Christopher Eccleston To Portray John Lennon In BBC Drama 'Lennon Naked'

Christopher is to star in a BBC one-off drama as John Lennon in a biopic set during the turbulent demise of The Beatles.

'Lennon Naked' covers the period from 1967 to 1971 when tensions within the band reached a peak and the star slipped into hard drug use.

Eccleston has already begun filming the 90-minute drama for BBC4.

When The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein died unexpectedly in 1967, it was a turning point in John Lennon's life. The film focuses on the turbulent and intense period of change that followed, and how John was haunted by his troubled childhood.

The film reveals the impact of re-establishing contact with his long lost father Freddie and the events that led John to shed everything both personally and creatively – from divorcing his long-suffering wife Cynthia, to changing his name and ultimately calling time on The Beatles.

Meeting Yoko Ono was the catalyst for this new era and the film explores the development of their extraordinary relationship. Together they experimented with both the musical and artistic avant garde but in doing so become outsiders.

It looks at their growing disillusionment with Britain and what caused John to abandon the UK to start a new life in America. A process that included John harnessing the power of radical Primal Scream psychotherapy to lay the ghosts of his past and go on to record arguably the most powerful solo work of his career.

Ben Stephenson, controller of BBC drama commissioning, said: "Securing Christopher Eccleston to play John Lennon is further testament to the calibre of drama on BBC4.

Torchwood actress Naoko Mori will play Yoko Ono, while Irish actor Andrew Scott stars as Paul McCartney.

'Lennon Naked' is currently filming in London; the 90-minute drama is written by Robert Jones (The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Party Animals) and will air in 2010.

John Lennon: Working Class Hero

'44 Inch Chest' Trailer

Doctor Who: 'The End Of Time' Airdate, Details & New Picture Released

David Tennant's final two episodes of 'Doctor Who' will air on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, the BBC has confirmed. The BBC has also released a detailed description for 'The End Of Time' two parter.

Part One': "It's the Tenth Doctor's final journey – but his psychotic nemesis the Master has been reborn, on Christmas Eve. With both determined to cheat death, the battle ranges from the wastelands of London to the mysterious Immortality Gate, while the alien Ood warn of an even greater danger approaching, as a terrible shadow falls across the entire Universe."

'The End Of Time, Part One' will air provisionally from 7.30pm to 8.30pm on BBC One on Christmas Day.

Part Two': "The Doctor faces the end of his life as the Master's plans hurtle out of control. With the sound of drums growing louder, and an ancient trap closing around the Earth, the Doctor and Wilf must fight alone. But sacrifices must be made, and the deadly prophecy warns: 'He will knock four times.'

'The End Of Time, Part Two', in which Tennant's Doctor will regenerate into a new incarnation played by Matt Smith, will air 7.30pm on New Year's Day.

For US viewers, airdates will be broadcast the following day after being aired in the UK, part 1 will air 26th December 2009 & part 2 will conclude January 2nd 2010.

Doctor Who 'The End Of Time' Trailer

'Toy Story 3' Trailer 2

Doctor Who: Dreamland

Episode 1 (Part 1)


Episode 1 (Part 2)

Episode 2


Episode 3


Episode 4


Episode 5


Episode 6

J.J. Abrams To Help Samurai Jack Get Back To The Past

Great news here for 'Samurai Jack' fans, Frederator Films have announced that Genndy Tartovsky will be making his long awaited 'Samurai Jack' film for the company

Also revealed was J.J. Abrams involvement to be a co-producer on the film through his Bad Robot Productions at Paramount Pictures, apparently he is huge Samurai Jack fan.

I set up the lunch with no expectations. After all, Genndy had just come out of a multi-year relationship with George Lucas, and had set up The Orphanage Animation Studios to develop his own feature films; what could Frederator offer him at this point? But, on the way I realized there was an opportunity. I immediately called Jim Samples, then-President of Cartoon Network, and right away he agreed to a first in the network’s history, granting of rights to an independent production company. They would grant Frederator Studios the animated movie rights to the hit TV series Samurai Jack, as long as we agreed that Genndy would be intimately involved. Agree?!!! How else could we be interested?

