The Hitlist Movies Blog

Interview: Andrew Garfield of 'The Amazing Spider-Man'

'My one scene with Emma was about 2 percent written, and then 98 percent bulls**t ...'

By James Rocchi Jul 3, 2012 1:55PM

Rumpled, laid-back and gangly -- in short, every inch the awkward teen he plays in "The Amazing Spider-Man" -- Andrew Garfield laughs talking about playing Peter Parker, and seems to be taking the biggest role of his life -- after standout turns in "The Social Network," "Never Let Me Go" and "Red Riding" -- in stride. We spoke with Garfield in New York about auditioning, the legendary stunt team who made him look like a super-hero and how much he got to play fast and loose with the script. ...

MSN Movies: You were apparently a huge fan of "Spider-Man" as a kid. There's a legendary picture of you in the outfit at age 3 for Halloween ...

Andrew Garfield: Legendary ...

When word came they were thinking about starting this up again, how exactly did you wind up being Peter Parker?

I auditioned like any other actor might, and then I thought 'Well, that was a waste of time." Then they called and said, "We think you're too old, but maybe screen tests." I thought, "Okay. I think I might be a little too old as well." I can act like a teenager, because sometimes I feel like a teenager, so I screen tested and they said, "Hey, we think you could maybe do it." I was like, "Are you sure? Okay."

This all sounds very noncommittal. I'd like to think there was a bit more excitement.

(Laughs) No, it was a very cool and exciting time.

And, yes, it will probably be in 3D

By Kate Erbland 32 minutes ago

These days, if a beloved film franchise isn't getting rebooted with an all-new "reimagining," it's soon to be saddled with a shoehorned-in "sequel." Case in point? "Jurassic Park." Do you love "Jurassic Park"? Obviously. You may even love its two sequels (though probably not), but you probably haven't spent the last twelve years since "Jurassic Park III" hit theaters wishing for yet another sequel.

Bing: More on 'Jurassic Park IV'

But what Universal Pictures is hoping is that...maybe you were?

We've heard about a new "Jurassic Park" for some time now, with the project going so far to hire on a director (Colin Trevorrow, of the delightful "Safety Not Guaranteed") and to greenlight a script from "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" scribes Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, but it was pushed back from its originally-set June 2014 release date earlier this year for being "too ambitious." But perhaps it's not too ambitious to look ahead to a later release date? Perhaps one with a new dimension?

Bing: More on Colin Trevorrow

ComingSoon reports (via Cinema Blend) from the 2013 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas that the sequel is being advertised as hitting theaters in 2015 (like in that banner up top, also from ComingSoon) in (shock!) 3D. While we couldn't call 3D in and of itself "ambitious," this advertising does instill a level of confidence in the film's very existence that we hadn't seen for quite some time. We remain cautiously optimistic (and also hopeful that the new film won't arrive during the already crammed and pocketbook-busting summer season).

Want more Movies? Be sure to like MSN Movies Facebook and follow MSN Movies Twitter.

Report: Shailene Woodley's Mary Jane Watson cut from 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2'

But she will appear in the third film

By Kate Erbland 1 hour ago

On the heels of news that Sony has already started lining up third and fourth films for their recently resurrected "Amazing Spider-Man" franchise comes word that one of the the second film's promised stars, Shailene Woodley, will not appear in the newest release, despite her somewhat contentious casting. (We, however, love Woodley and think she's great for the film.)

Bing: More on Shailene Woodley

This news is upsetting for a number of reasons - but mainly because Woodley has already filmed a number of scenes for "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," which means that the film's script is also getting a big overhaul in the middle of very well-documented filming. Oops! (Check out the set picture above, featuring an apparent meeting between Woodley and Emma Stone.)

Oh, and also? She's playing no less than Mary Jane Watson. You've probably heard of her. And you were probably anticipating seeing her on screen next summer. Too bad.

Bing: More on 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2'

The news comes to us from Entertainment Weekly, thanks to a tip to ComingSoon that alerted them to this little tidbit in an interview with Woodley in their latest issue: "Of course I'm bummed...But I'm a firm believer in everything happening for a specific reason...based on the proposed plot, I completely understand holding off on introducing (Mary Jane) until the next film." We're bummed, too, Shai.

"The Amazing Spider-Man 2" will open on May 2, 2014.

Want more Movies? Be sure to like MSN Movies Facebook and follow MSN Movies Twitter.

'The Wolf of Wall Street' trailer is the best trailer of the year

Here's to you, Leonardo DiCaprio

By Kate Erbland 1 hour ago

It's come to my attention that, despite its internet debut earlier this week, The Hitlist has yet to feature the trailer for Martin Scorsese's upcoming "The Wolf of Wall Street." This is a tremendous mistake that I will rectify right now, simply because the first trailer for the Leonardo DiCaprio-starring true life tale is easily the best trailer of the year. It has everything.

Bing: More on 'The Wolf of Wall Street'

Well, "everything" meaning break dancing, Wall Street, lobster-throwing (and juice-throwing) tremendously bad behavior, midget-throwing, bad suits, Matthew McConaughey chest-beating, a monkey, Jonah Hill looking perma-worried, and even a soundtrack by Kanye West (which is typically a trailer turn-off, but one that works undeniably well here). This is basically a trailer made by Stefon of "Saturday Night Live" fame, a kitchen sink affair where every frame is more insane than the last, but one that manages to be eye-poppingly entertaining.

If the final product is half as bizarre and attention-grabbing than this trailer, we're all in for a big treat.

