On Gear Live: Samsung S95C: The OLED TV You Can’t Afford (to Ignore!)

Robert Downey Jr. to Return for ‘Iron Man 4’

Robert Downey Jr. as Iron ManRobert Downey Jr. will return for Iron Man 4. The 48-year-old actor has thus far refused to confirm if he will make another movie in the successful franchise, but director Shane Black is confident Robert will return for at least one more outing as Tony Stark/Iron Man.

Speaking at the Iron Man 3 UK premiere at Odeon Leicester Square in London on Thursday, Shane told BANG Showbiz, "I think he'll be back for another one. I'm sure of it."

Co-star Ben Kingsley heaped praise on Robert for his portrayal of the billionaire businessman turned superhero: "I think what the film examines, thanks to Robert Downey Jr.'s wonderful sense of performance is, you have the iron suit and the man inside it. Which is which? Which is the more powerful? Is it the guy inside the suit, or is it the suit itself?"

Meanwhile, Rebecca Hall, who plays Maya Hansen, couldn't hide her delight at joining the cast.

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Ben Kingsley to Star in Iron Man 3

Ben KingsleyBen Kingsley is to appear in Iron Man 3. The Hugo actor is in final negotiations to star in the forthcoming Marvel blockbuster as an enemy of Tony Stark/Iron Man - played by Robert Downey Jr. - though the exact details of the character are being kept under wraps.

Variety, however, reports the villain is expected involved in the spread of a virus through nanobots because the film is believed to be loosely based on the 2005 Extremis comicbook series. News of the story arc may disappoint some fans as it had previously been speculated the next movie in the series would see the titular character take on his original archenemy the Mandarin, a wealthy Chinese scientist and martial arts exert who backed the warlord who imprisoned Stark.

Jon Favreau - who directed the first two films in the franchise - had previously expressed an interest in exploring the character, but he has moved on from the series, with Shane Black at the helm of Iron Man 3. Shane is also co-writing the script with Drew Pearce.

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Harrison Ford Signs Up For Ender’s Game

Harrison FordHarrison Ford has signed up to star in Ender's Game.

The Indiana Jones actor will take on the role of Colonel Hyram Graff in the sci-fi movie, which will be directed by Gavin Hood. Ford will appear alongside Sir Ben Kingsley, Hailee Syeinfeld, Abigail Breslin and Asa Butterfield.

Hood has adapted Orson Scott Card's classic sci-fi novel and Butterfield will take on the lead role of Ender Wiggin, a prodigy who becomes part of mankind's war against an alien race known as the Formics. Rising quickly through the ranks at the Battle School, Ender is revealed as a master tactician. Hailee will play fellow school warrior Petra Arkanian, Breslin will take on the role of Ender's older sister Valentine and Kingsley is aboard to play Mazer Rackham, a legendary war hero many had thought was dead.

Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci - who recently wrote the Star Trek sequel - have signed on as producers and shooting is set to start in February.


Ben Kingsley in Talks for Ender’s Game

Ben KingsleySir Ben Kingsley is in talks to join Ender's Game. The British actor would appear alongside his Hugo co-star Asa Butterfield should he sign up to the project, an adaptation of the sci-fi novel by Orson Scott Card.

The book tells the tale of an earth under attack from an insect-like alien species, where bullied youngster Ender Wiggin (Asa) proves to have hidden talents which could help save the human race. Ben would play a former war hero who is presumed to be long-dead in the movie, which is being produced by Star Trek scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Gavin Hood is directing the project, which is set to go into production in February 2012, although no release date is yet planned.

Oscar-winner Ben - who can currently be seen in Martin Scorsese's family film Hugo - has a number of roles set to hit cinemas in 2012, including a part in Sacha Baron Cohen's The Dictator.


