Hugh Jackman to take new movie 'The Wolverine' to fans at Comic-Con

Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine in a scene from new film The Wolverine. Picture: AP Source: AP

 

 

AP reports

Hugh Jackman is ready to sink his claws into Comic-Con again.

The 44-year-old Australian actor is returning to San Diego this week for the 44th annual Comic-Con International pop-culture convention to hype The Wolverine, his Japan-set X-Men spin-off opening July 25 that marks the actor's sixth time playing the iconic comic book character that catapulted him to stardom in 2000.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, the versatile Les Miserables star talked about returning to Comic-Con to face fans enraged by 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine, teaming up with the original X-Men cast for the upcoming time-bending sequel X-Men: Days of Future Past and getting naked again as Wolverine on the big screen:

AP: It took four years for The Wolverine to come to fruition. How do you feel about finally being able to show it off at Comic-Con?

Jackman: I love it. I love the title. It was actually (former director) Darren Aronofsky's idea, but it's one we - including the studio - stuck with because it sends a signal that we're not making a movie that's loaded with a lot of other mutants. You're actually gonna get to know this one. I think it's time. This story is one of the greatest, and that's the reason it's one of the fan favourites.

AP: As much as fans can be passionate at Comic-Con, they can also be equally critical. They didn't love X-Men Origins: Wolverine. How do you feel about hearing from them this week?

Jackman: I'm never afraid of that. I think the fans know I'm so grateful and very blessed to play the part. I love them. We try our hardest to get everything right, and I'm happy to hear from them. I learn from them. One of the main things I hear from fans all the time is we don't see enough of the berserker rage, and I really took that to heart because, to me, that is one of the key things I love about Logan.

AP: For everything that's different about this Wolverine film, there's once again a scene that finds Logan naked in a giant tub, even though the circumstances this time are very different from past X-Men movies. Is this something you're stipulating in your contract now?

Jackman: Look, all I say is it has to be a minimum of a minute. It's only a minute. That's all. I love a bit of nudity. It's a funny scene. The movie is darker in tone, and more restrained in a way. As long as we can get away with it, it's nice to have those fun moments. In all seriousness, no, it's not in my contract.

AP: X-Men: Days of Future Past will be your seventh time playing this character. How long do you think you can keep going as Wolverine?

Jackman: You may find it surprising to hear, but I'm loving it and feeling rejuvenated by it. For me, and I'm well aware there's way greater powers at play than me and my decision, it's more about: Do I still have something to offer to it? Is there something different we can explore? Is there a reason to tell another story? Without that, I won't do it. Secretly, I know it'd be like achieving peace in the Middle East, but I would love a way for all the Marvel characters to come together.

AP: What's it been like reuniting on Days of Future Past with everyone from the original film? You filmed it in the '90s!

Jackman: I think (original X-Men director) Bryan (Singer) really configured the image of comic book movies with that thing. Having him back is really exciting. The first month of shooting, because Patrick (Stewart) and Ian (McKellen) were off doing a play, was literally all the old actors all together. It was like a reunion, and then all of a sudden it shifted, and in came this younger ensemble of incredible actors (from X-Men: First Class). I just get to be there every day working opposite all of them.

AP: Do you ever see yourself passing on the role of Wolverine to a younger actor?

Jackman: Sure, Wolverine is like Bond. These roles are greater than I am as an actor. It will always live on and outlive me. It'll be passed on, and I'll be in the old people's home, showing my old movies and telling anyone who will listen that I was much better than whoever is playing it now. In all seriousness, it's the way it should be. I would be sad to think if I stopped playing it, Wolverine wouldn't be seen. It's too good a part.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Julian Assange in new WikiLeaks movie The Fifth Estate

Benedict Cumberbatch, left, as Julian Assange with Daniel Bruhl as Daniel Domscheit-Berg in the WikiLeaks thriller The Fifth Estate. Source: AP

 

 

 

 News Limited reports

Benedict Cumberbatch has undergone a striking transformation to play Australian WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the new trailer for controversial WikiLeaks movie "The Fifth Estate" reveals.

The Sherlock star tackles Julian Assange's internationally-tinged Australian accent with skill, but Assage is unlikely to be impressed. The Wikileaks founder has slammed the film as propaganda designed to fan the flames of a war against Iran.

