Latest news with #ChristopherNolan
Extra.ie
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
All the Lions hype can be a bit nauseating, but the global game needs a competitive series
It's easy to be cynical about the British and Irish Lions. The whole concept gets hyped up more than a Christopher Nolan movie. You'll hear plenty about 'immortality',' legends' and 'legacy' in the coming weeks. All of it playing out against a background of an epic orchestral soundtrack which belongs in something like Gladiator or Oppenheimer. It can all veer into hysteric at times. And some of the grandiose statements about the Lions can jar a bit, too. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland Yes, it's a long tradition but, make no mistake, this is a brand as well. It's a business venture which is worth a lot of coin. Why else did Warren Gatland's squad depart for South Africa without their famed 'Red Army' in the midst of the Covid pandemic in 2021? It's worth stating that summer series is officially known as the Qatar Airways men's Lions tour of Australia. There are twice as many fans heading for Oz this time around compared to the last tour 12 years ago. Yes, the Lions is a time-honoured tradition but it's also a corporate beast. Again, it's easy to scrutinise up the Lions in the professional era and roll the eyes. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan However, this latest campaign feels a bit different already. It's early days, but we've sensed a slight chance in the vibe around the Lions. There is clearly a buzz in the camp and you could sense that all week from the players and coaches – including Johnny Sexton – who were sent out to speak to the sizeable media presence which has descended on the capital. There is the sense that the Andy Farrell is hoping to bring a bit of old-school back to the Lions. There have been some positive developments on that front. Earlier this week, the Lions media team released the 'Ultimate Test' on Youtube, a behind-the-scenes series which will be released weekly throughout the six-week tour of Australia. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire In terms of raw insight and genuine fly-on-the-wall access, it was hugely encouraging. It was miles away from the bland and ill-fated two-season Six Nations offering on Netflix. If this is a sign of things to come, we could be potentially see the best Lions documentary since the iconic 1997 series chronically the series win in South Africa. A bit of drama and jeopardy would be most welcome on that front. The hosts need to hold up their end of their bargain. The Wallabies – and their Super Rugby sides – were being written off as cannon fodder for most of this current Lions cycle, especially when Eddie Jones was sacked after a disastrous 10-month reign. Joe Schmidt arrived at the 11th hour and the former Leinster and Ireland boss has galvanised the entire operation. The likes of Queensland, the Waratahs and ACT Brumbies have upped their game. Australia are not the near the same class as the Springboks or All Blacks at the moment. But they have more then enough talent to make this series interesting. Everyone involved in the professional game in Australia is acutely aware that this Lions tour is a glorious opportunity to recapture past glories. Rugby union has fallen away behind the likes of AFL and rugby league in the public consciousness. The Aussies are a sport-obsessed nation but rugby union has fallen on hard times. If they can mount a competitive case, or win the series outright, it would have a huge effect on the health of the game across the country. There is also the small matter of a home World Cup in 2027. The Wallabies need to strike while the iron is hot this summer. In truth, every single stakeholder in the game needs this Lions tour to be a success. The professional game is a delicate ecosystem at the moment. Rugby is the sporting equivalent of the Great Barrier Reef at the moment. Professional clubs across the globe are going bust. Big unions such as Wales are struggling to make ends meet. For all the chat about rugby expanding to new markets, breakaway competition and World club competitions, it is paramount that the key nations remains strong. Rugby needs a strong Australian team. There are high hopes that Schmidt's troops can match this potent Lions squad across three compelling weekends. In Joseph-Aukuso Suaali, the 21-year-old rugby league convert who has taken the game by storm, the Wallabies have an attacking weapon which can blow this whole series wide open. Schmidt, as his way, will have every base covered. The Kiwi will have a plan. Again, it all bodes well for a gripping spectacle once this tour gets going. For now, it's about getting the show on the road at Aviva Stadium this evening. This is an early opportunity for this matchday squad to lay down some early selection markers. The sizeable Leinster contingent who only arrived into camp on Monday will already be playing catch-up and Farrell welcomed this development earlier this week. The Lions boss wants every single player to feel the pressure. No doubt, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose – amongst other Leinster frontliners – will get their chance to impress against Western Force, Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs in the coming weeks. Right now, this English-heavy selection have a great opportunity to stake a claim for Test spots. Ellis Genge, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith could all be set for bit tours. Porter, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell are all supposedly ahead in the pecking order but things can change quickly on a Lions tour. A compelling performance against a youthful and fired-up Pumas side will generate plenty of momentum ahead of the long-haul flight to Perth this weekend. No doubt, plenty of big names will be awkwardly shuffling in their seats if the Lions put on a bit of a show in Dublin. Then again, a repeat of the shaky showing against the same opposition back in 2005 – when a late Jonny Wilkinson penalty secured a late draw – will send alarm bells throughout the squad. That dour performance in Cardiff 20 years ago was a grim omen of what was to come in New Zealand. No pressure tonight, lads. The hype machine is cranking up and once Sky Sports began to flex their broadcasting muscles, Lions-mania will be in full flow. It can all be a nauseating but it's best not to fight it. The Lions, at its core, is a bit of fun. An old-school summer tour against a formidable fore on foreign land. And series wines are nothing to be sniffed at. It's worth remembering that the tourists have been victorious on just two occasions since the game went pro: 1997 and 2013 are the sole triumphs since the amateur days concluded 30 years ago. This could be the most enjoyable and captivating tour in a long time. What's not to like about that?
