Brad Pitt has signed on to star in Twelve Years A Slave, the next feature from director Steve McQueen whose latest film Shame has just played at the London Film Festival.

Pitt will star opposite Michael Fassbender (Fish Tank) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Children of Men) in the indie drama.

Based on Solomon Northup’s autobiography, Twelve Years A Slave centers on a man (Ejiofor) living in New York during the mid-1800s who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the deep south.

Steve McQueen will direct from a script he co-wrote with John Ridley (Bobby).

Filming is expected to begin sometime next year.

Pitt will next be seen in Moneyball, which opens in the U.K. on November 25.

Source: Screen Daily

If you missed part one of the in-depth analysis series, then you need to click here to have a little watch. The first one focused on The Dark Knight and why much of the editing and camera-work in one of the chase sequences really isn’t actually that great, even though the movie has brought in over $1bn.

In part two of Jim Emerson‘s video series, ‘In the Cut’, we get to look at another chase sequence in the Philip Noyce directed movie, Salt which starred Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor and how this sequence is filmed and edited so much better than that of The Dark Knight.

I’ll let the video play here but would love to hear what you think of it. If you’ve missed part one, click here to view and keep your eyes peeled for the third and final part which I’ll post on Friday.

Thanks again for making these videos Jim, they are truly excellent!

Salt is released on Blu-ray today on DVD and Blu-ray and to celebrate, Sony Home Entertainment have been kind enough to give us three copies of the movie to give away on Blu-ray. Salt stars Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, and Chiwetel Ejiofor and is directed by Phillip Noyce.

Synopsis: Angelina Jolie stars as Evelyn Salt, a trusted and loyal CIA operative who is forced to go on the run when a Russian defector convinces her superiors that she’s a double agent sent to assassinate the President of the United States. As the intense manhunt heats up, Salt uses all of her skills as a covert operative to elude capture as she fights to uncover a secret so explosive it could change the course of world history.

Directed by Phillip Noyce (Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games), SALT was written by Kurt Wimmer. Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Sunil Perkash produced, with Ric Kidney and Mark Vahradian serving as executive producers.

To be in with a chance of winning this great prize, all you have to do is answer the following question using the form below:

What is the name of Liev Schreiber’s character in Salt?

The small print:

• This competition is open to the UK only
• Only one entry per household will be counted
• The competition will close on Monday 20th December at 23.59 GMT
• The winner will be picked at random from entries received

The usual T&Cs can be found here. Good Luck!

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

Extras:

DVD Special Features

• The Ultimate Female Action Hero
• Spy Disguises: The Looks of Evelyn Salt
• Radio Interview and Audio Commentary with Director Phillip Noyce

Blu-ray Special Features

• The Ultimate Female Action Hero
• Spy Disguises: The Looks of Evelyn Salt
• Radio Interview and Audio Commentary with Director Phillip Noyce

Top Secret Blu-ray Exclusives

• Salt Declassification – An Undercover Look at the Secrets of Making SALT
• The Real Agents Featurette
• The Modern Master of the Political Thriller: Phillip Noyce
• False Identity: Creating the New Reality
• Spy Cam Picture in Picture Track
• Movie IQ

This evening, London’s Leicester Square saw the European Premiere of Angelina Jolie’s latest movie, Salt. The lady herself was in town to promote the movie and our friends from Upbeat have just sent us the official premiere report which you can watch below.

The report contains an interview with Jolie where even she doesn’t let us know the answer to the question we’re all asking – ‘Who is Evelyn Salt?’

Salt also stars Gaius Charles, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Liev Schreiber, is directed by Phillip Noyce and is released in UK cinemas this Friday, 20th August.

HeyUGuys Live was there in the thick of the action, tweeting in real-time about the nights events, guests and questions. Follow us at @HeyUGuysLive on Twitter.

This past weekend Salt opened in the US, and is an espionage thriller directed by Phillip Noyce starring Angelina Jolie as Evelyn Salt.

Salt is a CIA operative who, during an interview with a Russian walk in named Orlav, is accused of being a sleeper Russian spy with plans to assassinate the Russian President.  Liev Schreiber co-stars as Ted Winter, Evelyn’s colleague and friend who at first can’t believe the accusations but finds himself starting to doubt her innocence as the film progresses.  Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Peabody, the agent in charge of apprehending Salt before her alleged mission is carried out.

