Into the Wild and Bigger Adventure in Rio 2

Carlos Saldanha, who co-directed and directed the global blockbuster “Ice Age” movies had long wanted to write a love letter to his hometown of Rio. From his imagination came a story about a nerdy, highly domesticated bird who goes on the adventure of a lifetime in that wondrous city that produced the highly successful “Rio” movie released in April 2011 that became a worldwide smash with almost $500 million at the global box office.

Now, his lead characters Blu and Jewel voiced by Jesse Eisenberg and Anne Hathaway are back in “Rio 2” for a grandeur adventure into the wild with the Nigel the villain at their trail. To fully realize the scope and breadth of this magical world and its vivid characters, Saldanha brought together an all-star voice cast, led by Oscar® nominees Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg, Oscar and Grammy®-winner Jamie Foxx, acclaimed musical artist will.i.am, actor-musician Jemaine Clement, comedic actress Leslie Mann, actor Rodrigo Santoro (a Brazilian native), actor-comedian George Lopez, and funnyman Tracy Morgan.

Jesse Eisenberg is Lex Luthor, Jeremy Irons as Alfred for Superman/ Batman

Zack Snyder and Warner Bros. Pictures has found their Lex Luthor for the untitled Man of Steel sequel which fans have dubbed as Superman/Batman for the duration, in the form of actor Jesse Eisenberg.

In the DC Comics, Luthor was a supergenius who just hate Superman with a vengeance. Currently if you pick up a DC book, you'll see that Luthor is embroiled in a fight with the Crime Syndicate in Forever Evil together with a handful of DC rogues as well as Batman and Catwoman.

Eisenberg received Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and BAFTA Award nominations for his starring role as Mark Zuckerberg in David Fincher’s The Social Network. He also starred in Woody Allen's To Rome with Love and Louis Letterier's Now You See Me.

Also in the outs is actor Jeremy Irons who will be playing the role of Bruce Wayne's butler and only father figure Alfred Pennyworth.

Some of the movies I remember Jeremy Irons in was in Die Hard as well as sharing his voice to Scar from The Lion King. 

UPDATE: I got the official press release now from Warner Bros. Pictures Phil.

BURBANK, CA, January 31, 2014 – Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Jesse Eisenberg has been set to star as Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons will play Alfred in the upcoming Zack Snyder untitled Superman/Batman film. The dual announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Snyder stated, “Lex Luthor is often considered the most notorious of Superman’s rivals, his unsavory reputation preceding him since 1940. What’s great about Lex is that he exists beyond the confines of the stereotypical nefarious villain. He’s a complicated and sophisticated character whose intellect, wealth and prominence position him as one of the few mortals able to challenge the incredible might of Superman. Having Jesse in the role allows us to explore that interesting dynamic, and also take the character in some new and unexpected directions.”

The director added, “As everyone knows, Alfred is Bruce Wayne’s most trusted friend, ally and mentor, a noble guardian and father figure. He is an absolutely critical element in the intricate infrastructure that allows Bruce Wayne to transform himself into Batman. It is an honor to have such an amazingly seasoned and gifted actor as Jeremy taking on the important role of the man who mentors and guides the guarded and nearly impervious façade that encapsulates Bruce Wayne.”

Eisenberg received Academy Award®, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award® and BAFTA Award nominations for his starring role as Mark Zuckerberg in David Fincher’s “The Social Network.” He also starred in Woody Allen’s “To Rome with Love” and Louis Letterier’s “Now You See Me.” He next appears in “The Double” and “Night Moves.”

Irons won the Academy Award® for his portrayal of Claus von Bülow in “Reversal of Fortune.” His work in the film also garnered him a Golden Globe Award. He won an Emmy Award and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award® for his performance in the TV miniseries “Elizabeth I,” opposite Helen Mirren, and recently starred on the small screen as Rodrigo Borgia in Neil Jordan’s highly acclaimed Showtime series “The Borgias,” for which Irons earned a Golden Globe nomination. He was recently nominated for a SAG Award® for the PBS Great Performances television miniseries “The Hollow Crown,” for his performance as Henry IV.

Snyder’s film stars Henry Cavill, reprising his role as Superman/Clark Kent, Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne, and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince. The film also reunites “Man of Steel” stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.

The new film is currently being written by Chris Terrio, from a screenplay by David S. Goyer. Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Wesley Coller, David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.

The film is set to open worldwide on May 6, 2016, and is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, Batman characters created by Bob Kane, and Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston, appearing in comic books published by DC Entertainment.

