Kevin McKidd promotes 'Bunraku' at Fantastic Fest

Kevin, Josh Hartnett, and director Guy Moshe gave some red carpet interviews about working on Bunraku at Fantastic Fest 2010.

Did you do this movie during hiatus?

Kevin McKidd: "Funnily enough, I did this just after - this is how long ago we did this movie - I did this movie just after we wrapped Journeyman. This was two and a half years ago. It was pre-Grey’s Anatomy. In fact, I got the phone call about Grey’s Anatomy while we were in Bucharest and I asked Guy, 'What do you think?' I was asking all these guys whether I should do it or not. So that’s when it dates from."

How much time did you have to train?

Kevin McKidd: "I would say I started pre-training because I had to learn not only the martial arts side of it. A lot of my stuff is to do with manipulating the cane and the sword that my character uses. So I had to learn a lot of cane work and that kind of martial arts cane work, but also Guy had the idea of Killer #2 of being this kind of Fred Astaire, almost this dancer who can sort of tap dance his way through killing people. So I had to take dance class for a month before we even went to Bucharest, just to kind of make myself less flat footed than I actually am. Then once we got there, we probably had another two or three weeks and then during the filming, when we weren’t actually on the stages doing scenes, we had time off, the stunt crew would just grab us and strong-arm us into a rehearsal hall where we’d be drilling fights for the next sequence and the next. So it wasn’t like we had months and months to train. We had to actually do it as we were going."

It doesn’t sound like an indie movie.

Kevin McKidd: "It was like one of the highest end indie movies I’ve ever been a part of. I don't know what the budget was but, absolutely, it felt like a studio film with an independent sensibility, which is very cool."

How did it feel to wear the costume?

Kevin McKidd: "Me and Guy kind of sat down, we said we wanted this guy to be like Fred Astaire and that kind of stuff but we want him to be deconstructed instead of angular, so we came up with this weird waistcoat and stuff. It was good because we came to the vision of what he looked like together, little pink glasses with no stems and stuff. Actually, I decided that my character should have fully manicured nails at all times so I had to go to the nail salon once every two weeks to get new acrylic nails attached so I had these perfect acrylic nails that women have normally. I had to maintain that during the whole shooting because he wanted this feel of this guy who’s a perfectly coifed killing machine. It was actually tough to wear those nails, man." [Fred Topel via Kevin McKidd Online]

James McAvoy talks more about 'X-men'; discusses Xavier and Magneto

James McAvoy recently discussed taking over Patrick Stewart's role in X-Men: First Class with MTV, and now there's a little more of the interview.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

You can also check out more portrait photos of James from the Toronto International Film Festival over at James McAvoy Fan.

Robert Carlyle's 'Stargate Universe' set interview

Steve Weintraub from Collider conducted an interview with Robert Carlyle on the Stargate Universe Vancouver set. There are some spoilers in the interview. Stargate Universe returns with new episodes tomorrow (September 28) on Syfy in the US.

Robert Carlyle On Set Interview STARGATE UNIVERSE Season 2 from ColliderVideos on Vimeo.

Weekly schedule for Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Mo 9/27: Sela Ward, Guillermo Del Toro
Tu 9/28: David Boreanaz, Melissa McCarthy
We 9/29: Steven Wright, Sloane Crosley, Blake Shelton
Th 9/30: Edward Norton, Odette Yustman
Fr 10/1: Carey Mulligan, Marc Maron

Source

'Single Father' to air week of October 9

The BBC released a press statement confirming that David Tennant's miniseries Single Father will premiere the week of October 9-15 in the UK. An exact date still hasn't been confirmed. Single Father will also be simulcast on the BBC HD channel. You can go here to read the full press release.

James McAvoy talks 'X-Men' with MTV

James McAvoy took some time off from promoting The Conspirator at the Toronto International Film Festival to talk about playing Charles Xavier with MTV News. X-Men: First Class is currently shooting in England and will open in 2011.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

'Beginners' lands distribution deal + Ewan McGregor commemorates the Battle of Britain

Focus Features acquired Ewan McGregor's Beginners this Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival, making it Focus' first buy at Toronto. The film is likely to open in the late spring or early summer of 2011 and Focus Features will use approximately $2 million for marketing.

Ewan McGregor and his brother Colin visited (via Best of Ewan) RAF Cranwell in April to film part of BBC1 documentary The Real Battle of Britain which aired on Sunday, September 19. Ewan talked about making the documentary with his brother:

“The Battle of Britain was a dramatic turning point in the history of the Second World War and a defining moment in world history. It was a privilege for Colin and I to make this documentary; not only to mark the 70th anniversary itself, but to be able to pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who fought during the battle”.

