BEN   FOSTER   TALKS   WARCRAFT.
With all the news about the new Star Wars instalment and Marvel films that have been hitting the internet lately, it has become easy to forget that in two years Duncan Jones is going to release a World of Warcraft film, Warcraft. It is understandable why some people lack the enthusiasm for Jones' films after all it is based on a computer game that has an extremely devoted following from the players but if you don't play, like me, you probably have no idea what any of its about, like me. But I have am really looking forward to what Jones can do with this film. This is a director who made the amazing Moon and the even better, for me at least, Source Code, so the film is in safe hands. So I was pleasantly surprised to see Ben Foster, who is set to star in the film, has revealed who he will be playing.  "He's a mage, which is essentially a sorcerer," said the actor. "He came up in a time protecting an area, and the way he protected this area was through magic. As peace returned to this land he took a break. He hung up his staff, so to speak, or let his guns get dusty. We meet him as his friends are returning asking for his help in a battle.

The actor also told the fans they would be instore for one hell of a 3D event, stating: "The way that they're pushing motion-capture - I just saw some of the test footage - it's unlike anything I've ever seen. It's performance-capture. It pushes it to the next level," said the actor, whose own Warcraft alter-ego isn't a performance-capture character." While I am not a fan of 3D, I am intrigued to see what Jones can do with the format, especially in a post-Gravity world. While the film may not be attracting as much coverage as the likes of Star Wars, it does have real potential to be amazing, even if you have never played the game. Jones has picked out a really stand out cast consisting of Ben Foster, Toby Kebbell and Dominic Cooper, an actor for me who has been waiting for the right role to really make him the star he can be. So Jones has got me interested, I just hope the first trailer offers enough to get enough people interested as well.

1. Rian Johnson

Johnson shot to fame in 2005 with his high school come film noir flick, Brick, wowed the Jury at Sundance. Johnson's debut displayed his ability to mold together two completely different genres and create one fantastic film. It wasn't only his ability to mold but also Johnson has the ability to tell a great story and visualize it with ease. The dialogue in Brick echos the novels of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, while the back drop looked more like a John Hughes film. Johnson followed Brick with The Brothers Bloom, starring Mark Ruffalo and Adrien Brody as two con men on one final job. If Brick should what Johnson could do, then The Brothers Bloom demonstrated what Johnson shouldn't do. It didn't have the intelligence or quality that made his debut such a unique film. For his third film, Johnson looked to a short script he had been playing about with for over a decade, Looper. Looper reunited Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Johnson for the first time since Brick. Johnson's time travel film had Levitt facing off his future self, played by Bruce Willis, with some immense action scenes on the way. Looper may not have been what everyone expected and some people enjoyed picking out plot holes rather then enjoy the film but it demonstrated the promise that Johnson had shown in Brick. Give it a few years and it won't be long till Johnson becomes massive.



2. Shane Carruth

Shane Carruth can lay claim to one of have making one of the best science fiction films of the last decade. Carruth's debut Primer is so uniquely brilliant that it is difficult to describe without pouring out endless praise for Carruth. Primer centres around a group of engineers who attempt to build a machine that reduces mass yet somehow create a time machine. To explain the rest of the film would take away the film's surprises but in all honesty, the intelligence that Carruth puts into the film makes it difficult to explain exactly what happens. If you know someone who has seen Primer and they say they understood it, they are lying. The feat is made far more impressive when you learn that Carruth made the film for a micro budget of just $7,000 and went onto win the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Carruth returned to our screens this year after a long haitus in which the director tried to build up funds for his next film, Upstream Color. Judging from the trailer the film is just as intelligent as Primer and thoroughly ambiguous. Without doubt, Carruth is one of the most intelligent and unique directors working in film today.  









