Check out the new character posters for Dreamworks Animation's RISE OF THE GUARDIANS! I am quite bullish on this upcoming 3D animation feature that features the vocal stylings of Chris Pine (Jack Frost), Hugh Jackman (Easter Bunny), Alec Baldwin (Nicholas St. North), Jude Law (The Boogeyman) and Isla Fisher (The Tooth Fairy).
It's kinda like a child-friendly version of THE AVENGERS. Love that the creative genius of Guillermo del Toro has an influence here!
Click to enlarge
Here's the official movie storyline: Rise of the Guardians, based on the forthcoming books by William Joyce, will be released on November 21, 2012. It is directed by Peter Ramsey (Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space) and co-directed by Joyce. The film is being produced by Christina Steinberg (Bee Movie, National Treasure) and Nancy Bernstein, long-time head of Production at DreamWorks Animation. Rise of the Guardians is being written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole) and executive produced by Guillermo del Toro and Michael Siegel. It stars Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher and Jude Law. More than a collection of the well-known childhood legends, Rise of the Guardians is an epic adventure that tells the story of a group of heroes – each with extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world.
RISE OF THE GUARDIANS hits theaters on November 21. For all of our coverage on RISE OF THE GUARDIANS including it's first trailer, click here.
I must say I can't stand whoever creates some of these characters shots - Mark Ruffalo's in particular. Sure he is in character but break this divergence gently to audiences, don't shove it down our throats like this image does. Then of course why not give all this to Entertainment Weekly who will further deface them with their watermarks! Anyway, you can view EW's photoshop mess by clicking the link.
I've done a bit of retouch to show the characters shots with a bit more flair in the first shot, but it is still desiring so much more.
Click images to enlarge.
On the plus side, EW has provided some behind the scenes shots too - still scourged by their watermark (which I promptly tried to get around).
On with the content. Yes Ruffalo is in character here (lower left in first photo) as Dr. Bruce Banner which is a bit of a surprise as traditionally Banner is presented as a mild and reserved physicist as the alter ego to the rampaging Hulk. Perhaps Marvel felt that personality wasn't appealing enough in the first couple of theatrical tries at THE HULK and wanted to reinvent the wheel a bit here. Whatever the reason, we are being introduced to it through this one photo and it WILL cause controversy. Clearly Dr. Banner is pushing his presence.
ET talks about how the Marvel characters are not getting along in the movie - "Egos, tempers, uneasy alliances and bad attitudes are threatening the group, and failure would be catastrophic."The trailer for THE AVENGERS hinted at this and it will certainly make an interesting backdrop to the action to say the least. "Just because they’re super heroes doesn’t mean they’re super friends," says Renner.
Joss Whedon is also taking a page from IRON MAN productions as he rewrites dialogue on the fly while shooting. "There is a weird element of: they handed me one of the biggest movies of all time, and I'm making it up as I go."
Here's the synopsis: Continuing the epic big-screen adventures started in “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” and “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Marvel’s The Avengers” is the super hero team up of a lifetime. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series, first published in 1963, “Marvel’s The Avengers” brings together the mightiest super hero characters as they all assemble together on screen for the first time.
Here's the main cast: Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark Chris Evans as Captain America Chris Hemsworth as Thor Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow Tom Hiddleston as Loki Don Cheadle as Col. James Rhodes Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson Stellan Skarsgård as Professor Erik Selvig
For all our coverage for THE AVENGERS clickhere. Look for this mammoth movie in theaters May 4, 2012 - they don't come any bigger than this one folks!
Thorin Oakenshield's character poster from THE HOBBIT is finally here and it is suitably impressive!
Here's the official description of the photo: As a young Dwarf prince, Thorin witnessed the destruction and terror wrought when a great fire-breathing Dragon attacked the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. After slaughtering many of Thorin’s kin, the great serpent, Smaug, entered The Lonely Mountain and took possession of its vast store of gold and jewels. No-one came to the aid of the surviving Dwarves, and thus, a once proud and noble race was forced into exile. Through long years of hardship, Thorin grew to be a strong and fearless fighter and revered leader. In his heart a fierce desire grew; a desire to reclaim his homeland and destroy the beast that had brought such misery upon his people. So when fate offers him an unusual ally, he seizes the chance for revenge.
Thanks to TheOneRing.net for not making the watermarks too overwhelming!
Winding up this week's batting order for THE HOBBIT character posters we have Balin (played by Ken Stott) and Dwalin (Graham McTavish) with some serious countenances - AND sporting magnificent beards. Balin in particular is basking in splendidness with his curled toe boots!
