The New A-Team!
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Article by: Rumer Certeza Photos: Newscom, Reuters |
The popular TV show of the 80's featuring ex-special forces assigned to several hardcore missions is back after almost three decades, as a full-feature film with a fresh new explosive concept. The remake will retain the original characters names, though.
To begin with, you have the leader of the pack, cigar-chomping Hannibal Smith (portrayed by Liam Neeson, filling in where George Peppard left off) Then you have smooth ladies man Face Peck (Bradley Cooper taking over for Dirk Benedict), wacko pilot Howlin' Mad Murdock (Sharlto Copley replacing the original Dwight Schultz) and last but not the least, mohawked tough as nails Bad Attitude Baracus (Quinto 'Rampage' Jackson filling in for the original, louder Mr. T.)
The co-stars are now life long pals, and do actually bond with each other on and off set. Cooper, 35, and 36-year-old Copley were the ones in town present during a press conference to promote the film. Says Philadelphia native Cooper, "You feel the camaraderie of these guys because we actually were bonding and getting to know each other and getting to love each other in front of the camera."
The film, which is packed with intensified, loud action sequences proved to be anything but a walk in the park for the cast. Cooper recounts that he actually tore his hamstrings and really got banged every night. And thanks to his workouts, he managed to survive the extreme physical demands of the film. In fact, director Joe Carnahan required that the star's neck and shoulders get bigger.
Copley, on the other hand, shares a different kind of experience. Being a huge fan of Dwight Schultz and the show, he would give his all to be able to emulate his character Murdock, who has a Southern accent. The actor grew up in South Africa, also idolizing the likes of Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg. Copley previously starred on 'District 9.'
They're certainly no 'B-class' heroes and are out there to save the world from mayhem in their own unique way. But frankly, I still prefer the original Mr. T. He definitely was a lot tougher and meaner, plus louder than this dude who'll fill in for him. Good luck!
Transformers 3 Surprise!
"I'll take some of the criticism. It was very hard to put the sequel together that quickly after the writers strike in 2007-2008," admits the director. Now that's done, what does he have up his sleeves for the third installment?
According to an interview with USA Today, pieces connected to the third sequel of giant alien robots was revealed by Bay which should give fans something to smile about. First, which comes to no surprise at all, is that the film will be shot in 3D (so what else is new?). But hold your breath, because an announcement was made that Shockwave will be a featured villain. (I love the metallic dude!)
Shockwave, who has the ability to transform into a powerful laser gun, is an admirable powerful leader in the making and was left in charge of the Transformer home planet Cybertron, while the Autobots (the good bots) and the Decepticons (the baddies) engaged in lengthy battles on planet Earth.
Yet hold your horses and lower your expectations. Remember when Bay also announced back then that Soundwave would pop up in the second installment? If you're a big fan, I could feel your ordeal when you find your favorite 'bot' turning out to be some pint-sized cassette player contraption, with barely four minutes exposure onscreen. What were they thinking?!
As of now, shooting has already commenced on the film without sex siren Megan Fox, who's been replaced by lingerie model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. And USA Today even reports that the film's lead star (besides Optimus Prime) Shia LaBeouf is trying to cope without his ex-leading lady, awwww.
Don't disappoint us, Michael!
