The real story however is that Nicolas Winding Refn is ready to cash in on his Drive accolades and helm this movie about Denzel driving around and shooting people. It’s just early talks at this point so no word on whether or not Denzel’s jacket will be really cool or not. (Coming Soon)

Flight centers around Denzel Washington’s alcoholic airliner pilot who flies better when he’s had a few, which allows him to safely land an otherwise doomed flight. Anheuser-Busch is taking exception with a scene that features Capt. Chugsburp enjoying a cold, frosty Budweiser while driving his car, and has asked Paramount to remove their logo from the film. It’s still totally okay to feed Bud to dogs and have horses blow farts in the faces of naggy women*. Those moving images are completely acceptable to Anheuser-Busch. (THR)

* because naggy women are whores, you see.

Cast: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Robert Patrick

Synopsis: A young CIA agent is tasked with looking after a fugitive in a safe house. But when the safe house is attacked, he finds himself on the run with his charge.

Release Date: February 10, 2012

Knowing how the Jackson clan operates, it’s likely that these talks could take a while. But that hasn’t stopped Irish bookmaking firm Paddypower.com from setting odds on who they think will play the once-black entertainer. Of course, the menu of choices that the site presents is batshit insane, with Johnny Depp and Zac Efron the odds-on favorites. Would anyone really bet a dollar to make four that Johnny Depp will play Michael Jackson in the Michael Jackson biopic?

Of course, the site has no idea who will play Jackson, nor does anyone else, so these odds exist solely to screw people out of their money. That said, it’s a pretty slow news day, and I feel like making fun of something, so let’s examine some of the contenders.

4/1 Johnny Depp

I guess they both have long hair. Johnny Depp has a skinny face, and a penchant for burying himself in makeup, but I just see him as too terribly “different” than MJ for this to make any sense. Of course, if there’s a big project on the horizon, it’s always a safe bet to include Depp’s name in the discussions, but not at these odds.

If Tim Burton’s name gets mentioned, these odds flip to ¼.

9/2 Zac Efron

WHY? Why would Zac Efron even be on this list? Because he’s a living, breathing actor? That’s pretty much the only reason he would be included. Charlie St. Cloud danced in that High School Musical series, but that’s a far cry from playing the King of Pop in a biopic. Also, this seems a good time to bring up that I would love to see any of these adult actors play young, black Michael. Especially if the actor is white. I would love to see Zac in blackface and an afro wig singing “Rockin’ Robin.” I can actually hear NAACP execs snapping pencils as I think about it.

6/1 Usher

He dances as well as Michael, but he looks absolutely nothing like him. And considering his best acting credit so far is as the DJ in She’s All That, we should probably keep moving.

6/1 Jaden Smith

Or Willow. I don’t really know what the difference is anyway. I mean, the best way to demonstrate the path that a damage adult (Jackson) went down is to portray them with a damaged child actor on the same path (either Smith tot). Will Smith could play Joe Jackson, which sort of makes sense. This choice is my odds-on favorite, but far from my personal fave.

8/1 Will Smith

No. Just imagine this for a second. Then stop imagining it because you will laugh too hard and hurt yourself. Well, maybe. It is the new millennium. Excuse me. Willenium.

8/1 Jamie Foxx

He was a good fit for Ray. He’s a bad fit for Michael. Can someone please tell this Irish bookie that not all black people look the same?

10/1 Andre 3000

Personal fave. Right here. I think I could watch Andre 3000 mow the lawn for 120 minutes and be entertained. He can sing, he can dance, he can sort of act, and he looks like a Jackson more than anyone else on this list. Plus, he would probably toss a song or two on the soundtrack, possibly an MJ cover, and that would be amazeballs.

12/1 Justin Timberlake

Just Timberlake can sing and dance but is white. Also, he’s big fan of Michael’s, so I doubt that he’ll be eager to take on this role.

12/1 Randy Jackson

Nope. Randy Jackson weighs like 460 pounds, Dawg.

