Shock, Awe, and James Marsden

Iraq is calling James Marsden.

The actor is joining Woody Harrelson in Shock and Awe, a new Iraq-war drama that Rob Reiner is getting ready to helm.

The film, which will reunite the director with Harrelson (his LBJ star), will focus on a group of journalists who dared to question the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, the basis, if you will remember, of the Bush administration’s entire 2003 impetus for going over there and getting our invadin’ on.

Marsden will play Warren Strobel, one of two Knight-Ridder reporters (Harrelson will portray Jonathan Landay) who, after Sept. 11, 2001, met with their bureau chief (Alec Baldwin has nabbed that role) to get to the bottom of just who was behind the deadly terrorist attack. They found themselves in the special position of finding out things that were going directly against the narrative the president was feeding the country at the time.

And the rest.... Well, you know what they say.

Photo: E! Online.

The (Cute) Henchman

James Marsden it hopping off The D Train and heading to the recording booth.

The actor has signed on to voice one of the Henchmen in a new animated film.

The project will revolve around the world of the Henchmen, a group of Union of Evil members tasked with ridding the world of super-villains and evil schemers looking to dominate the planet. ’Cause, from what I understand, “someone has to take out the trash.”

Nathan Fillion, Rosario Dawson, Jane Krakowski, and Thomas Middleditch (HBO’s Silicon Valley) are also on board.

Photo: TheFashionisto.com.

Written In the Stars

Nicholas Sparks sure doesn’t care for totally happy endings, huh.

Thank goodness the movies Hollywood makes outta his books do lend themselves to some fine-ass shirtless moments, I tell ya.

The Best of Me has exactly one and a half of those, and they are – no joke – the highlight (and a half) of an otherwise predictably leaden story.

Michelle Monaghan (HBO’s True Detective) and Paul Walker James Marsden star in this weeper, as Amanda and Dawson, a couple of high school sweethearts who reunite as adults 20 years years after parting, no, not ’cause her rich parents paid him to go away (her father did make him such an offer at one point) or even because his wrong-side-of-the-tracks-ness, as embodied by his dangerous-element redneck dad, proved inescapable.

Young Amanda (Liana Liberato) and young Dawson (Aussie newcomer Luke Bracey) would never have given into other people’s disapproval. And he’d already gotten out from under the thumb of his father and taken in by a loveably gruff surrogate played by Gerald McRaney (Netflix’s House of Cards) and reset himself on a good path, anyway.

No, as it is often the case in Sparks’ stories, these two lovebirds were torn asunder by tragic circumstances beyond their control. In this particular instance, that was the choice one of them made shortly after prom to spare the other a world of pain he – or was it she? (No Spoiler Alert!) – anticipated.

It had to happen, though, so we the audience could pay 10 hard-earned smackaroos to be manipulated into rooting for their older incarnations. Theirs, we are told, was a love that was always meant to be, no matter how far Dawson eventually ran away or how married-with-children Amanda got.

They would always knowingly look up to the stars and think of each other, and, eventually, come together again for a sweet, if short reunion.

If only the emotions in this one hadn’t been telegraphed into landing with an uninteresting thud. This could have been one of the better Sparks adaptations.

Instead, it’s a dud.

Sure, one that gave us an extended scene of Bracey gardening sans shirt (but only a hint of what Marsden is working with...), but not much in the way of effective emoting. That is like, the minimum required in a joint such as this on, and an unforgivable sin. No matter how much beefcake you throw into dud soup, it’s still dud soup.

My Rating *1/2

Photo: Relativity Media.

Westworld Man

HBO’s J.J. Abrams-produced Westworld pilot has quickly become the go-to place for talent.

Anthony Hopkins is leading the pack, playing the scientist behind a futuristic theme park in which, ahem, robots like, short and start attacking visitors.

Evan Rachel Wood is also on board the project, which found its inspiration in the 1973 Michael Crichton movie by the same. As are Jeffrey Wright and Rodrigo Santoro, from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and TV’s Lost, respectively.

Now comes word that James Marsden has joined the cast, which means that Westworld is totally something I will watch.

He will take on the role of a mysterious – and sexy! – new arrival to a small frontier town who rapidly establishes as a charmer that is not to be trifled with (’cause he’s real good with a gun).

Photo: WTBuzz.com.

There Goes Their Deposit...

Picture it: Five married friends, at the behest of one of them who is not quite so keen on keeping it in his pants, decide to share a secret “f--- pad,” right.

