Coinciding with the current broadcast of the highly popular anime adaptation of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 3: Stardust Crusaders, Viz Media have revealed through a tweet that they are reprinting their release of the Part 3 manga with stock shipping out soon.
@noimjory@dolphinuppercut We already have. Every volume should be in the warehouse by the end of May.
This is of course spectacular news for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure fans who have had a tough go at tracking down the English language volumes of the manga series. Some could even speculate that this may be the beginning of Viz Media possibly releasing the series in its entirety (a huge undertaking to say the least) should the series reprint do well in sales due to renewed interest in the series.
Stay tuned for further developments on this story as they come to light. Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Despite being around for as long as the series has been, the Dynasty Warriors series has always been a game that could only be played on consoles and occasionally on handhelds. Well that will soon change as Tecmo Koei has announced that they are planning on releasing Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition on the PC through Steam. This is the first time that the series will be available on the PC and it will be released on May 13th.
To go along with this news the company also released the minimum requirements that a player’s PC must meet to play the title and these specs can be found below:
Operating system Windows Vista / 7/8 / 8.1,
main body CPU: (i7 860 or more recommended Core)
Core2Duo 2.4GHz or more
Memory : 512MB of RAM or more ( 1GB or more recommended)
Recommended Display : 1280X720 pixels or True Color display (can display 16:9)
Hard drive space: 18GB
Video card : VRAM256MB or more ( 512MB or more recommended)
3D acceleration corresponding to pixel shader 3.0 and above
Boom! Episode five already! It’s been just over a month since the start of “Stardust Crusaders” and I feel, at this point in time, we’ve pretty much begun to fully understand just what this show is about BUT, knowing it IS “JJBA”, there could be something in the near future that will throw us off. Last episode we were introduced to the newest “frenemy”, a man named Jean-Pierre Polnareff (Jean-Pierre Eiffel for all you “All-Star Battle” players). Within five short minutes this man had already angered the “CREWsaders” – which, let’s be honest here, really doesn’t take a lot – and issued a challenge to the group’s mystic; Paula Abdul…I mean; Muhammad Avdul…excuse me. Just a little slip of the fingers. Episode 5 “Silver Chariot” revolves mostly around the fight between Polnareff and Avdul but if you’ve yet to read the impressions on episode 4 than I suggest you head here and take a read before moving onto episode 5.
– Check Out My Shiny New Body! –
Check Out My Shiny New Body!
Before any fight in the “JJBA series, as per usual, combatants must first flaunt all their attributes; detailing each and every little thing they could possibly do to the other fighter. This gives the combatants the chance to annoy the living hell out of audience members but remember; we are stupid and need everything explain to us. We first saw this back in the days of “Phantom Blood”, a time when an old friend of all “JJBA” fans (Robert Edward O. Speedwagon) would commentate on literally every single thing that was happening in the scene. R. E. O. Speedwagon isn’t around anymore, God rest his soul, but there IS someone who has taken his place as “annoying guy yelling about everything” and that’s old man Joseph.
Thank God! To think; watching an episode of “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” and NOT being bombarded with obvious information…that’s a world I don’t want to live in. The two men begin explaining what their “Stands” can do. Avdul’s “Magician Red” is one we’re already aware of so most of the spotlight goes to Polnareff who explains that his “Stand” is quick, strong and precise which is entirely unique and, according to him, near unbeatable *cough* “Star Platinum” *cough*. After “fronting” on each other for a fair amount of time, Polnareff decides to take the fight outside to a place where he believes Avdul can truly unleash the power of his “Stand”. What a gentleman!
– Stand Grudge Match: Silver Chariot VS Magician Red. –
Stand Grudge Match: Silver Chariot VS Magician Red.
Heading out to the “Tiger Balm Gardens”, which I’m told is an actual place, the two begin their fight. A quick Google search for “Tiger Balm Gardens” will show you that the eccentricity of the environment to which the battle took place in wasn’t that over-exaggerated bar the overly vibrant colouring system. “Tiger Balm Gardens” does indeed look as whacky and wonderful as it was portrayed in the episode. The fight between the two “Stands” definitely was the highlight of the episode for me, not only because it was the bulk but because it sported some incredibly beautiful pieces of animation.