Cumberbatch is completely transformed for the role, donning a silver wig to match Assange's distinctive hair, and accurately capturing the whistleblower's mannerisms.

"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. But if you give him a mask, he will tell you the truth," he tells an adoring crowd in his Australian accent.

"Courage is contagious", he says.

The film charts the rise of WikiLeaks, tackling the US response and Assange's growing ego. It is based on former WikiLeaks staffer Daniel Domscheit-Berg's tell-all book WikiLeaks: My Time With Julian Assange at the World's Most Dangerous Website.

The trailer for the thriller shows Assange watching US military video of American soldiers killing unarmed journalists in Iraq, taking on oppressive regimes, going after corrupt bankers as well as the massive leaking of US government documents. It also may touch on Assange's sexual assault allegations, with a shot of him unbuttoning his shirt with a woman.

Laura Linney and Stanley Tucci also star as US officials desperate to stop the leaking of state secrets. The film is released in the US in November, but there is no Australian release date yet.

Earlier this year, Assange criticised the film after getting hold of a copy of the script.

"It is a mass propaganda attack against WikiLeaks the organisation," Assange told students in Oxford via a video-link from the Ecuadorean embassy in London.

"But it is not just an attack against us - it is an attack against Iran.

"It fans the flames to start a war with Iran."

The 41-year-old said the opening scene was set in a military complex in Tehran and showed Iran was working on an atomic weapon.

But in reality, the United States' own intelligence agencies had confirmed Iran didn't have a nuclear weapons program, he said.

"It's a lie upon a lie. Everything we see, read and hear is produced for a purpose."

Assange is wanted in Sweden for questioning over allegations of sexual assault against two women.

He is avoiding extradition by remaining inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London after being granted asylum by the Latin American nation.

Jessica Marais flies high in new Disney movie Planes

Jessica Marais during a live recording at Sound Firm studio at Fox Studios in Sydney / Pic: Gerard Gaye Source: The Daily Telegraph

 

 

Andrew Carswell, The Daily Telegraph, reports

A plane with some distinct kangaroo livery and the sweet, familiar sound of Aussie twang.

It just couldn't be a film about aviation without an Australian flavour. Or in this case, two.

Not only will Jessica Marais voice a role in the highly anticipated Disney animated film Planes, her character has been modelled on a Qantas plane - Rochelle, a confident and capable Australian plane who started running mail to small towns in Tasmania and now wants to race in the big league.

The character sits well with the former Packed To The Rafters actress - local star makes good on the world stage.

Qantas's unique involvement in the Disney film will also lead to a world first.

There will be no red carpet when the film premieres in Australia on September 7.

There won't even be a big screen. The Planes premiere will be held for 254 lucky passengers at 30,000 feet on a Qantas 767.

"We're thrilled to have an Australian aircraft as a Disney cartoon character in the upcoming movie and this will definitely appeal to our young passengers," Qantas spokeswoman Olivia Wirth said. "We'll be working with Disney on lots of activities around the film."

Wolverine stunt goes wrong: Hugh Jackman 'nearly broke his neck' on set

Actor Hugh Jackman gives a thumbs-up to his fans. Picture: AP Source: AP

 

 

AAP and GQ report

Hugh Jackman has revealed he is cutting back on his movie stunts after a terrifying accident on the set of his new superhero blockbuster The Wolverine.

The Aussie star feared he had broken his neck during a daring scene in which his character swings out of a train carriage.

Jackman's injuries weren't severe, but the incident was enough to scare his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, who made him reassess the amount of dangerous work he does on set in future.

"In the film, there's a scene where I swing from inside to outside a train and my neck got caught. I thought I had broken it.

"It was one of those moments when my wife looked at me and said, 'What are you doing? Enough playing in the schoolyard! You are not invincible!'"

Jackman says he is now smarter about using a stunt double.

The 44-year-old hunk also revealed in a recent interview with GQ magazine that his famous Adamantium claws are just as dangerous in real life as they appear on screen.

"They've cut deep more than once. And not just me", he said of Wolverine's weaponry.

The Oscar-nominated actor also revealed that Robert Downey Jr reached out to him for diet tips after landing the lead role in Iron Man.

Jackman famously bulks up for his role as Wolverine and Downey Jr was keen to take advice on how to improve his physique.

"He knew I wasn't in shape before it [Wolverine], so there's a little bit of that [sharing that goes on between actors].''