Hey, it happens. In certain circles.

Anyway, that’s where things get real interesting: One day, one of ’em stops by to drop off some groceries and finds a dead, bloodied woman handcuffed to the bed.

So they all cannot help but wonder: Who did it? Who else knows about this secret they’ve been under the impression the’ve been so good about keeping? And what ever happened to Patrick Wilson being in the film that tells this story, The Loft (the remake of the 2008 Belgian thriller), anyway?

I have that answer! He was replaced, due to a scheduling conflict with that short-lived show he had on CBS, by Star Trek’s Karl Urban, who stars in the much-delayed project alongside James Marsden, Wentworth Miller (who will soon be seen on The CW’s The Flash), Eric Stonestreet (TV’s Modern Family), and that hot dish Matthias Schoenaerts, not to mention Isabel Lucas, Rhona Mitra, Margarita Levieva (TV’s Revenge), and Rachael Taylor (TV’s Crisis).

Check out the trailer for The Loft here, and keep and eye for a potential viewing in theaters...soon (the movie was supposed to finally see the light of day at the end of August – but not anymore).

Photo: Cinevox.be.

Love Anew

Phew: Both James Marsden and Luke Bracey will be in the upcoming adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ The Best of Me.

Double the hotness!

See, Bracey will be playing the younger – ! – version of Marsden’s character, a man who reunites with his beloved high school sweetheart (Michelle Monaghan) 20 years after her parents tore them asunder. It had originally been reported that Marsden would take over Paul Walker in the male lead, and then that Bracey would be doing the honors.

But I guess that was just...wrong.

Anyway, get your tissues ready. This one is gonna be a weeper. (Duh, it is Nicholas Sparks territory – you know something bad is gonna happen to someone.)

The Best of Me opens on Oct. 17. Check out the trailer now.

Photo: Collider.com.

The Replacement

Following the tragic death of Paul Walker last November, Hollywood wondered aloud what would happened to Fast & Furious 7.

While the fate of that project has been addressed (the franchise will take 2014 off and rev up in 2015), those of other movies that Walker was attached to were left a bit more up in the air.

Like The Best of Me, the adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks property.

Someone had to pick up the pieces, and the powers that be on that one have turned to James Marsden (pictured here) to keep it going on (Michelle Monaghan is still on board as the female lead).

Meanwhile, Rupert Friend (Showtime’s Homeland) is being eyed to take over Agent 47.

Two fines choices, IMHO, to try and replace someone we will miss dearly up on the silver screen.

Photo: Zimbio.com.

James Marsden Talks Pretty

Cutie-hotootie and self-described sexiest nerd James Marsden is on the cover of the latest Out, and within the magazine he acknowledges that he has “a face like a model.”

Cue up the backlash, but he does.

It is not a crime to own something that is quite obvious and that others love to say about yourself. Plus, it is the truth: Marsden modeled for Versace once upon a time.

Anyway, more intriguingly, the Lee Daniel’s The Butler actor (he plays JFK) seemingly bags on “schmaltzy” The Notebook and even Magic Mike, a movie that he, evidently, turned down because he thought it a bit of a “sell-out” part.

Oh snap.

Photo: Out.com.

Mr. Marsden’s Gon’ Hear Ms. Wiig Talk

Linda Cardellini (AMC’s Mad Men), Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Tim Robbins better make room for James Marsden over at Welcome to Me.

The cutie-hotootie is joining the Kristen Wiig movie about a woman with a borderline personality disorder who wins the lotto and uses the money to create her own talk show.

No word on what kind of guy Marsden will be playing, but I am willing to guess he will be Wiig’s leading man ’cause, duh...he’s a looker.

Btw, Wes Bentley and Joan Cusack also have come on board the project.

Photo: MovieWeb.com.

The Man of the White House

This summer, Precious director Lee Daniels will introduce us to The Butler.

A stupendous cast led by Oscar winner Forest Whitaker in the titular role of Cecil Gaines – a man who worked at the White House over the course of eight administrations – will bring to life this most intriguing story of history in the making as seen through the eyes of a man who was meant to neither be seen nor heard.

Among the men and women with whom Whitaker will share the screen?

John Cusack as Richard Nixon. Robin Williams as Dwight Eisenhower. James Marsden as JFK. Nelsan Ellis from HBO’s True Blood as Martin Luther King Jr. And Oprah as Cecil Gaines’ beloved, steely wife, Gloria.

The Butler waltzes into theaters on Aug. 16.

