Moviefone Editorial

Tag: liam-neeson

  • He’s Back! Liam Neeson Says He’s ‘Unretired’ From Action Movies

    'Mark Felt The Man Who Brought Down The White House' New York PremiereIf you’re an action movie, Liam Neeson will find you, and he will keeping starring in you, “until they bury me in the ground.”

    Neeson just recently made headlines for supposedly retiring as an action star. At the Toronto Film Festival, Neeson said he was done with the genre, after becoming an unlikely action hero with the “Taken” franchise, and working on more “serious” projects. He figured at sixty-f*cking-five” he was getting too old for it.

    Well, he’s still 65, but he no longer feels the same way. Variety asked him about his retirement, while on the red carpet premiere of his new film “Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House.”

    “It’s not true, look at me!” Neeson told Variety, laughing about his retirement as an action star. “You’re talking in the past tense. I’m going to be doing action movies until they bury me in the ground. I’m unretired.”

    Yas, king! He was probably just venting before, like when Daniel Craig said he’d rather slash his wrists than play James Bond again, and here he is playing James Bond again. Or maybe Neeson was worried that fans would mock him for trying to keep up with the Marvel crowd at 65. But fans were not happy at the idea of Neeson exiting stage left, so maybe that gave him the encouragement to keep going — until he’s buried in the ground.

    His “Mark Felt” movie opens Friday.

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  • Liam Neeson Is Deep Throat in ‘Mark Felt’ Trailer

    Liam Neeson is taking his particular set of skills to a very timely biopic about Deep Throat, aka Mark Felt, the man who blew the whistle on Watergate.

    The first trailer for “Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House” introduces Neeson as the titular FBI agent, who others laud for his “fidelity, integrity, bravery.” But after the arrest of five men who broke into the Watergate Complex, Felt tumbles into a scandal he could never have dreamed of. He must combat obstruction of justice from the people above him, all the way up to President Richard Nixon in the White House.

    The trailer is eerily timely, with lines like “No one can stop the driving force of an FBI investigation. Not even the FBI” particularly resonant in the current political climate.

    Neeson is front and center in the trailer, of course, and it’s good to see him chomp down on non-action drama. Diane Lane, Michael C. Hall, Josh Lucas, Noah Wyle, and Bruce Greenwood also star.

    “Mark Felt” opens in theaters Sept. 29.

  • A Vancouver Sandwich Shop Advertised Free Food for Liam Neeson, So He Showed Up

    'Operation Chromite' Press Conference In SeoulIf you offer Liam Neeson a free sandwich, he will find you, and he will thank you.

    The “Taken” star is in Vancouver, British Columbia to film his new movie “Hard Powder,” and when the folks at Big Star Sandwich Co. heard about it, they put up a special sign just for him:

    When you hear #LiamNeeson is filming in #downtownnewwest

    A post shared by Big Star Sandwich Co. (@bigstarsandwich) on

    What happened next surprised them: He actually showed up.

    Alex Johrden, director of operations, told the Huffington Post they never really expected to see the actor. But not only did he show up, Johrden said he walked in and asked the staff, in his intimidating voice, “Where’s my free sandwich?” (Classic!)

    “We’re not sure how he saw the sign,” Johrden told HuffPost. “We assume he heard it through the production crew, who had been in and out all day.”

    Neeson didn’t have time to eat any of his free food, they said, he just stopped by long enough to take a photo with the ecstatic staff:

    Holy f**k, it worked! #liamneeson

    A post shared by Big Star Sandwich Co. (@bigstarsandwich) on

    However, they did name a sandwich after him, so hopefully Neeson can return and claim it as taken:

    Now, of course, every restaurant in the world will try to do the same thing, for Liam Neeson or their own stars of choice.

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  • Why Andrew Garfield Calls Silence the ‘Most Extreme Thing I’ve Ever Done’

    Andrew Garfield of Silence
    Andrew Garfield of Silence

    Andrew Garfield Calls Silence the Most Extreme Thing He’s Ever Done

    Andrew Garfield has soared between skyscrapers on the thinnest of threads in “The Amazing Spider-Man” and braved World War II battlefields without a weapon as a conscientious objector in “Hacksaw Ridge.”

    Then came “Silence.”

    “It felt like the most extreme thing I’ve ever done,” the actor reveal Made in Hollywood reporter Patrick Stinson.

    As a 17th-Century Jesuit missionary, Garfield endures a grueling physical, emotional and spiritual journey into Japan, where Christianity is outlawed, to save a mentor priest. The intense and violent movie is directed by Martin Scorsese, who spent decades trying to get it made.

    Andrew Garfield Talks Working with the Legendary Martin Scorsese on Silence

    Garfield says making “Silence” was “such an incredible learning experience, as an actor, to work with the master, Martin Scorsese, and also as a human being to go through this kind of spiritual training and to ask these deep existential questions and to keep asking them until some form of answer comes.”

    That experience began with getting the call from the legendary director. “It’s insane,” says Garfield “I’m very, very privileged that I got to spend time with him, to get to know him and of course to tell this story with him. It’s a crazy thing for me.”