This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: January 4, 2011

MacheteHere are some of the options available this week:

  • Backdraft (Anniversary Edition): Blu-ray
  • Blade Runner (The Final Cut): Blu-ray
  • Camille: DVD
  • Case 39: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Catfish: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Dinner for Schmucks: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Doctor Zhivago (Deluxe Edition): DVD
  • El Mariachi/Desperado: Blu-ray
  • Ever After: Blu-ray
  • Gone with the Wind: Blu-ray

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This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: September 14, 2010

Prince of Persia DVDHere are some of the options available today:

  • Delicatessan: Blu-ray
  • Jacob’s Ladder: DVD, Blu-ray
  • James and the Giant Peach: DVD
  • Just Wright: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Letters to Juliet: DVD, Blu-ray
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Blu-ray
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Blu-ray
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Blu-ray
  • Monster House: Blu-ray 3D
  • My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?: DVD
  • Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Seven: Blu-ray

Make sure to also check out the TV-on-DVD options for this week.

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Box Office Breakdown: Woody, Buzz Top Sandler and Cruise

Toy Story 3

Despite increased competition from a number of A-list stars, easily cruised to another victory this weekend. The Pixar film added another $59.3 million to its total bringing its domestic gross to over $225 million.

Coming in second was , starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Schneider. The comedy, which could have probably placed first on any other weekend, earned $40.5 million - the fourth best open in Sandler’s career. (The Longest Yard‘s $47.6 million from 2005 is still his best.) The movie also surpassed James’ last big hit, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, which premiered to $31.8 million in 2009.

Meanwhile, Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz found a box office win to be mission impossible. only fired up a mediocre $20.1 million ($27.4 million since Wednesday) and a third place finish. Keep in mind: Vanilla Sky, their last film together, debuted to $25 million back in 2001 - and that wasn’t even an action film.

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Box Office Breakdown: Toy Story Still Has Game

Toy Story 3

The number “11” appears to be a good one for .

Although it’s been almost 11 years since we had fun with Woody and Buzz Lightyear, those classic characters were apparently anything but forgotten. This weekend’s long-anticipated debut of rang up $110 million, giving Pixar its 11th chart topper in a row. The sequel also surpassed all previous Pixar debuts (including The Incredibles’ $70.5 million from 2004) and became the second best animated opener of all time (right behind Shrek the Third‘s $121.6 million from 2007).

, on the other hand, was unfortunately cursed from the start. The comic book adaptation - starring Josh Brolin and Megan Fox - fired up a underwhelming $5.4 million. That performance was even more dismal than the debut of Megan Fox’s last film, Jennifer’s Body, which opened to $6.9 million in September 2009.

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Box Office Breakdown: A-Team’s Face Kicked by Karate Kid’s Foot

Jaden Smith in The Karate Kid

The battle of the ‘80s remakes was won by an actor born in 1998.

Despite featuring no actual karate and a Smith named Jaden, had no problem kicking up Will Smith-esque dollars this weekend. (I’m sure it had something to do with that Justin Bieber song.).  Sony’s remake of the 1984 classic surpassed early projections by rallying to a $55.7 million finish. The film’s debut means the 11-year-old star has already managed to outperform most of his father’s films. (I Am Legend opened to $77.2 million in 2007; Hancock premiered to $62.6 million in 2008.)

Meanwhile, Fox’s reboot of cranked out what could be considered a B-grade performance. The movie, which cost over $95 million to make (compared to Karate‘s $40 million), only rang up $25.7 million in its first three days. That’s barely above the figure Liam Neeson’s Taken earned in 2009 ($24.7 million) and nowhere near the debut Bradley Cooper and Jessica Biel had with Valentine’s Day ($56.2 million).

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Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Get to the Greek…and Shrek

Get Him to the Greek

Ashton Kutcher may have more Twitter followers than Diddy and Russell Brand combined - but that achievement wasn’t reflected at the box office this weekend.

Despite pirating the first 13 minutes of Killers, Kutcher was unable to generate enough interest to earn more than third place. The film - Katherine Heigl’s first since leaving Grey’s Anatomy - only rounded up a mere $15.8 million. (In other words, Ashton got about $3 from each of his Tweeps.)

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Get to the Greek…and Shrek

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