Her Target

Alright, alright. Before you get lost in a daze looking at dem Orlando Bloom-paddleboarding-in-the-buff-with-Katy Perry-on-board pics, know this.

Loving’s Joel Edgerton is going to work with Jennifer Lawrence.

I know. Comparatively boring much?

Anyway. The actor is thisclose to joining J. Law in the adaptation of Jason Matthews’s novel Red Sparrow, the story of a Russian intelligence officer (that would be the star o.k.a. Katniss Everdeen) coping with a post-Soviet Union world...and with being ordered to become a Sparrow (a...ahem...sexpionage expert) in order to spy on the CIA officer – Imma guess this would be the part that Edgerton would take – handling the agency’s most valuable Russian mole.

Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 helmer Francis Lawrence is all set to direct.

Photo: Deadline.com.

Meet the Lovings

An essential story of African-America history – of American history – is coming to a movie theater near you this fall.

Loving, directed by Jeff Nichols (Midnight Special), will spin the yarn of Richard and Mildred Loving, the real-life couple from Virginia, who in 1958 was arrested in their bedroom for the crime of matrimony. She was black and he was white, and that was not allowed at the time.

My, how far we’ve come. And, my, how far we’ve yet to go.

I bet that that’s going to be one of the main points made by the Nov. 4 film, which also will have to touch upon the Lovings-precipitated landmark Supreme Court case decision of 1967, which unanimously ruled their arrest and all state prohibitions against interracial marriage unlawful.

Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga (AMC’s Preacher, TV’s Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) star in Loving, which just premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to raves, btw.

This one is gonna matter, and it is also going to factor into the upcoming awards season. Of that I’m sure.

Photo: EW.com.

The Kid Is Special

I am loving the re-invention of Kirsten Dunst.

The actress seemingly took a break from the spotlight post-2007’s Spider-Man 3, retreating into Indietown and exploring more character-y featured parts with quieter success (you must check out her standout turns in Melancholia and Bachelorette). Gf also recently earned a Golden Globe nomination for her work on FX’s Fargo, so you know she’s still at it and bettah than evah.

Which brings me to the eagerly awaited and super-buzzed-about Midnight Special, director Jeff Nichols’ follow-up to Mud.

Dunst is about to quote-unquote come back (or finish coming back) as part of the ensemble of the film, which concerns itself with a father-son duo (Michael Shannon and St. Vincent’s Jaeden Lieberher) that must take to the road after the man learns that his child is imbued with special powers of great interest to the likes of Adam Driver.

Joel Edgerton’s also on board, as a guy protecting the family as they go on the lam. (I am pretty sure that Dunst plays the kid’s mom).

Check out the trailer for Midnight Special, which is scheduled to arrive in theaters on March 18.

Photo: ComingSoon.net.

Do Not Mess with This Woman

It may have taken quite a bit for us to see how Jane Got a Gun, but it looks like the wait will have been well worth it.

Natalie Portman stars in the looong-in-the-making western, which she also set out to produce after winning her Oscar for Black Swan, as a woman forced to defend her home after a bunch of outlaws come a-knockin’ and lookin’ to kill her barely alive husband (Noah Emmerich).

The Gift’s Joel Edgerton turns up as the ex-boyfriend she turns to for help, while Ewan McGregor portrays the leader of the villains – a role that was originally Edgerton’s. Rodrigo Santoro and Boyd Holbrook (Netflix’s Narcos) are also on board.

Check out the movie’s first international trailer now.

Photo: MovieWeb.com.

Dangerous Turn

Johnny Depp’s road to the big screen in the role of real-life former Boston mob boss-turned-FBI informant Whitey Bulger has been a long one (so long it gave us Mortdecai!) – but it looks like the film is almost there now.

I’m talking about Black Mass.

Directed by Scott (Out of the Furnace, Crazy Heart) Cooper, the buzzy film sees Depp disappear into the part, as you can very well see, and Guy Pearce Joel Edgerton playing an FBI agent and Benedict Cumberbatch portraying Whitey’s senator-brother Bill.

Black Mass is scheduled for a Sept. 18 release.

Photo: People.com.

Obsessive Old Acquaintance

My, my – look at that Joel Edgerton, getting his director on.

The Aussie actor – who has been dipping his toes in the producer and writing pools for years – is making his debut as a feature film director this summer, with The Gift.

Yep, Edgerton called all the shots for the thriller, which stars Jason Bateman and Transcendence’s Rebecca Hall as a married couple that sees their lives turned upside down after he has a simple-enough casual run-in with an old high school mate that soon turns into a veritable s--- show creep fest.

The Jason Blum-produced The Gift is set to open on July 31.

