The Batman legend ends in “THE DARK KNIGHT RISES”

“Batman is the hero Gotham deserves...but not the one it needs right now.”

Those words, spoken by Commissioner Gordon at the end of 2008’s “The Dark Knight,” set in motion a fateful conspiracy that labeled Batman a murderer and Harvey Dent—who died, unbeknownst to the public, as the vengeful Two-Face—a crime-fighting crusader who paid the ultimate price. Predicated on that lie, Gotham City enacted tough new laws that put criminals behind bars or drove them beyond Gotham’s borders.

Now, Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures brings to the screen “The Dark Knight Rises,” the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy.

Christopher Nolan says, “Our story picks up eight years later, when it seems that Batman and Commissioner Gordon have succeeded—the Dark Knight is no longer needed in Gotham. In that regard, Bruce Wayne has won the battle, but he is traumatized by what happened and doesn’t know how to move on from being the figure of Batman. ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ very much deals with the consequences of his and other characters’ actions in the previous films.”

Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar® winner Christian Bale again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. Also starring are Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.

Returning to the main cast, Oscar® winner Michael Caine plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

With “The Dark Knight Rises,” Nolan completes the story arc he commenced with 2005’s “Batman Begins.” He recalls, “We were all very excited to bring this tale full circle; that was our chief inspiration for returning to Gotham. We also felt a tremendous sense of responsibility to fulfill expectations based on the first two movies while giving the audience something they hadn’t seen before. It was a tricky balance.”

The filmmakers and cast were also intent on maintaining a balance between heart-pounding action and intimate emotion. Producer Emma Thomas affirms, “Right from the start, Chris set out to make each of these films something that could not be categorized into any one genre. ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ has all of the excitement and fun that a big summer movie ought to have. The action is huge, but the story and characters are equally, if not more, important, because it’s hard to care about all the bells and whistles if there isn’t something to engage you in an emotional way.”

Producer Charles Roven adds, “We all want to be wowed, but we also want to be invested. Regardless of the scope, Chris has never lost his focus on the story and relationships, which goes back through all of his movies.”

The director also raised the bar for “The Dark Knight Rises” in expanding on his use of IMAX cameras. Nearly half of the movie was shot with the large-format cameras, utilizing ultra resolution 15 perf/65-millimeter film. Nolan states, “We got great results with the IMAX cameras on the last film. I appreciate what it offers from the technical side, but I’m most interested in what it can give me as a storytelling tool. How can it help me pull the audience deeper into this world? IMAX provides the broadest possible canvas, creating the most immersive experience.”

“The Dark Knight Rises” will be presented on 70-millimeter film in 102 IMAX 15/70mm locations worldwide. “Having shot almost half the picture with large-format IMAX film cameras, it is very important to me that we show ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ in the IMAX film format wherever possible,” Nolan shares. “Audiences everywhere should be assured that every presentation of the film will be of the highest standard—having benefited from the clarity and depth IMAX cameras offer. However, these 102 screens will showcase the original IMAX film photography in its optimum form, and I hope anyone who has an opportunity to experience the film in these theatres will seek it out.”

Nolan concludes, “When you look back on the Dark Knight films, you can see the world we’re living in reflected, but we don’t want to be specific about it. We just come at the stories from the point of view of what concerns us. What gives us fear? What gives us hope? What would require a hero of Batman’s stature to rise up in our world?”

Opening across the Philippines on July 19 in IMAX, 2D and regular theaters, “The Dark Knight Rises” is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES director CHRISTOPHER NOLAN, to be honored at Grauman's Chinese Theater

In celebration of the upcoming release of “The Dark Knight Rises,” the film’s director/writer/producer, Christopher Nolan, will be accorded a rare industry honor: Nolan will have his hand and footprints cemented into the famed forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

The hand-and-footprint ceremony will take place on Saturday, July 7, at 10:00 a.m.

Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, stated, “Everyone at Warner Bros. joins me in congratulating Christopher Nolan, who has been such an integral part of our family for the past 12 years. We are extremely proud of the cinematic legacy he has given us through his films. At only 41, Christopher takes his place alongside other industry giants featured at Grauman’s, and generations of fans will remember the extraordinary impression he left on their imaginations.”

Opening in the Philippines July 19, 2012, “The Dark Knight Rises” is Nolan’s hugely anticipated conclusion to his Dark Knight trilogy, which began in 2005 with “Batman Begins.” In 2008, he followed with “The Dark Knight,” which broke multiple records on its way to earning more than a billion dollars at the worldwide box office.