Ewan's brother Colin also attended a thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey for the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Colin who is in the RAF read a prayer at the ceremony:

“Let us pray for those members of the Royal Air Force, who through their vigilance and determination make it possible for planes to fly and defend these shores.

“For all mechanics and ground crew, for radar operators and engineers, members of the logistics corps, that inspired by the example of their forbears, they might continue to fulfil this vital service with skill and pride.”

A clip from the documentary is below.

First official 'Gnomeo and Juliet' trailer

The trailer for animated film Gnomeo and Juliet has finally been released, and you can watch it below. You can also watch it in HD over at Apple Trailers. The 3D film stars James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Michael Caine, Jason Statham, and Patrick Stewart.

The greatest love story ever told, starring...garden gnomes? In "Gnomeo & Juliet," Shakespeare's revered tale gets a comical, off-the-wall makeover. Directed by Kelly Asbury (co-director of "Shrek 2") and showcasing both classic and original songs by Elton John, the film features the voices of James McAvoy and Emily Blunt as Gnomeo and Juliet, who have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. But with plastic pink flamingos and thrilling lawnmower races in the mix, can this young couple find a happy ending?

Gnomeo and Juliet is set to open in the US on February 11, 2011.

'Grey's Anatomy' preview featuring Kevin McKidd

ABC has released a brand new trailer and a whole batch of clips to promote the seventh season premiere episode, "With You I'm Born Again". I've posted the clips with Kevin McKidd, but you can head on over to ONTD to watch all the new clips.

'Law and Order: SVU' sneak peak

Some new Law & Order: SVU clips with Henry Ian Cusick have been unveiled. Part of the now extended third clip was released a few weeks back. Law & Order's two-hour season premiere airs on September 22.








You can also check out some of Henry Ian Cusick's interviews over at MovieWeb.com and The Daily Record. Excerpts from these interviews are below.

How does your character and Benson become involved in your episodes? And is he really in to her because they say he's going to be a romantic interest or is there an ulterior motive there?

Henry Ian Cusick: Very early on in the episode you see Benson and my character, Erik Weber, who is a graphic artist; you see them meet and there's a bit of flirtation. Certainly from Erik Weber's point of view he's very interested in Benson and I think it becomes a bit of a rivalry between Stabler and Weber. So yes, there's definitely some - there's definitely an interest -- a strong interest -- from Erik Weber and the Benson character, yeah. [MovieWeb.com]

And although he's got a two episode guest role in Law & Order SVU, he's not wanting to jump into something too big or too long which won't compare to the fun and adventure he had in one of the most talked about shows of the past decade.

He said: "I've learned that this experience is a one-off, and it won't happen again.

"I'm sad to see it end because it's been such a beautiful experience. I feel like I'm part of television history. [Rick Fulton]

Weekly schedule for Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Mo 9/20: Mindy Kaling, Steve Hartman
Tu 9/21: Patricia Heaton, Adam Brody, Sara Bareilles
We 9/22: The cast of "The Big Bang Theory"
Th 9/23: Jon Hamm, Jonathan Ames, Bettye LaVette
Fr 9/24: Jason Schwartzman, Willie Nelson

Source

Two brand new 'Conspirator' clips featuring James McAvoy

The first clips from The Conspirator are now online. There's a chance they'll be yanked from YouTube, so check the out while you can.

Ewan McGregor's 'Haywire' release pushed back

Back in June Haywire had been pushed to a January 2011 release by Lionsgate, but the film appears to have a new distributor. Overture will take over North American distribution, which means that the release has been rescheduled to either late March or early April 2011.

'The Conspirator' lands distribution deal + new TIFF portraits with James McAvoy

Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate have acquired The Conspirator for a Spring 2011 North American release. An official release date hasn't been confirmed yet.





A batch of TIFF portrait photos with James McAvoy have been released. The really cute photo of James and Conspirator co-star Justin Long comes courtesy of Life (via ONTD) and was taken by Jeff Vespa.

TIFF: Kevin McKidd interviews

Kevin McKidd made the rounds in Toronto this weekend to promote Bunraku.

Bunraku cast and crew interviews. Kevin's interview starts at 1:13.


Interview with Ron Perlman.


Another interview with Kevin and Ron.

