I don’t know if it’s the strength of Fitzgerald’s novel or Luhrman’s good understanding of it, but this is a far better adaptation than I was expecting.

In case you weren’t in an American high school, The Great Gatsby follows Nick Carraway (played here by Tobey Maguire), a bond trader moved to New York from the Midwest. He purchases a small house in West Egg, a suburb of New York City, and lives across the bay from his cousin Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) and her husband, Nick’s college friend, Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). Nick’s neighbor is the mysterious Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), a playboy who’d be notable for the monstrous parties he throws each weekend were it not for the cryptic means through which he funds them.

Nick attends one of Gatsby’s parties, swept up with intrigue and confusion about his host — hearing rumors of his relation to the Kaiser; tales of his work as a spy; whispers of his past at Oxford — many of them from his new acquaintance Jordan Baker (Elizabeth Debicki), female golfer and social gossipista.

Eventually he runs into Gatsby, who appears at Gershwin’s moment of climax during Rhapsody in Blue. The two stir a friendship and small details of Gatsby’s history begin to drip out. He came from a wealthy family. He’s a hero of World War I. He’s…story after story. And, years ago, he was desperately in love with Daisy. But the war and school and other things kept them apart, leaving Tom to claim her. Gatsby’s convinced that, given some time with his lost love, he could convince her to leave her husband and marry him. It’s a solid plan, especially seeing as how Tom is not particularly discreet about his own affairs. But buried beneath this romance is…

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This should be happy news, but I don’t think it is. Warner Bros. has aquired the movie rights to Dungeons & Dragons and are developing a feature film version.

I’m trying to be optimistic here but this development brings up several important questions, especially this one: what’s the story? If you know anything about D&D, and I would bet most Warner execs don’t, it’s not a game with one, set story. It’s a game where players basically make up the story as they go along.

Sure, there’s some common elements like the various character races, occupations and such, and the Dungeon Master certainly plans out some of what might happen during the game, but the rest unforlds on it’s own as the game progresses. In other words, simply saying “We’re making a D&D movie” doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense.

But that doesn’t really surprise me. Warner Bros. just wants its own Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings and to them D&D is the same thing and a name they can exploit.

To answer the story question (and this doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence either), the studio is apparently going to use an existing script by Wrath Of The Titans and Red Riding Hood writer David Leslie Johnson. That script is called Chainmail and is reportedly based on the game Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson thought up before they created D&D.

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Fans of excellent animated superhero adventures are in for a treat today as Warner Bros. is releasing the next installment of their DC Universe animated original movie series. This one, called Superman: Unbound, looks to be great fun and we’ve got some preview images and a video clip to share with you today.

The movie “is based on the Geoff Johns/Gary Frank 2008 release Superman: Brainiac and features the Man of Steel aptly handling day-to-day crime while helping acclimate Supergirl to Earth’s customs and managing Lois Lane’s expectations for their relationship. Personal issues take a back seat when the horrific force responsible for the destruction of Krypton – Brainiac – begins his descent upon Earth.

Brainiac has crossed the universe, collecting cities from interesting planets – including Supergirl’s home city of Kandor – and now the all-knowing, ever-improving android has his sights fixed on Metropolis. Superman must summon all of his physical and intellectual resources to protect his city, the love of his life and his newly-arrived cousin.”

Superman: Unbound arrives today on Blu-ray, DVD, On Demand. Check out the preview and all the pics after the jump.

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Today has already seen a couple new trailers arrive. We’ve always found that more trailers get relased on a Tuesday than a Monday. But heck, maybe things are changing? Or, Warner Bros. just can’t contain this particular one any longer.

The one in question is the latest for Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim which, to say the least, looks pretty darn exciting. We say that in large part due to its premise: Monsters vs. Giant Robots. Well, not robots exactly, more like mech. Still, it’s pretty darn cool.

This particular trailer was first seen at WonderCon last month, but now it’s available for all. That doesn’t mean it’s any less awesome. In fact, seeing it again now we’re reminded of how much we’re really looking forward to this one.

Check out the trailer after rthe break. Look for Pacific Rim in theaters on July 12.

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If you’ve been waiting for a brand new, awesome, online combat game featuring a cast of your favorite DC superheroes and villains, you’re wait is at an end. That’s right, Warner Bros. announced today the debut of their new game franchise: Injustice: Gods Among Us.