Sydney on Screen on a break

Cheers,

 

Luke & Michael

Dannii Minogue reunites with sister Kylie Minogue for X Factor TV special

The Minogue sisters, Dannii and Kylie, are joining forces on the X Factor. Source: Supplied



 
Cameron Adams, The Sunday Telegraph, reports

This year's X Factor has scored a major pop culture coup - reuniting Dannii and Kylie Minogue on screen.

It is the first time the musical sisters have worked together on Australian TV since a Young Talent Time concert in 1987.

"I don't even want to think of how long ago that was," Kylie said. "My hair was bigger, my waist was smaller ... good times."

Dannii, one of the judges on this year's X Factor, recruited sister Kylie to mentor her contestants on the reality TV hit.

The sisterly episode was filmed in New York last week, where Kylie is working on her new album.

It will air later this year on Channel 7.

It is Dannii's first time as a judge on the Australian X Factor, after finding success on the British show.

While the pair are no strangers to passing comment on singers on reality TV shows, until now it's been at home in private.

"Usually we're in pyjamas and ugg boots," Dannii said. "So this is a change. Kylie is a huge X Factor fan."

Older sister Kylie was Dannii's first choice as mentor, a role she performed on the UK X Factor four years ago.

"Dannii is so good at this, I'm just along for the ride," Kylie said. "It's really fun to do something together, so it was a done deal when she asked me.

"This feels normal for us. This kind of show is one of Dannii's natural habitats, but I do feel at home on a TV set and being with my sister. If you've grown up being a tennis player you're comfortable on a tennis court, we're both comfortable in this environment."

Kylie said she is unsure whether she would audition for The X Factor if she was starting out in the industry.

"I have questioned that myself. I don't know. I'm sure I wouldn't make it through. I really am."

Kylie will release a 'buzz' single from her 12th album, Skirt, shortly.

Movie review: Satellite Boy

Cameron Wallaby and David Gulpilil in Satellite Boy. Source: Supplied



 

Leigh Paatsch, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Movie review: A quiet, unhurried and graceful Australian drama, Satellite Boy is going to experience much hardship finding an audience during a limited release in coming weeks.

Not only is the marketplace less than receptive to homegrown product at the moment, there are just too many bigger, brighter and better-promoted titles elsewhere for a little flick like this to get itself noticed.

Sadly, it is just the way things happen to be in 2013.

The film takes place in the far northern reaches of Western Australia, where a young Aboriginal boy and his grandfather face eviction from the unusual place they call home.

The pair live at the site of an abandoned drive-in cinema, which has been marked for demolition by a local mining company.

Incensed by the news, 11-year-old Pete (Cameron Wallaby) and his trouble-making best friend Kalmain (Joseph Pedley) take off for the big smoke to see if he can change some corporate minds.

Along the way, Pete and Kalmain - who are travelling by BMX bicycle - wander off the main road and find themselves hopelessly lost.

To get everything back on track, Pete is going to have to call on some of the ancient bush wisdom always being imparted by his grumpy grandpa (David Gulpilil). There's just one problem: Pete has rarely paid attention when he should have.

The film could be construed as a bit slow and airy for some tastes. Nevertheless, Satellite Boy's insightful fascination with a fading way of life in the outback (and a people determined to keep living it as vividly as they can) is a small triumph.

--

Satellite Boy [PG]

Rating: 3/5

Director: Catriona McKenzie (feature debut)

Starring: Cameron Wallaby, David Gulpilil, Joseph Pedley, Rohana Angus.

"In through the outback door"

Diana star Naomi Watts is starting to turn heads with her highly developed style and glamour

Naomi Watts (as Diana, Princess of Wales) visits Australia in a scene from film Diana.

Briana Domjen, The Sunday Telegraph, reports

Once a fashion wallflower, Naomi Watts used to fade into the background alongside more established style-setters like Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman.

But, as the King Kong actor's star power has risen in Hollywood, so has her sense of style. Adopting more daring looks for the ruby rug, fashion commentators agree Watts has revamped her style and is quickly emerging as a fashion favourite.

"Whatever the reason, Naomi has seriously turned up her glamour wattage on the red carpet," GQ Australia editor Nick Smith says.

Smith believes her impressive style evolution has something to do with her recent stint as the world's most adored princess in the highly-anticipated flick Diana.