Superman/Batman hits theaters 2016

New Poster for RIO 2

The merriest of characters in the worldwide hit animation “Rio” reunite in “Rio 2” where they now head to the Amazon from the vibrant city of Rio De Janeiro as seen in this latest poster from 20th Century Fox.

credits: 20th Century Fox and Bluesky 

The film’s macaw lovebirds Blu and Jewel (voiced by Jesse Eisenberg and Anne Hathaway) are now facing parenting issues whether to stay in the city or make a new nest in the jungle to raise their children. Along with their friends, “Rio 2” continues the grandeur of adventure as we see Blu and Jewel raise their children while unexpectedly meeting relatives in the wild and dodging dangers brought about by familiar and new set of villains.





“Rio 2” opens April 9 in 3D nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

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New Trailer and Photos for RIO 2

Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) and Jewel (Anne Hathaway), the macaw lovebirds in the first “Rio” movie that hit it off with the world and sent the box-office flying high are back in “Rio 2” with the entire original cast and a new set of fine actors and musical talents.

Watch the latest international trailer of “Rio 2” here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZxrlLARycE&list=PLcZs6n5iZPx_THQ8_QjSrpxKfqOdHsc2k

“Rio 2” continues the grandeur of adventure as we see Blu and Jewel raise their children while unexpectedly meeting relatives in the wild and dodging dangers brought about by familiar and new set of villains. Together with their oddball company of friends, Blu and Jewel venture from the magical city of Rio De Janeiro the wild Amazon to raise their children. Along the way, they rediscover Jewel’s long-lost father Eduardo (voiced by Oscar nominee Andy Garcia) and all kinds of new friends and baddies set to rock the Amazon jungle with laughter and exciting adventure in 3D.



Also reprising their roles are George Lopez, Tracy Morgan, Will.I.Am, Jemaine Clement, Leslie Mann, Rodrigo Santoro and Jamie Foxx. New characters are voiced by an all-new stellar cast as well including Oscar® nominee Andy Garcia,Grammy® winner Bruno Mars, Emmy®/Tony® winner Kristin Chenoweth, Oscar®/Emmy®/Tony®/Grammy® winner Rita Moreno, "The Hunger Games'" Amandla Stenberg, singer/actress Rachel Crow, "Looper's" Pierce Gagnon, and "Today" news anchor Natalie Morales.

Facing new challenges in raising a family, Blu is once again uprooted from his comfort zone as he meets his father-in-law Eduardo in the Amazon who has obvious reservations on the domesticated Blu. Moreso, compounding the in-laws issue is Jewel’s suave ex-boyfriend Roberto (voiced by Bruno Mars) who stirs up Blu’s jealousy.

As if ruffled feathers are not enough, familiar and new fiends follow aiming to do some fowl damage on the clan. The conniving cockatoo Nigel (voiced by Clement) has now teamed up with a poisonous frog named Gabi (voiced by Christine Chenoweth) to spoil the party.

"So there's a big adventure to the Amazon," says Brazilian director and Carlos Saldanha. "It's very much a journey for Blu and Jewel's family. Feathers do get ruffled. Threats are very real, however, from the deadly Nigel, the sadistic sulphur-crested cockatoo. He's better and badder than ever. He's a delicious villain."



“Rio 2” in 3D will open April 9, 2014 in theaters nationwide (Phils.) from Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox.



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Return to Grand in "Rio 2" - Teaser Trailer Debut

Nigel is about to crash…into the grandest party as Blu, Jewel and friends return in “Rio 2.”

Jesse Eisendberg and Anne Hathaway return in “Rio 2” along with Jemaine Clement, Will.I.Am, Tracy Morgan, George Lopez, Leslie Mann,Rodrigo Santoro, Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto, Jake T. Austin, and Jamie Foxx.

“Rio 2” brings back Blu, Jewel along with their three kids living the perfect domesticated life in that magical city. When free-spirited Jewel thought it best that time is ripe for their chicks to go into the wild – Amazon that is, Blu’s steady world began to shake. As Blu tries to fit in with his new neighbors, he worries he may lose Jewel and the kids to the call of the wild.

20th Century Fox Announces Cast for RIO 2

Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg and the rest of the original gang are back in “Rio 2” for the follow-up of the 2011 animated hit “Rio” along with a flock of top actors and musical talents new to the franchise, as announced by Vanessa Morrison, president of 20th Century Fox Animation.

The film is now in production at Blue Sky Studios. Twentieth Century Fox's international rollout begins March 20, 2014, followed by its domestic release on April 11, 2014 (April 10 in Phils.).