The burning fires of “Magician Red” going up against the glistening armour of “Silver Chariot” on a back drop like the “Tiger Balm Gardens” made for an incredibly exhilarating set of scenes. As much as I make fun of “Stardust Crusaders”, there’s no real doubt in my mind that it actually is an incredible series…it just so happens to be one with many dialogue and story flaws…if that makes sense. The two continue to duke it out but it looks as though “Silver Chariot” has begun to take the lead, dealing out some powerful blows while all the while toying with Avdul and “Magician Red”…a mistake he’ll eventually come to regret. Avdul decides to stop mucking around and dishes out when hell of a finishing move which knocks Polnareff back, sends “Silver Chariot” back to wherever “Stands” go when they’re not visible and “wins” the battle…or so he seems.
– Allow Me To Slip Into Something More Comfortable. –
Allow Me To Slip Into Something More Comfortable.
As Polnareff lies there burning, the group decide to head off, each with their own assumptions about Polnareff’s condition. Jotaro being Jotaro, he says something along the lines of “He’ll probably die. Best case scenario; he’ll just be burned really bad for the rest of his life”. Kakyoin being Kakyoin, he says something along the lines of “clearly he wont be able to walk for at least three months”. Avid watchers of “Stardust Crusaders” will know that it seems, no matter what these people say, they’re always right…well, guess what? They’re wrong and I think it’s about time they all shut the hell up with the assumptions! Poof! Polnareff shoots up into the air but, oddly enough, he’s still lying on his back.
“What!?” they all exclaim. It seems like the “CREWsaders” were all wrong, how could this be? We’re met with “Silver Chariot” ejecting his armour off of its body revealing a slender, streamlined version of itself. Polneraff, obviously NOT deceased, explain that his “Stand” has an ability that makes it a great deal faster and all he has to do is get rid of the armour around it. Good thing he goes into great detail, it wasn’t at all obvious. Polnareff begins his counter attack by creating “Shadow Clones” using the speed of his “Stand” in an illusionary way. “There’s six! No! SEVEN of them now!” old man Joseph explains. “Silver Chariot” has become so much faster than he was before, too bad Muhammad “Paula” Avdul, it looks like this is the end for you.
– A Mystical Fire Burns Oh So Brighter! –
A Mystical Fire Burns Oh So Brighter!
Forgetting that Mr. Avdul has some of the longest sleeves (in which tricks can be placed), Polnareff goes all out with a flurry of stabs, slices and cuts, thinking he’s truly got Avdul in a corner. For the most part it really does look like the mystic is stuck between a rock and a silver robot man…LOOKS like! Avdul, for the second time in the episode, decides; “enough is enough!” and begins HIS counter attack! Counter, counter attack. You get what I mean. Repeating what he said earlier he explains that he can control flames, bending and shaping them to his very will. To Polnareff’s surprise it seems as though the sneaky man dug what looks to be some sort of “fire hole” with one of his earlier attacks, too bad that it’s too late, huh Polnareff? BOOM! The Frenchman gets hit with a devastating flame attack and goes down like a sack of “foie gras”!
“You’re ten years too early to be able to beat me” Avdul says with a smirk as he throws a sharp dagger to the man now on fire. “Kill yourself with this dagger, it’ll be a lot less painful than burning to death”, what a considerate man he is! Such a gentleman, Jonathan would be so proud! Despite having his back turned, Polnareff does not use the dagger to strike at Avdul nor does he use the dagger to end his own life. He believes that to die by Avdul’s flames would be the proper way for him to go, that’s when the flames go out…Avdul is moved by Polnareff’s actions and decides to leave him be but not before calling on doctor Jotaro to get rid of his “flesh bud”. Leaving the man to think about just what he’d done, the team head for the docks where they’ll jump on a boat and begin sailing to Egypt. It’s been a long day, especially for the smouldering Frenchman. That’s NOT a euphemism.
– Polnareff: A Life In Retrospect. –
Polnareff: A Life In Retrospect.
Polnareff actually seems like a nice guy and he’s not the type to let the team head off on their adventure before giving them one of his most heartfelt apologies, unfortunately Avdul wont accept it because he believes Jotaro truly saved him from DIO’s “flesh bud” and Jotaro wont accept it because well…he’s a royal dick, excuse my language. Avdul asks that Polnareff tell the group his story and, taking exactly three steps away from them simply to gaze upon the sea, he lets loose the story of Jean-Pierre Eiffel, I mean…Polnareff. Many years ago his sister and her school friend were confronted by a man like no other. It was a rainy afternoon but no droplet seemed to actually make contact with this trench coat-clad individual, clearly he was a man in possession of a “Stand”. The friend of the sister was clearly the lucky one only being dealt a shocking slice to her chest that nearly killed her, Polnareff’s sister…rest in peace. The friend made it out and immediately alerted Polnareff, I would have gone to the police but an older brother is pretty much the same.