"Perhaps it's the pressure of playing Princess Diana in the upcoming biopic," he says.

"Surely playing one of the world's most memorable style icons would have you taking stock of your own style.

"Looks to me like she's following one tried and tested rule of fashion: the one of less is definitely more."

Following her Oscar nomination for the Thai tsunami drama The Impossible, Watts has come into her own on the fashion front.

But it's not just her stunning style that has come to life, Watts also seems to be paying more attention to her blonde locks. Gone are her schoolgirl-style ponytails in favour of neatly coiffed hair.

The mother of two has come a long way since her 2011 faux pas when she was critiqued for wearing an unflattering cream parachute dress at the 25th annual Israeli Film Festival VIP reception.

These days, the multiple award-winning actress is impeccably dressed in high-end labels including Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana and Alexander McQueen.

During the recent 3rd Annual Summer Party On The Highline, Watts looked perfectly polished in a button-down See by Chloe shirt dress and at the Up2Us Gala at Tribeca Rooftop in New York City this month, Watts turned heads in Burberry.

However her biggest fashion feat yet was the ultra-glam lace Stella McCartney jumpsuit she wore to the designer's Spring 2014 Collection Presentation in New York this month.

"The one-shouldered lace Stella McCartney jumpsuit looks so sexy and chic on Naomi," designer Jayson Brunsdon says. "With sleek black accessories and smooth hair she looks spectacular but so effortless."

Having known Watts for more than 20 years, Brunsdon has watched the movie star's style develop.

"Naomi's style has evolved into a super chic, clean and sexy minimalist approach that suits her personality perfectly," he says.

"Naomi possesses a minimal, clean and sexy approach to fashion that perfectly complements her personality and body type.

"She's never afraid to embrace something new but she makes it all look effortless and chic."

Miranda Kerr stalker arrested in Los Angeles

A US man has been arrested with threatening to kill Aussie supermodel Miranda Kerr. Picture: AFP Source: AFP



 
The Daily Telegraph reports

A US man has been arrested after allegedly threatening to kill Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr.

Steven C Swanson from East Sandwich, Massachusetts, was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged after he called the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to tell them he was planning to travel to California to shoot and kill the 30-year-old model, reports local publication the Cape Cod Times.

According to CapeCodOnline.com, police records show Swanson, 52, threatened to turn Kerr's LA home ''upside down''.

He also reportedly referred to the model as his ''soul mate''.

A search of Swanson's house reportedly found photographs of Kerr on his refrigerator, microwave and bookshelf, however no weapons were found.

Swanson pleaded not guilty to a charge of making a threat concerning a firearm at the Barnstable District Court on Wednesday.

Judge Robert Welsh III ordered Swanson be committed for psychiatric evaluation.

Bail was set at $US8000 ($A8725).

Swanson is due back in court on July 19.

Kerr shares a home in Los Angeles with her husband, actor Orlando Bloom, and their two-year-old son, Flynn.

In April, Kerr said the whole family was moving to New York where Bloom will star in the new Broadway theatre production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

The Voice host Darren McMullen packs his bags for new National Geographic show

The Voice host Darren McMullen has scored a travel series. Picture: Anthony Reginato Source: The Sunday Telegraph

 

 

 Jonathon Moran, The Sunday Telegraph, reports

Less than a week after wrapping The Voice, Darren McMullen has landed his next big TV gig.

The affable host will begin shooting a travel series for National Geographic globally.

He's taking inspiration from one of his great heroes, English broadcaster Louis Theroux, who is known for his TV series, Weird Weekends.

"We will be based out of Europe for season one," McMullen said. "We are going to visit very strange sub-cultures."

It is another major coup for McMullen, 31, who has had a string of hits internationally over the past few years while maintaining his work in Australia. In the US, he fronted primetime reality show Love In The Wild while in the UK he hosted Minute To Win It and The Magicians.

"It is serendipitous really because I've been trying to get a travel show off the ground for years and nobody was very forthcoming in making one," he said.

"I think people thought the concept was quite stale and luckily Ricky Gervais decided to do The Idiot Abroad and because it was such a success, pretty much overnight every production company was screaming for the next travel show."

McMullen finished shooting the last series of The Voice on Monday night and flew to Japan on Friday for a holiday.

Due to begin filming his next show at the end of July, he's yet to sign on for the third series of The Voice.

"I would love to do another series," he said.