In the Access “Week In Geek,” the trailer to “X-Men: First Class” hits the web, the cast of “The Hobbit” makes a public appearance, and is the series finale of “Smallville” now set to fly without Lex Luthor?
FIRST LOOK AT “FIRST CLASS” – The much anticipated trailer for this summer’s “X-Men: First Class” went viral on Thursday following a heavy push via the film’s official Facebook page. The LA Times’ Hero Complex has both the impressive trailer and an interview with producer Bryan Singer (who also directed the first two “X-Men” films) regarding the 1960’s-set prequel film starring James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender as the young Charles Xavier and Magneto, respectively.
“We have younger versions of Mystique and Beast, so I’m very excited about them and what they bring to the film. Jennifer Lawrence’s work [as Mystique] and Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of Beast — these are characters that we’ve seen in the earlier films, but then these are very different portrayals and you have to bring a lot of attention to those,” Singer said.
“THE HOBBIT” CAST MEETS THE PRESS – The cast of “The Hobbit” made their first public appearance at a press conference in New Zealand yesterday, minus director Peter Jackson who was still recovering from surgery for a perforated ulcer.
“I’d love to be with you all this morning, but I’m currently under a medical form of house arrest to prevent me from overdoing it, until fully recovered from my recent operation. I’ll be jumping back into it very soon,” Jackson said in a statement.
Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins) appeared alongside the 13 actors who will play pivotal roles as dwarves in the two-part 3D prequel to “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. The films are set to begin filming back to back on March 21 for December 2012 and 2013 releases.
Check out some of the press conference highlights here.
MICHAEL ROSENBAUM SET TO RETURN AS LEX LUTHOR – Fret not, “Smallville” fans, we can rest a little easier.
TVLine broke the news that Michael Rosenbaum will, in fact, reprise his role as Lex Luthor, despite earlier reports this week that he had no intention of returning for the show’s series May 13 finale.
“I’m delighted to return for the series finale,” Rosenbaum told TVLine. “I’m simply doing it for all of the fans out there who made ‘Smallville’ the great success it is. I appreciate all of their passion, their relentlessness, and even their threats. Ha ha.”
According to TVLine, the deal was finally signed last night, following lengthy speculation from fans if they would ever get to see Clark Kent/Superman in a final face off with his arch nemesis as “Smallville” ends it 10 year run on The CW this spring.
“I can’t wait to hug the old crew back in Vancouver one last time and see all of my old friends once again… Oh, and for Lex to become the badass he’s destined to be,” Rosenbaum said.
HOW I MET YOUR MUTANT – According to The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision blog, Cobie Smulders is in final talks to join the cast of Marvel Studios’ “The Avengers.” Other outlets have reported that she has landed the role of Maria Hill, a SHIELD field agent to be featured alongside Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury.
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Jackson read with several actresses for the role last week. “Avengers” director Joss Whedon reportedly wanted the “How I Met Your Mother” star to play Wonder Woman when he was slated to take the DC Comics heroine to the big screen.
NATHAN FILLION TO VOICE GREEN LANTERN – Warner Home Video announced that Nathan Fillion (“Castle,” “Firefly”) will voice Green Lantern/Hal Jordan in the upcoming animated “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights.” Joining him will be “Mad Men’s” Elisabeth Moss as Arisia, an alien new recruit to the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps. The upcoming release will coincide with this summer’s Warner Bros. big screen version of the DC Comics hero starring Ryan Reynolds (Hal Jordan) and Blake Lively (Carol Ferris).
Coincidentally, Fillion “starred” in an amazing fan made movie trailer for Green Lantern (using scenes and music from previous films enhanced with home made special effects). It sparked a short online campaign for him to be cast in the role that ultimately went to Ryan Reynolds. Fillion even gave his seal of approval of the trailer on his Twitter page.
“Green Lantern: Emerald Knights” will be released June 10, ten days before the big screen “Green Lantern” flies into theatres in 3D on June 17.
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