Genndy was thrilled when I delivered the news. He’d been disappointed that CN and New Line Cinema had abandoned the project (both animated and live action films) and felt he’d let his fans down. Here was the chance to finish what he’d started, and reclaim a special set of characters he’d created.

Without going into all the details, the deals took forever (forever!) to close (in fact, some of them still have dangling participles) and by the time we announced the formation of Frederator Films in June 2007 surprise was awaiting all of us. J.J. Abrams, a huge Jack fan, had agreed to be my co-producer on the picture through his company Bad Robot Productions at Paramount Pictures. We knew that with JJ and his producing partner Bryan Burk we’d be in more than good hands and improve our chances tremendously of actually seeing the movie on the big screens.

Silver Surfer Spin-Off Is Dead

In an interview with Collider, J. Michael Straczynski has confirmed that the Silver Surfer Spin-Off Is dead:

"What happened was when Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer didn't do as well as they hoped it would do, it caused them to call into question a Silver Surfer movie."

He went on: "The script that I wrote picked up right where FF2 left off. So if they do a Silver Surfer film down the road, it'll have to be its own separate thing."

Straczynski was tasked with scripting the film launching the hero from the shackles of the Fantastic Four films he had this to say on his direction of the film

"It was definitely adult fare. I wanted to tell the origin of the Surfer and get into that whole thing."

UPDATE: It appears news of the Silver Surfer's death have been greatly exaggerated as J. Michael Straczynski was quick to respond to IGN about the news saying:

"Guys... guys... GUYS... whoa, slow down, back the bus up a second.

When I was asked about the Silver Surfer script, I responded about the one I'd written around the time that FF2 was launched, and was designed to pick up where that one left off.

When FF2 didn't do as well as hoped for, that script was set aside, but that has NOTHING to do with the Silver Surfer script that is NOW under development at Fox with other folks. As far as I know, that is proceeding apace. So the hysteria that's gripped the nets about 'ohmygod the Surfer movie is dead!' is not correct, as I was again referring to only that one specific script tied into FF2, NOT what's being done now."

New 'Lovely Bones' Poster & Clips

3 'Nine' Posters

Peter Jackson Says 'Tintin' Film Is In The Can

While visiting London for the Royal gala premiere of film 'The Lovely Bones', the BBC got to ask Peter Jackson about 'Tintin', Jackson told them that Tintin is in the can, but it will take two years for the computer animation to be completed:

"Tintin is great. It's made. The movie is cut together and now [we] are turning it into a fully-rendered film".

"So the movie, to some degree, exists in a very rough state."

Also they got to ask Peter how the Hobbit script is coming along and will it be filmed for 3D, to which he replied:

"We're writing the screenplays with him, so in terms of the script, there is continuity," he said.

"We're writing Ian McKellen's dialogue just the same as we did in Lord Of The Rings. But Guillermo, being the director, will obviously take the script and interpret that and shoot his film. So that'll be interesting to see.

"That's actually the reason I wanted him to do it. I felt like I'd be trying to compete with myself and deliberately do things differently, which is not the way I want to work. I want it to be natural."

Unlike Tintin, he revealed, The Hobbit will not be filmed in 3D, despite the current vogue for the technology in the movie industry.

"Guillermo wants to shoot in 35mm, old-fashioned film," Jackson said, "which suits me, because he wants to keep it in the same space as the original trilogy".

But Jackson gave a cautious welcome to 3D, saying it "only adds to the experience" of watching a movie.

"The only thing I get annoyed about is the image being a little dull.

"It does feel like you're looking at the movie with sunglasses on. But literally, that could just be about getting brighter bulbs in the projectors."