She described the man as having two right hands and, ever since that day, he’s been searching for the killer of his beloved sister which led him to come under the spell of DIO with the dark lord promising him revenge. Making his story known to the group, Polnareff asks one of the stupidest questions of heard in recent times; he questions Joseph Joestar noting that he never once took off his gloves. Polnareff seems to assume that, under the old man’s gloves, are two right hands despite the fact that simple gloves would not mask such a mistake in human creation…but no-one calls him out on it…why? The group gets interrupted by two young ladies who’ve become entranced by Jotaro’s good looks, they ask for him to take their picture and he tells them to “get lost”. Classic Jotaro. Polnareff, though, is more than happy to snap a couple pictures, this particular scene shows his more playful side. Clearly this new addition to the group is going to be the laugh-bringer for the rest of the series. Oh! I didn’t tell you? Yeah, he decided to join the “CREWsaders”, that may have taken you by surprise…if you’re the types of anime watchers that skip the opening sequence. Another addition to the team and the start of another leg of the adventure! Hazzah!
Check out the “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders” anime on Crunchyroll and check out more episode impressions HERE.
Matt Smith, the 11th Doctor in Doctor Who (2011-2013), has signed on and is playing “a new character with a strong connection to John Connor”. Smith joins Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, J.K. Simmons, Dayo Okeniyi and Byung Hun Lee. He can also be seen next on the big screen in Lost River, directed by Ryan Gosling, starring alongside Christina Hendricks, Saoirse Ronan and Eva Mendes.
We’re giving away 10x Capsule Computers CC IndieGala Every Monday #5 bundle packs which includes a total of 6 fantastic PC Indie games. (See below for list of games)
First announced back in March, science fiction indie title Space Run has opened its new website and has been given a set of new screenshots which you can see below. The website contains info on the game’s story, gameplay as well as videos and screenshots.
Developed by Passtech Games, a one-man studio lead by Sylvain Passot, Space Run is being billed as a homage to ’80s sci-fi with its familiar tropes and references.
Set in the year 2525, you play as captain Buck Mann whose job is to transport cargo from one end of the galaxy to the other. Asteroid belts, pirates and fierce competition are some of the things that will hamper your job in this strategy-cross-tower defense game.
CALL OF DUTY: ADVANCED WARFARE BOOSTS FRANCHISE TO NEW HEIGHTS ON THE NEXT GENERATION
Power Changes Everythingon November 4
Starring Academy Award® Winning Actor Kevin Spacey, New Call of Duty Delivers a Stunning Vision of the Future
First Call of Duty game created with three-year development cycle
First Call of Duty game helmed by new AAA studio, Sledgehammer Games
Prepare for the Next Generation Advanced Soldier
Sydney, NSW – May 3, 2014– The power of the next generation of advanced soldier. The power of a gripping performance from Kevin Spacey. The power of all-new, exoskeleton gameplay mechanics. Power changes everything. Call of Duty®: Advanced Warfare delivers an inspired new era of Call of Duty®. Published by Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard (Nasdaq: ATVI), and developed for next gen consoles and PC by Sledgehammer Games, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare delivers a breathtaking, new vision for the blockbuster franchise.
“We’ve made several key decisions with an eye towards creative excellence on Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. We’ve really approached this game differently,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. “This is our first three-year development cycle. It’s our first time with Sledgehammer Games at the creative helm. And we’re shaking up the formula in several ways. New core gameplay mechanics with the exoskeleton suit. A riveting new story. An iconic new character played by one of the world’s best actors in Kevin Spacey. We’re having a lot of fun making this game, and we think the world is going to have even more fun playing it.”
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare jolts players forward in a groundbreaking experience that’s ripped-from-the-headlines-of-tomorrow, envisioning a future where both technology and tactics have evolved to usher in a new era of combat for the franchise. Set in the year 2054, a private military corporation (PMC) has emerged with the power to rescue humanity from a devastated world struggling to rebuild after a global attack on its military and infrastructure. You are the advanced soldier. Empowered with new, cutting-edge exoskeleton abilities, technological advancements and high-tech gear, players join the ranks of a highly-trained, specialised unit committed to restoring order in a state of advanced warfare.
