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First Photo Of John Cusack As Edgar Allan Poe In 'The Raven' Hits The Web

Posted 12/13/10 3:20 pm EST by in News, Photos


Several months ago John Cusack announced that he would be playing Edgar Allan Poe in the upcoming murder mystery flick "The Raven," and we've been pretty intrigued by the project ever since. Now The Huffington Post has the first picture of Cusack in full Poe regalia, raven and all, and we've got to say we're officially impressed. We're not sure what's up with the goatee (we've only ever seen him in his mustachioed glory), but beyond that it's pretty much as spot-on Poe as you can get.

John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe

The film's plot is inspired by the last few, mysterious days of Poe's life. Poe died at the age of 40 after he was found wandering disoriented and injured around the streets of Baltimore. The cause of his death is still unknown, and explanations range from cholera to rabies to suicide. But "The Raven" follows the conspiracy that Poe was actually tracking down a serial killer who based his crimes on Poe's horror stories. Read More...

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John Cusack To Star In James McTeigue's 'The Raven,' John Cusack Confirms

Posted 8/27/10 3:21 pm EST by in News


He may be the posterboy for 1980s lovey dovey comedies, but John Cusack also does tall, dark and stormy quite well. It's fitting then that he'll star as horror author Edgar Allen Poe in James McTeigue's upcoming murder mystery/Poe not-biopic "The Raven." News of the casting comes from Cusack himself, via his Twitter feed.

McTeigue told MTV in August of last year that he was "close" to picking his Poe. "I think the person we're looking at will make a great Poe," he said at the time. I wonder if its been, or been working toward, Cusack this whole time.

The movie is set around the real-life Poe's mysterious last days. He died at the age of 40 shortly after being found wandering in the streets, disoriented and injured. "The Raven" posits the idea that Poe was in fact hunting a serial killer who modeled his or her crimes after the deaths in the author's stories. It's a pretty intriguing idea and McTeigue, who showed off plenty of visual panache with his work on "V for Vendetta" and "Ninja Assassin," seems like the right person to tell the story.

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'The Hurt Locker' Star Jeremy Renner In Talks For 'Battleship,' Edgar Allen Poe's Last Days Thriller

Posted 2/18/10 9:00 am EST by in News


"The Hurt Locker" is unquestionably one of the best films of 2009, as evidenced by the "Avatar"-tying nine Oscar nominations it received. What this means is that star Jeremy Renner, a Best Actor contender, is burning hot right now. And so a lot of people are wondering what will be next for him.

A couple of hints surfaced today in a New York Times article which takes a general look at some of the nominees and what's coming up for them. It sounds like we'll next see Renner in "The Raven," for which Ewan McGregor is in talks to co-star. You might remember "The Raven" from our own chats with director James McTeigue; he told us last August that he was "close" to casting someone for the starring role of Edgar Allen Poe. Read More...

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Here's What You NEED To Know About 'Ninja Assassin'

Posted 11/25/09 2:30 pm EST by in Video


FROM MTV.COM: "Ninja Assassin" starts off with one of the coolest and most gruesomely entertaining movie scenes of the year: a claustrophobic attack from some masked killers who slice, dice and decapitate their way through some unlucky gangsters, spraying blood around the room like they're firefighters trying to extinguish a four-alarmer.

From there, director James McTeigue ("V for Vendetta") and his star Rain take us on a global treasure hunt in which the nominal goal is vengeance but whose real aim is to kill as many people in as insane a fashion as possible. Run-and-slash sword fights on a busy highway! Armed-soldier-vs.-ninja melees! Spooky, flashlight-assisted battles that leave you hoping never to run into a ninja in a dark alley. The film barrels into theaters on Wednesday (November 25), and here are five things you should know before checking it out:

Continue reading 'Ninja Assassin': Five Things You Should Know

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EXCLUSIVE: New 'Ninja Assassin' Clip Shows You What Awesome Looks Like

Posted 11/12/09 2:30 pm EST by in Video


I can't freaking wait to see this movie. No talk. Just watch. James McTeigue. "Ninja Assassin." Unbelievably badass-looking ninja action. Out November 25. Finally.