'Iron Man 2' Empire Cover

'Greenberg' Trailer

'Avatar' 60 Minutes Feature Plus Clips & Promos

'60 Mintues': James Cameron's Avatar Part I


'60 Minutes': James Cameron's Avatar Part II


The Thanador Chase Clip


Target Audience


His High-Tech Cave


A Defining Moment?


Featurette - Col. Quaritch


Bones Promo

Mel Rules Out Returning As The Road Warrior

In a interview with heraldsun.com.au Mel Gibson proclaimed he was too old to play the Road Warrior, but he did say he has been recently in contact with George Miller. Could this mean we may see Mel make a cameo in 'Mad Max 4: Fury Road'?

"I was just talking with George (Miller, Mad Max director) the other day, he dropped me a line, so you kind of keep in touch with them and see what they're up to,'' he says.

''It's not an obsession of mine.''

''I figure if it's great, you'll end up seeing it, you know.''

Hang on. A catch-up with Miller? Surely that would be about reprising some sort of role in Mad Max 4?

''Oh gosh, I don't know what he's up to,'' Gibson says, perhaps a little unconvincingly. ''Not with me, I don't think, man, I'm a bit old and long in the tooth for that number.

''You need somebody who can get around a bit quicker.''

Warriors Three Cast In 'Thor' Plus More Cast Updates

Irish actors Ray Stevenson and Stuart Townsend have been cast along with Tadanobu Asano to portray the Warriors Three in Kenneth Branagh's Thor.

Fandral, Hogun and Volstagg, longtime friends and fellow Asgardian warriors who have traditionally appeared as allies to the thunder god Thor.

Fandral will be played by Stuart Townsend. The job of Hogun goes to Tadanobu Asano. And Volstagg will be portrayed Ray Stevenson.

They join the previously announced Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tom Hiddleston as Loki and Natalie Portman as Jane Foster.

The film begins shooting in California in January 2010.

UPDATE: Idris Elba has joined the cast of Thor.Elba best known for starring in 'The Wire' will play Heimdall, a guardian who stands to defend Asgard from intruders.

UPDATE 2: Natalie Portman revealed to MTV that Kat Dennings will have a role in Thor. She didn't reveal what part Dennings will be playing.

Pixar Short: 'George And AJ'

George & A.J. is a short film created by Pixar which uses characters from the film 'Up' to tell what Nurses George and A.J. did after Carl Fredricksen left with his house tied to balloons in the feature film.

Peter Kay's 'Animated All Star Band' Video

BBC's 'Children in Need' official 2009 charity single is "Animated All Star Band," which was masterminded by Peter Kay.

Kay enlisted the help of childhood favourites such as The Thunderbirds, The Wombles, Bagpuss, Fireman Sam, Thomas The Tank Engine and Postman Pat alongside contemporary children's favourites, who all appear in the brilliant video. The project took 8 months to do and all the characters are provided by the original voice actors.

The single is available to buy now from iTunes and the CD and DVD will be on sale from Monday 23rd November.

'Up in the Air' Clips

Check This...'Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom'

Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom AKA My Name is Yu Ming is a 2003 Irish short film filmed mainly in Gaeilge (Irish language), it tells the tale of a Chinese man who has learned to speak Irish, but encounters problems when he decides to locate to Ireland. The film was written and directed by Daniel O'Hara.


Check This... is a feature showcasing what we at Flicks News consider essential short films to watch!


To view past shorts we showcased click here.

Doctor Who: 'The End Of Time' Clip

This clip was broadcast as part of the BBC's Children In Need appeal, and you can find out more about it and how to make a donation here.

First Look At The Chris Morris Directed 'Four Lions'

UPDATE: TRAILER IS HERE

Here is the first clip and the first batch of stills from the Chris Morris directed 'Four Lions,' the good folks over at Twitch posted up the pics with a summary sent out to those who signed up to an official email list which is as follows:

Many people have asked us exactly what the Four Lions project is. Clearly we can't launch the film before its been shot, but I've pulled together a few paragraphs from the paperwork that's been flying around. Its shameless hype but its accurate - unlike almost everything you will have read in the press. No one who has read the script could disagree with a word here.