Apart from the blockbuster franchise, Nolan earned widespread praise, and two Academy Award® nominations, for his hit thriller “Inception,” which remains one of the most talked about films in recent years. He earned his first Academy Award® nomination for his screenplay for the thought-provoking 2000 release “Memento,” which he also directed. His other directing credits include “Insomnia” and “The Prestige.”

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES footage unveiled at MTV Movie Awards!

The Dark Knight Rises and its cast were the focus of the evening for the 2012 MTV Movie Awards!

Christian Bale, Gary Oldman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt went up on stage and shared some thoughts on the monumental impact Batman has made in the movie world. There was also a moment spent in memoriam to Heath Ledger and finished with director Christopher Nolan sharing never-before-seen teaser clip from the final Batman film. 

Dark Knight Rises opens in theaters July 20.

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES | TV Spot 3 & more set photos!

And the updates just keep on coming don't it? After American Idol, I guess we can now pay attention to the other exciting things happening like the release of huge blockbuster films and this is on top of the list. And so, here's the latest on The Dark Knight Rises! 

In this version of the TV spot and photos, the viewers are given a glimpse at some as yet unrevealed aspects of the Christopher Nolan film and one of its most important characters. The third The Dark Knight Rises TVspot is the best one so far. The “Rise” theme is prominent throughout it. 

The Dark Knight Rises‘ plot synopsis: “Details about the film’s storyline are scarce, but it has already been established that one of villains set to take on the Batman (Christian Bale) will be the powerhouse known as Bane (Tom Hardy). Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), better known to comics fans as Catwoman, will also have a central role in the movie.”

The Dark Knight Rises‘ cast includes Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Josh Stewart, Daniel Sunjata, Burn Gorman, Diego Klattenhoff, Josh Pence, Matthew Modine, Tom Conti, Joey King, Alon Aboutboul,Nestor Carbonell, Brett Cullen, and Juno Temple.

  

The Dark Knight Rises opens in US theaters through Warner Bros. Pictures on July 20, 2012.

BATMAN updte | New Snow-Series “DARK KNIGHT RISES” banners

After the debut of the “Rain” banners last week, Warner Bros. now shares three character banners for Christopher Nolan's “The Dark Knight Rises.”

The banners again individually feature Batman, Catwoman and Bane in what the studio calls “Snow” series.

Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar® winner Christian Bale again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.

Returning to the main cast, Oscar® winner Michael Caine plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

The screenplay is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer.

“The Dark Knight Rises” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures. Slated for release beginning July 19, 2012, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

  

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES | New movie banners & set photos!!!

Batman fans look here! Warner has again released the latest movie banners and set photos which will make your mouth water for the film's release.

Anne Hathaway looks stunning as Catwoman and the costumes looks enticing. Fashionably correct and a tad unrealistic but still kick ass. I guess that's the thing with this batch of heroes. They aren't really mutants so all their heroic characteristics are placed on the costume and they still appear "human" underneath all the outfits. Makes one miss watching X-Men and other hero oriented shows.

The 4 The Dark Knight Rises banners, photos showcase a large scale confrontation between the police forces of Gotham City and Bane (Tom Hardy)’s legions from the 2012 Christopher Nolan directed film. The Dark Knight Rises photos mostly feature Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) and Batman (Christian Bale).

The Dark Knight Rises Movie Banners: 

 

 

On the 4 The Dark Knight Rises Banners:

Look closely at the Catwoman image. That’s an exploding tumbler in the background and she’s raining bullets down the street. The Batman image looks like Matthew Modine’s character is behind him, as well as the rest of Gotham’s police force. Bane’s solo shot is probably the mirror to the Batman one with his own army and it looks like he has three tumblers. Wait, weren’t those specially made for Wayne Enterprises? The plot thickens.

Finally, the showdown image is the perfect representation of Batman vs. Bane with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Just really evocative, awesome stuff.

The Catwoman, Bane, and Batman The Dark Knight Rises photos:

 

The Dark Knight Rises‘ plot synopsis: “Details about the film’s storyline are scarce, but it has already been established that one of villains set to take on the Batman (Christian Bale) will be the powerhouse known as Bane (Tom Hardy). Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), better known to comics fans as Catwoman, will also have a central role in the movie.”

The Dark Knight Rises‘ cast also includes Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Josh Stewart, Daniel Sunjata, Burn Gorman, Diego Klattenhoff, Josh Pence, Matthew Modine, Tom Conti, Joey King, Alon Aboutboul, Nestor Carbonell, Brett Cullen, and Juno Temple.

The Dark Knight Rises opens in US theaters through Warner Bros. Pictures on July 20, 2012.

