Source: E! Online

“To recreate what Heath has done…I just don’t think it’s gonna happen. That’s my instinct. Obviously, Heath was supposed to reprise the role in the next one; it was written that way. I don’t know if they’re going to go on. I suspect they will not have the Joker.”

—Former Batman baddie Aaron Eckhart when asked at the Comic-Con panel for his latest flick, Battle: Los Angeles, whether he thought Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning Joker would be recast for the third installment of the superhero franchise

Looks like we can put our clown makeup away because director Christopher Nolan realizes exactly why we’re so serious that Heath’s psychotic criminal mastermind remain untouched. Why have another actor try to fill Heath’s shoes when he recreated the character so perfectly, no?

But what about A.E.’s own fate as a foe of the Dark Knight?

“I’m sure Two-Face has obviously died in the last one. I’m in the dark as much as anyone else,” Aaron spilled when we wondered if we might see his usually gorge face disfigured on the big screen for another go with the caped crusader.

But what if Gotham’s politician-gone-bad hasn’t really kicked the bucket?

“That’s something you can’t say no to. I never thought I’d be in a Batman first of all; then when you’re with Chris and a script like that, with those kinds of actors, it transcends any genre. You’re just working on something really special. I would always work with Chris Nolan if he asked me to.”

Hey, Chris, put out your Bat signal, because, we’re sure your genius mind could find some way to resurrect Two-Face. After all, you survived enough Jenifer Aniston dating rumors, right? And with Joseph Gordon-Levitt rumored to be interested in joining the cast, it would make for one sexy-as-hell criminal underworld.

It’s official — Aaron along with co-star Michelle Rodriguez, producer Neal H. Moritz and director Jonathan Liebesman will present footage from Battle: Los Angeles on July 22nd  at this year’s Comic Con in San Diego!

SDCC 2010: Preview Night and Thursday Comic-Con Revealed
Source: Movieweb

1:00-2:00 Sony Pictures Entertainment: Battle: Los Angeles and Salt

Two great new films from Sony Pictures Entertainment are showcased in this Hall H presentation!

Battle: Los Angeles — When unknown forces suddenly and mercilessly attack the City of Angels out of nowhere, it’s up to a local Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and a new platoon of unseasoned soldiers to meet the threat. As the invasion hits the streets of LA, these Marines become our first and last line of defense in an intense battle against an enemy unlike any they’ve ever encountered before. Appearing in person are Michelle Rodriguez, Aaron Eckhart, Neal H. Moritz, and director Jonathan Liebesman.

According to Comic Book Movie, footage from Battle: Los Angeles will premiere at this year’s 2010 Comic Con.

Warner Bros and Marvel Studios won’t be the only companies bring hot properties to the Con, Disney is planning a massive TRON: Legacy panel, while Sony is prepping Green Hornet and Battle: Los Angeles for their official audience debuts.

The event runs from July 22-25 so we’ll wait and see what will happen!

It looks like we all have to wait a tiny bit longer. B: L.A. has changed its release date from February 18th, 2011 to March 11th, 2011. The article below includes an official synopsis for the film.

source: /Film

I’ve been hearing great things about Jonathan Liebesman’s Battle: Los Angeles for a while now, and apparently Sony Pictures also think they might have a winner on their hands. They have moved the sci-fi war movie from it’s original February release (one of the worst months to release a big action movie) to the coveted “300” slot on March 11th 2011.

Battle: Los Angeles will go head to head with Disney’s 3D animated film Mars Needs Moms, and will play a week before The Dark Fields and Paramounts animated film Rango, and two weeks before Zack Snyder’s Sucker Punch.

The intense real-time war movie stars Aaron Eckhart as a Marine staff sergeant who must lead his new platoon through an alien attack on Los Angeles. The film has been described by some as “Blackhawk Down” meets “Independence Day”.

Here is the official plot synopsis:

When unknown forces put the City of Angels under attack, it’s up to a Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and his new platoon to come to the rescue. As the invasion hits the streets of L.A., the Marines become our first and last line of defense against a highly powerful enemy. Bridget Moynahan (I, Robot), Michelle Rodriguez (Avatar) and Michael Peña (World Trade Center) co-star alongside an ensemble cast including Ramon Rodriguez and Ne-Yo.

April 22, 2010
Source: /Film

Bruce Robinson’s big screen adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s novel The Rum Diary starring Johnny Depp  test screened last night in Huntington Beach, California, and a few reviews have appeared online. I have compiled a bunch of early thoughts from around the web, message boards, twitter and other websites. Check them out now, after the jump.

As with any test screening, you should be aware that this version of the film is not final. The film was described as “a work in progress,” although titles and soundtrack were in place. Filmmakers hold test screenings to see how the movie plays for an audience, with the plan to possibly address issues before the theatrical release. The Rum Diary isn’t due out until September (I’m guessing it will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival), and this could be a very early cut. And it should also be noted that the opinions after the jump are not from professional reviewers, but regular audience members who attended the screening. The bottom line is, take this for what it is, an early look at what the film might be.

DharmaBum on ohnnydepp-zone.com: “I got back from the test screening of The Rum Diary two hours ago and the smile hasn’t left my face. Bravo. Unbelievable. I must keep to the code, so I’ll keep my impressions at the 30,000 foot level. The Rum Diary is a achingly lovely elegy to Hunter. Both funnier and more poignant than it has a right to be. Less about any of the silly things you read about the synopsis—drink and drugs and lust—and more about the measure of a man… shedding distractions, finding your voice, taking a stand and fighting the good fight, whether that’s with a pen or, um, other means. This is one brave film. It shies not one bit from showing the ugly underbelly of the American Dream. Yet, in equal measure it’s immensely hopeful, championing, pardon the Aliceism, muchness. It matures Hunter’s themes in all right ways. Johnny gives an absolutely transformative performance.”

Rob over at FilmDrunk: “It’s not Fear and Loathing, but that’s OK. Depp’s rendition of a younger Hunter has all the familiarity we love, but he’s not familiar with the drugs yet, still just a boozehound, forming his greater ideals. His sidekick this time around is an alright dude [Aaron Eckhart as Sanderson, I believe. -Ed.], no Benicio that’s for damn sure. But it’s Giovanni Ribisi who steals the show*. You see in Ribisi’s degenerate, Nazi sympathizing, junkie state, the beginnings of Hunter/Kemp’s drug aspirations. His every line is quotable and his every appearance is like a surprise mugging – but by cuddly unicorns, which turns out alright in the long run. Lastly, Amber Heard is the mermaid of my dreams, but you can tell the upper brass had a field day in the cutting room, leaving all gratuitous nudity on the floor, being one of the only detriments to the film.”

@KitCatFilms on Twitter: “The Rum Diary: The book it was not. But as a film, I actually really loved it. As an adaptation, it was alright. Loved Depp & Ribisi =)” … “it’s not as good as Fear & Loathing – but if you’re a Thompson fan you’ll appreciate what they’ve done . I liked it” .. “[Depp] really is the closest thing we have to our amazing Hunter S. Thompson ”

@AmandaLaskin on Twitter: if you are smart and creative go see the rum diary starring johnny depp! it is a piece of art!

The trailer for To Be Friends, which Aaron produces and his brother James directs, has surfaced online. Thanks to Ellie for the heads up!

As expected, The Rum Diary has received an ‘R’ rating from the MPAA.

MPAA Ratings: ‘Iron Man 2′, ‘Going The Distance’, ‘The Rum Diary’ (source: Box Office Mojo)

The Rum Diary, based off a novel by Hunter S. Thompson, received an R rating for “language, brief drug use and sexuality.” Johnny Depp stars in the movie, marking his second semi-autobiographical Thompson role after Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas from 1998. While Fear and Loathing was basically a two-hour long acid trip, The Rum Diary appears to be billed as an adventure of sorts, with Depp’s protagonist finding himself embroiled in rum, women and international politics while working for a newspaper in Puerto Rico in the 1950s. Amber Heard, Aaron Eckhart, Giovanni Ribisi and Richard Jenkins are also in the mix. The Rum Diary is tentatively scheduled for 2010, though production company GK Films has yet to find a distributor.

I’ve added some new HQ stills of The Black Dahlia in the gallery so check them out.

Films > The Black Dahlia (2006) > Stills

Source: NY Mag

Newly bearded Aaron Eckhart laid low at a party last night for his “friend” (girlfriend?) Molly Sims and her jewelry line, Grayce the Collection, for which he shot the ad campaign. But we still asked him about The Rum Diary, the Hunter S. Thompson biopic that features Eckhart alongside Johnny Depp. Alas, there’s still no word on a premiere date, even though the film has been in the works for (at least) three years.

“I don’t know, I don’t know where they’re at. I think they’re trying to get into Cannes, maybe,” Eckhart told us. Have there been problems trying to release it? “It hasn’t even been a year yet, so I don’t think so. It’s one of those movies where, you know — this is Johnny’s pet project, it’s his baby. So I think he’s going to take his time and release it in the proper place. I think it’ll do good, I really do. Johnny’s absolutely wonderful in it.”

I’ve added captures of Aaron in The Black Dahlia, check them out in the gallery.

The Black Dahlia (2006) > Screen Captures