3. Mike Cahill 

Much like Rian Johnson can lay claim to the fame of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's now immense fame, so can Mike Cahill for the attention that Brit Marling is attracting these days. Cahill's debut and first collaboration with Marling was back in 2004 with Boxers and Ballerinas, in which Marling shared writing and directing credit with Cahill. Boxers and Ballerinas takes place over two years in which the film explores the conflict between Cuba and America, through the eyes of four children sharing parallel lives. Yet it wasn't till Another Earth in 2011 that the partnership of Marling and Cahill really took off. Another Earth told the intimate story of Rhoda, played by Marling, in which a traumatic event alters her life and the only chance of salvation is winning a ticket to a new parallel Earth. The concept is as inspiring as the final film which manages to pull of such an epic idea with a great feeling of intimacy. Marling has gone to shine in The Sound of my Voice but whatever Cahill decides to follow up with will no doubt be as epically intimate.     







4. Jeff Nichols

Having written and directed two films starring Michael Shannon and Matthew McConaguhey, Nichols is will on his way to becoming one of Hollywood's hottest directors. Nichols made a name for himself with Shotgun Stories in 2007, in which Michael Shannon plays Son whose family falls apart after the death of their father. It wasn't till 2011 though, till Nichols really got to show what he was capable of with his psychological thriller, Take Shelter. Again, starring Michael Shannon as Curtis an everyman character who has hallucinations and dreams of an apocalyptic storm. The film boasts some of the most beautiful visuals of any film in the last few years with some immensely strong performances from Shannon and Jessica Chastain, as Curtis' wife. Nichols has followed Take Shelter with Mud, starring Matthew McConaughey, and centres around McConaughey's Mud and escaped convict hiding out on the Mississippi river. After reading some of the reviews of Mud, whatever Nichols does next, it will undoubtedly be worth watching.





5. David Michod

Michod's 2010 Aussie gangster film, Animal Kingdom, is easily one of the greatest films, if not the greatest film to have come from down under in the last few decades. Animal Kingdom tells the story of J, played by newcomer James Frecheville, who after the death of his mother moves in with his family, a group of bank robbers. It doesn't take long till J. Michod's debut can claim the fame for Joel Edgerton's rise through the Hollywood ranks and Ben Mendelson's presence in the likes of The Dark Knight Rises and The Place Beyond the Pines. It also gained Jacki Weaver's first ever Oscar nomination as her portrayal of the families' fierce matriarch. Michod follows up from his strong debut this year with The Rover, set in a futuristic Australia in which Michod regular Guy Pierce attempts ot get back his last possesion from a gang of dangerous criminals. Pierce is assisted by Robert Pattinson's Rey but don't expect this to be some teen flick if it packs half the velocity of Animal Kingdom then Hollywood will keep a keen eye on Michod for the forthcoming future.

Top ten directors for Bond 24

The recent news about director Sam Mendes dropping out of directing the next James Bond has sparked up the question of who will take his place in the directors chair. Helmed by Mendes, Skyfall managed to perform far better then anyone could ever have imagined, quickly becoming the most successful British film ever. Well done Mendes. Of course, Mendes may not have been the director you would typically associate with the Bond franchise. Yet, with the help of cinematographer Roger Deakins, Mendes managed to create arguably the best, defiantly the most visually rewarding, Bond film ever. So after Mendes' immense success, who is brave enough to take Bond in a new direction?

1. Christopher Nolan

Yes? Nolan has expressed his desire to make his own  Bond film and his previous film have never shied away from Bond inspiration on the director. The best example is his mind bending, science fiction flick, Inception. Nolan's 2010 film really exhibited the director's ability to handle large, expensive set pieces while still being able to stamp his unique visual style. The Dark Knight director also knows how to breath new life in a dead franchise, Batman was remembered as tacky, spandex cape douche but Nolan managed to recreate Batman into an intelligent summer blockbuster that sits comfortably in most people's top ten list.

No? Nolan's post-Dark Knight directing career starts with time-travelling, mind bending science fiction, Intersteallar. As well as producing Zack Snyder's summer blockbuster Man of Steel, which if successful will spawn into a trilogy. Nolan has also recently been linked to a producing role in DC's attempt at getting the Justice League of America off the comic book shelves and into the cinemas. Depending on whether DC can pull it off, Nolan's diary looks pretty full for the next few years, leaving him no time to make his own mark on the Bond franchise.