Oh, also? It really is based on a true story. DiCaprio plays former Wall Street stockbroker Jordan Belfort, who helped pen the script as adapted from his book of the same name, a whiz kid of the nineties who is credited with helping create the "Boiler Room" style of stock trading. A millionaire, a genius, an asshole, a partier of the highest degree, Belfort was a "rock star" of the biz before anyone besides actual rock stars was termed as such. Yes, he eventually went to jail. Of course he did. But let's watch him get there, why don't we?

Bing: More on Leonardo DiCaprio

Raise a glass to Leo and his break dancing skills with the first trailer for "The Wolf of Wall Street," after the break.

Joe Dante's werewolf movie gets the special edition treatment

By SeanAx 2 hours ago

The same year that "An American Werewolf in London" opened up the possibilities of the werewolf horror with a mix of black comedy and horrific transformations, Joe Dante went a different direction with "The Howling" (Shout Factory). Working on lower budget, Dante discarded the usual lone wolf route to frame the drama in terms of the wolf pack. His wolves weren't mad dogs on the rampage, but a primal force balancing survival with primal urges.

Dee Wallace, just a year before making "E.T.," stars as an investigative TV reporter recovering from a brush with a serial killer in a retreat called "The Colony," a mix of new age commune, primal therapy, and red meat culture. It also happens to be the hub of a werewolf pack that quickly adds her husband (Christopher Stone) to their ranks, transforming the easy-going vegetarian into an aggressive, meat-eating hunter in the process.

It's more clever than compelling, to be fair, an interesting take with inventive effects (thanks to Rob Bottin), impressive moments of horror, an undercurrent of dark humor, and an earthy, feral sensibility. John Sayles (who previously wrote "Piranha" for Dante) came with Dante from the Corman movie factory and contributes a clever script (adapted from a novel by Gary Brandner) with some character nice touches in the supporting roles (many of them played by his B-movie heroes and genre character actors, from Kevin McCarthy and John Carradine to Roger Corman and Forrest J. Ackerman) and a modicum of wit in the dialogue.

It's a real film buff feast but Dante also uses the opportunity to stretch himself.

Continue reading at Videodrone

For more releases, see Hot Tips and Top Picks: DVDs, Blu-rays and streaming video for week of June 18

Exclusive photos: 'The Colony'

Laurence Fishburne and Bill Paxton star in this thrilling story of survival

By MSN Movies 4 hours ago

Years ago, winter came and never went away. Beneath the surface of an ice-covered world, survivors in Colony Seven struggle to keep their fragile society from collapsing as food dwindles and temperatures drop. Already plagued by illness and internal conflict, the colonists suspect the worst when they lose contact with the only other known settlement. A small group decide to go on a dangerous expedition to discover what happened and what they find is worse than they could have ever imagined. Now the fight for survival really begins.

Bing: More on Laurence Fishburne

See more exclusive photos from "The Colony" opening in theaters August 23 after the break.

But nobody has any idea why

By Corwin Neuse 14 hours ago

Here's some sad and/or indifferent news. According to Coming Soon, Robert Rodriguez's upcoming "Sin City" has been delayed from this fall until August of next year. Why? Well, probably because the movie's not finished yet, but maybe the glut of superhero movies this year also had something to do with it?

Bing: 'Sin City 2' | Robert Rodriguez

When (if?) "Sin City 2" finally comes out, fans will be able to catch up on the adventures of Dwight (?) or whomever. Stars Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Bruce Willis, and Rosario Dawson will return, along with Josh Brolin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Eva Green, and Ray Liota. So at least the sequel's got all that going for it. Thing is, the world at large wasn't exactly clamoring for a "Sin City" sequel as it was; this delay could, potentially, snuff out any remaining interest in the franchise.

For more movie news, follow MSN Movies on Facebook and Twitter.

Check out the first trailer for 'The Lego Movie'

And...it's not heinously awful!

By Corwin Neuse 14 hours ago

When we first heard that they were making a "Lego" movie, we thought that it was some sort (very) poorly timed April Fool's joke. And/or a "Producers"-like scheme to bilk money out of unsuspecting investors, since a "Lego" movie is too obviously preposterous to actually be real. But lo, today brings us the film's first trailer, courtesy of ENTV. And—unlike certain other franchises based upon cheap plastic children's playthings, we're looking at you, "Transformers"—at least this one has a sense of humor.

Bing: 'The Lego Movie' | Chris Pratt

Not to mention a killer voice cast. The film will star Chris Pratt as the mysterious MasterBuilder, who has to save the world from an evil genius who intends to glue everything together, or something. Also featured in the cast? Morgan Freeman, apparently, plus Will Arnett as Batman (!), Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell, and Liam Neeson. And we have no idea which one of them will be voicing the Ninja Turtles. Intrigued yet?

Check out the trailer, posted after the break, then let us know what you think in the comments, or tell us on MSN Movies Facebook and Twitter.

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels still attached to long-awaited sequel

By Corwin Neuse 15 hours ago

According to Deadline, that long-awaited "Dumb and Dumber" sequel—recently put into turn-around by original studio Warner Brothers—has found a new home at Universal. Production is expected to proceed quickly, as stars Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey have other undoubtedly less-important but unfortunately unavoidable projects looming on their schedules. Like HBO's "The Newsroom" and some stupid bank heist movie with Owen Wilson.

Bing: 'Dumb and Dumber To' | Jeff Daniels

Of course, auteurs Peter and Bobby Farrelly will be back in their original capacities as well, directing from a script they rewrote. No word as yet as to who else might be co-starring in the comedy, or what the plot might be, outside of that it'll once again find Harry and Lloyd taking to the road. And will presumably involve peeing, farting, pooping, and other various bodily functions and/or annoying sounds.

For more movie news, follow MSN Movies on Facebook and Twitter.