Kevin McKidd attends the 'Bunraku' TIFF premiere

Kevin McKidd made an appearance at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday to promote Bunraku. You can watch some video of the Q&A at the screening here, here, and here. Kevin and his cast-mates, Josh Hartnett, Woody Harrelson, Gackt, and Ron Perlman attended the Bunraku cocktail party with director Guy Moshe and producer Nava Levin. You can check out photos from the cocktail party below.

Weekly schedule for Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Mo 9/13: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ellie Kemper
Tu 9/14: Kristen Bell, Sarah McLachlan
We 9/15: Don Rickles, Brie Larson
Th 9/16: William Shatner, Sloane Crosley
Fr 9/17: Tim Gunn, Jennifer Finnigan

Source

New clips from 'Beginners' + Ewan McGregor's TIFF message

Making Of (via Best of Ewan) shares the very first clips from Ewan McGregor's new film, Beginners.





Beginners made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, but Ewan couldn't make it to the screening. His Beginners co-star Christopher Plummer read a message from him instead, which you can watch below.

James McAvoy at the Toronto International Film Festival

James McAvoy was at yesterday's gala presentation of The Conspirator at the 35th Toronto International Film Festival. You can watch a portion of the film's press conference at the film festival's official site. A portrait photo that was taken yesterday is posted above.

Some new film stills from The Conspirator are below.

Alan Cumming discusses his episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are'

Alan Cumming's episode of genealogy series, Who Do You Think You Are airs on BBC1 next Monday in the UK. In the episode, he learns about his grandfather, who served in World War II. The Daily Record has the full story.

HOLLYWOOD star Alan Cumming's grandfather was a military hero who shot himself during a game of Russian roulette.

...Alan's maternal grandfather Tommy Darling was a decorated war veteran who served his country with the Cameron Highlanders during World War II.

Tommy was a motorcycle courier who won a medal for bravery after taking ammunition to frontline troops as Nazi commander Rommel's tanks bore down on the French town of Dunkirk.

He also fought the Japanese as they made their assault on India in the Battle of Kohima in 1944.

But he paid the price for his courage, suffering serious shrapnel injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. [Paul English]

'Jackboots on Whitehall' to open 18th Raindance Film Festival

Animated film Jackboots On Whitehall - which features the voices of Ewan McGregor and Alan Cumming - will open this year's Raindance Film Festival on September 29. The UK's largest independent film festival will be held at the Apollo Cinema in Piccadilly Circus in London. The festival runs through October 10 and you can get details on tickets at the festival's official site.

Ewan McGregor talks 'Beginners'

The LA Times has a fascinating write-up about indie drama Beginners, which debuts at the Toronto International Film Festival this week. The profile focuses more on writer-director Mike Mills and the semi-autobiographical nature of the film, but there are a few quotes from Ewan McGregor as well:

McGregor described Mills as "the director I've been looking for for a long time," no minor statement from an actor who has worked with, among others, Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, George Lucas and Michael Bay. McGregor likened his working relationship with Mills to the one he had early in his career with Danny Boyle, when they made three films together.

"I tried to get a flavor of him, but he never really wanted me to play him," said McGregor from London of the challenge of taking on Mills' role in the filmmaker's own story. "And I did in the end do a kind of version of Mike, there's some physical things I suppose that come from him, but there's something more. What I tried to capture, which I hope I did, is his spirit. He's quite a sensitive, interesting man." [Mark Olsen]

Kevin McKidd attached to 'Indian Summer'

Kevin McKidd and Ashley Jensen have signed up to star in Brian Ward's directorial debut, Indian Summer. The film is set in the Scottish Highlands in 1967 and production begins in either the spring or summer of 2011.

Ward has also written the screenplay for the film, which tells the story of an orphan boy and his uncle and aunt whose lonely lives are changed forever when they meet a US Marine who also happens to be a Native American.

Indian Summer is being produced by Suzanne Reid...Reid will be taking the project to the Toronto Film Festival, as one of six producers chosen for the Features Scotland initiative, which helps producers to promote their films internationally. [Sarah Cooper]

More clips of Henry Ian Cusick in 'Law and Order'

The footage (via Cusickgallery.net) is below. The season premiere of Law & Order: SVU is on September 22.

New photos of David Tennant in 'Single Father'

The BBC has unveiled some new promo shots of David Tennant in Single Father. The four-part miniseries will debut sometime in October on BBC 1. You can head on over to Blogtor Who for the whole batch of photos.