I mean, it would hard to be an undignified heroic pilot, but it’s possible if you had a mustard stain on your uniform or something. Anyway, if Zemeckis gave Gump dignity, than Denzel as a hero pilot shouldn’t be too hard.

You know what? It’s Friday afternoon. Let’s have the press release do the heavy lifting for this piece:

Written by John Gatins (“Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story,” “Real Steel”), FLIGHT tells the redemption story of “Whip” (Washington), a commercial airline pilot who pulls off a heroic feat of flying in a damaged plane, saving 98 lives on a flight carrying 106 people. While the world begs to embrace him as a true American Hero, the everyman struggles with this label as he is forced to hold up to the scrutiny of an investigation that brings into question his behavior the night before the doomed flight.

There ya go. Have a good weekend.

She’s joining Denzel Washington, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard, Robert Patrick and Liam Cunningham in the Daniel Espinosa-directed movie. She did a pretty good job playing a kind-of-similar character in Source Code, and has made a bit of a niche for herself playing professional, attractive women in thrillers like The Departed. So, good casting, Hollywood casting people! This is why they pay you the big bucks. (Deadline)

Though the plot of the remake will likely be updated as to not include ridiculous hats, the original follows Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier as two estranged friends who go on a quest to find a lost winning lottery ticket.

The project has been in the works with Overbrook Entertainment since 2002 with the belief that it will eventually star Will Smith and Denzel Washington. Given this casting, might I suggest that instead of a lost lottery ticket the duo needs to stop a runaway nuclear train before it prevents Kevin James from finding the love of his life? I can’t?? Oh, okay then. (Variety)

What do you call a thousand lawyers chained together at the bottom of the ocean?

A good start.

As the quote from Philadelphia shows, Hollywood has a love-hate relationship with lawyers. Time after time, filmmakers depict lawyers as money-grubbing parasites who are more interested getting a pay check than seeing justice served. But at the same time, there are countless films that depict lawyers as champions of the underdog, defending the poor and weak in the face of overwhelming odds. Still others, like The Lincoln Lawyer, fall in the middle, and show the complex nature of a job where people are often asked to chose between what’s right and what’s legal. Regardless of what side of the fence they fall, we definitely want the following nine movie lawyers on our side if we ever end up in a court room. (Spoilers Ahead)

Joe Miller – Philadelphia

When it comes to people you don’t want to sue, a high-profile law firm is probably at the top of the list. So when lawyer Andrew Beckett seeks to sue his former firm for discrimination, he has a hard time finding someone who will take the case. Despite his initial reluctance, Joe Miller (Denzel Washington) agrees to take Beckett on as a client, and manages to beat the prestigious law firm at its own game.

Wild Things – Ken Bowden

When two students falsely accuse high-school guidance counselor Sam Lombardo of rape, he soon finds himself out of a job and facing jail time. To make matters worse, one of the girls comes from a very powerful family, which makes finding a reputable lawyer difficult. But who needs reputable when you’ve got Ken Bowden (Bill Murray). This sleazy ambulance chaser takes on the case, and actually manages to clear his client’s name. Of course, it was all a setup from start to finish, but at the end of the day, Bowden is one of the last men standing. You have to respect that.

Alan Dershowitz – Reversal of Fortune

The nice thing about Alan Dershowitz is he’s a real lawyer. This Harvard Law professor wrote the book on which the film is based. It tells the story of the trial of Claus von Bülow, who was accused of attempting to murder his wife. Dershowitz also went on to help with OJ Simpson’s defense. So if anyone out there is thinking of murdering their wife, you know who to call. Bring money.

Frank Galvin – The Verdict

Frank Galvin is ambulance chasing lawyer who lost a promising career because of his alcoholism. When a friend sets him up with a slam-dunk case that is sure to settle out of court, he has a change of heart, and decides to see the case though and no take the payout. Despite the odds, and the wishes of everyone involved, he manages to win the case. His clients are awarded a sum far in excess of what they would have received in the settlement, while Frank wins his redemption.