Salt is the Jason Bourne-esque espionage thriller which originally had Tom Cruise attached to it. Apparently Cruise dropped out to do Knight and Day, and I’m wondering if that turned out to be such a good choice for him.  Salt has a lot of the typical traits of your standard espionage thriller; intrigue, action, chase scenes and nifty gadgets, she’s even a bit of a MacGuyver as well.  She packs light, but efficiently and really, that is something most women have trouble doing.  She can handle herself and her weapons and even displays a bit of parkour with out exerting much more than a light grunt.  She also has the smarts to kick off her heels before she runs and after changing her clothes, goes with sensible shoes.  That’s not something you see very often.

This film served up pretty much what I expected, as director Phillip Noyce who is no stranger to the espionage thriller genre, having done Clear and Present Danger and Patriot Games previously (but the major win was Blind Fury with Rutger Hauer – not an espionage thriller but full of awesome none the less).  Noyce keeps the action going and doesn’t let the film get stagnant, there are foot chase scenes, car chase scenes, fist fights, shoot outs, explosions, and alternative uses for fire extinguishers.

The leads, Jolie, Schreiber and Ejiofor all handle their roles as they should, each are fine actors in their own right and it’s no different in this film.  Jolie likes to play those female leads that are tough and can kick your ass, she’s good at it and should continue playing those types of roles. However that being said, my one complaint I have with the film lies with her character.

The problem isn’t how she played it, it’s more of an issue of how the character was written.  We don’t get to find out too much about her.  We know she’s CIA and she’s been through some pretty hairy situations in her time with the agency.  She’s married and her husband is the main reason she goes on the run.  But that’s about it.  There is a tad more info, but for the sake of keeping this spoiler free, I won’t mention it.  The film tells the story of their relationship through flashbacks but you don’t get a real sense of how deep their union runs.  Yeah, you know she loves him, but the reasons she does what she does isn’t so much explained as it is implied.  The character of the husband is quite muted and you don’t feel his presence much in the film at all.

I adore both Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor and was very pleased to see them both in this.  For some reason Schrieber gets cast in an agent-type role often.  He’s got THAT look.  He just fits.  The rest of the cast is relatively forgettable as the film is basically centered on the main three.  There is a blink-and-you-miss-him cameo by Andre Braugher, which took me by surprise.

I don’t think it’s any surprise that the studio would like to turn this into a franchise if they could.  The film definitely ended in a way that other stories could be told using the Salt character.  Time will tell however and if the box office doesn’t show it, the studio probably won’t go for it.  If it remained a stand alone film, that would be fine too.  It can really go either way.

While I wasn’t disappointed in the film, I wasn’t overly excited afterwards either.  I can honestly just say, I liked it but I didn’t LOVE it.  It was entertaining and surprisingly complex in parts, but in the end I would have liked a bit more cohesion and motive.  I had tweeted prior to the movie starting that I was getting ready to watch Salt and I hoped it would make me forget that I didn’t have any on my popcorn.  It helped take my mind off the fact, but I still missed it.

Salt opens in the UK on August 20th.

You can find me on Twitter at @baddladd

Four new Salt banners have turned up online. With only a week left until the film is released in the US, Columbia Pictures are presumably pushing the marketing, hoping to cash-in on opening weekend.

The brand new banners are simple, yet strangely effective, creating mystery as to who the title character is, what she stands for, and what she wants.

Salt, starring Angelina Jolie (Mr & Mrs Smith), Liev Schreiber (Taking Woodstock) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (2012), centres on Evelyn Salt, a CIA officer whose loyalty is questioned when she’s accused of being a Russian spy, after which, the only thing left for her to do is run. Every time she attempts to disprove the allegation, it only makes her look more suspicious.

Directed by Phillip Noyce (The Bone Collector), the film has already attracted some moderately good reviews in the trades. In the UK we’ll see this one on the 20th of August.

Check out the banners below.

IMP had these.

Reported by Jamie Neish

We’ve teamed up with our friends at MoviePosterShop.com to bring new a new weekly competition which we have decided to call, ‘Movie Poster Monday’! Each week, we’ll be bringing you a competition to win a poster from a movie that is going to open that week.

About Movie Poster Shop: MoviePosterShop.com is an online retailer of movie posters, TV posters, lobby cards and more. They offer over 600,000 items, including many hard to find foreign-version posters. Head over to MoviePosterShop.com and embrace your inner movie fan!