“It’s been a lot of fun working with the team to bring Jonathan Irons to life. The technology is truly remarkable and unlike anything I’ve done before. I’m excited to see where this goes,” said Academy Award® winner Kevin Spacey.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is being developed specifically for next gen consoles and PC. This is the first iteration of publisher Activision’s expanded three-year development cycle allowing the debut lead title from Sledgehammer Games an added year of studio development. With the expanded production capabilities, Sledgehammer Games is able to create an astonishing new, next generation experience, featuring an array of technical advancements from the sights and sounds that create a near photorealistic world unlike any Call of Duty before, to new performance capture and facial animation technologies that deliver lifelike characters, to a rich and immersive story that brings the fiction to life.
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and an honor for Sledgehammer Games. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfareis the most ambitious and creative project we have ever worked on. From the endless research and thousands of production designs, to our incredible focus on the narrative and amazing attention to detail – we’re taking nothing for granted,” said Glen Schofield, co-founder and game director of Sledgehammer Games. “Call of Duty connects with the fans on such a deep level, and crafting a new vision for the next generation has been so inspiring for us.”
Michael Condrey, co-founder and studio head of Sledgehammer Games added, “Glen and I created this team with the singular vision of delivering the best work of our lives. We know we’re stepping into some pretty big shoes, but every day I’m amazed at the talent and focus at work here touching everything from the story experience to multiplayer. We’re excited to lead the next chapter in this great franchise, and we can’t wait for November 4th.”
Starting today, fans can begin pre-ordering their copy of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare at retail outlets worldwide. The title is scheduled for release on November 4. For the latest intel, check out: www.callofduty.com, www.facebook.com/callofduty,www.youtube.com/callofduty or follow @CallofDuty_ANZ @CallofDuty on Twitter and Instagram. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is not yet rated.
About Activision Publishing, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.
Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, mainland China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Publishing’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about the expected Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare release date of November 4, 2014, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Activision Publishing’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Publishing and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision Publishing nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Publishing or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.
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ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, and CALL OF DUTY ADVANCED WARFARE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc.
Overview
In the world of secret agent movies, it can be easy to quickly think to more about Western countries, like the UK and US, but they of course aren’t the only ones. Switch is a Chinese-Hong Kong action film centered on the attempts of a Chinese secret agent trying to protect an ancient painting from being stolen by smugglers, complicated with the fact that the painting was historically damaged and split in two, each part stored in a separate museum. Are the exploits of this Chinese secret agents something that action film fans can enjoy, or is it best to find some secret agent thrills elsewhere?
Story
The film itself opens up to different people being informed of the proposed reunion of the two pieces of the “Dwelling of the Fuchun Mountains” and goes right into the action as a few separate groups happen to pick the same night to steal the first half of the Chinese Yuan Dynasty era painting. It is nice to see a fair amount of inter-criminal conflict as they all try and get the final drop on the others to be the one that comes out on top, but only one team can ultimately succeed and tip off the authorities to the fact that the other half should get a severe boost in security.
The biggest source of security? Sending Agent Xiao Jinhan to protect the second half and recover the first. Jinhan himself is an interesting take on the agent lifestyle, in that he is married with a child, masking his job and late night missions under the guise of affairs with a beautiful woman who is actually his partner agent. Though to spice up the plot even more, his wife is also an agent with a different group whose job is to prevent the second half of the painting from being stolen at all. Needless to say there are a lot of things going on in the film, both in terms of action and characters, and the husband/wife team on the tip of the iceberg.
While the film is only a little more than two hours long, the action that takes place feels to extend much long as there is so much going on it could almost encompass three movies. This is especially noticeable with the fight that occurs only half way through the movie that at the time feels as if it could be the climax, only to lead to entirely new act focused on recovering both pieces from their respective captors. Though with only an hour left in the film the focus on the British smugglers is extremely limited, so that much more focus can be put on the super villain-like Yamamoto, which ends up working out in the film’s favor as he is a much stronger antagonist than any of the others.