Geek Feed
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Feed
Will Smith Reveals He Also Turned Down Christopher Nolan's Inception
Will Smith has been going around promoting his new music video Pretty Girls , and while everyone knows the story of how he passed on The Matrix, he's revealed that there was another blockbuster project that he was almost a part of. In a recent talk with Kiss Xtra (via @ArtofDialogue), Smith reveals that he was actually approached by Christopher Nolan to be part of Inception , Nolan's 2010 blockbuster hit about dream thieves. Will Smith reveals director Christopher Nolan brought him the movie "Inception" first, but he turned it down and says movies about alternate realities don't pitch well. (🎥 Kiss Xtra) — The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) June 15, 2025 'I don't think I've ever even said it publicly before… Chris Nolan brought me Inception first and I didn't get it… I've never said that out loud, and now that I think about it, it's those movies that go into those alternate realities, they don't pitch well.' Admittedly, Smith hasn't been batting a lot of hits like he used to, with projects like Gemini Man and Emancipation . He did win the Oscar for King Richard , but everyone mostly just remembers him slapping Chris Rock during that event. For now, it does seem like Smith is leaning back on his rap career, and while others have been dubbing Pretty Girls as 'UncRap', some people think that the beat could be a hit if they sped it up. Personally I think it's great, and Smith still has that superstar charisma. Maybe there's room for him in Nolan's next film now that he's put it out there. Honestly I'm rooting for Smith after all the drama he's been through in the recent years. Hopefully he manages to bring the good graces of the audience back to him soon.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Viking ship moors in Inverness during major film shoot in Moray
A boat described as the world's largest Viking ship to be built in modern times has been moored in Inverness during a major film is understood the Draken Harald Hårfagre is being used as an ancient Greek warship in The Odyssey, a new movie by Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan and starring Matt boat's owners said they could not comment directly on any specific film activity, but added that the vessel was involved in various international projects this Odyssey is a poem written almost 3,000 years ago about Greek hero Odysseus and his journey home after years away at war. The film production based on the story has been filming on the Moray Firth locations include the fishing port of Buckie and the ruins of Findlater Castle near Cullen. Nolan's film Oppenheimer won best directing award and best picture at last year's director's other films have included Dunkirk and action scenes for his Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises, were filmed in the Cairngorms in was a plan to land a large military transport plane on the A9, but the stunt did not go ahead. Draken is described as a Viking ship built in modern times, and not a began on the 35m (115ft) boat in 2010 and was initiated by Norwegian entrepreneur Sigurd first sailed in 2012 and made its first ocean-going voyage two years later, when it crossed from Haugesund in Norway to Liverpool in the way its mast broke in rough seas near Shetland and the crew was forced into making an emergency stop.A new mast was made from Douglas fir sourced from Dumfries and Draken project's chief executive Emanuel Persson said the boat's arrival at Inverness' Seaport Marina had caused a told BBC Scotland News: "Her presence in Scotland is part of a wider voyage and an exciting chapter in her ongoing story."While we can't comment directly on any specific film activity, we can confirm that Draken has been engaged in various international projects this year, including collaborations within the film and television industry."He added: "Scotland's deep Norse heritage makes it a particularly meaningful destination, and we're proud to bring Draken back to these shore - continuing our mission to connect history, culture, and exploration."