Photo: EW.com.

When You...Are Moses and Ramses

Are you ready to see Ridley Scott’s take on the biblical story of Moses and Ramses, two lads who grew up as brothers – or did they...? – but, you know...grew apart due to some epic stuff that went down between ’em?

You better be, ’cause such a film is a-comin’.

With Christian Bale as the former and Joel Edgerton as the latter.

It’s Exodus: Gods and Kings. And it is due out just in time for awards consideration on Dec. 12. So check out the trailer, yo (yeah, Aaron Paul is in the darn thing, too).

Photo: Collider.com.

Going to Smack

Joel Edgerton’s career is taking a drug-y turn.

The Aussie is circling the long-in-the-works adaptation of Gregory David Roberts’ Shantaram (Johnny Depp was attached to star once, with Peter Weir directing).

The Great Gatsby star would play a heroin addict who escapes prison and re-invents himself as a doctor in India who helps strategize against Russian troops in Afghanistan. A director for this one remains to be advised.

Up next, though, Edgerton will get to work with Christian Bale on Exodus.

Photo: BleedingCool.com.

The Great Pharaoh

Given how great an actor Christian Bale is, it is only fitting that they should find him a suitable thespian to play the Ramses to his Moses.

So the powers that behind the forthcoming Exodus have turned to Joel Edgerton.

Indeed, the Aussie – last seen playing Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby – is in talks to co-star the Oscar winner in the Ridley Scott-directed biblical epic written by Moneyball screenwriter Steve Zaillian.

Production is set to commence in Europe and Morocco next month.

Photo: Zimbio.com.

A Cowboy and a Director Gone

WTF?!

That was probably what Natalie Portman's been saying to herself a lot the last week.

First, she lost her Jane Got a Gun co-star Michael Fassbender (to no fault of his), and, now, today, the Oscar winner lost her director, Lynne Ramsay (We Need to Talk About Kevin).

But first thing's first.

Yes, the Fass had to drop out of the project – the story of a woman forced to defend her home and her husband after a bunch of outlaws come after him, enlisting the help of an old flame to do so. He was to play her looking-fine-in-chaps hero, but, unfortunately, delays on the western brought its schedule to a head with production on X-Men: Days of Future Past, so my fantasy (just look at the face) the actor had to leave the project.

Not to worry, though...Brazilian hottie Rodrigo Santoro, who also came on board recently, is staying put, and Joel Edgerton, who was set to play the leader of the baddies, has stepped in to fill Fassbender's shoes, with Jude Law is now playing the movie's villain.

Or is that role being played by Ramsay?

Evidently, the director pulled a Lindsay and just went AWOL and didn't show up for work today.

I wonder what happened, and I trust everything is A-OK.

Let's do stay tuned.

Photo: Biography.com.

Update 1: Warrior's Gavin O'Connor has come in to save the day, and production on Jane Got a Gun will start tomorrow.

Still no word from Lynne Ramsay.

Update 2: The bad news keeps galloping around this one: Jude Law has left the building.

Hey, Tom Buchanan, Hey...

Well, here’s to looking at you, Joel Edgerton, in character as The Great Gatsby’s Tom Buchanan.

And cheers to you, Isla Fisher, in full garb as Myrtle Wilson.

The actors are the first to get the one-sheet treatment to promote Baz Luhrmann’s 3-D take on the F. Scott Fitzgerald 1952 book that’s set to open early next summer.

Can’t wait to see what the posters featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, and Tobey Maguire will look like.

Photo: EW.com.

Gang Boss

Give it up for Natalie Portman – her forthcoming Jane Got a Gun is handsoming up nicely...and then some.

First came news that Michael Fassbender would be playing a former lover the Oscar winner’s character reluctantly calls upon for help when a gang of baddies comes a-lookin’ for her barely alive husband.

And now, word has it that Joel Edgerton is thisclose to nabbing the part of the head of said group of ne'er-do-wells.

Some bitches have all the luck.

Photo: Vulture.com.

Time to Get Great

It’s here, it’s finally here – a trailer for Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming The Great Gatsby is here.

And it. Looks. Major.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, and Joel Edgerton look lovingly photographed as they go from one dazzling party to another, roaring in the wealth of their 1922 New York City lives. Check it out:

Be Christmas, already. Please, please, be Christmas, already!

Getting Felonious

Actors who write seem to be on trend.

Matt Damon is doing it again. And just yesterday came word that Chris Pine is giving that whole diversifying thing a go, too.

So today, it’s Warrior star Joel Edgerton’s turn to be talked about.

Word from the Cannes Film Festival is the Aussie actor will next star in Felony, a thriller he wrote about a decorated police officer who runs a young cyclist off the road after a little gang-bust celebration with his colleagues.

