Oct 23 2009 Welp, Here They Are: The A-Team

So will every movie adaptation of a '70s/'80s campy action show take place in the same high-contrast, extremely overexposed world as Charlie's Angels? I'm fine with that; I only worry I may be blind by the time we get to Magnum P.I.

(Bigger version at /Film.)

Oct 22 2009 'A-Team' Set Visit: 'ET' Asks the Questions You Weren't Concerned About

Joe Carnahan's A-Team is currently shooting in Vancouver, and, for some reason, the sociomutants at Entertainment Tonight were allowed on set for a first look at the film. In this video, see: "Rampage" Jackson as Baracus! "Rampage" Jackson attempting to act! Bradley Cooper making jokes! An ET reporter attempting to interact in a way that won't reveal he's an alien! And slightly more!

Have it:

Continue Reading " 'A-Team' Set Visit: 'ET' Asks the Questions You Weren't Concerned About "

Oct 6 2009 Jessica Biel's 'A-Team' Costume Cloaks Her Military Rank

In case you missed the photos on The Superficial, here's the first look at Jessica Biel in her role as a general pursuing the A-Team. Apparently she'll be playing one of those leggy, sexy, carefully-styled, form-fitting trenchcoat-wearing generals. Classic general type. I hear they're the most fun to serve under.

Oct 1 2009 Here Is Your Depressed 'A-Team' Team

Coming Soon has posted the first look at "Rampage" Jackson, Liam Neeson, Sharlto Copley, and Bradley Cooper on the set of The A-Team.

Thank god director Joe Carnahan appears to have included at least one scene where Baracus suddenly gets really nihilistic, sitting wherever he can and muttering how "it doesn't even fucking matter" for twenty minutes while the rest of the team awkwardly tries to console him. Those were always my favorite episodes of the show.

Sep 21 2009 New 'A-Team' Van Looks Like Old 'A-Team' Van

This first look at the A-Team van has revealed that the new vehicle design looks nearly identical to the original, breaking the fan-angering, '80s TV show car-changing standard set up by Transformers. Rednecks who have modified their old vans in homage to the series can breathe a sigh of relief: your children will still understand the cultural relevancy of your re-painted 1983 GMC Vandura.

Sep 16 2009 Jessica Biel Adding Broad-Shouldered Babe Element to 'A-Team'

The A-Team has added that attractive older girl from 7th Heaven to its cast, says Variety:

Jessica Biel and Sharlto Copley ("District 9") are in final talks for Fox's "A-Team," opposite Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

Copley will portray helicopter pilot Capt. "Howling Mad" Murdock, a role originated by Dwight Schultz in the original series. Biel's set to play the ex-love of Cooper's character "Faceman," the general pursuing the team.

Jessica Biel is playing a general? I suppose I can see that. They do make military camouflage bikinis, right?

Sep 10 2009 That Guy From 'District 9'? He Might Be "Howling Mad" Murdock

Time to learn the name Sharito Copley. BlackFilm is reporting the actor--the main guy from District 9--has been offered the role of "Howling Mad" Murdock in Joe Carnahan's A-Team adaptation. If he takes the part, he'll be joining a cast that includes Liam Neeson as "Hannibal", Bradley Cooper as "Faceman", and Rampage Jackson as "Mr. T". His taking the part would also mean another movie I spend whispering to the person next to me, "Is that Spike Jonze doing a South African accent? Never mind, that's not Spike Jonze doing a South African accent. No, wait... no, it's not."

Sep 8 2009 Rampage Is On Our A-Team

A professional near-murderer has joined The A-Team. Vancouver Sun is reporting that Ultimate Fighter Rampage Jackson will be taking the role made famous by Mr. T:

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship world light heavyweight champion Quinton (Rampage) Jackson is in Vancouver to star as BA Baracus in an upcoming movie version of The A-Team.

The Sun has learned Rampage was in Vancouver on August 19 to discuss the role with producers and arrived in town Friday to prepare for filming.

Jackson has been removed from the UFC 107 card where he was set to face Sugar Rashad Evans in an Ultimate Fighter finale showdown, so he can appear in the film.

I hope this means director Joe Carnahan is adding some scenes where Baracus chokes a guy to the brink of unconsciousness with his thighs and then punches him repeatedly until forcibly stopped. Otherwise a lot of talent is being wasted here.

Jul 2 2009 Is T. Game The New Mr. T?

The Game, who young street toughs tell me is one of those rapper men, as Mr. T? BlackFilm says maybe:

While casting is underway for the big screen adaptation on the long running TV series, 'The A-Team,' Blackfilm.com has exclusively learned that rapper The Game is being considered for the role of B.A Baracus, which was originated by Mr. T on the television show.

Online buzz has it that the role was going to another rapper-turned-actor, Common, but with his recent casting opposite Queen Latifah in 'Just Right,' he may not finish filming before 'The A-Team' get rolling in August. Other possible candidates have included Ice Cube and mixed martial arts fighter Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

Yikes, I don't know about that. Does this Game character have a racially diverse team of children who know the coolness potential of breakfast? Without that, one can never be T. Never.

Jun 9 2009 Liam Neeson's on the Jazz

Qui-Gon Jinn really enjoys when a scheme works outs! Variety is reporting Liam Neeson is in talks to put a cigar in his mouth and be John "Hannibal" Smith in Joe Carnahan's A-Team film, while The Hangover's Bradley Cooper may be playing "Faceman":

Liam Neeson is in negotiations with 20th Century Fox to star in its long-gestating bigscreen adaptation of "The A-Team" as Col. John "Hannibal" Smith. Bradley Cooper is in early talks to play Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck in the Joe Carnahan-directed pic based on the 1980s TV series.

Production begins in late August for a June 11, 2010, release.

Ridley Scott is producing with Jules Daly and series creator Stephen J. Cannell, with Tony Scott exec producing through Scott Free. Carnahan and Brian Bloom polished a script by Skip Woods, whose recent script credits include "G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra" and "Wolverine."

Oh, good, the writer of Wolverine and G.I. Joe. That has to be a solid script then.

As you can see in the original television intro, now the only main roles left to fill are "Howling Mad" Murdock, B.A. Baracus, and constant crashing and explosions.

Jan 28 2009 'A-Team' Acquires New Teammate

For reasons unclear, it looks like the A-Team is still driving its racing-striped van into theaters. THR is reporting that Smokin' Aces' Joe Carnahan is in talks to direct the Ridley and Tony Scott-produced adaptation:

Joe Carnahan is in negotiations to helm the action movie with Ridley and Tony Scott's shingle Scott Free coming on board as producers. Stephen J. Cannell, who co-created the show, is also producing.

The trek to bring "A-Team" to the big screen has been a long one, with various actors, directors and writers landing on it before springing off of it. John Singleton was last attached, but ultimately left after casting issues stalled the project.

Fox is betting this is the right combination, setting a June 11, 2010, release date for the feature, which is written by Skip Woods.

I expect to hear the cast announcements soon; otherwise it means Joe Carnahan will have to deal with daily calls from Mr. T for that much longer.