Unfortunately, with such a wide sweeping story in the end the action goes so far as to become absurd in the strangest ways. Storming the Yamamoto lair leads to fights across a ridiculous variety of areas for crazy range of fights and props to be destroyed in the melee. Culminating in Jinhan and Yamamoto fencing in full gear for almost no reason, as the time it would take to don the appropriate clothing undermines the tension built up between the two throughout the film. Despite the action reaching too far over the top, there is still plenty of interesting things going on in the film providing a nice level of depth.
Visuals
The look of the film has plenty of flourish and style that includes a lot of detail into the different scenes taking place in plenty of locations from Hong Kong, to Taiwan, to the United Arab Emirates. However, the scenes in Yamamoto’s lair have by far the most unique designs in the entire film, that all go back to the most interesting aspect of his character. On top of that his minions are also the most varied, even themed depending on what is happening, while the other groups consist of smaller numbers of more mundane designed character.
The special effects in Switch are not exactly anything to write home about, in fact some border on cheap looking, which is even more apparent with how well some of the other aspects. There are some scenes that are clearly green screened to present an otherwise unavailable location, but not all of the special effects are this bad as the opening title sequence looks fantastic capturing the James Bond-esque feel of the film.
Audio
There is both the original Mandarin and an English dub available for the film, which each have there only pluses. With so much going on plot and character-wise in the film it may be better to watch with the English dub, so that it is a bit easier to keep up with the action. Though the original Mandarin really lets the performances of Andy Lau and Tong Dawei, Jinhan and Yamamoto respectively, really show through, but many of the English-speaking characters have very poor performances. So, the English dub might be a good idea for the first time watch and those wanting to see it again can enjoy both.
The music is outside the look and style of the film one of the best aspects of Switch. Able to match up well to the high standards of the look of the opening title sequence and the rest of the action throughout. This is another part that Switch gets right in trying to match the style of a James Bond-esque movie, including long dialogue-less parts that rely on the music to carry the feelings of the scene. Despite all the slight flaws the other aspects have across the course of the film, the music is a strong constant of quality.
Extras
In true Bond style the usual sampling of trailer for this film and other Giant Ape Media brand releases have additional special features in the form of music videos for some of the bigger songs related to Switch. The first music video is the song “Fate” which is the closing theme for the film and focuses on the main love story between Jinhan and his fellow agent and dealing with those feeling while working closely together. The second is the main theme song for Switch, which does a good job of summing up the main themes of the movie itself in the song, though the theme song has much more original footage of the band while “Fate” music video is mainly footage from the movie.
Overall
There are a few slight problems here and there, but for the most part Switch is filled with a good portion of action and plot, though at times there seems to be a bit too much of it. While the special effects leave something to be desired, the music of the film can almost make up for it. There is still plenty of good things to be found in the two hour run time for fans of action and secret agent style, so those willing and able to get past the slight mars of somewhat hokey special effects and borderline quality acting on the part of the English characters should find something to enjoy.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
“Cause you can’t stop the (News)Beat!” Relax ladies and gentlemen, because after a little bit of a holiday hiatus we are proud to bring back Xbox Newsbeat! Newsbeat is your all-access, VIP backstage pass to all the latest happenings and goings on down at Microsoft HQ. This week we have four killer Xbox One news pieces, one Xbox 360 snippet and a cross-platform headline for you to sink your teeth into like the ravenous gaming vampires that you all are (suck it, Windows Phone). Anyway lets get this show on the road!
Xbox One will launch in China this September
A nice, simple and small piece to kick us off – Microsoft in conjunction with Chinese Media Company BesTV will finally be bringing the Xbox One console to Chine. As of September, players living in China will have access to all the goodness that we have had for the past few months. Xbox has historically never done too well in the Asian markets, so hopefully Xbox One can bump that trend.
May Games with Gold for Xbox 360 – Dust: An Elysian Tail and Saints Row: The Third
Ok now here is some goodness. This month’s Games with Gold are available and they are goodies. Dust: An Elysian Tail and Saints Row: the Third are both available NOW totally free for Xbox Gold subscribers. We rated both games very highly when they dropped so if you haven’t done so already, check out our reviews for Dust: An Elysian Tail and Saints Row: The Third. Then of course go download those games!
Xbox Originals: Coming Soon to a Screen Near You
As we reported earlier in the week, Microsoft are bringing television to its home consoles in the form of Xbox Originals. Everything from the long-gestating Halo series, to documentaries about discarded Atari games will be available for you to watch on demand, right through your console. Three is a lot to this, so for the full report including some of the shows currently in development check it here.
