Depp, Dench and Kenneth Branagh: Behind the scenes of the star-studded Murder on the Orient Express

Telegraph
 Sally Williams
19 OCTOBER 2017 • 7:00AM

Agatha Christie ‘had always been allergic’ to cinema adaptations of her books, her husband Max Mallowan was quoted as saying. ‘She didn’t like her characters to be portrayed on book covers either,’ says James Prichard, her great-grandson.

Christie, who wrote 66 detective novels between 1920 and 1976, translated into around 45 languages, is the most widely read novelist in history, with sales of more than two billion copies worldwide.

There have been 23 film adaptations of her books in the UK alone, not to mention the multiple TV series. And now we have Murder on the Orient Express. Directed by Kenneth Branagh (who also plays Belgian detective Hercule Poirot), it features a parade of towering greats from stage and screen including Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench and Derek Jacobi.

The 2017 version, co-produced by Ridley Scott, with a screenplay by Michael Green (the writer of Blade Runner 2049 and Alien: Covenant)  sets up the classic whodunnit with 14 strangers boarding the long-distance  passenger train that connects Istanbul with Paris.

These include Caroline Hubbard, an American widow (Michelle Pfeiffer), the Russian Princess Dragomiroff (Judi Dench) and her maid, Hildegarde Schmidt (Olivia Colman).

A businessman named Ratchett (Johnny Depp) is murdered at night in the compartment next to Poirot. The train gets marooned in an avalanche (a snowdrift in the book) and the plot follows Poirot’s interrogation of each of the passengers in the hunt for the killer.

The appeal of the film is clear: stars are not being asked to play anything run-of-the-mill. They are showcased in sumptuous 1930s glamour, dressing for dinner (even on a train), and the cooks produce delicious  fancies such as walnut soufflés.

‘I liked the sense that I could let the audience escape into that world,’ says Branagh, ‘where the details of what the characters are touching, seeing, eating, drinking, wearing are a significant part of the pleasure.

‘We live in a world where everything is so transient and quick, it  seemed to me a period in which, from a piece of linen to a glass of water to an arrangement of flowers, there could be a way of evoking a parenthesis of calm in an incredibly rushed life.’

An ‘avid reader of crime fiction’, he last read the book years ago, but admits to being surprised when he reread it. ‘I’d forgotten how it worked out! ‘I liked the ensemble [nature] of it,’ he continues, ‘I like it being enclosed in snow, the claustrophobia. And it’s a tale that sums up the golden age of travel: a world in which you feel the miles under your feet.

Read more here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2017/10/19/depp-dench-kenneth-branagh-behind-scenes-star-studded-murder/

Behind the scenes with Kenneth Branagh (and a cast to die for) on a blockbusting remake of the Agatha Christie classic Murder on the Orient Express

Mail OnLine
By Clark Collis
PUBLISHED: 17:05 EDT, 14 October 2017 | UPDATED: 17:05 EDT, 14 October 2017

ALL ABOARD! AND WE MEAN ALL ABOARD! A GOODLY portion of planet Earth's most famous residents have gathered today at Longcross Studios outside London to shoot a scene set at Stamboul (now Istanbul) train station for director Sir Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express (out Nov. 10).

Branagh, who also plays Christie's famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, is present and properly dressed in 1930s-era attire. So too are Star Wars heroine Daisy Ridley, Michelle Pfeiffer, Willem Dafoe, Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr., and British acting royalty Dame Judi Dench and Sir Derek Jacobi.

 There's more. In one corner of the soundstage, Josh Gad and Olivia Colman (Broadchurch) are discussing the Police Academy franchise; Penélope Cruz is gliding past the re-creation of a vintage train talking on her phone in Spanish; and Johnny Depp is ruminating to a reporter about the likelihood of his character's long brown coat being made out of leather. "I'm feeling like it's fake," he says—incorrectly, as the film's Oscar-winning costume designer, Alexandra Byrne (Elizabeth: The Golden Age), will later attest. But the most eye-catching sight is not a person but a thing: the fake mustache sported by Branagh.

The item is so extravagantly outsize it almost seems more alien face-hugger than facial fuzz. "When I saw it I was like, Holy moly!" says Ridley. "But this is a larger-than-life story, so why not make the mustache larger, too?"

 Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/event/article-4970852/Agatha-Christie-s-Murder-Orient-Express.html#ixzz4vWgc0Tyj Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in Fantastic Beasts

HYPABLE
BY KATIE AWAD
katelynawad

Sherlock fans rejoice! Fantastic Beasts has cast Martin Freeman as Dumbledore, and replaced Johnny Depp with Benedict Cumberbatch.

Oh what a day

When it was revealed Johnny Depp was to play Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts series, some people were not happy. They felt it unethical to have Depp cast in the series, because of his personal life controversy.

When director David Yates’ commented on this matter, he did little to appease the critics. People felt he was brushing aside a troubling issue, “In this business, it’s a weird old business. You’re brilliant one week, people are saying odd things the next, you go up and down. But no one takes away your pure talent.”

Heyman continues, “We’re thrilled to have Benedict join the team. Obviously we’re all huge fans of his work in Sherlock. He’s shown time and again how good he is at playing roles similar to that, so we’re really excited to see him bring that smart-guy awkwardness to Grindelwald.”

On the heels of this announcement, it’s also (finally) been revealed who will play a young Albus Dumbledore. In light of the new Grindelwald casting, this is perhaps the most unsurprising surprise to have ever surprised us: Martin Freeman will play the young Albus Dumbledore, alongside Benedict Cumberbatch’s Gellert Grindelwald.

“In addition to the recasting of Grindelwald, we’re also happy to announce that fellow Sherlock star Martin Freeman is set to play Dumbledore,” Heyman states. “It was an obvious choice, really. With Benedict now in the series, we just had to add Martin as well. And knowing Grindelwald and Dumbledore’s history, we hope Johnlock shippers will be just as excited about this as we are.”


http://www.hypable.com/fantastic-beasts-bye-bye-depp-hello-cumberbatch-freeman/

Kenneth Branagh is starring in and directing the adaptation of Agatha Christie's classic tale "Murder on the Orient Express"

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
by Rebecca Ford

Kenneth Branagh's star-studded adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express pulled into Las Vegas with the first footage at CinemaCon Thursday.

Branagh directs and stars in the Fox film, which also features Penelope Cruz, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Leslie Odom Jr., Daisy Ridley, Michael Pena and Judi Dench among the cast.

The story centers on a murder onboard the famous train and introduces Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Branagh), who must solve the case while being surrounded by duplicitous passengers.

Branagh, sending in a video from Malta where he’s filming the project, said “we’ve assembled an amazing group” of his cast. “This is not only a who dunnit and how dunnit, it’s crucially a why dunnit,” he said

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/murder-orient-express-cinemacon-trailer-showcases-star-studded-cast-989954

Benedict Cumberbatch proves he's the hot one set

HANDBAG.COM
Jun 25th 2014, 09:06  | By Francesca Menato

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Benedict Cumberbatch was spotted looking all handsome and Etonian on set of his new FBI movie Black Mass. Compare this to Johnny Depp, and see who's the hot one.

Benedict Cumberbatch was spotted on the set of his new movie Black Mass, looking ever so hot in his go-to look, a suit.

The British heartthrob may be off the market, but he's still doing what he does best, acting up a storm.

As usual he's looking all types of Etonian handsome.

Co-staring with Johnny Depp may have been a concern for any Cumberbitches arguing he's always the hottest guy on set.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.handbag.com/day-bag/news/a416977/benedict-cumberbatch-proves-hes-the-hot-one-set.html

Benedict Cumberbatch films ‘Black Mass’ Southie parade scene in Lynn

THE BOSTON GLOBE



We have a feeling that thousands of Benedict Cumberbatch fans took to the Internet on Monday to map out Lynn, where their favorite actor was spotted throughout the day. Cumberbatch, who plays Billy Bulger opposite Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger in the adaptation of the book “Black Mass,” filmed a St. Patrick’s Day parade scene on Mt. Vernon and Union streets Monday morning. The city served as a stand-in for South Boston in the late 1970s. Extras were told to arrive at 5 a.m.

Watch the video here.  The extras talk a bit about "Cumberbunch" - pretty funny.

Benedict Cumberbatch Replacing Guy Pearce in Johnny Depp's Whitey Bulger Pic

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
4:07 PM PDT 5/21/2014 by Borys Kit



Benedict Cumberbatch is in talks to replace Guy Pearce in the Johnny Depp-starring Whitey Bulger crime drama from Warner Bros. and Cross Creek Pictures, sources confirm to The Hollywood Reporter.

