BATMAN 3 TO START FILMING NEXT YEAR?!

I’m sorry if my overuse of capitals hurt your eyes, but really, your pain pales in insignificance compared to the prospect of Batman 3 getting underway next year!!! After the colossal success of The Dark Knight, rumours surrounding director Chris Nolan’s third Batman film have been flying out of every A-Lister's orifice. The latest comes from cast member and all-round stellar chap Gary Oldman who plays police commissioner Gordon in the films. Whilst taking part in a panel at Comic-Con with Denzel Washington and Mila Kunis to promote their latest film The Book of Eli, some ballsy person probed Oldman on the latest Batman 3 news. He had this to say:

“We’re starting filming on the next Batman next year. So it won’t be out for another two years at least, I think. But you didn’t hear it from me!”

Actually, Oldman, we did hear it from you since you’re the only semi-reliable person to dish anything about the movie in recent months. Hmmm, another two years you say? That would make a new Batman film due for release around 2012-ish which sounds about right considering Nolan is busy festering away on his latest project Inception. What’s that? Nolan is making a non-Batman film? Yes, kids, believe it or not he’s extremely good at it too. For those wanting to hear all about Nolan’s sci-fi actioner, stay tuned as I intend to post a full run-down on Inception in the next few days.

P.S. Breaking news y'all! The trailer for Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland leaked on the net last night and it looks radical! You can watch it in its entirety here. Considering this puppy isn't released in Australian cinema's until March 11 next year, I'm quite ecstatic to see a trailer this early. No doubt a longer version will be released closer to the opening date but as far as sneak peeks go this is psychedelic. You MUST watch. There has been so much hype surrounding this film and the atmosphere was elevated to frenzy this week when a bunch of new stills from the film were shown at Comic-Con (one of which is above). Early days yet, but this looks like it's shaping up to be one of the most original and exciting adaptations of anything in recent years. Not to mention much more faithful to the book which was about an acid trip. Burton's versions looks very much like an acid trip and I'm pretty sure I will try to eat my face if I see it in 3D.

"A Rodriguez regular, the character and film were created around Trejo and his signature, erm, charm..."

Ah yes, with 2011 comfortably over it's time to shift focus to the films of 2012. Not to get ahead of myself, but it's going to FREAKIN' AWESOME BRO! Even Bane's excited. Although there were some gems last year — as evidenced in my top 10 and honourable mentions — in general the films of '12 could be summed up with one word; disappointing. From Sucker Punch to Red Riding Hood, blockbuster after blockbuster sucked. It was the small films from unexpected corners of Hollywood that brought audiences to the proverbial yard.

In 2012 that's likely to be the opposite. With two new films from Tim Burton, the first instalment in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit, the superhero movie to end all superhero movies Avengers, Robert Rodriguez’s Machete, World War Z, The Great Gatsby, Tarantino's newbie Django Unchained and SO many other massive flicks, it's safe to have our expectations set relatively high. There are big directors making big movies this year. There are also some smaller gems that will bring an entirely different (yet tasty) meal to the table. I'm talking genre flicks like Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters from the stylish team behind Dead Snow, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and a movie adaptation of one of my favourites books Warm Bodies. Out of left field there’s The Grey which pits Liam Neeson against wolves, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Michelle Williams vehicle My Week With Marilyn, the hilarious A Few Best Men and Ralph Fiennes directorial debut Shakespeare war film Coriolanus.

The film I’m most looking forward to in 2012 is unsurprisingly The Dark Knight Rises. Everything else I’m excited about is on this list, including the epic looking Snow White and The Huntsman and animated charmer The Pirates! Band Of Misfits. I’m also going to make an early call and predict Mirror, Mirror as the worst film of the year and The Hunger Games as the biggest disappointment. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a colossal fan of Suzanne Collins' book series but from the casting to the severely disappointing trailers, I think this is going to be a disaster. I hope I’m wrong.