Vinny Gambini – My Cousin Vinnie

On paper, Vinny Gambini (Joe Pesci) isn’t exactly what you’d look for in a defense attorney, especially if you were being charged with murder. But that just goes to show you can’t judge a book by its cover (or by its five failed attempts to pass the bar exam). Despite the fact that he has no experience in criminal court, Gambini manages to win a not guilty verdict for his clients based mainly on his girlfriend’s knowledge of cars and his personal experience with cooked grits. That’s what I call impressive.

Elle Woods – Legally Blonde

Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is a vapid socialite who is more worried about her accessories than the inner workings of the legal system. But when her boyfriend leaves her because he can’t take her seriously, she applies to law school in order to prove him wrong. To be honest, I’m not sure I’d actually hire her as an attorney. But I’ve always wanted to bang Reese Witherspoon), so she made the list.

Fletcher Reede – Liar Liar

Defense attorneys lie. There’s no other way to say it. It’s there job to defend a client, even if they are guilty. So, imagine how difficult it would be for a defense attorney who couldn’t tell a lie. Fletcher Reede (Jim Carrey) learned that the hard way in Liar Liar. When his son’s birthday wish comes true, Reede finds himself unable to tell the slightest fib, yet, he somehow manages to win the case. Now that’s some top-notch lawyering.

Tom Hagen – The Godfather II

If you’re going to run a crime family, you better have a good lawyer. The Corleone family has the best. Tom Hagen acts as the family’s consigliere, attending to any legal or political issues that arise. How good is he? After intimidating a witness (via his brother) into not testifying at a congressional hearing, he has the stones to demand an apology. Nice.

Atticus Finch – To Kill a Mocking Bird

When it comes to movie lawyers, Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) is the character by which all others are measured. In fact, Peck’s portrayal is so moving, that you might actually forget he didn’t win the case. Even so, if your life was on the line, you’d be lucky to have a lawyer like this on your side.

Fares will play an assassin hired to take out  Washington and any Ryan Reynoldses that try to get in his way. Fares had better hope he has the cunning required to pull off the mission. The ragtag team of Reynolds and Washington may not look like much, but when they can put their differences aside, that young agent and that experienced old timer might just have what it takes to see the end credits. (Latino Review)

In the movie, Ryan Reynolds plays a CIA agent who needs to protect criminal Denzel Washington from assassins, after Reynold’s safe house is compromised. Will Ryan Reynolds‘ character secretly turn out to be a superhero, like all the other roles he’s been playing lately? We can only hope the Green Lantern shows up, so Hal Jordan and Alastor Moody can team up to fight T-1000. If that’s what’s gonna happen, I’ll be there opening night. (TheWrap)

Arnezeder isn’t known on these shores but is taking France by storm after her performance as an amateur singer trying to save her beloved theater in Paris 36. Sounds like the French equivalent to Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo.

If the current rewrite works out, the producers will approach Jeff Bridges to play a Deputy Vice Director at the FBI. Possibly one with a secret hippie past? (Latino Review)

Obviously Unstoppable is Speed on a train, but it’s about 15 years too late for that comparison. Maybe now it’s more like The Fast and the Furious on a train. It certainly is the fastest, most furious movie of the year.

For a while the film feels very serious, emphasizing the deadliness of the runaway train. That’s a valid point of view for a disaster movie, but you still kind of want to see the fun train crash adventure Unstoppable actually get to have it both ways. You feel really anxious about public safety and deadly consequences. Then it switches into pure hero mode with Frank and Will sticking it to the evil corporate suits who just want to protect their stock value.

There’s union talk that speaks to the current economic crisis. Does young hotshot Will Colson (Chris Pine) have what it takes to ride with veteran conductor Frank Barnes (Denzel Washington)? Even as a train conductor, Washington can’t not be in charge.  Meanwhile, yard master Connie (Rosario Dawson) tracks the slowly escalating “coaster” situation.