For all the scoop, check out the official press release below:

BURBANK, Calif. – April 16, 2013 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced the North American launch of Injustice: Gods Among Us for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Wii U™ system.

Developed by award-winning NetherRealm Studios, Injustice: Gods Among Us introduces a new franchise in the fighting game genre and a brand new story created in collaboration between NetherRealm Studios, DC Entertainment and comic book writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti. As the story unfolds, players will experience the power, gadgetry and unparalleled strength of some the most popular DC Comics heroes and villains, such as Batman, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Aquaman, The Joker and others, as they engage in epic battles in a world where the line between good and evil is blurred.

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Sometimes, when things in Hollywood are going too slow or the powers that be just can’t seem to get their shit together, somebody has to step up and take charge. In the case of a big screen Wonder Woman movie, that somebody is director Jesse V. Johnson.

Frustrated with the lack of progress on a studio adaptation of the beloved DC Comics character, Johnson decided to assemble a group of collaborators and make a trailer for a Wonder Woman movie he wanted to see. The result is pure action-packed, ass-kicking fun.

We hope Hollywood is watching. Check out all the action after the break.

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To be honest, we’re not sure if this looks good or not. We’re also not entirely sure if the world needs (or wants) a movie like this at all.

Still, there’s a new trailer for Jack the Giant Slayer and we’ve got it for you. It doesn’t really matter what we think. You deserve to see it, so that’s that. Plus, it seems to have a good cast and a director who’s made some good films, so. . .

Check it out after the break. Look for Jack the Giant Slayer in theaters on March 1.

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Last week when I spoke about the looming doom that is Man of Steel I might not been clear what I was so worried about. I was not convinced Man of Steel itself was going to be a bad film, I was more worried about what the creative choices of the new Superman movie would mean for the immediate future of the DC cinematic universe.

It looks as if those fears have just been given an unfortunate boost. Rumors are flying that Warner Brothers is about to toss out their current Justice League script because it apparently sucks. Badass Digest is reporting that new writers are on order as the current script is as good as trash:

I’ve now heard from multiple sources that the Will Beall script for Justice League has been scrapped. The story from each source is the same: it’s terrible. Some sources seem to think the whole movie is going to fall apart and never happen, while some believe that Warner Bros will keep moving forward, unwilling to lose the superhero arms race.

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Walter Hill and Sylvester Stallone? I’m in. Walter Hill and Louisiana? Double in. Christian Slater and Mr. Eko as the bad guys and explosions and huge flailing boobies? This is already the best movie of the year.

What’s there to say? Stallone is Jimmy Bobo, a Louisiana-based hitman whose latest job goes south after his partner is taken out. If that’s not enough, the former partner of their target (Sung Kang) heads down to the bayou to find out who set up the hit.

After a brief ruckus in the parking garage, the two team up despite a mutual dislike. The investigation uncovers a web of corruption that apparently everyone in New Orleans is in on, from the jazz bands prowling the filthy streets to the cultural elite, ably represented by Marcus Baptiste (Christian Slater) and Morel (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje).

Add to that Stallone’s incredibly sexy daughter (Sarah Shahi) — the tattoo artist who can kick some tail on her own, an angry, knife-wielding henchman, and exploding houses, and you have the plot of the movie.

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As of the time of this writing it is still January, 2013 and all we have seen from Zack Snyder’s Superman film is a couple of teasers and a couple of posters. Why then, you ponder, am I already dismissing the film as a misstep from the Brothers Warner?

I am ready to cast off hopeful anticipation of this film because yesterday the final nail in the coffin was resoundingly hammered in. David S. Goyer spoke to Empire Magazine and had this to say:

“We’re approaching Superman as if it weren’t a comic book movie as if it were real…  I adore the Donner films. Absolutely adore them. It just struck me that there was an idealist quality to them that may or may not work with today’s audience. It just struck me that if Superman really existed in the world, first of all this story would be a story about first contact. He’s an alien. You can easily imagine a scenario in which we’d be doing a film like E.T., as opposed to him running around in tights. If the world found out he existed, it would be the biggest thing that ever happened in human history.”

Soak that in boys and girls, the most iconic comic book character of all time is going to be presented (once again) as if he were not a comic book character starring in a comic book movie.