Let me preface this by saying; I'm not joking. I actually interviewed Kim Sasabone (the one at the top end of the rocket) a few weeks ago ahead of their first Australian tour in over a decade. My eight-year-old self would have been so please with 23-year-old me. When the Vengabus isn't coming and everyone's not jumping, Kim says she enjoys nothing more than chilling out and watching a movie. What movie, you ask? Read on:

"Oh, that's hard because there are so many I love. One of my favourites from my childhood is The Wizard Of Oz. That's such a beautiful movie with so many great songs and moments. If we're talking about later on in life I'd have to really think about it. The Wizard Of Oz is my stand out favourite though.''

Translation has unveiled the second chapter of its ongoing brand campaign for Champs Sports with “Game Loves an Audience,” a dynamic new marketing program for the back-to-school season. Seizing on the pins-and-needles feeling of anticipation that comes along with every new school year, “Game Loves an Audience” is all about looking good, and wanting everyone to see it. The campaign reinforces Champs’ well-established “We Know Game” tagline with three :30 spots, daily content for Champs Sports’ social media channels, digital banners, and a custom digital hub.

“The first day back to school is more than just a day,” notes Translation CCO John Norman, “it’s the red carpet moment of the school year. It’s a reunion, a chance to try something new, and a special moment to stand out. It’s the perfect time for a brand like Champs Sports to help you show off your game with new kicks, stylish tees, and a fresh look.”

“Translation, through its new brand work, has done an exemplary job of expanding on the idea of ‘We Know Game’,” explains Champs Sports Director of Marketing Scott Burton. “We’re showing that ‘Game’ is as much about athletic skill as it is about swagger and confidence in all other arenas. Moreover, the work is done through the lens of a high school athlete, making the impact and its meaning to our consumers relevant during this time of year when students are going back-to-school.”

Creative Credits:  
Brand/Client: Champs Sports
Campaign Title: Champs Sports Back to School Campaign
Spot Title: “Joy Ride,” “First Period,” “Practice”
Launch Date: August 2014

Agency: Translation
Chief Executive Officer: Steve Stoute
Chief Creative Officer: John Norman
President: Nils Peyron
Executive Creative Director: Jay Berry
Executive Creative Director: Marc d’Avignon
Creative Director: Mat Jerrett
Associate Creative Director, Copywriter: Matt Herman
Associate Creative Director, Art Director: Matthew McFerrin
Art Director: Adam Chang
Copywriter: Greg Dyer
Art Director: Allison Bulow
Copywriter: Jameson Rossi
Director of Content Production: Miriam Franklin
Producer: Carole McCarty
Assistant Producer: Monica Johnson
Head of Brand Strategy: Tim Flood
Strategist: Shon Mogharabi
Music Supervision: Nick Pacelli
VP Account Director: Daniel Mize
Account Supervisor: Patrice Caracci
Account Executive: Steven Molinari
Asst. Account Executive: Jackson Brodie

Production Company: @radical.media, Los Angeles
Director: Michael Lawrence
Director of Photography: Alex Disenhof
Executive Producer: Donna Portaro
Line Producer: Scott Cunningham

Editorial Company: Cut + Run NYC
Editor: Dayn Williams
Assistant Editor: Katie Pehowski
Post Executive Producer: Rana Martin
Post Producer (“Joy Ride,” “First Period”): Olivia Chiu
Post Producer (“Practice”): Ellen Lavery

Telecine Company: CO3 NYC
Colorist: Damien Vandercruyssen
Producer: Katie Andrews
Assistant Colorist: Matt Paul

On line: Cut + Run
Flame Artist: Joseph Grosso
Assistant: Matt Dolven
Producer: Julia Williams

Audio Post: Heard City
Mixer: Evan Mangiamele
Executive Producer: Gloria Pitagorsky
Producer: Katie Flynn

Music by: Elias Arts
Creative Director: Greg Grifith
Producer: Matt Phenix