The movie, which is based on the book Black Mass: Whitey Bulger, the FBI, and a Devil's Deal, is now shooting in Boston with Scott Cooper directing.

Pearce was to have played Whitey's brother Billy Bulger but dropped out a few weeks ago for reasons unknown. The studios is trying to close a deal for Cumberbatch to step in, although he was approached a few weeks ago.

READ MORE HERE:http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/benedict-cumberbatch-replacing-guy-pearce-706360 

QUEENIE EYE Video - Paul McCartney, Jude Law, Chris Pine, Jeremy Irons, Meryl Streep and more

‘Into the Woods’ Synopsis & Cast Revealed (Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine, James Corden, Johnny Depp….)

FLICKS AND BITS

Disney today send word that filming started last week for ‘Into the Woods.’ Rob Marshall (Chicago) directs the film, which is based on the Tony-winning original musical by James Lapine, who also penned the screenplay, and legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, who provides the music and lyrics - including an all-new song for the big-screen adaptation. ‘Into the Woods’ is produced by Marshall, John DeLuca, ‘Wicked’ producer Marc Platt and Callum McDougall. Shooting in studio and on location throughout England, the film is slated for a December 25th, 2014, holiday release.

‘Into the Woods’ is described as a “modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel - all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.”

The all-star ensemble cast includes:

· Meryl Streep portrays the Witch who wishes to reverse a curse so that her beauty may be restored.
· Emily Blunt is the Baker’s Wife, a childless woman who longs to be a mother.
· James Corden plays the role of the Baker, a hard-working man who desperately wants to start a family.
· Anna Kendrick fills the shoes of Cinderella, who finds herself on a journey of self-discovery.
· Chris Pine portrays Cinderella’s Prince, charming and impossibly handsome, who is on an endless quest to find his bride.
· Johnny Depp steps in as the Wolf, who sets his sights on Little Red Riding Hood.
· Lilla Crawford (Broadway’s “Annie”) makes her feature-film debut as Little Red Riding Hood, a smart and spunky girl who journeys into the woods, finding unexpected adventures along the way.
· Daniel Huttlestone lands the role of Jack, an absentminded and adventurous boy who trades his treasured cow for five magic beans.
· Tracey Ullman joins the cast as Jack’s Mother, a poor and exasperated mom who is overwhelmed, yet fiercely protective of her son.
· Christine Baranski takes on the infamous Stepmother who wishes for riches and grandeur; she’ll do anything to marry off one of her daughters to a prince.
· MacKenzie Mauzy plays Rapunzel, a sheltered young woman who experiences the world beyond her tower for the first time.
· Billy Magnussen is the dashing and eager Prince who courts Rapunzel.


READ MORE HERE: http://www.flicksandbits.com/2013/09/16/into-the-woods-synopsis-cast-revealed-meryl-streep-emily-blunt-james-corden-johnny-depp/56831/

Helena Bonham Carter: 25 Things You Didn't Know About the British Actress Posted July 5th, 2013 1:00PMby Erin Whitney TAGS (MOVIEFONE)

14. Johnny Depp is the godfather of her child, Billy Ray.

15. She is a distant cousin of Kate Middleton.

16. Helena McCrory, who played Narcissa Malfoy in "Harry Potter," was originally cast as Bellatrix Lestrange. However, after McCrory became pregnant, she was unable to shoot all of Lestrange's scenes, so Bonham-Carter got the part.

17. She wore fake teeth in "Planet of the Apes" (2001), "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (2005), and the the "Harry Potter" films.

18. While filming "Terminator Salvation" in New Mexico in 2008, her relatives were involved in a tragic bus accident in South Africa. Helena's cousin Fiona Bonham-Carter survived, but four of her family members died.

19. Why is Bonham-Carter so great as Mrs. Lovett in "Sweeney Todd"? Because she underwent extensive vocal lessons and studied baking in preparation for her role in the 2007 musical f Let's hope she practiced with the normal kind of meat pies...

20. Bonham-Carter was originally set to play a cyborg in "Terminator Salvation" (2009). However, after the script was leaked online her character was rewritten, a move that significantly cut down her screen time.

21. During the shooting of "Fight Club," Bonham-Carter insisted that her makeup artist (Julie Pearce) apply all of her eye makeup with her left hand, because the actress felt that Marla was not a person who would be particularly skilled at (or concerned with) correctly applying makeup.