Batman fans! Look!!! The DARK KNIGHT RISES banners are here!

Warner Bros. has just unleashed three character banners for Christopher Nolan's “The Dark Knight Rises.”

The banners individually feature Batman, Catwoman and Bane in what the studio calls “Rain” series. Another series dubbed as “Snow” is set to follow.

Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar® winner Christian Bale again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.

Returning to the main cast, Oscar® winner Michael Caine plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

The screenplay is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer.

“The Dark Knight Rises” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures. Slated for release beginning July 19, 2012, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

 

Batman fans look!!! THE DARK KNIGHT RISES main poster is here!

Warner Bros. has just released the main one-sheet art of its upcoming blockbuster “The Dark Knight Rises,” the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.

Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar® winner Christian Bale again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.

Returning to the main cast, Oscar® winner Michael Caine plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

The screenplay is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer.

In helming the film, Christopher Nolan is utilizing IMAX® cameras even more extensively than he did on “The Dark Knight,” which had marked the first time ever that a major feature film was partially shot with IMAX cameras.

“The Dark Knight Rises” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures. Slated for release beginning July 19, 2012, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES new trailer released by Warner!

Warner Bros. has just revealed the full trailer of its upcoming blockbuster “The Dark Knight Rises,” the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.

Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar® winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.

Returning to the main cast, Oscar® winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

The screenplay is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. The film is produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on “Batman Begins” and the record-breaking blockbuster “The Dark Knight.” The executive producers are Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull, with Jordan Goldberg serving as co-producer. The film is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by Bob Kane.

In helming the film, Christopher Nolan is utilizing IMAX® cameras even more extensively than he did on “The Dark Knight,” which had marked the first time ever that a major feature film was partially shot with IMAX cameras.

The locations span three continents and include the American cities of Pittsburgh, New York and Los Angeles, as well as sites in India, England and Scotland.

“The Dark Knight Rises” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures. Slated for release beginning July 20, 2012, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

DARK KNIGHT RISES | 7 new photos from Entertainment Weekly!

EW exclusive! A Bane tribute to Harvey Dent. A BatPad? Cat burglar! See 'em all and more here; pick up our Summer Movie Preview issue for the full story on Batman's newest (and final) adventure. 

HIGH-TECH HERO

Batman (Christian Bale) palms a piece of Bat technology (the BatPad?) in front of a mass of police cars in the street. Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) may have ostensibly closed up shop eight years ago (in the movie's timeline), but Batman can never go toolong without his gadgets.

CAT BURGLAR

Anne Hathaway may look at home in Selina Kyle's high-society thief get-up (for today's modern anti-heroine on the go!), but when director Nolan first asked to meet her, Hathaway assumed she would be going in for the role of Harley Quinn, the Joker's villainess sidekick. ''About an hour into the meeting he said, 'It's Catwoman,' and I went, 'Oh, no, I played this wrong,''' she says. ''I didn't think they would revisit that character, because Michelle's performance had been so iconic. But Chris just does his own thing.''

WHO'S THAT LADY?

The always debonair Bruce Wayne dances with Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway) at a lavish masquerade ball. Director Christopher Nolan's interpretation of Kyle is an enigma, perhaps even to Hathaway herself. ''Who is Selina Kyle?'' asks Hathaway cryptically. ''She's someone who wants you to think you can answer that question.''

BANE, THE BUSINESSMAN

Bane's secretly motivated reign of terror extends throughout Gotham's financial district, as evidenced by his visit to what looks like a stock exchange on what has to be the worst Monday morning ever. Says Hardy: ''There is a very meticulous and calculated way about Bane. There is a huge orchestration of organization to his ambition.''

GOTHAM 911

After proving in Nolan's Inception that he can kick ass in zero gravity, Joseph Gordon-Levitt joins the madness in Gotham City as beat cop John Blake, who works for Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman). ''I felt like I was jumping in during senior year,'' says Gordon-Levitt of joining the trilogy. ''There was a big sense of completion, as well as a sense of confidence.''

BRUCE + LUCIUS = BRUCIUS?

In his casual monogrammed dressing gown, Bruce Wayne consults technology guru Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), the man behind Batman's toy chest of utility goodies. Fox is one of Wayne's only real allies and tries to revive Wayne's spirits as he physically and emotionally recovers from his face-offs with the Joker and Harvey Dent.

SHAKE IT LIKE A POLAROID PICTURE

Bane (Tom Hardy) holds aloft a photo of former D.A. Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), whose death was blamed on Batman at the end of The Dark Knight. Could Bane be using the photo to inflame the crowd's fury against Batman? ''There is nothing vague about Bane,'' says Hardy. ''He's a very clean, clear villain.''