In three years of research, Chris Morris has spoken to terrorism experts, imams, police, secret services and hundreds of Muslims. Even those who have trained and fought jihad report the frequency of farce. At training camps young jihadis argue about honey, cry for their mums, shoot each other's feet off, chase snakes and get thrown out for smoking. A minute into his martyrdom video, a would-be bomber looks puzzled and says "what was the question again?" On millennium eve, five jihadis set out to ram a US warship. They slipped their boat into the water and carefully stacked it with explosives. It sank.

Terrorist cells have the same group dynamics as stag parties and five a side football teams. There is conflict, friendship, misunderstanding and rivalry. Terrorism is about ideology, but it's also about berks.

Four Lions is a funny, thrilling fictional story that illuminates modern British jihad with an insight beyond anything else in our culture. It plunges us beyond seeing these young men as unfathomably alien. It undermines the folly of just wishing them away or alienating the entire culture from which they emerge. It understands how terrorism relates to testosterone. It understands jihadis as human beings. And it understands human beings as innately ridiculous. As Spinal Tap understood heavy metal and Dr Strangelove the Cold War, Four Lions understands modern British jihadis.

Preview Of Ricky Gervais On Sesame Street

'Crazy Heart' Trailer

Watch it in HD over at Apple!

'Salt' Teaser Poster

3rd 'Alice In Wonderland' Poster

Wes Anderson Acting Out 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' Scenes

'Nine' Trailer

Doctor Who 'The End Of Time' Trailer

Brian Cox To Join The Hobbit?

AICN has an interesting rumor that the great Brian Cox may be joining 'The Hobbit' as a dwarf.

This is a news item I'd love to proclaim with all-out certainty, but my tried and trusted source(s) aren't sure if this is a total lock, or whether it's just someone they're seriously interested in. Either way, producers of THE HOBBIT have begun looking at casting for the dwarves (dwarfs?), and one name has emerged as a major contender: Brian Cox. He's a brilliant choice for the role: physically, he fits with the depiction of the the race in LOTR (well, Gimli), and he's a born Scotsman. Also, he could yell at Galadriel for adding narration. So there you go. If this comes to fruition, you heard it here first!

'Leaves of Grass' Trailer

'Crazy Heart' One Sheet

The Mighty Boosh Confirm Movie Plans

While attending the premiere of 'Bunny and the Bull' Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt confirmed that they are working on a Mighty Boosh film.

"We're writing a film at the moment and an album, so hopefully next year. Both of those things."

However Noel refused to give anything else away about the project.

"I've got to stop doing that,I've been stung too many times."

Julian Barratt offered a little more detail about what to expect.

"We've been very inspired by this [their mate & Boosh TV director Paul King's film Bunny and the Bull] because we've been doing the show and touring a lot and we've finally got round to writing."

"We try and do, on TV, quite magical epic journeys and we thought if you're doing a film we should really do it in one room, basically just kind of a sitcom for 90 minutes.

"So we might do that. We might do exactly what we didn't do on TV."

On recent rumours the Boosh were set to split, Barratt added: "We're still together! It's like we're twins, we're kind of symbiotically linked... if he drinks I get drunk. Like E.T. and Elliott."

13/11/09 Updated: Noel Fielding has pulled the plug on his 2010 solo stand-up tour.

He had planned 17 dates in February and March but cancelled them all, saying he wants to concentrate on writing 'The Mighty Boosh' film with co-star Julian Barratt as well as a music album.

He sent out a tweet last week saying: ‘Just a quick message to say my tour has been cancelled so that Julian and I can concentrate on writing the film and the album x’

Fielding’s publicist later confirmed the tour was being axed because of the film, but said it would be rescheduled for a later date.

Barrat also commented recently regarding the film's script progress at a Boosh live DVD launch "We're writing it now. Putting things on paper, doing drawings, touching each other."