22. She's a believer in "multiple drinking," which she described in an interview with the Guardian as drinking more than one drink at a time to sustain a balanced diet. While she admitted this wasn't a scientific fact, Bonham-Carter still enjoys having options when it comes to quenching her thirst.

23. She was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2012 Queen's New Years Honors List for her services to drama.

24. She was considered for the role of Sarah in "Labyrinth" (1986), but lost out to Jennifer Connelly.

25. She grew up dreaming of becoming one of the "Charlie's Angels."

Sources: IMDb, Wikipedia, Digital Spy, The Guardian

READ 1 THRU 13 HERE: http://news.moviefone.com/2013/07/05/helena-bonham-carter-25-things-you-didnt-know/

Emily Blunt's Got A Bun In The Oven?! In Talks To Play The Baker's Wife In Into The Woods! (PEREZ HILTON)

Annnndddd we've burst into a million magical pieces!

Disney's film adaptation of Into The Woods directed by Rob Marshall already features A-List actors Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, AND potentially stars Chris Pine and Jake Gyllenhaal…

And NOW we hear that Emily Blunt is in final negotiations to play the LEAD in the film, the Baker's Wife!

If you are not super familiar with the fantastical Into The Woods, the story follows a cursed baker and his wife who cannot have children as they go on a journey to find the witch that cursed them. On their adventures they meet all sorts of classic, fairy tale characters.


READ MORE: http://perezhilton.com/2013-05-18-emily-blunt-in-talks-star-into-the-woods-bakers-wife

Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom, Johnny Depp - Pirates of the Caribbean Bloopers

igaratih youtube

Tom Hollander: I was badly paid in Pirates of the Caribbean (TELEGRAPH)

Tom Hollander , the star of 'Rev', says he was paid 'badly' for his role as Lord Cutler Beckett in 'Pirates of the Caribbean'.

 Tim Walker7:30AM GMT 29 Mar 2013

Most British actors may hanker after parts in Hollywood blockbusters, but Tom Hollander, who is best known for playing the priest in Rev, says the experience left him feeling neither very satisfied, nor very rich.

Of his role as Lord Cutler Beckett, the “heavy” in Pirates of the Caribbean, he recalls that, while the production was “staggeringly expensive”, he was “badly” paid

Speaking at the Names Not Numbers Festival at Aldeburgh in Suffolk, the 45-year-old actor said that whenever he was allowed time off, he got as far away from the set as possible.

“It was a way of getting my own back. When they changed the schedule at the last minute, I would say, 'That’s fine, but I’m in Calcutta’, and they would say 'No problem’, and I would be airlifted out of the Third World in Lufthansa first class.”

He felt that there was a camaraderie among the character actors involved in the project and they all tended to compare notes in the smoking room of Miami airport.

READ MORE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/9959940/Tom-Hollander-I-was-badly-paid-in-Pirates-of-the-Caribbean.html

Johnny Depp and Ricky Gervais fight - on Life's Too Short

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDXusH0XX4s&feature=g-vrec

TheBiffSweetwater

Scottish hunk Gerard Butler turns to gothic rocker Marilyn Manson as he plans musical makeover (DAILY RECORD) By Alan Carson

HOLLYWOOD hardman Gerard Butler is being advised by Marilyn Manson as he plans to turn himself into a rock star, US reports have claimed.

The Paisley pin-up is said to be writing songs and making an album.

And according to the National Enquirer, pal Johnny Depp has introduced him to music industry veterans including Goth idol Manson and Tenacious D star Jack Black.

The magazine quoted a Hollywood insider as saying: “Gerry is rocking out big time and is already writing songs and cutting an album.

“He’s been a closet singer for years and has decided the time is right to try doing it professionally.

“In fact, he’s in the process of making what he hopes will be a best-selling CD.”

Gerry sang in a movie version of Phantom of the Opera and jammed with US rocker John Mayer in 2010 as he celebrated his 41st birthday at New York’s Darby Club.


READ THE REST: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/gerard-butler-advised-by-marilyn-manson-1268737

Christian Bale Biography: 'Batman' Star Was Almost In 'Titanic' & 13 Other Revelations From Harrison Cheung's Book The Huffington Post | By Kia Makarechi

A new picture of Christian Bale emerges in a just-released biography by his former publicist and assistant, Harrison Cheung. Christian Bale: The Inside Story of the Darkest Batman, published May 29 on BenBella, reveals an actor who fought desperately to emerge from the world of independent British cinema into a complex, often incorrigible but above-all, ambitious global superstar.

