Thank you to Sharlto Copley Fans for sharing the first image from yet another film the busy Copley is in this year.  Open Grave is a horror flick that’s plot is as follows:  A man wakes up in the wilderness, in a pit full of dead bodies, with no memory and must determine if the murderer is one of the strangers who rescued him, or if he himself is the killer.

So far this is all I’ve seen about the film released.  No trailer that I know of  yet but it also stars Joseph Morgan, AKA Klaus from the Vampire Diaries.

This doesn’t look like a happy scene.  He’s also still sporting that beard that he had for Elysium.  I’m sure when we get closer to a release date we’ll know more.  But as yet now word other than it will be out this year.

Chappie is Neill Blomkamp’s very hush hush Scifi Comedy.  The news that’s been making the rounds is the fact that “Die Antwoord” will be playing themselves in the film.  If you are unfamiliar with the band, here’s one of their more recent videos.  They are a South African new wave rap duo.

What hasn’t really been reported that much is this little tidbit that, Sharlto Copley, posted on his Facebook page on Saturday:

If we read that as it sounds, Copley is going to be the lead in yet another Blomkamp Scifi film.  Copley is the title character, Chappie.  I told you you were going to get Copley’d hard.

So yes, if you read Fangirl you know that there is more than a little bit of love in these here parts for the man who would be Wikus.  Sharlto Copley went and made A-Team and then he went off grid for a bit.  What you didn’t know is that you are about to get Copley’d (this is a word now cause I say so) hard in the next 12 months.   Elysium, Old Boy, Maleficent…he’s in all of those.

Elysium is the flick you’ve mostly heard about, but there is another science fiction film that Copley starred in that’s also coming out this year, and this one is pretty damn interesting and has more science fact than you would expect.

Europa Report has been hanging around the fringes for a while, but will be hitting video on demand this June and then theaters in August.  Coming Soon shared some details you might not have known about the film and what went on behind the scenes:

A unique blend of documentary, alternative history and science fiction thriller, Europa Report follows a contemporary mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa, to investigate the possible existence of alien life within our solar system. Developed in close collaboration with NASA, JPL, SpaceX and other leaders in the scientific community, the film imagines the next step in manned space exploration and is based on recent scientific discoveries and theories.

That’s what we here at Fangirl call awesome.  When you’re science fiction film is collaborating with NASA for information and what if’s you know it’s going to be interesting.  Here are the concept art images that was released:

EUROPA REPORT IS COMING AT YOU!

I was wondering what happened to that other really cool sounding sci-fi flick that Fangirl favorite Sharlto Copley had starred in.  Now we have our answer as Magnet Releasing has announced it has acquired the film.  Good timing too as Elysium will be hitting screens this summer.

Magnet Releasing takes US Rights to EUROPA REPORT

 New York, NY– February 5, 2013 – The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today that they’ve acquired US rights to EUROPA REPORT, a groundbreaking science fiction film starring Sharlto Copley (District 9), about the exploration of Jupiter’s moon, Europa.

EUROPA REPORT marks Copley’s first return to science fiction since the 2009 blockbuster District 9, as well as the English language debut of director Sebastián Cordero, who once again worked with two longtime collaborators, Academy Award winning Production Designer Eugenio Caballero (Pan’s Labyrinth, The Impossible) and Director of Photography Enrique Chediak (127 Hours). The film was written by Philip Gelatt and produced by Wayfare Entertainment’s Ben Browning. Executive Producers were Wayfare’s Michael Maher and Jeremy Kipp Walker. The film features music by Bear McCreary (Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead).  The film was financed by Wayfare Entertainment and China’s Sil Metropole.

A unique blend of documentary, alternative history and science fiction thriller, EUROPA REPORT follows a contemporary mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa, to investigate the possible existence of alien life within our solar system. Developed in close collaboration with NASA, JPL, SpaceX and other leaders in the scientific community, the film imagines the next step in manned space exploration and is based on recent scientific discoveries and theories.

“EUROPA REPORT is an exceptionally smart, thrilling film that will be a revelation for space enthusiasts and science fiction fans alike,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “Its nuanced attention to scientific detail lends it an exciting quality that elevates it above the usual genre fare.”

“Sebastián has made a unique and challenging film that looks and feels epic despite being contained, and we’re confident has the potential to get into the zeitgeist. We also think it is a great example of the genre-bending films that Magnolia has had such success with, and we look forward to working with them again” said Browning.

Straight from the prawns mouth (so to speak) Sharlto Copley let everyone know via his Facebook page he is in fact NOT in Men In Black 3, but will be doing Elysium.  One would have to agree what with the reshoots and redos being announced regarding the MIB3 script that he’s made the right choice.