Photo: MovieFanatic.com.

Smokin’ Aces

It’s the pairing we never knew we wanted: Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg, yo.

The guy’s guys are set to co-star in this Aug. 2’s 2 Guns, which has all the makings of a huge sleeper hit, if I say so right now.

Let’s see, there’s Denzel as a DEA agent (undercover) and Wahlberg as a Special Forces agent (also undercover), working together (and each other) to rob a bank. They make out with $40 million (and then realize that they’re both working on the right side of the law).

They’ve been set up...and then set up again – to work together and get back at who set them up to begin with. Follow me?

Paula Patton and James Marsden co-star. So yum for those two. And woo-hoo for 2 Guns. Imma have fun watching this one.

Photo: Collider.com.

Newsroom Newbie

James Marsden’s gonna have a good, busy couple of years.

The actor’s working hard on the upcoming Walk of Shame with Elizabeth Banks, and now comes word that the cutie-patootie’s gonna join Will Ferrell & Co. in this Christmas’ Anchorman: The Legend Continues.

Marsden reportedly will play a rival anchor of Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy’s.

He joins a cast that includes, of course, returning co-stars Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, and Christina Applegate, as well as franchise newcomer Kristen Wiig.

Photo: NME.com.

Hot Set Pair

Dayum, Walk of Shame – I cannot wait for you to come out.

If box office success were assured on the strength of a casual on-set pic, then I must say Elizabeth Banks and James Marsden have a big hit in their hands.

The pair looked gorge while shooting the comedy in L.A. last week. Banks is already quite the sunny B, but that yellow is taking her to a whole ’nother level.

Oof!

Photo: People.com.

I’d Walk with Him...I’d Walk for Him

Ooh, Elizabeth Banks – you bad.

Look who has been cast opposite one my favorites in Walk of Shame, a comedy about an aspiring news anchor who spirals down to the movie’s titular activity after she thinks she’s blown an audition.

James Marsden!

Alright, people – his role had better call for lots of some shiftlessness....

Photo: SeattlePI.com.

The (Hot) Commander

James Marsden may have 99 problems, but lack of work ain’t one.

The hook-up-in-Miami enthusiast – and total cutie-patootie – has been cast in 2 Guns, as a naval commander who will get to boss around Mark Wahlberg.

He joins a cast that also includes Denzel friggin Washington and Paula Patton.

Now, that is what I call a hot cast, people.

Photo: NYPost.com.

James Is Gonna Rock

Last year, he did Modern Family, and this year hes doing 30 Rock.

I’m talkin’ about that cutie-hotootie James Marsden, recently seen in Straw Dogs, who is set to guest on one, maybe two episodes of the hit TV comedy later this season (the show’s premiering later than usual, to accommodate Tina Fey’s maternity leave).

No official word on who the actor will play, although a casting call last month looked for a man ages 36-40 who play Liz Lemon’s latest love interest.

That L2 sure gets plenty of studs to play in her barn. I mean...Jon Hamm...Matt Damon...now James Marsden.

I want to go to all of theres.

Photo: InsideSoCal.com.

Crazy Town

Holy f---, people – I so cannot believe how friggin’ brilliant the non-ending of Rod Lurie’s Straw Dogs, a violent remake of the violent 1971 revenge thriller of the same name, was, y’all (I didn’t see the original, so if you wanna know what’s different I will suggest you GTS).

The wha?

The non-end....

Oh, just allow me to explain.

No, please, let me.

I saw the movie – starring James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, and that oh-so-hottest dish from Sweden, Alexander Skarsgård – last night, and just as it was about to end, it...did. Only it didn’t. There was a technical malfunction that cut the movie short in the most abrupt, most brilliant fashion.

The whole theater erupted in disbelief.

Could Lurie had written the thing in such a wonderfully bold way? I eventually found that, no, that wasn’t the ending, that we missed a couple more minutes, and that the resolution is a bit more, say, conventional. I was assured of as much, at least.

But, man, would Straw Dogs been really, really som’in’ had the cutaway I saw been it, y’ know. Because it certainly had me all kinds of bothered for all the wrong reasons, and by that I mean how good Skarsgård is at being bad. Dayum, is he ever.

His Charlie is a former football quarterback who now work construction with a motley crew of washouts in their hometown of Blackwater, Miss. He’s a big-deal redneck who does some pretty despicable things to the Sumners (Marsden and Bosworth), a couple from Hollywood that’s returned to the rural, deep-South town to take care of her daddy’s place, get it ready for sale. The True Blood hunk has an intensity that it so stoopid-effortless, and he is just so good to look at, that I found myself thinking things I shouldn’t have.