    Scorsese has called Garfield a “godsend” of an actor, and the star returns the compliment. “The fact that he even trusted me wit this part and that he thought that I could help him realize his vision is a godsend to me,” he says. “He is a godsend to the world. He’s blessed us with his work for his life. He has been so devoted to the art of cinema storytelling. He’s given us so much to be thankful for.”

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  • Johnny Depp Is 2015’s Most Overpaid Actor, According to Forbes

    Premiere Of Lionsgate's "Mortdecai" - ArrivalsJohnny Depp may have stored up lots of moviegoing goodwill thanks to his iconic work as Captain Jack Sparrow in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, but that sentiment didn’t translate into box office dollars in 2015: Depp’s inability to earn much money at the multiplex this year has earned him the dubious title of Hollywood’s most overpaid actor.

    Forbes put out its annual list of overpaid performers this week, and Depp’s 2015 numbers are especially dismal (yes, even for the star of notorious flop “The Lone Ranger“): According to the magazine, Depp made only $1.20 for every $1 he was paid for films including “Mortdecai” and “Transcendence,” which earned just $47 million and $100 million, respectively. (For comparison, Chris Evans returned $181.80 for every dollar he took home in 2015, making him Hollywood’s best bargain, according to Forbes.)

    While 2016 does look brighter for Depp (he has another “Pirates” flick on the horizon, as well as “the Alice in Wonderland” sequel “Through the Looking Glass“), he still has to worry about the underwhelming box office for “Black Mass,” which may mar his numbers next year. (Forbes looked at each actor’s three most recent wide-release films that debuted before June 2015 for its list, meaning “Black Mass” will be eligible for Depp’s 2016 calculation.)

    The rest of Forbes’s list is peppered with similarly-big name stars, including Denzel Washington, Will Ferrell, and Will Smith. The full top 10 most overpaid list is below.

    Hollywood’s Most Overpaid Actors of 2015:

    1. Johnny Depp ($1.20 for every $1 paid)
    2. Denzel Washington ($6.50 for every $1 paid)
    3. Will Ferrell ($6.80 for every $1 paid)
    4. Liam Neeson ($7.20 for every $1 paid)
    5. Will Smith ($8.60 for every $1 paid)
    6. Christian Bale ($9.20 for every $1 paid)
    7. Channing Tatum ($10.80 for every $1 paid)
    8. Brad Pitt ($12 for every $1 paid)
    9. Ben Affleck ($12.30 for every $1 paid)
    10. Tom Cruise ($13.60 for every $1 paid)

    [via: Forbes]

    Photo credit: Getty Images

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  • ‘Star Wars’ Prequels Stars: Where Are They Now?

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    While we wait in an anticipatory lather for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” to open on December 18, our thoughts turn to the last time we got so excited for a new set of “Star Wars” movies.

    The year was 1999 and fans camped out for “The Phantom Menace” — only to have their hopes dashed by the unwelcome comic relief of Jar Jar Binks. The other two prequels were marginally better, but the majority of fans agree, they can’t hold a candle to the original trilogy.

    What has the cast of the prequels (and their special set of skills) been up to since then? Saving the world, winning an Oscar, and singing their hearts out, for starters. But for young Jake Lloyd, it was a scarring experience that he would rather forget.

  • Best of Late Night TV: Daniel Radcliffe’s Water War, Liam Neeson’s ‘Candy Crush’ Movie

    Jimmy Fallon suggested a new game for the family to play on Thanksgiving, preferably outdoors: “Water War,” a twist on the card game “War,” where the loser of each hand has to be doused with water. “The Tonight Show” and, well, he’s really going to need a change of underwear before that film premiere. The overall winner got to water cannon the loser. As a side note, it’s hard to get used to DanRad with that shaved head. But he does NOT look like Voldemort!

    Anthony Anderson told Jimmy Kimmel he gets mistaken for other famous people all the time — like Ruben Studdard, Ice Cube, and Cedric the Entertainer. One time, in Africa, he was mistaken for Idris Elba and he figured he “got a stroke of luck and upgraded or Idris Elba done fell the hell off.”

    Here are two interesting things to know about “Hunger Games” star Jena Malone: She had a stunt head to appear bald in the new “Hunger Games” movie, and her grandfather popularized the dollar slot machine. She didn’t even know that about her grandpa, Jimmy looked him up.
    Chiwetel Ejiofor talked to Conan O’Brien about playing paintball with his “12 Years a Slave” co-star Michael Fassbender and Fassy’s father. Apparently the game started friendly but Fassbender is a paintball fiend and he cheated. He’s ruthless! He could’ve been a good Negan on “The Walking Dead.”
    Anna Faris and Joshua Jackson were on “The Late Late Show with James Corden” and answered the acting question of what’s harder, laughing or crying? So Anna and Joshua gave some crying lessons using a special tear stick. James’s tears came out great, even if they blinded him.
    Lucy Lawless and Bruce Campbell were on “The Late Show” and Lucy said Bruce looks just like Stephen with his glasses on, so Bruce tested the theory by taking over the show. They do look a bit alike.
    Last, but not least, Stephen Colbert decided it’s only a matter of time before Activision makes a “Candy Crush” movie, starring a big name like Liam Neeson. So here’s “Candy Crush: The Movie” with Stephen and Liam Neeson. It’s too long, but props to Neeson for even doing this.
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  • Best of Late Night TV: Mean Tweets With Liam Neeson, The Rock; Hilarious ‘Empire’ Parody ‘Jimpire’

    If you’re like us and value your sleep, you probably nodded off into your Ambien dreamland before the party started on post-prime time TV. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Here’s the best of what happened last night on late night.