And as always, it gives me an excuse to post a picture.  Here he is being a Man In Black.

I was on the set of Fright Night last month covering production.  Since Dreamworks/Disney are producing the film I decided to verify that pesky rumor about Sharlto Copley fighting it out over funny nose and ears with the director of “I Am Number Four”

Turns out that was all crap.  Due to scheduling of the insane A-Team press tour that he went on (Copley went around the world it seemed in less than 80 days) he couldn’t do the film.

So no…it wasn’t due to a difference of noses.

Insert mandatory photo here:

Men In Black 3 is starting to gear up apparently and HitFix is reporting that Sharlto Copley is in talks to play a leader of an alien race who has a special relationship with time…Hmmmmm

Of course the movie is going to be in 3D.   I’m just curious if this is true or not?  Josh Brolin playing a young Tommy Lee Jones is sort of inspired.  But Men In Black 3?  Is it at least 90 minutes long?

Any excuse to use this photo…

Let it begin.

Marvel’s slew of comic book flicks and their massive blitzing of media for said films starts.  Comicon will be COVERED in this like a slick sheen of sweat on the face of a Hall H line stander while they bake outside.

First up is Ryan (six pack abs) Reynolds as Hal Jordan on the cover of Entertainment Weekly.

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/07/15/green-lantern-ryan-reynolds/

Booya.  Nice muscle and tendond look thing they’ve got going on with the suit.  Until I see it in action I’m not impressed yet.  I agree with others that I’ve seen photoshops better than this cover.  But it makes me happy to finally see Hal getting love.

But I’m FAR more excited about this

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2010/07/thor-3d-captain-america-3d-comiccon-marvel-studios.html

We’ve always known Anthony Hopkins was a god.  But damn…he LOOKS RAWRSOME AS ODIN.

(oh and Thor looks good too)

I can’t wait for Thor.  I could be completely nuts, but this makes me happy.  I can’t wait to see footage on this.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And of course we can’t post about the Marvel movies without commenting on the lunacy that is Edward Norton and his bullshit move by Marvel screw over.  I’ve made clear how I feel on that I think.

Moving on to the new casting of Banner.  We’ve went from Joaquin Phoenix to now Mark Ruffalo.  I like neither. Now we’ve got a David Tennant rumor.  I like this far more, but he needs to be sporting a green question mark and running away from Batman.  I’ve thrown my hat into the ring behind Sharlto Copley.   He’s perfect in my opinion.

I know we won’t get the final answer on the Banner casting until Comcion and whomever it is walks out on stage.  But I can only hope Marvel makes up for the cluster ass way they screwed over Norton by giving us someone equally as good and dedicated to giving the Hulk and Banner the respect and due they deserve.

Conflict in the world of the Avengers today as Marvel hands Edward Norton his walking papers

http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-motion-captured/posts/exclusive-marvel-confirms-they-will-hire-new-hulk-for-avengers

In a statement sent in direct response to yesterday’s story from the set of “Captain America” in London, Marvel Studios President of Production Kevin Feige forwarded the following exclusively to HitFix:

 “We have made the decision to not bring Ed Norton back to portray the title role of Bruce Banner in the Avengers. Our decision is definitely not one based on monetary factors, but instead rooted in the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members. The Avengers demands players who thrive working as part of an ensemble, as evidenced by Robert, Chris H, Chris E, Sam, Scarlett, and all of our talented casts. We are looking to announce a name actor who fulfills these requirements, and is passionate about the iconic role in the coming weeks.”

HitFlix is saying they think Sharlto Copley is a possiblity for the new Banner.  And yes, this makes me WAY conflicted.

1st  I’m a Norton fan.  And this is just a bullshit play.  Norton is amazing and he brought his A game to The Hulk because he’s a fan.  This is just totally unfair to him and just plain mean.  Marvel may be getting a surprise in their response to any grand announcement at Comicon which I could totally see happening.  But fans are fans…we’ll still go see a Whedon directed Avengers flick.  Because god we’ve been waiting for one for a long time.

2nd  Copley who is no where near confirmed would be perfect for it.  But still…this is just a bullshit play.  If this had gone down with just Norton not wanting to come back that would be one thing…but its not that at all.  At this point, the only way Marvel could make me alright with this is Copley or Stephen Colbert as Banner. 

Discuss…

I make no excuse for my love of Sharlto Copley.  The guy is mutli talented and has the looks of the love child of David Tennant and Christian Bale.  He’s also made of epicness. 

He’s finally gotten a film he’s been working on getting released for two years coming out.  He directed, wrote, and prodcued it.  Spoon stars Rutger Hauer (another epic piece of epicness) and looks wonderfully creepy.  My love is justified it would seem.

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