2. Quentin Tarantino

Yes? Tarantino is another director that has never kept his love of Bond a secret. His name seems to feature in most people's list to direct most films, even Star Wars. But Tarantino has always had a knack for action set pieces, the diamond heist in Reservoir Dogs is a subtle example of the director's ability. His also always exhibited a talent for storytelling, a director who can handle a script as well as he can handle a camera is essential. And that is just what is needed to take Bond in to a new direction.

No? Probably not, Tarantino's real Bond dream was to direct Casino Royale. Not in the same way Martin Campbell did but instead as a period piece set in the 1960s in which James is still played by Pierce Brosnan alongside Tarantino regular, Uma Thurman. It's unlikely an auteur like Tarantino would take on the role, especially after where Skyfall left off. Unless you want a Bond filled to the brim with Tarantino's typical violent style and pastiche style story telling, then leave Tarantino on the list and not in the director's chair.

3. Kathryn Bigelow

Yes? Bigelow has all the credentials to take on the next Bond film. Bigelow made a name of herself with action thriller, Point Break. Bigelow continued to perform with Oscar-winning war drama The Hurt Locker. Much like Mendes managed to balance action and drama,Bigelow's award favourite managed to balance explosive action scenes as well as maintaining a hold over the emotional. Bigelow could really be a strong contender for the job.

No? In 50 years of the franchise exsistance, 11 people have directed Bond yet none have been female. It's not only her sex that would hold Bigelow back but after taking on Bin Laden based drama, Zero Dark Thirty, which accumulated so much controversy in the awards season. Could make her sick of spy/espionage theme and want her to take on something a little different .  

4. Duncan Jones

Yes? Son of David Bowie, Jones would be high on anyone's list and there is good reason. Jones' debut, Moon. Although Moon didn't exhibit the director's knack for handling action set pieces but Jones' follow up, Source Code, in 2010 made up for Moon's lack of action. With a Ian Fleming Biopic on the way, Jones' love of Bond is no secret and if he could continue his great streak a Bond helmed by Jones could be the perfect follow-up to Mendes' Skyfall.

No? Jones has just been signed up to direct the film adaptation of World of Warcraft and if successful would no doubt expand into a franchise. So Jones would no doubt be tied up for the next few years trying to tie down the massively popular franchise. Warcraft isnt all Jones has got in the pipeline, he is set to direct a Ian Fleming biopic, it would seem unachievable for such a young director to oscillate between three rather demanding projects.

5. Matthew Vaughn

Yes? Vaughn is not a director that is limited by genre and seems to be fearless when taking on new projects. After cutting his teeth producing Guy Ritchie films, Vaughn went on to direct the likes of Layer Cake, Stardust and Kick-Ass, three brilliant examples of Vaughn's wide spread directorial abilities. So Vaughn has more then enough talent and experience, having already directed Craig in Layer Cake and revitalizing a dormant franchise in X-Men: First Class, to create a post-Skyfall Bond.

No? It really is difficult to cite any reasons why Vaughn would not be picked for the job, it's not like J.J. Abrams is running for it. There is a possbility that he could get pit to the post by a more established director such as Bigelow or Nolan who would have more experience, especially Nolan's experience with a franchise. But Vaughn exhibits all the signs of taking on the role, after all he did manage to get Daniel Craig the role of Bond. 

6. Joe Wright

Yes? Despite Wright's more literary credentials, he helmed the action flick Hanna with some brilliant action scenes, that would be enough to swing most people's opinion of the director. Also Wright regular, Keira Knightley could be persuaded, from starring in Kenneth Brannagh's Jack Ryan, to be Bond's love interest in Bond 24th. Wright may not be your first go to guy to take Bond in a new direction but who'd have thought Mendes could have made Skyfall?