Lies ensue, and everybody’s lives are changed forever. As they would be.

Photo: MarkRogers.com.au.

SEALd

Joel Edgerton will not be doing battle in another 300 movie, but he will be seeing some action courtesy of Hurt Locker Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow.

The Aussie actor will star in a film about the U.S. military’s pursuit of Osama bin Laden.

Bigelow’s controversial film has been reworked to reflect the Navy SEAL operation that got bin Laden last year.

I think Edgerton is quite the solid choice. I approve.

Photo: SMH.com.au.

Looking Great

Baz Luhrmann’s take on The Great Gatsby is looking pretty stunning.

I’m still a bit puzzled by the director’s decision to go 3-D with the project, but if this photo (and the other one here) has anything to say about the movie based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s that’s that it pretty much take our breath away.

Period garb suits Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire, and Warrior breakout Joel Edgerton rather nicely.

Photo: EW.com.

Back to the Battlefield with a New Guy

Could Warrior breakout Joel Edgerton be the next Gerard Butler?

Well, maybe.

The Aussie actor is in talks to star in 300: Battle of Artemisia, a sequel to the 2006 hit that made Butler a household name. (The Scot can’t star in the follow-up since his King Leonidas died at the end of it, y’ see.)

Edgerton would play Themistocles, the famed archon and general who led the Greeks to victory against invading Persians in 480 BCE.

Photo: Collider.com.

The Fight of Their Lives

The drama of family dynamics – it often makes for some good movies.

Warrior tells the story of two estranged brothers, Brendan Conlon (Aussie breakout Joel Edgerton, one of the stars of next year’s The Great Gatsby) and the younger of the two, Tommy Riordan, an Iraq-war vet, played by Inception scene-stealer Tom Hardy, who’s returned home carrying some heavy baggage on his broad shoulders.

Both are mixed martial arts fighters, and neither is on speaking terms with their father, Paddy (Nick Nolte, award-worthy in a chewy, but restrained-when-needed performance), a recovering alcoholic almost 1,000 days sober whose drinking tore their family apart.

Brendan, the, say, gentler of two, is on the wrong side of 30 as he is described at one point during the movie. A former MMA fighter, he now is a family man living in Philly, a physics teacher with two daughters (one of whom has an expensive health condition), a beautiful wife (Jennifer Morrison, from TV’s House), and three jobs between the two. He also has a house about to be foreclosed on by the bank.

The guy’s barely making ends meet, y’ know, working miserable bouncing jobs at strip joints and picking up the odd amateur fight on the side, which doesn’t go over very well with the powers that be at school. He gets suspended, so he decides to start fighting again to keep his family afloat, at least until his case goes before the review board at the end of the semester.

So we know why Brendan wants to get back in a cage: Warrior does a very good job of telling us.

Tommy’s reasons are a bit harder to read because he’s such a closed-up guy.

Is he angry at his old man for being such a piss-poor dad? Or is it a PTSD-type of thing? It’s tough to tell, but what you definitely will be to tell as soon as you hear both Brendan and Tommy find out about this winner-takes-all tournament in Atlantic City is that the two brothers will face each other in fight.

They both want the $5 million prize...they both want it and need it bad: Brendan, the underdog, for survival, to prove to himself that life will not take the fight out of him, that Paddy should’ve nurtured his talent, too; and Tommy, the tournament’s reluctant hero (that’s a bit of a hint) for redemption (that’s another).

The two will fight each other, alright, but they also will battle their pasts, and their future as a family, emotionally tearing down not only each other but those closest to them in the process. Obviously, only one could win the title, but, as it would be the movie’s wont, everyone comes out on top.

I liked Warrior. I enjoyed the tension of the MMA scenes, as well as the humor and the heart it managed to include in such a masculine story. Yeah, maybe it could’ve gotten wrapped up with a less shiny ribbon on it, as someone I saw the movie with suggested (I didn’t think it really did – Nolte’s character would agree), but I liked that in the end, these guys walked away a bit wiser. It gave me hope they’d be A-OK.

My Rating ***1/2

Photo: Lionsgate Films.

Fighting Looks H-O-T!

Pin-up Alert!

I haven’t a clue what Warrior is all about, but I know I will be checking it out when it comes out on Sept. 9.

I mean, hello Tom Hardy.

The Inception scene-stealer is poised to do more of the same (I can think of at least six oh-so-strong reasons), and look, he’s co-starring with Aussie actor Joel Edgerton, who’s going to play Tom Buchanan in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby.

Looking good, guys. Very, very good.

Photo: Towleroad.com.