HuffPost Entertainment read the book and found the following 14 details to be of particular interest. Some of these tidbits were previously covered in the media, but others -- like which of his characters he most identifies with -- appear to be new information. Before reading, consider one important note: Cheung once worked for the "Dark Knight Rises" star and no longer does. The following items are all taken from a book that is written from the former publicist's point of view. Cheung writes in the book that he was never actually paid for his years of service, so their relationship was certainly not uncomplicated.

We've reached out to Bale's representative for comment and will update the post as soon as we receive word.


1. Edward Norton, Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt all passed on the role of Patrick Bateman in "American Psycho." Though there was a great deal of negative buzz surrounding the picture (which changed directors as well), Bale felt the film could help him break into America. "I don't want to be a movie star," Bale told Cheung. "I want to be an actor. All this talk of career suicide ... I rather like that I'm running contrary to what everyone expects."

But Leonardo DiCaprio wanted the role. Lionsgate issued a press release during Cannes in 1998, announcing that Bale had been replaced. Bale was livid: "Losing this role is like having a pencil shoved through my brain." The studio offered him a supporting role, but Bale refused to consider that. DiCaprio eventually bailed after Gloria Steinem urged him not to take the role, which she said could inspire copycat murders from within his teen fan base.

The role then went to Ewan McGregor, who had just been screwed out of his lead part in "The Beach" by the newly landed DiCaprio. Bale begged McGregor not to take it, and the latter passed.



TO READ MORE:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/30/christian-bale-biography-batman-titanic_n_1557666.html

Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp: Dark Shadows (ET)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6IC9z-aK6d8#!

Keira Knightley house-hunting near Johnny Depp Updated: 2012-04-18 09:07 (CHINA DAILY)

Keira Knightley has started hunting for a country home in Johnny Depp's neighbourhood.

The 27-year-old actress is following in her 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' co-star's footsteps and searching for the perfect house away from London in England's Norfolk countryside.

According to The Sun newspaper, she has been spotted looking at estate agent details in a tea room close to where Johnny - who also has homes in France and Los Angeles - bought his 13-bedroom mansion last year to use as his UK base.

Keira - who is worth in the region of £30million according to the Sunday Times Rich List - already has a £2million house in east London which she splashed out on following her split from long-term boyfriend Rupert Friend in December 2010.

 

READ MORE:  http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/entertainment/2012-04/18/content_15075703.htm

Paul McCartney: My Valentine video with Natalie Portment and Johnny Depp (NEON TOMMY)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=f4dzzv81X9w#!


Stella McCartney Hosts Party For Sir Paul McCartney's Newest Single
Samantha Katzman | April 22, 2012 | 12:11 p.m. PDT

Hollywood fell back in love with The Beatles' revered frontman with the release of his new single “My Valentine” last Friday night. Rumer Willis, Jane Fonda, Zooey Deschanel, Joan Jett, Ginnifer Goodwin, Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Stewart and Gwen Stefani were just a few of the stars adorning the red carpet in honor of Sir Paul McCartney’s newest release.


According to Vogue, some stars could not control their excitement. “I’m in total stalker mode,” said actress Ginnifer Goodwin. Many stars even rocked Stella McCartney designs in honor of the event.


READ MORE:  http://www.neontommy.com/news/2012/04/stella-mccartney-hosts-party-launch-sir-paul-mccartneys-newest-single

Christian Bale on for 'American Bullshit' with David O. Russell (NME)

Batman star Christian Bale is said to be re-teaming with the man who helped win him an Oscar for The Fighter, in a movie tentatively titled American Bullshit. As reported by Deadline, Bale and David O. Russell are circling the real life-inspired tale of an FBI investigation which led to the arrest of a number of notable figures in the 1970s. Labelled 'Abscam', the operation dealt with the arrest and prosecution of corrupt US congressmen. 

While there is no word on who Bale might be playing, should he take on the role of an agent within the FBI it'll mark his second outing portraying a member of the infamous bureau. Bale starred alongside Johnny Depp's John Dillinger as Melvin Purvis in Michael Mann's Public Enemies.

READ MORE:  http://www.nme.com/filmandtv/news/christian-bale-on-for-american-bullshit-with-david/266114