The film really builds to a fu fast and furious thrill ride.  Every attempt to stop the train is exciting and you appreciate how the script tries every possible permutation of suspense. Mark Bomback knows how to build the action of the premise. There are plenty of railroad crossing incidents.  It looks like these are real crashes, old school practical stunts with glorious destruction.

Every suspense scene builds expertly. Even the first one where the train loses control, when we know that’s what the movie is about, still makes you antsy, hoping lazy conductor Dewey (Ethan Suplee) can catch it. Judging by the trailer and the cast list, I don’t think a supporting character is going to prevent the disaster 20 minutes in, but darned if I wasn’t thinking, “Come on, come on…”

The style is pretty restrained for Tony Scott. The film actually looks clear so you can see what’s happening. There’s only a little shaky cam, but all the sweeping, flying cameras over the train make up for it. Cutting in news camera footage makes sense and is actually effective.

Unstoppable is my kind of movie. Just give me a clear premise and show me everything that could possibly happen in that situation. I prefer the more fun, outrageous attitude but I think they’re going to get both audiences on this: the serious drama crowd and the crazy action crowd.

"Saturday Night Live’s" new cast member Jay Pharoah does an impeccable Denzel Washington. He did a sketch about Washington working retail as research for a part, and Pharoah totally captured Washington’s sound, his cadence, his laugh. Washington heard about that a lot as he spoke to reporters about his new movie, Unstoppable.

The thing is, when I asked him if he heard the impression, he kind of started doing the impression back to me. He’s in a press conference with costars Rosario Dawson and Tony Scott. From the opening laughter to the way he turns the question around on me and tries to prod me, that’s exactly how Pharoah played it.

After the jump, take a listen to an audio clip of Washington sounding very much like the "SNL" version of Denzel Washington.

Denzel Washington Does His Denzel Washington Impression – Watch more Funny Videos

Here’s the "SNL" sketch.

In this exclusive clip from Tony Scott‘s Unstoppable, Denzel Washington tries to enlist Chris Pine‘s help in an attempt stop a runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals. Obviously some heavy convincing is necessary. Most people don’t want to go to head with the equivilant of a nuclear missile.

Check out the clip after the jump. Unstoppable crashes into theaters November 14th.

Unstoppable Clip – Are You In Or Are You Out? – Watch more Funny Videos

_Trippy.

It seems Ryan Reynolds’s washboard abs are nabbing all the juicy roles these days. Green Lantern himself has emerged as the front runner to play opposite Denzel Washington in Safe House. Washington signed on a few weeks ago as the film’s villain, and Reynolds would be the hero, "a young CIA agent who must transport a dangerous criminal to safety after both are attacked at a safe house."

Some very talented young actors have been vying for the role, including Shia LeBeouf, Taylor Kitsch, Chris Pine, Sam Worthington, Garrett Hedlund, Zac Efron, Channing Tatum, Chris Hemsworth, and Jake Gyllenhaal. No final decision has been made, so we can’t give Reynolds the crown just yet. I have it on good authority that Universal Studios will be closing down the gym at a local YMCA to award the role. All of the actors will be filed in and a broken pool cue dropped in the middle of them. My money’s still on Deadpool. (Deadline)

Denzel Washington and Tony Scott have a bigger fascination with trains than imaginative eight-year-old boys or fifty-year-old listless husbands. This time Chris Pine and Rosario Dawson board the duo’s ride in the new trailer for Unstoppable. The film tells the story of an experienced engineer (Washington) who finds himself teaming up with a young conductor (Pine) in a race against time, with a runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals. Ageism and flash-frame-dissolve-cross-fade-smash-cuts are big themes. Oh Tony Scott, you shake that camera like you’ve got a bad case of palsy, and we love you for it.

Unstoppable crashes into theaters November 14, 2010.