No? Despite Hanna, Wright isnt the first director that would spring to mind when thinking of an action film. The director made his name directing period pieces in the form of Pride and Prejudice and Anna Keriana. Due to his little experience handling big, expensive set pieces it may not be Wright's time to take on the project. 

7. Jacques Audiard 

Yes? French director, Jacques Audiard, made a name for himself in 2009 with the gritty, gangster film A Prophet, which went onto be nominated for an Oscar and BAFTA.You might know him from last year's drama Rust and Bone starring the likes of Marion Cotillard. Much like Mendes, Audiard has an impressive stylistic talent that would make his Bond a beauty to be hold. Also with the cast undecided, Audiard could bring in Cotillard as Bond's new love interest. She more then held her own in Inception, it would really be an artistic take on Bond.

No? A foreign director has never, officially, directed a Bond film. So this would do Audiard no favors if he wanted to get the job in the first place. Also he is a very little known director. Although Mendes may not have been at the top of everyone's lists for directing Bond but he was an established and well known director. On the back of such a successful film, the producers may want to choose a more popular director. 

8. Danny Boyle

Yes? Boyle is one of the few handful of directors working in the business that is working at the top of his game. Much like Vaughn as well, Boyle has never been limited by genre. Boyle is the same director who adapted Irvine Welsh's drug filled Edinburgh drama, Trainspotting, and also the same director who made science fiction film Sunshine. Boyle's new feature, Trance, exhibits his talent for more action based drama.

No? In a recent interview with Radio 4, Boyle said "Don't trust me with huge amounts of money anybody". Pretty much a no then. It would seem that the big budget that Bond would have to have would be out of Boyle's comfort zone. Baring in mind, Boyle has taken on Hollywood projects with big budgets such as The Beach, which wasnt a terrible film but sits rather uncomfrtably in the director's collection. As well as 90s comedy A Life Less Ordianry, starring then Boyle favourite Ewan McGregor alongside Cameron Diaz, the less said the better.  

9. Nicolas Winding Refn

Yes? You might of heard Nicolas Winding Refn's name from his critically acclaimed action-noir, Drive. Refn has the action credentials that could get him the gig, with is early Pusher trilogy, his Nordic silent drama Valhalla Rising and ultra violent British Bronson. The director has never hidden his strong visual talent that would really give Bond 24 an edge over it's predecessors, just the ten minute car chase in Drive is enough to visualize Refn's Bond.With a killer soundtrack, no doubt some 80s snyth-pop, Refn could really be what Broccoli is looking for. 

No? Refn's calendar seems pretty booked up in the next few years. He has completed his next film with Gosling, Only God Forgives set for release this Spring. As well as a remake of 1980s science fiction film, Logan's Run. Despite Gosling dropping out of Refn's remake, the director is still going ahead with the film. The film's unknown release date and the original film's premise should have Refn tied to the project for a long time to come. Also Refn has also been rumored to be attached to a whole bunch of other films such as sequel to Drive, Driven. Although the idea of seeing a Bond film where his Prada or Armani shoes just demolished a henchman's skull in a lift would be interesting and unforgettable. What a pity.

10. Tomas Alfredson

Yes? With the likes of Let the right one in and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Alfredson has established himself as an original director with a strong directing style. Tinker, Tailor especially exhibits the director's strong style that could make Bond 24 a real masterpiece. His adaptation of John Le Carre's novel displays his ability to adapt a spy novel, just the write credentials for the next Bond director.

No? Alfredson could suffer the same fate as Audiard and Refn due to his nationality. Despite directing the brilliant Tinker, Tailor, Alfredson has never exhibited a talent for action set pieces so the idea of him handling Bond seems a bit out of reach. 

Whose set for the director's chair?

Since the news of new Star Wars films on the horizon, film lovers and Star Wars fans have been biting their nails with the news of who will direct the 7th film in the franchise. As is normal procedure the web as become alive with peoples views of who should and shouldn't and who would and wouldn't. Especially since the news of Michael Arndt, Oscar winning writer Little Miss Sunshine and Toy Story 3, set to pen the script for the new installment.

