richard Armitage as Heinz Kruger and even a teeny, tiny look at Tommy Lee Jones, who plays Col. Chester Phillips. The spread also gives us another look at Chris Evans in full Cap uniform (including helmet), once again making the argument that he looks totally badass.

Check out three of the pics below and for more head on over toScreen Crave. For more onCaptain America: The First Avenger, head on over to ourBlend Film Database

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Kristen Stewart Enters Negotiations To Star In Snow White And The Huntsman

"Kristen Stewart Enters Negotiations To Star In Snow White And The Huntsman"src="http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/22964/kristen_stewart_22964.jpg"style="border: 1px solid black;margin:1px;margin-left:5px;position:relative;"align="right"vspace="3">Snow White and the Huntsmanwas doing so well. In the last month the Universal take on the picture has managed to get both Charlize Theron and Viggo Mortensen to play the Evil Queen and the Huntsman, respectively. Now, sadly, it appears they have decided to take a detour.

THRreports that Kristen Stewart, aspreviously rumored, has entered negotiations to play the fairy tale princess inSnow White and The Huntsman. Of the three Snow White films currently in production, this project is the first to find their female lead, discounting Natalie Portman who, because of her pregnancy, will most likely be unavailable for Disney'sSnow White and The Seven. Back in December there was a shortlist that contained largely unknown actresses including Riley Keough, Felicity Jones, Bella Heathcoat and Alicia Vikander, though there was the looming possibility that the studio would go with a known name, such as Stewart, Dakota Fanning and Saoirse Ronan.

The news comes right on the heels of Stewart no longer having a part in the race to play Lois Lane in Zack Snyder'sSupermanreboot, and I highly doubt that this is an unrelated event. With theTwilightfranchise quickly coming to an end, Stewart needs to start capitalizing on her current fame by collecting projects. For now we'll just have to deal with the fact that we'll be getting a stone-faced, lip-biting Snow White.

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Joseph Gordon Levitt Enters Talks For The Dark Knight Rises

"Joseph Gordon Levitt Enters Talks For The Dark Knight Rises"src="http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/22944/joseph_gordon_levitt_22944.jpg"style="border: 1px solid black;margin:1px;margin-left:5px;position:relative;"align="right"vspace="3">For months and months there was constant rumor that Joseph Gordon Levitt, one of the breakout stars of Christopher Nolan'sInception, would be playing the role of The Riddler in Nolan's final Batman film,The Dark Knight Rises. After Gordon Levitt'sInceptionco-star, Tom Hardy was hired and the Riddler rumors were put to rest, however, the rumors of his involvement died down severely. Turns out that may have been premature.

Deadlineis reporting that Joseph Gordon Levitt has entered talks for a part in the Batman finale. In true Nolan fashion, it's unknown what role Gordon Levitt will play, but hopefully we'll find out sometime soon (before the anticipation kills us). Just yesterday it was announced that the movie will be shooting in May, which will likely be long after the completion of Rian Johnson'sLooper, in which Gordon Levitt is starring and just started production.

Words can't describe how happy this makes me. Joseph Gordon Levitt is easily one of the best young talents working today and elevates everything he does. Even if the role he plays ends up being a bum on a Gotham street corner it will somehow make the movie better. Let's just hope that this isn't another rumor.

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