This week, give you the chance to have Angelina Jolie on your wall! You can read Jon’s review of the movie here. Salt is released in US 23rd July and  & in the UK  20th August and stars Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Yara Shahidi, Gaius Charles and is directed by Phillip Noyce.

We have the chance for three lucky readers to win a poster with the main winner receiving a framed version and the two runners up receiving the poster. MoviePosterShop.com can post to anywhere in the world so feel free to enter, wherever you are! The guys at MoviePosterShop.com have also been kind enough to give all our readers 25% off all posters bought using thecode ‘angelina’ at checkout. This offer expires on 26th July also.

The poster we are giving away can be seen here along with huge batch of other posters from the movie, all available from MoviePosterShop.com. It’s 27″ x 40″  (68.6cm x 101.6cm) and will look great on any wall!

To be in with a chance of winning this great prize, you must become a fan of the HeyUGuys FaceBook Page and also the MoviePosterShop.com Facebook page and answer the following question using the form below.

Which movie did Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie star in together?

The small print:

• This competition is open worldwide – you can enter from any country
• Only one entry per household will be counted
• The competition will close Monday 26th July at 23.59 GMT
• The winner will be picked at random from entries received

The usual T&Cs can be found here. Good Luck!

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

A brand new clip from Angelina Jolie’s new movie, Salt has been released on Yahoo.com. The clip is called ‘Call Me’

Boxed in an interrogation room, Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) attempts to elude a CIA tactical team.

Salt also stars Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Andre Braugher and is directed by Phillip Noyce. It’s set for release in the UK 20th August and I’ve placed the synopsis below for your reading please. Scroll down to view the new clip.

Accused of being a Russian spy, Evelyn Salt goes on the run, using all her skills as a covert operative to stay one step ahead of the CIA.

One movie that could surprise us as a summer hit is that of Angelina Jolie’s Salt. It’s being released by Columbia pictures and is set for release 20th August. Accompanying Jolie, the movie stars Gaius Charles, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Liev Schreiber.

Helmed by Phillip Noyce, the movie sees Jolie’s character, CIA officer ‘Evelyn Salt’ outed as a Russian sleeper spy who has to evade capture by those who are convinced she’s aiming to assassinate the president. The trailers for the movie have looked pretty good, and this could be the best action movie Jolie’s done since Mr. & Mrs. Smith which was released back in 2005.

Here’s a new poster that has been released by Columbia asking the question: ‘Who is Salt?’

Source: Filmofilia

Columbia Pictures have released a couple of new TV spots for Angelina Jolie’s new spy, action thriller, Salt which also stars Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor and is directed by Phillip Noyce who previously brought us the Clancy classics Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger.

Synopsis: As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt (Jolie) swore an oath to duty, honor and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture. Salt’s efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: “Who is Salt?”

Source: Latino Review /  The Movie Box

Craig put up the new trailer for a new Salt viral game yesterday and to go alongside it nicely, Columbia Pictures have released this brand new poster to go along with it.

Salt stars Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor and is directed by Phillip Noyce. Salt is released 23rd July in the US and in the UK 20th August. Click the poster below to enlarge.

Synopsis: As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt (Jolie) swore an oath to duty, honor and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture. Salt’s efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: “Who is Salt?”

Yahoo have release a new trailer for the viral game linked to the upcoming film Salt. You can see the trailer for the actual film here.

The film sees the character of Salt (Angelina Jolie) go on the run and the viral game appears to be linked to this hunt for Salt.

You can check out the viral site for Salt at Day X Exists where the first mission in the game is up and ‘playable’.

Not sure this looks too exciting but judging by the the pretty derivative looking film trailer I wonder if this viral might be more entertaining than the film. Watch the viral game trailer below and see what you think.

Columbia Picture have released six new images via Filmofilia from Angelina Jolie’s new action movie, Salt. The action movie sees the Jolie being chased by her own agency, the CIA after being accused of becoming a Russian Spy.

Salt also stars Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor and is directed by Phillip Noyce who previously brought us the Clancy classics Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. Salt is released July 23rd in the US (no UK release date as yet). Click the images below to enlarge.

As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt (Jolie) swore an oath to duty, honor and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture. Salt’s efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: “Who is Salt?”

We’ve seen a poster, had our first salty taste with the teaser trailer and now Columbia Pictures have brought forth a new trailer for the Angelina Jolie starring covert CIA double, triple agent thriller, Salt.