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'Ninja Assassin' Is Coming, And These Pictures Are The Proof

Posted 11/12/09 1:00 pm EST by in Photos


Seriously, the November 25 release of "Ninja Assassin" is really close. Enough so that I can taste the blood in my mouth, which will surely be there after the unbridled awesome that director James McTeigue brings to the screen leaves my ass kicked. I didn't love his "V for Vendetta," but it was definitely beautiful. "Ninja Assassin" is similarly eye-catching, and the story will probably fare better since it's not bound to any source material.

For now though, feast your eyes upon the joys of real ultimate ninja action in our newly updated flipbook gallery.

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'Ninja Assassin' Star Rain Would Like To Work With Al Pacino

Posted 9/8/09 10:00 am EST by in Video


Last Friday's episode of "Behind the Screen" unearthed a wealth of exclusive new content relating to some of the fall's most highly anticipated releases. Among them is the James McTeigue-directed "Ninja Assassin," a heavily stylized action flick featuring buckets of blood, severed limbs and everybody's favorite black pajama-wearing martial artists. If you need any convincing about this movie's high quotient of awesome sauce, check out last week's exclusive trailer.

The focus of the tale is Raizo, a world-class assassin who emerges from hiding in search of vengeance for the murder of his friend. Raizo's target is the Ozunu Clan, the same crew that helped him sharpen his own person-killing skills. The starring role in "Ninja Assassin" is filled by Asian pop sensation Rain, who will very likely break out in the U.S. after he slices and dices the army of ninja McTeigue throws his way. In real life though, the top dog killer is a sweetheart. Just check out the video below to see Rain fielding the questions that you readers gave us to ask him.

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EXCLUSIVE Views Of 'Ninja Assassin' Bring Bloody Ninja Action In Stop Motion

Posted 9/1/09 2:30 pm EST by in Photos


This Friday at 7pm on MTV, "Behind the Screen" returns with exclusive looks -- clips, interviews, set visits... fun stuff -- at a number of hot upcoming movies, including "Jennifer's Body," "Clash of the Titans," "2012" and "Ninja Assassin." That last one, from "V for Vendetta" director James McTeigue, is what brings me here to you now.

Unless you were one of the lucky San Diego Comic-Con attendees to check out the surprise screening of "Ninja Assassin," you've probably not seen anything more than the trailer. We're going to correct that on Friday. Tune in for "BtS" to check out an exclusive clip from the movie, which is set to hit theaters on November 25. And since I'm well aware of how painful waiting for this sort of thing can be, I'm here to bring you an advance look at the clip, in Stop Motion. Click the image below to check out the full gallery.

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'Clash Of The Titans' Features Scorpions 'The Size Of Dumptrucks,' Say Star Sam Worthington

Posted 9/1/09 1:30 pm EST by in Video


Really people... do you need a more rousing endorsement than that? "Clash of the Titans" star Sam Worthington going toe-to-chitinous claw with a dumptruck-sized scorpion. The idea sells itself, really.

The below clip, in which Worthington is speaking on the set of "Clash of the Titans," is a tease for this Friday's episode of "Behind the Screen," airing at 7pm on MTV. "Clash" isn't the only upcoming release you can look for exclusive interviews and footage from; you'll also see new stuff from the Diablo Cody-penned "Jennifer's Body" -- teased yesterday in a brief look at MTV's interview with Megan Fox -- and from director Larry McTeigue's ultra-stylish, ultra-violent "Ninja Assassin."

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'Ninja Assassin' Two-Punch EXCLUSIVE: A Still And An Interview With Director James McTeigue

Posted 8/25/09 4:00 pm EST by in Fall Preview, Photos, Video


"Ninja Assassin" is looking badass, no question. Aside from sporting one of the greatest movie titles to come along this year -- seriously, it sounds like an awesome kung-fu exploitation flick imported from the '70s -- it also features the considerable talents of Asian pop star Rain, as the titular martial artist, and "V for Vendetta" James McTeigue. In a recent interview with MTV, McTeigue had nothing but positive things to say about his star.

To hear more about the movie's plot and some words from Rain himself, head over to MTV.com for Eric Ditzian's Fall Preview report on "Ninja Assassin." Also, hit the jump to peek at an EXCLUSIVE photo. Of what? Rain being a badass, 'natch. Read More...

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