Check out the trailer below.

Unstoppable Trailer – Watch more Movie Trailers

Director: Tony Scott

Cast: Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson

Synopsis: An experienced engineer finds himself teaming up with a young conductor in a race against time, with a runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals.

Release Date: November 12, 2010

_Birdie.

Denzel Washington is in talks to star in Safe House, an original spy thriller set in South Africa, but let’s not make this a racial thing. The script, written by David Guggenheim, "follows a young U.S. intelligence agent who must go on the run with a newly arrived prisoner (Denzel’s potential role) after his titular safe house comes under attack — think of a mix between Collateral and Three Days of the Condor." Sounds more like a mix between Bulletproof and Spy Hard. Guggenheim sparked a bidding war with the script this past winter.

A spy thriller wouldn’t be my next project choice for Denzel, but I don’t commission 10% of his salary to tell him what sets to show up on. The overall concept for Safe House seems stale though, and I can’t understand why studios would clamor over one another to secure it. Maybe Denzel knows something I don’t. Like where I put my car keys. I gotta get out of this trunk before the sun sets. The desert gets chilly at night. (Vulture)

To make the hardcore fight sequences in The Book of Eli look as realistic and kick-ass as possible, Denzel Washington worked with famed fight choreographer Jeff Imada. Jeff also worked on a littl fighting movie called Fight Club. He did Fight Club, people. The movie about fighting! Suffice it to say The Book of Eli will garner some amazing fight sequences, and Denzel takes them on all by himself. When you absolutely positively have to kill every motherf*cker in the room, accept no substitutions. 

Check out the fight training video after the jump. The Book of Eli resurrects itself in theaters January 15th, 2010. 

I don’t know what’s funnier: Common‘s awkward foray into postmodern comedy or Christopher Mintz-Plasse looking like he’s about to squirt poop his tighty whities while delivering Denzel Washington’s Oscar-winning "King Kong aint’ got sh*t on me" speech to a bunch of legitimately street looking black dudes.  Either way, this video was worth five minutes of my time.  Then again, I run a movie and TV website. Pretty much anything is worth my time. [via CineMash]

King Kong Ain’t Got Sh*t on ‘Deez Links!

_{Karli Madeline Is Flossin’ (Gorillamask)}

_{If Michael Vick Had A Comic Book (Holytaco)}

_{James McAvoy Diagnosed With Fictitious Cancer (Filmdrunk)}

_{Pitbull Displays Violent Love (Manofest)}

_{Bruce Lee Bobblehead Has Got The Moves (Walyou)}

_{Dr. House Wrote A Spy Thriller Novel (Pajiba)}

_{6 Animals That Can Get You High (Cracked)}

_{The Mad Hot Women On Mad Men (Coedmagazine)}

_{Obama Is Bipolar (Sickpigs)}

_{The Hottest College Girls In America (Maxim)}

_{Naomi Campbell May Or May Not Have A Penis (Celebjihad)}

_{Which Light Beer Makes You The Least Like A Pussy (Mademan)}

_{Randy Couture Has Nothing Else To Prove (Cagepotato)}

_{Felicia Day Spanked With Jewel Encrusted Sword (Unreality)}

_{District 9 didn’t show us How to Torture an Alien Properly.  This does. (Asylum)}

_{Keeping Tabs On Favre (Bustedcoverage)}

_{The Latest In Celebrity Look-Alikes (Uncoached)}

_{Kills Sorority Sisters With A Tire Iron (Theta Pi Must Die Game)}

_{A Boxing KO That’s A Real Knockout (Regretful Morning)}

_{NCAA’S Respect Weekend Could Get No Respect (Moondogsports)}

_{Stuff Hipsters HATE (Heeb Magazine)}

_{Cracking American English (Atomfilms)}

_{Fan-Mad Tron Legacy Poster (Filmofilia)}

Cast: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis

Synopsis: A post-apocalyptic tale, in which a lone man fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind.