Kevin Costner Says No To Django Unchained

Kevin Costner

Quentin Tarantino's new slave western film Django Unchained hasn't failed to excite the movie world so far. One reason for this was the proposed cast that Tarantino was planning on bringing together which included Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L Jackson and Jamie Foxx. However, one of the biggest names reportedly attached to the film, Kevin Costner, has followed the example of Will Smith by dropping out of the project, reports IndieWire.

Kevin Costner was rumoured to be playing Ace Woody, a member of Calvin Candie's (Leonardo DiCaprio) crew. However, Costner will now play no part in the film, giving the reason of 'scheduling conflicts'. Costner is already working on a TV movie entitled The Hatfields & The McCoys for the History Channel and will soon be appearing in Zack Snyder's Superman film Man Of Steel.

The search is now on for Quentin Tarantino to find a new Ace. Rumours have already circulated that

Jamie Foxx Chosen For 'Django Unchained' Lead Role By Tarantino

Jamie Foxx Will Play Django

Quentin Tarantino's latest project has already caused quite a stir after the title was leaked on Twitter with a picture of the front cover of the screen play by Tarantino himself. Django Unchained was confirmed as the title within hours and rumours spread that Will Smith was likely to take the lead role; a freed slave who attempts to save his lover from a plantation owner.

After Smith turned the role down Tarantino looked at a number of other potential actors, including Chris Tucker, before eventually settling for Ray and Collateral star Jamie Foxx. Leonardo DiCaprio will play the plantation owner, with Tarantino favourite Christoph Waltz playing a German bounty hunter.

Opening on Christmas day 2012, the film looks set to be another Tarantino triumph coming off the back of the success of Inglorious Basterds.

Variety revealed the main synopsis as well as some more casting rumours: "Foxx will play the title role of Django, a freed slave who teams with a German bounty hunter to take on an evil plantation owner in order to retrieve his long-lost love, Broomhilda. Kerry Washington, who played opposite Foxx in

My Cinematic Alphabet: In Depth - B

So we move on to look at those films that didn't make it to my 'B' position on My Cinematic Alphabet but are still worthy of a mention. Remember that this is a regular feature and be sure to keep checking it out. Thanks y'all!

B

The Butterfly Effect

I know not everyone is a fan of this film and it has taken some stick over the years but for me it was moving and touching. I haven't bothered watching any of the sequels because they look rubbish and because I wanted to remember this film in a good light. I thought the story was brilliant and the way it was brought to the screen was fantastic. I'm sure it will be a controversial pick but I think it deserves a mention.

The Beach

Again I don't think this film was the most popular, but after reading the book I thought the movie did justice to the Alex Garland novel. I found the film moving and poignant and I thought it was one of those films that makes you just want to get up and go somewhere. Leonardo DiCaprio was brilliant and he portrayed a character, who at times was extremely disturbed, effectively.

Back To The Future

The first Robert Zemeckis film to show up on My Cinemtic Alphabet: In Depth so far but by no means the last. Most of my favourite films of all time have come from him and I appart from the Coen Brothers he has to be my favourite modern director. Every time I see this film I am whisked away to my childhood and I think any film that can do that well deserves merit.

Babel

This film has got to be one of the most beautiful cinematic experiences I've ever had. The cinematography shown was sublime and the story was truly moving. Possibly Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett's best performances for me. If you haven't seen this one you are seriously missing out.

Beowulf

Told you there was more Zemeckis to come. I think this has to be one of my favourite animated films. The action and fight scenes are so enjoyably brutal and a whole host of stars lend their voice talents including Ray Winstone and John Malkovich. Check this one out.

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My Cinematic Alphabet: In Depth - A

Cotillard Joins 'The Dark Knight Rises'

Marion Cotillard

Another of Christopher Nolan's acting associates from Inception has joined the cast of The Dark Knight Rises in the form of Marion Cotillard. The news comes with confirmation that Joseph Gordon-Levitt will also feature in the film as part of the Gotham City Police Force. Both actors previously worked with Nolan in Inception so it's no wonder the director feels confident in picking them again.

The Oscar winning Marion Cotillard will allegedly serve on the board of Wayne Enterprises. She won her Oscar for her role in La Vie en Rose in 2007.

I listened to this news on Radio 1 and they were discussing a possible surprise appearance by fellow Inception-er Leonardo DiCaprio. Obviously they were just joking but how cool would that be. If it was to happen I'd want an announcement about it the day before release. Fans would go wild and the film, which I think will also easily top box office numbers for possibly the whole of 2012, would be even more successful.

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Tobey Maguire In 'Life Of Pi'

Yes that's right, there will finally be a film version of the beautiful novel 'Life Of Pi',which will star Tobey Maguire as the guy who interviews Pi, played by the relatively unknown Suraj Sharma. Other directors have tried and failed to adapt the award winning novel but this Ang Lee version now has a big name on its cast list which has begun to re-establish interest. The film will release in December 2012 and will incorporate CGI and a 3D element. I think this is an awful idea for the particular novel but we'll see how it goes.

Maguire's acting career has picked up recently after a slow period and he will also be appearing in 'The Great Gatsby' alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. Macguire does have the ability to pluck emotional performances out of the bag and the film is bound to show the growing relationship between his characters and Pi rather than stick solely to Pi's story. Whatever happens, the film is likely to attract a multitude of interest due to the fame the book has gained since it was released. It was a strangely beautiful novel that captivated me and I can't wait for the film to roll around. I doubt it will hold its own when compared to the novel but it certainly has a storyline for a great film.

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Shutter Island (2010)

Superb Thriller - 4.5/5

So I saw this film called 'Shutter Island'. After seeing this film I would describe as a psychological thriller with elements of horror thrown in set on a tortured rock in the middle of the ocean. I think that sets the scene in your mind fairly well. Leonardo DiCaprio is becoming more and more associated with twisted films and hidden meaning and has certainly come a long way from the days of 'Titanic'. With his inclusion in 'Shutter Island' and 'Inception' 2010 was a huge year for DiCaprio and it surely must be nearing his time for an Oscar win. I would argue that no actor made a bigger impact on the film scene of 2010.

When watching 'Shutter Island' after 'Inception', there are many clear similarities between DiCaprio's performances and elements of the films themselves despite there being no real link between the films aside from their leading man. What struck me most was the similarity between the music used, and I was shocked to find that the genius that is Hans Zimmer was not the controlling hand of the music for 'Shutter Island'. We can see further similarities in DiCaprio's performances; in both roles we see the characters confusion and anger brewing and in both roles DiCaprio excelled. Until the release of these two films he wasn't, in my mind, much of an action/thriller film type of guy. I still remember him in films such as 'Titanic' and 'Romeo & Juliet' and I found it hard to believe he would be convincing in either role. However, I was overjoyed at being proved wrong on both these points.

The screenplay for 'Shutter Island' was magnificent and at no point during the film did it hint too strongly and what was to happen at the end and thereby did not ruin what turned out to be a magnificent twist in the plot. The ending was pure genius; a wide-eyed moment of gasping in air as you come to realise the truth, followed by a long debate about the meaning behind the film and explanations of the plot to yourself and others. DiCaprio's final line was so beautifully written and portrayed in such a poignant manner that it left us only with empathy towards his character. I'm sure there would have been some less than dry eyes in the audience at this point. This film is truly stunning and is one of the best thrillers I have seen in a long while.
Would I recommend it? Duh.