Mighty Boosh Episode: The Nightmare Of Milky Joe

Tim Burton MoMA Spot

On view at MoMA November 22, 2009-April 26, 2010 For more information please visit http://www.moma.org/timburton

Rambo Decides Not To Take On Any Monsters

Sly Stallone has changed direction for Rambo 6 dropping the sci-fi plans for Rambo to fight a "an amalgamation of fury and intelligence and pure unadulterated rage from before Man became human." He told stallonezone:

I’m letting you know that Rambo has changed course and the story about hunting the man/beast will be done using another character in the lead. RAMBO himself will be heading over the border to a violent city where many young women have vanished .

There will be blood.

While Rambo takes a trip to Mexico another character will step up to fight the Man before human monster based on the novel 'Hunter' written by James Byron Huggins, did Sly say he was thinking of another Rocky?

3 Clips From 'A Town Called Panic' (Panique au village)

'Leap Year' Poster & Trailer

'Superman Returns: Directors Cut' Campaign

SupermanReturnsTheBryanSingerCut.com have launched a campaign for Warner Brothers to release Bryan Singer's original cut of the film on DVD & Blu-Ray.

Singer stated back when the film was released that the original cut was 2 hours and 45 minutes before the film was trimmed for its theatrical release. A number of significant scenes ended up on the cutting room floor such as the Return to Krypton sequence, scenes with Ben Hubbard and Martha Kent, Kal Penn's character's dialogue was cut, an opening sequence with comic book opening similar to Superman: The Movie's opening, Clark adjusting back to life on earth, young Clark growing up, and lots of dialogue and extended scenes that supposedly added to the film and gave it better pacing and beats.

The trailer below highlights some of these scenes that got cut:


Deleted Return To Krypton Scene


Superman Returns generated $13 million in rentals during its first week of release on home video . The DVD release also generated high sales worldwide, the film was also released in both high definition formats, HD DVD and Blu-Ray and became the best-selling title on both formats in 2006 and was among the best sellers of both formats of 2007.

Flicks News totally support this campaign and would love to see a Directors/ Extended cut of the film with all the scenes restored and we urge you to join the campaign and sign your name.

'Date Night' Trailer

New 'Kick-Ass' Poster

HBO's 'The Ricky Gervais Show' Animated Clips

RickyGervais.com has released the first animated clip of the 'The Ricky Gervais Show', another clip was then later released when Ricky appeared on Letterman. The 13 half-hour episodes will air next year on HBO and Gervais plans to make Karl Pilkington and his brilliant mind a household name world wide.

A New Female Lead for Spider-Man 4? (UPDATED)

Reports are coming in that Spider-Man may have a new female in his life. Mania.com has heard from reliable sources that Rachel McAdams has met with the producers of the film for a major role in the 4th film, they presume it to be Felicia Hardy also known as The Black Cat.

To further reports that a major female role is up for grabs, The Observer ran the article 'My Week' with Romola Garai where were she talked about auditioning for a role in Spider-Man 4:

"Love is at the root of everything good that has ever happened and will happen." This phrase swam into focus as I moved up the escalator at Oxford Circus tube on Tuesday morning on my way to put myself "on tape" for a part in Spider-Man 4. This is the acting equivalent of the London Marathon in that it's important to try your best as long as you understand that you aren't going to win."

UPDATE: According to sources from HeyUGuys, Felicia Hardy AKA TheBlack Cat will be a villian in Spider-Man 4, her story ark is:

Apparently she is the daughter of the new editor of The Daily Bugle, a man who is also referred to as ‘a viper’ (more on this in a second). She falls in love with Peter Parker, and uncovers his true identity. Her father then dies, and Hardy becomes a threat to Peter Parker (presumably as The Black Cat).

There is no offical word on this yet.

Doctor Who: First Official Image From 'The End Of Time'

'Clash Of The Titans' Trailer