Xbox Fitness Adds Yoga and Spotlights Jillian Michaels’ Top Fitness Tips
Let is never be said that here at Newsbeat we don’t provide something for everyone. Whether you are a gym junkie, a professional yogi that can spit fire, or are just trying to tone that tummy then this is some pretty cool news. Starting on May 6th, a bunch of new yoga workouts will be available through Xbox Fitness. Jillian Michaels’ Yoga Inferno Workout 1 and Yoga Inferno Workout 2 will be added to the Xbox Fitness library along with a 10-Minute Solutions yoga program and a 5 Day Get Fit Mix: Power Yoga.
Step Into the Arena with the Next “Ryse: Son of Rome” Add-On Pack, “Duel of Fates”
Topping off the hour today is a game that appears in the Newsbeat more times than any other – Ryse: Son of Rome. The game’s third downloadable content pack – Duel of Fates is available now for owners of the game. The downloadable content features two new arena mode round-to-round maps in Invictus and Barbarous, and a survival map simply titled “Island.” Players will also be able to access two new gladiator skins for their combatants, both taken from “Ryse: Son of Rome’s” single-player campaign: Glott the barbarian chief, and “Ryse” protagonist Marius Titus. If you are a season pass owner then you will get this, along with all over previous (and future) DLC, or you can grab this pack on its own for the low, low price of $11.95.
That’s it for another installment of Xbox Newsbeat. We had to shake off the dust after our holiday but I think we got there in the end. Which of this week’s headlines grabbed you the most? Let us know in the comments below and remember to stay tuned to Capsule Computers for all the Xbox news as it becomes available.
MATT SMITH SET TO STAR IN PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND SKYDANCE PRODUCTIONS’ “TERMINATOR” REBOOT
HOLLYWOOD, CA (May 1, 2014) – Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions announced today that “Doctor Who” star Matt Smith will join the cast of the upcoming “TERMINATOR” reboot.
Smith will play a new character with a strong connection to John Connor, alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, J.K. Simmons, Dayo Okeniyi and Byung Hun Lee.
Alan Taylor is directing the film from a screenplay by Laeta Kalogridis and Patrick Lussier. David Ellison and Dana Goldberg of Skydance Productions are producing. Skydance’s Paul Schwake, Annapurna Pictures’ Megan Ellison, Kalogridis and Lussier are executive producing.
Smith is best known for playing The Doctor on the popular “Doctor Who” television series during the 2011-2103 seasons. His other television credits include “Christopher and His Kind,” “Moses Jones,” and “The Street.” He can be seen next on the big screen in “LOST RIVER,” directed by Ryan Gosling, alongside Christina Hendricks, Saoirse Ronan and Eva Mendes.
He is represented by United Talent Agency and Michael Duff at Troika.
The “TERMINATOR” franchise launched in 1984 with Schwarzenegger as the title character and spanned three subsequent films, which have earned more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office.
Paramount will distribute the film worldwide on July 1, 2015.
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About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
About Skydance Productions
Skydance Productions creates and produces elevated event-level commercial entertainment. Skydance’s recent releases include JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT, from director Kenneth Branagh and starring Chris Pine, WORLD WAR Z, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Marc Forster; J.J. Abrams’ STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS, starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, and G.I. JOE: RETALIATION, starring Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum and Dwayne Johnson. Skydance projects currently in development include the reboot of the TERMINATOR franchise, to be released on July 1, 2015, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 5 with Christopher McQuarrie directing and a disaster film on a global scale titled GEOSTORM written by Dean Devlin and Paul Guyot with Devlin also directing. Skydance’s previous projects include the award-winning Coen Brothers film TRUE GRIT, starring Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL, starring Tom Cruise and Jeremy Renner and Christopher McQuarrie’s JACK REACHER, starring Tom Cruise. Skydance’s new television division recently started production on its first series, Manhattan, to WGN America. From writer Sam Shaw and director Tommy Schlamme, this 13-episode drama is set against the backdrop of the clandestine mission to build the world’s first atomic bomb in Los Alamos, New Mexico and follows the brilliant but flawed scientists and their families as they attempt to co-exist in a world where secrets and lies infiltrate every aspect of their lives.