But I digress.

So, yeah, Bosworth’s Amy is a local...a beautiful girl who got out and lost her accent for work. She’s an actress who once starred on an NBC show that, had the ratings been measured only in Blackwater, probably would still be on. David, her husband, is a screenwriter, and Marsden plays him a chumpness that I never would attribute to him, which only makes his awakening in the final act all the more riveting.

Ah, yes, I circle back to that ending.

By the time we inch closer to the credits, you know Straw Dogs is going to, can only end one of two ways. Charlie and his gang have taken to imposing themselves on the Sumners (did I mention that he and Amy were sweethearts in high school?), quite subtly at first, and rather overtly for the most part of the movie: Hired to fix the roof on the property’s barn, they show up super-early for work and wake David and Amy up, leave whenever they like to go hunting of because it’s too hot, question David’s everything (his job, his taste in music...his manhood, in essence), and leer at Amy. In one of the movie’s most upsetting sequences, they trick him into a hunt, and two of them rape her, one more savagely than the other.

It all escalates quickly and it drives a wedge between the couple, who, to make matters worse, is drawn into a secondary drama that brings a vicious attack on the Sumners, who must fight back should they want to survive to die another day.

It’s all pretty gruesome, alright, and like many movies of its kind that came before it, you will not be able to look away from this one. Not when there’s a hot Swede walking around all sweaty and shirtless and s---, and definitely not when the villains’ comeuppance is so well served. Who says you can’t go home, huh.

My Rating ***

Photo: Screen Gems.

Evil Ringleader

James Marsden has found quite the meaty party into which to sink his teeth.

The actor will trade the shiny roles for which he has become famous and oh-so-lusted after for a really dark one: that of Charles Manson (how very Ryan Kwanten of him).

Marsden will headline the upcoming The Dead Circus, which will follow the case of singer Bobby Fuller, whose death, though ruled a suicide, raised suspicion of foul play and potentially murder.

The still-in-the-works script reportedly will focus on allegations that Manson and his Manson Family were behind the murder.

Michael C. Hall (Showtime’s Dexter) will play one of Fuller’s managers, while Oscar winner Melissa Leo will take on the role of a former Manson Family member.

Photo: Snarkerati.com.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Choices

Richard Kelly has got to be the most intriguing filmmaker working in Hollywood these days.

And the most frustrating.

The – kick me in the shin for using this word – auteur’s latest, The Box, is a creepy, suspenseful thriller starring Cameron Diaz and James Marsden that definitely won’t catapult him back to the top of moviegoers’ or critics’ lists, a spot he got to know after his beloved Donnie Darko, a.k.a. his cult hit calling card, but it will get ’em talking.

Except that’s precisely what I can’t do too much of, lest I spoil the movie for ya.

In The Box, Diaz and Marsden play Norma and Arthur Lewis, a suburban couple living in 1976 Virginia with their son, and facing the ultimate moral dilemma when they receive a gift (of sorts) that bears irrevocable consequences.

The Lewises are, on the surface, the epitome of an American family, but,y’ know, they’re struggling. They’re attractive, and loving, and together, but…she’s a private high school teacher who endures cruel taunts from bratty students (because she has a limp, but a whole lotta dignity), and he’s a NASA engineer who can‘t catch a break.

One fateful day, a small box is left on their doorstep, without instruction. Later that day, both Norma and Arthur receive pieces of bad news at work that threaten to shake their livelihoods.

But by nightfall, they finally learn what the box does, thanks to an explanation from one Arlington Steward (an at-his-spookiest Frank Langella).

With the push of a button, they will receive $1 million. By the power of that push, someone they don’t know somewhere in the world will die.

The caveat: They only have 24 hours to confront the depth of their own humanity and make their decision.

The will-they? suspense is resolved fairly quickly, but the nature of the ramifications of their choice propels the movie down a veritable rabbit whole of what-the? moments, which makes The Box a better movie for a night at home.

I mean, I’m still scratching my head I’m so kinda puzzled over the nature of the titular artifact, and all the mind control, teleportation, and body function manipulation writer-director Kelly throws into the mix….

For that, I say rent the movie…or better yet, rent the first season of TV’s Fringe. And also, nice try, R.K., but next time, dial down the crazy.

My Rating **

Photo: Warner Bros.