    “Jimmy Kimmel Live” is doing the classic “Mean Tweets” segment differently this time. This whole week is Mean Tweets Week with celebrities stopping by to read mean tweets live on stage, a few at a time, as opposed to taping them in advance and airing them in one segment. (Ratings bait!) On Monday, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kristen Bell and Jeff Bridges read off tweets. Tuesday night, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Bette Midler, and Liam Neeson read off mean tweets. The Rock had a great response to his tweet and Bette’s wasn’t even that mean. Liam had a kinda cute little defeated walk-off after his mean tweet. Poor little Liam. Where’s that set of skills you’re supposed to have, man? Break out the phone and growl!

    Over on “The Tonight Show,” Jimmy Fallon did a brilliant and ambitious — 10 minute! — “Empire” parody called “Jimpire,” featuring several great cameos … and then Donald Trump. It’s awesome, but as one commenter pointed out, Justin Timberlake should really be the next heir to “The Tonight Show.” Lock him in now.

    Donald Trump stopped by “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and played a little quote game of “Trump Or Colbert,” with The Donald deciding who said it, himself or Stephen’s over-the-top conservative character on “The Colbert Report.” You may have noticed that Trump never apologizes for anything and he said he has nothing to apologize for. Stephen, however, apologized for some of the things he’s said about Trump.
    Lea Michele was on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” — in a very revealing dress — and discussed her character’s neck brace in “Scream Queens.”
    Speaking of “Scream Queens,” queen Chanel No. 1 herself, Emma Roberts, was on “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” and talked about having to kiss her old Nickelodeon buddy Nat Wolff. It was in North Carolina and they were all sweaty and she wiped off his sweat because she can’t handle sweat stache.
    The amazing Patrick Stewart was on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and dressed very casually for the occasion. He may as well have just shown up in his jammies. He talked about this late night wardrobe malfunction, the fact that he was once fired from his small-town paper, and the story of Ronald Reagan visiting the set of “Star Trek: the Next Generation.” Apparently, when you’re POTUS, you can just sit in the captain’s chair without asking.
    “Scandal” beauty Kerry Washington talked to Jimmy Kimmel about the Emmys (including her dress), and how her parents embarrassed her at the Emmys a couple of years ago.
    Anne Hathaway was on “The Tonight Show” and admitted she was scared of Robert De Niro on the set of “The Intern.” She said it was nothing he was doing, it was just her projecting so much onto him beause he’s the best.
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  • NBC Is Making a ‘Taken’ Prequel Series

    The “Taken” series became famous for an oft-spouted line from Liam Neeson‘s character, Bryan Mills, about his “particular set of skills” that make him a ruthless ass-kicking machine, and now, a new series from NBC will explore just how he acquired those skills.

    Deadline reports that the network is developing a series centered around Bryan Mills as a young man — no wife and daughter yet — and how he eventually obtains his thuggish abilities. It’s a direct homage to the line Neeson uttered in 2008’s “Taken,” when he tells one of the men suspected of having kidnapped his daughter, “What I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career; Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you.”

    Without Neeson at the helm to deliver said line (according to Variety, he isn’t involved with the show in any capacity at this time), it’s hard to imagine another actor picking up his slack, but it’s an interesting premise nonetheless. The prequel will be a reboot of sorts, since it will take place in the modern day, not decades in the past to line up with Neeson’s age in the flicks.

    NBC is reportedly so hot on the property that they’ve ordered it straight to series, based on a pitch from original “Taken” writer-producer Luc Besson, without a writer or showrunner attached yet. Besson will produce the series.

    Stay tuned to see who they snag to star. And keep your fingers crossed for a Neeson cameo in some shape or form.

    [via: Deadline, h/t Variety]

    Photo credit: Sam Urdank for 20th Century Fox

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  • The 10 Best Aging Action Stars Ever, Ranked

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    Stars who made their names beating up bad guys three decades ago may be in their fifties and sixties now, but they’re still big box office draws, at least to overseas audiences (where Hollywood makes most of its money anyway) and to older North American viewers (increasingly, a dependable group of moviegoers with disposable income).

    So it’s no wonder that recent releases are action thrillers starring hardcore heroes who look like your dad. Call them “dadcore” heroes. It’s not just ’80s stalwarts like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bruce Willis, either, but also thespians like Liam Neeson and Danny Glover, guys who can actually act.

    Either way, their years give them a sense of experience and worldliness that makes up for their lessened speed and agility. Here’s a countdown of the top 10 among these senior silver-screen tough guys.