Many directors' names have been thrown about in the arguments of who should be the next director of the saga. Typically Steven Spielberg's name was mentioned a lot in the discussions but he replied saying "It's not my genre. Its my friend's George's genre". And it is no surprise that Spielberg wouldn't want to take the task on. He recently just finished his biopic of Abraham Lincoln which is set to be released in January, he is directing Roboapolycpse for release in 2014. A film that seems to be a monumental task to bring to the screen. As well he is producing the next two installments of the Tintin trilogy, the fourth Jurassic Park (if that ever gets out of the writing stage) and the untitled fourth Transformers. As well Spielberg has reached the status of being able to freely pick whatever he wants to make and the task of attaching yourself to another franchise to direct three films seems simply insane. So Spielberg would seem like a very logical choice but the task seems to big for Spielberg with his calendar pretty much full. Another name that was mentioned was Mission Impossible 4's Brad Bird. Speculation of Bird's involvement in the new project blossomed when it was announced that in May he was set to direct Disney's 1952 and many fans conjured up the idea that Bird's new film was in fact a hidden name for the new Star Wars film. But 1952 was scripted by Damon Lindelof and Jeff Jensen, so Bird's involvement was simple speculation.

One of the best confessions of denial have to come from Tarantino, who when asked if he was set to direct the new Star Wars film replied with "I could so care less. No, sorry. Especially if Disney’s going to do it. I’m not interested in the Simon West version of Star Wars." So Tarantino can be quickly ruled out the list. Another popular choice was 300 and Watchmen's director Zack Snyder. Its obvious to see where this speculation has come from, Snyder has made quite a reputation for himself with films like 300 and Sucker Punch with effects driven, action based fantasy films. But Snyder's dynamic style would struggle to fit the Star Wars structure, it would be a completely different take and visual style then has previously been exhibited in the franchise. As well Snyder has only just finishing the new Superman film, Man of Steel, which if the trailer is anything to go by a complete overhaul of Snyder's typical style with a stronger focus on realism. A not too unorthodox option would be J.J. Abrams, director of Stark Trek and Super 8, much like Snyder's appeal to the fans with his big budget blockbusters and effects, Abrams is a pretty safe bet to helm the next set of films. Although fans may be dissapointed to know that the director has denied any claims to being attached to the film stating to The Hollywood Reporter that “I almost feel that, in a weird way, the opportunity for whomever it is to direct that movie, it comes with the burden of being that kind of iconic movie and series." It is not difficult to understand Abrams' hesitation in taking on another franchise due to his involvement in Star Trek and personal projects his likely to want to take on.

Guillermo Del Toro may be a bit of an odd choice to direct the new Star Wars. His films such Hellboy and Pans Labyrinth are fantastical tales with warped and weird creatures, much like Star Wars. The director said he hasn't been approached to do the film, only that his heard rumors of his name being thrown about, so his involvement would seem unlikely to say the less. And he as only just finished his new film Pacific Rim, which seems if makes enough at the box office could warrant a new franchise. Although it would demonstrate a bold move if they had picked Del Toro who would more then likely create a beautiful universe to sit alongside the originals. With no surprise Joss Whedon's name has been thrown into the mix. After his super, massive successful summer blockbuster, The Avengers, his name was going to appear on people's lists no matter what. But it seems heavily unlikely that his participation would be possible, with his commitments to the Marvel phase two being to strong and with Avengers 2 set for release the same year as Star Wars 7 would make it impossible for Whedon to be flexible enough to do both. And worse still, if he couldn't do Avengers 2 for the sake of Star Wars 7 it wouldn't be surprising if the sequel heavily felt his absence.

