British actor Tom Hardy, currently drawing rave reviews for his work in Bronson, has been confirmed as the lead in Mad Max 4: Fury Road, opposite Charlize Theron.  Written and directed by George Miller, it will be the first Mad Max film since 1985.  No word yet on plot or who Charlize Theron would play but oh God I’m so bored by this story.

[Variety]

“Whoa.”

Universal is developing a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde movie, a project which requires above all else a lead with some versatility. Naturally they chose Keanu Reeves.

Universal is developing a modern retelling of the classic novella “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” with Keanu Reeves attached to star and Justin Haythe, writer of “Revolutionary Road,” penning the script. Nicolas Winding Refn [writer/director of Bronson] is in negotiations to direct the project, titled “Jekyll.” [THR]

In the original story, Dr. Jekyll invents potion that brings out a different personality when he drinks it.  Sources at Universal say the biggest challenge they face in development will be creating the potion and getting it to work.

Below I have the new trailer for the Charlie Bronson movie.  No, not the Charlie Bronson, the other one.  This Charlie Bronson is “the most violent prisoner in Britain”, a guy who was originally sentenced to seven years in 1974 for armed robbery after stealing $43, then spent the next 30 out of 35 years in prison in solitary confinement (because he was so violent, lol!).  Synopsis:

With twisted imagery, the music of Wagner and Pet Shop Boys, and a stunning performance by Tom Hardy, [Director Nicolas] Refn creates an aesthetic that is both complicit in Charlie’s violence but also theatrical. Charlie narrates his own story before an audience, and the movie is just an extension of this burlesque staging. Our moral compass reeling, we’re tempted to see him as an animal, but violence is simply the fullest expression of his identity. Overjoyed by his fame and ever-increasing capacity for harm, Charlie walks the cellblock beaming with pride. He has become somebody. He is—quite terrifyingly—the hero of his own story. [Twitch]

Nice synopsis. My moral compass often reels, but only because it doubles as a fishing pole – they say I have a Swiss-army conscience.  Also, when you say “burlesque staging”, does that mean, like, pasties on his cock?  Anyway, Bronson opens in the UK March 13th and at Sundance this month.  And if it’s as much a complicit aesthetic burlesque as they say, I’m sure we won’t have to wait long for the US release.
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^{Rarely pictured without his giant front-wheeled bicycle}

As most of you know, Death Wish actor Charles Bronson is my second favorite Bronson, behind Pinchot. Less well known is that Charles Bronson is also a British prisoner, who named himself after the Death Wish actor. He’s been incarcerated since 1974, when he was jailed for stealing, according to the website for the upcoming film about his life, 26 pounds ($43).

Bronson’s sentence has been repeatedly extended and he has spent only three months out of custody. He has served 28 years of his time in prison in solitary confinement due to a number of hostage situations, rooftop protests, repeated attacks on prison staff and on other inmates. His dangerous behaviour has meant that he has spent time in over 120 different prisons. In 2000, he received a discretionary life sentence (with a three year tariff) for a hostage-taking incident. [Wikipedia]

From what I gather, this guy is kind of like the U.K.’s answer to Chopper – the kind of violent criminal children can look up to. He’s notorious for beating his mother to death with a tire iron, or as it’s known across the pond, “being cheeky.”
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