Geek Tyrant
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Christopher Nolan Told David Goyer to Skip the Affleck Batman Era: 'It's Confusing' — GeekTyrant
It's hard to imagine the modern superhero landscape without the influence of Batman Begins . The 2005 reboot redefined the character, thanks to the grounded vision of Christopher Nolan and writer David Goyer. But while Goyer has had a long and complicated history with DC characters, writing everything from Blade to Man of Steel , there's one chapter he didn't write: Ben Affleck's Batman. According to Goyer, that decision came with a little nudge from Nolan himself. Appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Goyer looked back on his legacy with the Caped Crusader and revealed that Nolan gave him a very clear piece of advice after they wrapped The Dark Knight trilogy: steer clear of the next reboot. He then shared that Nolan advised him not to work on the post- Dark Knight trilogy films set in the new continuity that introduced Ben Affleck as the caped crusader. 'Just because it's confusing,' Goyer explained. 'We did one, just stick with that.' Goyer had already helped Warner Bros. resurrect Batman with Nolan in a singular, self-contained vision. Jumping into a completely different version of the character, especially so soon after The Dark Knight Rises , didn't feel right. Before Batman, Goyer built his name on Blade , scripting all three Wesley Snipes-led films. He then collaborated closely with Nolan to reimagine Batman for a new era. The success of Batman Begins led to story credits on The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises , and from there, Goyer moved into Superman territory with Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice , a film that introduced Affleck's Dark Knight in a brand-new universe. While Goyer had reportedly signed a three-picture deal that included Justice League , he ended up stepping back as other writers took over. When asked about returning to the Blade franchise now being developed by Marvel Studios, Goyer had mixed feelings. 'All the time on social media, I see [people saying], 'They should have Goyer do the new Blade ,'' he said. 'Part of me thinks it would be fun, but part of me thinks, 'I did, so far, the definitive Blade , and it's a mistake.'' Today, Goyer's more interested in sci-fi storytelling that doesn't involve capes. He's deep into producing genre projects like Foundation and Murderbot for Apple TV+, and his upcoming original project, still under wraps. Goyer said: 'I'm pretty much still not in a comic book place. I've got a new project that I'll be going to market with next month that is not comic book. It's still genre, but not comic book [based].' As the DC Universe undergoes yet another overhaul under James Gunn and Peter Safran, it's a reminder that the superhero genre is constantly evolving.
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Gary Oldman, Hollywood's go-to bad guy, on facing typecast in film industry
Actor Gary Oldman opened up about facing typecasting in the entertainment industry in the past, saying that he once was the go-to guy for the casting directors who needed a bad guy. While discussing his performance as Dr Zachary Smith in Lost in Space during a recent interview with Variety, the actor said that there was a point in his career when he was the primary choice of the makers for villain roles in movies. "I got sort of typecast for a while. I became kind of like the poster boy for the 'rent-a-villain.' Sort of, 'Oh, we need a villain and we'll get Gary.' I don't know how that happened, but it happened," Oldman was quoted as saying. "And it was fun for a while, but eventually, I just put a stop to it. It got a little old. But they are fun to play." Oldman likened the character of Dr Zachary Smith to another one of his iconic villain roles, Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg from The Fifth Element, which was directed by Luc Besson and was released in 1997. "[ Lost in Space ] was fun, great cast. I thought the story, it was a lot to put in. It was a lot of movie in two hours. But [Dr. Zachary Smith] was fun to play because it's a villain with a tongue in the cheek or a little twinkle in the eye," Oldman said. One of Oldman's first major switches from villain to hero was when he joined Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy as Commissioner Gordon. David S Goyer, who wrote Batman Begins and The Dark Knight for Nolan, recently recalled on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he was "very surprised" to hear Oldman had landed the role, given his villain status. "Now that I'm a more experienced filmmaker, I realised that it's really exciting to cast against type," Goyer was quoted as saying by Variety. "It's exciting for filmmakers, and it's also exciting for the actors." Oldman will be seen in the fifth season of the Slow Horses series. The actor has been playing the lead role in this web series since season one. The fifth season is set to premiere this year.