Here's the photo description from TIME: Dwarf Lords in their own right, Balin and Dwalin are close relatives of Thorin. Beyond this, these brothers are two of his most loyal and trusted friends. An old warrior, Balin has lived through hard times and fought many battles, yet he harbors doubts about the wisdom of the Quest to retake the Lonely Mountain. Dwalin has no such forebodings – his belief in Thorin’s leadership is unshakeable. A powerful and bruising fighter, with a natural tendency to distrust anyone who is not a Dwarf, particularly anyone who might be an Elf, Dwalin is not someone to cross lightly.
We need to see some Thorin! Bring on the next round!! :-) Lately I've taken up LOTRO for some leisure fun and I am impressed by what they give you for free these days...
NOW we're getting to the meat of the order!! Bofur (James Nesbitt), Bombur (Stephen Hunter) and Bifur (William Kircher) grace our presence now with their own brand of character poster. Love this one! Bofur's weapon of choice looks fairly similar to a... ladle. Do you think he partakes in the odd THIRD breakfast?
And Bombur looks like he is posing for a firemen's calendar! :-)
Again, no need for a link to the originating site as they made it CLEAR where it originated.
Here's the accompanying description: While most of the Company of Thorin Oakensheild is related to the royal and noble line of Durin, Bofur, his brother Bombur and their cousin Bifur most definitely are … not. Born and bred in the West, descendants of coal miners and iron workers, they have joined the Quest for the Lonely Mountain partly to seek their fortune and partly because they were told the beer was free.
Clearly Warner Bros. is releasing these photos as a fan courtesy during the production's first vacation break. Brilliant idea really. Keeps us all very interested and dutifully top of mind even though THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY is upon us on December 14, 2012. A year later we will be enjoying THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN, December 13, 2013.
It seems that not all dwarves in THE HOBBIT will be burly boxes of beard and braun! Fili and Kili seem much more toned back (with just cause - they are the youngest of the lot) and certainly it looks like Fili is going to get into some mischief don't you think?
These two dwarves are the nephews of Thorin and both play the fiddle at "The Unexpected Party" at Bilbos home. Ok, hope that isn't a massive spoiler for you! Jackson may not be including that anyway, but it helps fills in just how these characters will play in THE HOBBIT.
Here's the description that accompanies the photo (MSN): Two of the youngest Dwarves, Fili and Kili have been born into the royal line of Durin and raised under the stern guardianship of their uncle, Thorin Oakensheild. Neither has ever travelled far, nor ever seen the fabled Dwarf City of Erebor. For both, the journey to the Lonely Mountain represents adventure and excitement. Skilled fighters, both brothers set off on their adventure armed with the invincible courage of youth, neither being able to imagine the fate which lies before them.
Look at the intricate work on the costumes! Amazing aren't they? Bring on more pics! You can see the earlier photo releaseshere and here.
First of all, have another look at some more dwarves from THE HOBBIT! Thursday we showed you Ori, Nori and Dori; this time around we have Oin (played by John Callen) and Gloin (Peter Hambleton).
These guys are distant cousins of Thorin Oakenshield, and the two doughty Northern Dwarves join the Company out of a sense of loyalty to their kin, and also because they have a substantial sum of money invested in the venture.
Along with Bombur, Gloin is the only other married Dwarf in the Company (there being a shortage of female dwarves in general). His wife is an acclaimed beauty with a particularly fine beard. Gloin is the proud father of a young son, Gimli, who will go on to become part of the famous Fellowship of the Ring.
Man, I love these character photos! More, MORE!!
And now, the production video! I have to say, Peter Jackson gets it. This is what we are all craving and he is providing it! The need to fill the information gaps with info from spies drops considerably when you have the director himself take time for Middle-earth fans like this. Kudos Peter!!
I like seeing the additional work that Andy Serkis has taken on too. Obviously he is a talented and driven creative genius so for Jackson to help him achieve more is good on him.
Which brings me to Middle-earth. New Zealand. Gorgeous isn't it? I have to get down to Kiwi soon to see some of these locations first hand! Nice to have double tentpole budget to fly around 5 helicopters for location scouting isn't it? Well, they need it. And it will all pay off.
So have a look:
Keep up the great work Peter and company! The whole world is waiting on your creations. No pressure though. Ok, yeah there is some pressure - but these videos are obviously good for you and your team to let off some steam. Looking forward to the next set video update from Middle-earth!!