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With the successes of Nolan’s Batman trilogy and his involvement in the upcoming Man of Steel, it seemed like Nolan was going to be getting the Joss Whedon treatment with the DC movies moving forward. Though no director or producers have been formerly assigned to the Justice League movie, it was assumed that Nolan would have some level of involvement in it. But it seems that Warner Bros. faith in their own franchise isn’t as strong as the fans would hope to believe.

Variety has stated that “Warner’s top brass has indicated that they are awaiting results of Man of Steel, which opens June 14, before moving further ahead.” Now while this doesn’t specify the exact results they are looking for, it is a very worrisome statement to hear Warner already discussing Man of Steel in this way as well as the future of the Justice League movie with it.

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There’s only one word to use when describing this Lego trailer for Zack Snyder’s upcoming Man of Steel: Awesome. We love it and can’t wait to share it with you.

After having seen the original trailer several times, this is an extremely clever way to make the trailer work with Lego. The man responsible, Antonio Toscano, deserves all the accolades he’s sure to get once this things blows up.

Yep, it’s that good. Check it out after the break. Sadly, we won’t get to see the movie with the title that comes up at the end of this trailer. At least ww don’t think so. Although, that would be pretty damn cool.

Instead, look for the live-action Man of Steel to arrive in theaters on June 14th.

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Of all places to see the latest trailer for Guillermo Del Toro’s latest Pacific Rim, most people wouldn’t expect the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. But, low and behold, that’s where it came from. Much like the trailer explains that everyone looked to the skies for aliens only to find them underwater, this trailer surprised everyone when it was premiered at an electronics show, of all places.

There isn’t much explanation needed for Pacific Rim. The premise is simple but still something that if you are a fan of The Flickcast you’ll most likely love. Giant robots versus giant monsters. There’s a reason that certain film franchises are still so beloved over a half a century old that people keep revisiting them. People like big monsters and if they aren’t fighting other big monsters, people want to see big robots kicking their butts.

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You can say a great many things about The Dark Knight Rises, but brisk is not one of them. The film is long, and while it might not feel like nearly three hours long, it does feel well over two. Which is noticeable when the last third of this long film somehow felt rushed and bloated all at the same time.

Which is why the rumor coming out of Nuke The Fridge holds a tiny shred of merit. The movie feels like it does have scenes, or at least extensions of scenes on the cutting room floor:

Sources have informed Nuke the Fridge that not only is a Director’s Cut being developed by Warner Bros. for “The Dark Knight Rises,” but it’s going to include Bane’s origin plus a bit more screentime for Ra’s Al Ghul (Liam Neeson) which were omitted from the current theatrical cut of the movie.

Generally, director Christopher Nolan does not believe in director’s cuts, and he allegedly also has final cut on his films these days, so our first reaction to this talk was complete dismissal. Then, as you think back on the flawed final Bat-film, it kind of actually makes sense. Especially if the sources are to be believed and the major additions are Bane’s back story and more Ra’s.

Right now the smart thing to do would be to file this under B for ‘believe it when we see it’, but keep tuned to The Flickcast for any future confirmations or denials about a Dark Knight Rises director’s cut.

The Hobbit is now a trilogy, we all know that now and most of us have made our peace with that very surprising news. Where there were two films now there are three, and one of the more important and simple things a film needs when it is announced is a title and a release date. Few films are brazen enough to release with out a title and a release date, and it seems the third Hobbit will not be as well.

The third film will now be known as The Hobbit: There and Back Again, sharp readers will no doubt recognize that title as the one for the second Hobbit film. Seeing as how that title has some sense of finality to it, they shipped it over to the third film which means the second film will now need a new moniker, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smuag.

This new title was expected, but it does seem to confirm how Peter Jackson and company are splitting the known portion of the narrative. The second film will likely climax with the confrontation with the dragon Smaug and the third film will be the epic Battle of the Five Armies. It was always considered tricky how they would do both justice in one film, so there is a small since relief knowing that both rather large events will have time to breathe on-screen.

As for the release date, the third and final(?) Hobbit film will buck all trends and reason and release July 18th 2014. This allows a Peter Jackson middle earth film to test the Summer blockbuster waters for the first time ever.

Stay tuned to The Flickcast for any more Hobbit based news bits as the first film gets closer and closer.