The official synopsis is below, and the Australian director of Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger and the Jolie thriller The Bone Collector, Phillip Noyce appears to have honed his action thriller skills.

Angelina Jolie stars in Columbia Pictures’ Salt, a contemporary espionage thriller. Before becoming a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt (Jolie) swore an oath to duty, honor, and country. She will prove loyal to these when a defector accuses her of being a Russian sleeper spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture, protect her husband, and stay one step ahead of her colleagues at the CIA.

Salt is released in the UK, August 20th.

ET have posted a brief clip of Angelina Jolie shooting a scene for her new movie Salt, and it’s a nice look at the CIA/KGB double agent thriller being filmed.

It may look a touch reminiscent of Bourne and Bond but the action seen for far, and Jolie’s undoubted screen presence will make this one to watch. Reuniting with Bone Collector director Phillip Noyce Jolie plays a CIA agent on the run after being tagged as a KGB spy. Cue double crosses, spectacular stunts and more than a little gun play from Ms. Jolie.

There’s a teaser trailer available here if you want to see a little more Salt, and this film will be out in the UK on the 20th of August.

A brand new poster for Angelina Jolie’s new movie, Salt has been released on JoBlo.com with Jolie looking rather seductive! The movie is directed by Phillip Noyce and is out for release next summer, 20th August. Salt also stars Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Andre Braugher. Click the image above to enlarge or head over to JoBlo.com for the super high res version.

Synopsis: Angelina Jolie stars in Columbia Pictures’ Salt, a contemporary espionage thriller. Before becoming a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt (Jolie) swore an oath to duty, honor, and country. She will prove loyal to these when a defector accuses her of being a Russian sleeper spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture, protect her husband, and stay one step ahead of her colleagues at the CIA.

To coincide with the release of Roland Emmerich’s 2012, which is in UK cinemas NOW, Columbia Pictures have released a new featurette based around the volcanic eruption in Yellowstone Park. I’ve embedded the featurette below or head over to Yahoo to view in HD.

2012 stars John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt and Thandie Newton.

Synopsis: Never before has a date in history been so significant to so many cultures, so many religions, scientists, and governments. 2012 is an epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.

Earlier today, a Russian version of the Salt trailer managed to leak onto the Internet and it was quickly culled by Sony. I’m glad as it was worth the wait to see it in HD. On other sites, it’s been compared to a Bourne-style conspiracy theory but what do you think? I’ve embedded it below or you can head over to Yahoo to view in HD.

Salt Stars Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Andre Braugher and is directed by Phillip Noyce who has previously brought us Patriot Games and the Bone Collector which also starred Jolie. This means that Noyce is also no stranger to action as Patriot Games in my opinion was awesome and gave both Harrison Ford and Sean Bean a chance to shine. Check out the synopsis below then watch the trailer and you’ll soon see the similarities to the Bourne series. Salt is scheduled for release 20th August.

Synopsis: Before becoming a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt swore an oath to duty, honor, and country. She will prove loyal to these when a defector accuses her of being a Russian sleeper spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture, protect her husband, and stay one step ahead of her colleagues at the CIA.

We’ve just received two new clips from Columbia for Roland Emmerich’s latest disaster movie, 2012. One of the clips we’ve posted parts of before which was the 5 minute clip they released but I’ve embedded it below incase you missed it.

2012 stars John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Danny Glover, Woody Harrelson and Thandie Newton all fighting for their lives in what looks like the greatest disaster CGI fest of all time! The movie has cost an estimated $200m to make so needs to make money at the box office for Columbia.

It’s out in the UK 13th November. Check out the clips below.

Synopsis: Never before has a date in history been so significant to so many cultures, so many religions, scientists, and governments. 2012 is an epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.

Apocalypse

LA Escape

You might remember that we posted the five minutes of footage that Columbia Pictures released for 2012 a while ago. Well, they’ve now released that same footage in full HD. I’m talking full 1080p, 1920 *1200px resolution. So, for all those out there with a computer and the facility to hook it up to your hi def televisions, I highly recommend you do as it looks fantastic!! For those of you who don’t have this luxury, I’ve embedded the original clip below for your view please as it’s well worth a watch.

Since the footage is 360mb, we’re not hosting it on our site so click here to watch it or right click the link and save the target to download it.

2012 stars John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Thandie Newton,Danny Glover and is directed by Roland Emmerich. It’s out 13th November and tells the story of the end of the world!