Of course there are obvious and boring candidates whose names are common throughout blog sites. Jon Favreau being one of them. Having directed Cowboys and Aliens and Iron man, Favreau is very much an in house director for Disney but in my opinion his a particularly dull, easy choice for Disney to choose. He doesn't have a particular style that would make the new film stand out in any manner. Christopher Nolan was another rather obvious candidate for the job. Not to say his a boring director in any way but it would be a travesty for Nolan's massive creative potential to be ruined by attaching himself to another franchise. His Batman trilogy, although massively celebrated, had nothing on Nolan's separate body of work such as Inception and Following, in which Nolan expressed his potential. And it would appear that he feels the same with the recent news that he wants to have more creative control over his next films and it would be uncharacteristic of Disney to allow Nolan mass amounts of creative control. The possibilities of Nolan's future films are endless and incredibly exciting.

Although its not likely Disney could throw a curve ball and catch people out with their choice.Three directors who spring to my mind as left field choices would be Shane Carruth, Mike Cahill and Rian Johnson. Carruth's 2004 indie film Primer was a tour de force of imagination and talent, despite not receiving the massive amount of release it should have been gifted to it went unnoticed and Carruth has struggled to get his other projects off the ground. So its pretty much a dead cert that Carruth would be nowhere on Disney's list, his lack of big budget and his lack of fame would be a straight turn off for Disney. But their lose, Carruth is most definitely my favorite new director. Cahill as well is probably not to be found on Disney's list of candidates and its a real shame. Cahill wrote and directed, as well as being his own Director of photography, 2011 Another Earth. Which a lot like Primer was released on limited release with a very indie following. Yet it exhibited a new wave of science fiction, in the same vein as Duncan Jones' Moon. But sadly Cahill's inexperience would defiantly shine through, although Another Earth fails at being flawless Cahill is one to watch. Rian Johnson has more possibility then either Cahill or Carruth. More so this year then ever after his autumn release of Looper, an intelligent science ficiton film concerning time travel and hit men. Johnson demonstrated he could helm a medium sized budget science fiction films with popular and great response but that would likely be his downfall as well. Johnson has never done a massive film, like Star Wars 7 would be, so despite his massive amount of talent would likely be over looked.

David Lynch, this is a name I haven't heard in anyone';s discussions and it may not be as obscure as you would think. George Lucas himself approached Lynch, after seeing Lnych's 1984 adaptation of Dune, and offered him the role of director on The Return of the Jedi but Lynch turned it down and went on to make Blue Velvet. But it ignites the imagination thinking of a world in which David Lynch managed to direct a Star Wars film. Whether it would have been helmed in a bit and dulled down or Lynch had managed to make his film, I can only imagine it being completely bizarre with Luke's inner consciousness explored in Lynchian fashion, it would have been an amazing experience even if it had turned out like Dune. But his inclusion in this list is simply for my own self satisfaction, if Lynch turned down Jedi then he would presumably do the same for the 7th although Disney doesn't have the balls to appoint a great director like Lynch to the point of director.

The two best candidates in my opinion are Matthew Vaughn, director of Layer Cake and Kick-ass and Duncan Jones' director of Moon and Source Code. The speculation surrounding Vaughn's involvement was born when he turned down the X-MEN first class film as well as turning down the sequel to Kick-Ass. So there is real evidence that Vaughan could be the man for the job. Layer Cake established he had the ability to create a film with great class and style, X-MEN displayed his ability to reboot an already dead franchise in perfect fashion and Kick-Ass demonstrated he has balls. Jones' CV for potential candidate is an obvious one. Under his belt, Jones has two strong science fiction films. Moon a film that harks back to such classic science fiction as Silent Running and 2001, demonstrated that Jones had the ability to create amazing looking films and manage to have an original idea at the heart. He continued this with his follow-up Source Code, which cemented his science fiction credentials and exhibited his ability to make a strong science fiction yet still manage to harvest originality. Jones for me, is the perfect choice with his ability to stun his audience visually with a smart and intriguing visual presence as well as engaging them mentally with smart and intriguing storytelling. So for me Jones is Disney's best bet in rebooting the Star Wars Franchise with a new, more stylized visual atheistic to award the beloved fans,