Popcorn!

Today's film news column (by yours truly) from The Irish Independent...

Anthony Hopkins to spend some Arabian Nights
Fresh from his scenery chewing turn in The Wolfman, and shortly after he finishes playing Odin in Kenneth Branagh’s Thor, Anthony Hopkins will work on Arabian Nights. The Welshman is in final negotiations to play the villain in Chuck Russell’s period action movie. It’s unlikely that the film or Hopkins’ performance will be a vision of restraint. Heat Vision reports that: “Hopkins will play Pharotu, an evil sorcerer who killed Sinbad’s love, a mermaid, and is looking to amass more magic for himself.”


Farrell returns to studio fold
Having shied away from big-budget work for the last few years, Colin Farrell will return to Hollywood for at least two major studio films. The reasonably reliable Deadline.com claims that he’s about to star as a vampire in a remake of the beloved 80s horror/comedy, Fright Night. The (ahem) revamp will also star Toni Collette. Following that, Farrell will star in the black comedy Horrible Bosses opposite Paul Rudd.

Danny Dyer claims he was misquoted
Actor/presenter and columnist Danny Dyer (The Football Factory, Severance) has had a disagreement with one of his employers, Zoo magazine. Dyer writes an agony uncle column for the lad-mag, but claims that he was misquoted. The contentious advice to a heartbroken reader was: “I'd suggest going out on a rampage with the boys, getting on the booze and smashing anything that moves. Then, when some bird falls for you, you can turn the tables and break her heart. Of course, the other option is to cut your ex's face, and then no one will want her."



Rza brings his Iron Fists to Universal
Rza, the rapper, actor, soundtrack composer and founding member of Wu Tang Clan, is making his directorial debut for Universal. The Man with the Iron Fists will feature the musician as a blacksmith in a village in feudal China: Before you know it, the peaceful villagers are forced to take up arms and everybody is kung-fu fighting. Rza worked on the soundtracks to Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill films and has acted in Derailed, Repo Men and Funny People. His new opus will be produced and co-written by Eli Roth (Hostel).

Pac Man movie rumoured
Meanwhile, over at the bad ideas desk…producer Avi Arad, the former boss of Marvel Studios, is in talks with Bandai to produce a film based on the 30-year-old videogame Pac Man. The rumours began when it was announced that Arad would act as an executive adviser/consultant for the gaming company. A statement from Bandai said: "We plan to ask Mr. Arad for advice on content creation and worldwide development of games, video pictures, music and other content business in general, and on strengthening our overseas Toys and Hobby business."


Lena Horne 1917-2010
It would be a very different world indeed if Lena Horne had never existed. In the 1940s, she was one of the first black singers with a major white band, the first to perform at the famous Copacabana nightclub, and the first to sign a long-term Hollywood contract. She was also a vocal and passionate advocate for civil rights in the 1960s. Her signature song, the title track from her movie musical Stormy Weather, is 67-years-old and still sounds as fresh as a daisy.