First promo of 'Grey's Anatomy' season 7

The promo comes courtesy of COforever1 (via Kevin McKidd Online). The seventh season of Grey's Anatomy is set to premiere on September 23 on ABC - an excerpt from a recent TV Guide interview with Kevin McKidd is below. There are some spoilers in the interview.

TVGuide.com: There's always a lot of baby talk on Grey's. Do you think that could be in the cards for Cristina and Owen?
McKidd: I think that would be interesting. I know there was originally a storyline that ended up being changed in Season 1, where Cristina got pregnant and they were going to have a baby, but they decided to save that for later. I wouldn't say that isn't going to happen, because we almost started that storyline a few seasons ago, but decided it was too much too soon. A lot of comedy would come out of that seeing the two of them face that together, because they're kind of an odd couple, especially as parents. [Natalie Abrams]

'Sons of Anarchy' to premiere tomorrow on FX

Season 3 of FX's Sons of Anarchy (which stars Scottish actor, Tommy Flanagan) will premiere tomorrow (September 7) at 10PM ET. Both season 1 and season 2 are out on DVD and if you want a huge refresher course on the last two seasons TV Squad has an extensive profile on the series. TV Squad has a brief description on Tommy Flanagan's character:

Chibs (Tommy Flanagan), a Scottish member of SAMCRO, who's also a mechanic and an emergency medic, and the club's connection to the IRA. He's nicknamed Chibs because of his facial scars ("chib" is the Scots word for knife), which Flanagan suffered in a real-life mugging [Kim Potts]

Special thanks to Sallee Smith for the reminder. I would have neglected to post this if it hadn't been for the heads up.

Weekly schedule for Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Mo 9/6: John Larroquette, Malin Akerman
Tu 9/7: Chris Kattan, shark expert Rob Stewart
We 9/8: Jerry O'Connell, Monica Potter
Th 9/9: Tim Robbins, Dr. Mehmet Oz
Fr 9/10: Donald Glover, Katey Sagal, Blake Shelton

Source

James McAvoy to star in 'At the Mountains of Madness'? + TIFF appearance speculation

Guillermo del Toro's 3D adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness, is set to shoot in May of 2011. Universal reportedly wants James McAvoy in the lead role, while del Toro wants Tom Cruise instead. Both actors would presumably be free at the time, though at this point both actors aren't even officially attached to the project. A synopsis of Lovecraft's novella is below:

The story is written in first-person perspective by the geologist William Dyer, a professor from Miskatonic University. He writes to disclose hitherto unknown and closely kept secrets in the hope that he can deter a planned and much publicized scientific expedition to Antarctica. On a previous expedition there, a party of scholars from Miskatonic University, led by Dyer, discovered fantastic and horrific ruins and a dangerous secret beyond a range of mountains taller than the Himalayas. [Wikipedia via Collider]

The Conspirator will make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival later this month, but there hasn't been official confirmation on whether or not James McAvoy would make an appearance in Toronto. According to an Exclusive Artists Management press release, James will be at the festival:

Exclusive Artists Management will be providing celebrity hair and makeup artists to participate at this year's Toronto International Film Festival for the seventh consecutive year.

...Some of the confirmed actors that our teams will be getting camera ready include Helen MIrren, Carey Mulligan, Evan Rachel Wood, James McAvoy, Rachel Weisz, Frieda Pinto, Minnie Driver, Vera Farmiga, Kristen Scott Thomas, Bryce Dallas Howard, Winona Ryder, Michael Sheen, Thomas Hayden Church, Chris Cooper, Josh Lucas, Amy Ryan, Sam Rockwell, Zach Galifianakis, Amber Tamblyn, Dominic Cooper, Kate Mara, Jim Broadbent and Melissa Leo

First photos of David Tennant in 'Fright Night'

Some new photos of David Tennant as Las Vegas magician Peter Vincent are now online. The photos are of a promotional banner in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino lobby, where Peter Vincent's magic show takes place. Fright Night is still shooting and is scheduled to open on October 7, 2011.

Ewan McGregor's UNICEF Pakistan appeal

Ewan McGregor's PSA (via Best of Ewan) for UNICEF UK is below. Donations to help the children of Pakistan can be made here.

John Barrowman to host the National Lottery Big Night

John's official website has the details:

John will host the National Lottery Big Night to be broadcast on BBC1 at 7.40pm on Saturday, 4 September 2010. The show features the presentation of the National Lottery Awards to organisations and projects who have used lottery funding to help people and communities.