Source: Entertainment Weekly | Jeff Jensen, Marc Snetiker | Apr 12, 2012

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES headlines Entertainment Weekly's 2012 Summer Movie Preview issue

Christopher Nolan knows that The Dark Knight Rises, his third and final film starring Christian Bale as Batman, is one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year. But the spoiler-averse director is reluctant to reveal too much about his work before its July 20 release. “So what can I not tell you about my film,” he says by way of the greeting during a break from editing Rises in Los Angeles.

Even so, Nolan did expand upon our first preview of Rises (which took you to the set and offered some insight into the movie’s story and themes) and shared some intel about Batman’s latest cinematic adversaries. First, there’s Bane (played by Inception alum Tom Hardy), a cunning, hulking terrorist with a menacing respirator-mask and a small army bent on sacking Gotham City. “He represents formidable physical strength, combined with absolute evil of intention,” says Nolan.

Hardy’s Bane has another defining characteristic that perhaps you’ve heard about, or perhaps have heard and didn’t understand: a curiously accented voice that’s further muffled by the rogue’s high-tech muzzle. “It’s a risk, because we could be laughed at — or it could be very fresh and exciting,” says Hardy, adding that the voice he developed was influenced by many factors, including a desire to honor the comic book character’s brains and Caribbean heritage. “The audience mustn’t be too concerned about the mumbly voice,” says Hardy. “As the film progresses, I think you’ll be able to tune to its setting.”

And then there’s Anne Hathaway as Selena Kyle, the latest incarnation of Batverse femme fatale Catwoman. Nolan’s take on the character is no campy sexpot or frazzled ghoul but a shifty cipher, calloused survivor, and world-class criminal. Says Nolan, “She has a very strong way of protecting herself and those she cares about, which implies an underlying darkness.” Hathaway says she prepared for the role by reading the comics and studying the moves of Hedy Lamarr and Jean Harlow, the two screen legends that inspired the original conception of the comic book villainess.

The actress also found herself a trainer. “I had to physically transform,” says Hathaway, calling from London, where she’s currently shooting Les Misérables with Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe. “Chris sat me down at the beginning and said, ‘Joseph Gordon-Levitt did all of his own fighting in Inception. That one zero-gravity fight? He trained for two months.’ I basically left his office and went to the gym and just came out about five minutes ago.”

Source: Entertainment Weekly

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES | 14 Minutes of Super Slow Motion - Movie Trailer HD

Following the death of District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman assumes responsibility for Dent's crimes to protect Dent's reputation and is subsequently hunted by the Gotham City Police Department. Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, Batman returns to Gotham, where he encounters the mysterious Selina Kyle while stopping the villain Bane's plans to destroy the city.

The Dark Knight Rises is an upcoming superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, who co-wrote the screenplay with his brother Jonathan Nolan and the story with David S. Goyer. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film will be the third installment in Nolan's Batman film series, and is a sequel to Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight (2008). The Dark Knight Rises is intended to be the conclusion of the series. It stars Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, and Morgan Freeman. The film will take place eight years after the events of The Dark Knight and will introduce the characters of Selina Kyle and Bane—portrayed by Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy, respectively—two villains from the Batman mythology.

“JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND” takes on IMAX 3D cinemas on Feb. 2!!!

Believe the impossible, discover the incredible as New Line Cinema's “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” embarks on an adventure of a lifetime in IMAX 3D! The film will be shown in local IMAX 3D cinemas, as well as digital 3D and regular theatres starting Thursday, Feb. 2.

Starring Dwayne Johnson, Vanessa Hudgens, Josh Hutcherson and Michael Caine, “Journey 2” takes moviegoers on a fun and fantastic new adventure to parts unknown, a place so remote it has lain hidden for centuries … and, when found, is almost impossible to escape.

Upon seeing the script for “Journey 2,” director Brad Peyton says, “I never imagined doing it small. Right away, I knew it had to involve land, sea and air, with creatures, caves, storms, underwater battles and aerial chases, and all of it set against the most incredible, breathtaking terrain. That meant utilizing the latest and best technology, to deliver something special in the 3D realm that the prequel ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ helped to establish.”

In 2008 that film broke ground as the first narrative feature to employ the Fusion System, a sophisticated digital 3D camera rig developed by James Cameron and cinematographer Vince Pace, and subsequently used on “Avatar.” Not surprisingly, the “Journey 2” filmmakers returned to the Cameron Pace Group for state-of-the-art strategies and equipment to capture the depth and scope Peyton wanted to achieve in a range of real-world environments. 

“Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” is a New Line Cinema presentation, will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

“JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND” siezes overseas gold

Burbank, CA January 23, 2012 – New Line Cinema’s 3D family adventure, “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” is off to a strong start at the global box office. Launching ahead of the US in seven territories— Australia , Korea , Hong Kong , Taiwan , Singapore , Malaysia and New Zealand —the film grossed an excellent $7.9 million, which is 44% ahead of its predecessor in the same countries. The announcement was made today by Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. 

“Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” is the sequel to the 2008 global box office hit “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” both inspired by the novels of legendary fantasist Jules Verne. “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” directed by Brad Peyton, stars Dwayne Johnson, Michael Caine, Josh Hutcherson, Luis Guzmán, Vanessa Hudgens and Kristin Davis.

“The first ‘Journey’ went on to gross $141 million internationally, and to exceed it by such a great margin in these early markets is truly gratifying,” Kwan-Rubinek said. “This success is a testament to the vision of the filmmakers and the dedication of the cast, led by Dwayne Johnson, for delivering the perfect film for this corridor—an action-packed and fun-filled 3D adventure for families and audiences of all ages.”

The release was targeted to coincide with the Chinese New Year holiday in Asia and summer school holidays in Australia and New Zealand , predating the US release, which required a different marketing approach. “We’ve embarked on a multi-tiered marketing program to support our early release dates, encompassing talent tours across Taiwan , Australia and Mexico , with further tour stops forthcoming,” commented Sue Kroll, the Studio’s President, Worldwide Marketing. “A strong media presence, combined with our broad advertising and event outdoor campaign, set the stage for these early launches around the world. The tremendous success overseas also helps to build momentum leading up to our U.S. and broader international launches in the weeks to come.”

Shot in 3D, the new family adventure “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” is directed by Brad Peyton from a screenplay by Brian Gunn & Mark Gunn, story by Richard Outten and Brian Gunn & Mark Gunn

“Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” is a New Line Cinema presentation and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. The film will open across the Philippines on Thursday, Feb. 2.

VANESSA HUDGENS tempts fate in “JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND”

The young star of the “High School Musical” films, Vanessa Hudgens doesn’t sing while on camera in New Line Cinema's action-adventure “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” but makes up for it behind the scenes. “She’s always dancing,” co-star Josh Hutcherson points out.

“And singing,” Hudgens pipes in. The young actress describes her character, Kailani, as “very fun. She’s an island girl. She kind of gets sucked into this adventure against her will, but through Sean (Hutcherson) she opens up her heart because she’s really ruled by her head.”

The follow-up to the 2008 worldwide hit “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” takes moviegoers on a fun and fantastic new adventure to parts unknown, a place so remote it has lain hidden for centuries … and, when found, is almost impossible to escape. The film also stars Dwayne Johnson and Michael Caine.

Kailani is also the only young woman on the adventure, “So, it’s my job to look out for the boys. It’s awesome. I mean everybody’s so amazing. I really get along with the guys.”

Kailani is part of the father/daughter helicopter team who flew Sean and Hank (Johnson) to the island from nearby Palau, New Guinea, in a blinding hurricane that has destroyed the copter and left them all stranded together.

But Kailani's father, Gabato (Luis Guzman) is really just a doting father, striving to give her what she wants most: the means to go to college. Kailani, in turn, loves him dearly and appreciates his efforts but doesn’t actually expect their marginal enterprise to bring in the funds to finance that dream. Truth is, Dad isn’t much of a businessman, and Gabato’s Luxury Tours would likely not survive without her help.

Watching them interact is both touching and funny. “Vanessa flawlessly plays straight man to his craziness,” says producer Charlotte Huggins. “She never reacts to him, which is exactly what you would expect from someone who has lived her whole life with a man like this. She’s beyond reacting. He says something outrageous and then moves on to the next thought, and so does she. They were perfectly in tune.”

“Kailani is tough because she has to be,” says Hudgens. “She looks after her father. She’s also very outspoken, and, from the start, the one thing she’s been most outspoken about is how this job was a bad idea.”

And, mere minutes into their charter flight, it appears that she was right.

Not only did the helicopter accident destroy the group’s only means of transportation, it also seems to have destroyed any chance the instantly-smitten Sean hoped he had to catch Kailani’s eye. Instead, he catches only the Polynesian beauty’s ire as she vows to hold him personally responsible for this and all other calamities that lay ahead.

“Sean is a dreamer and Kailani is far more practical. He wants her to get into the spirit of this great quest but she’s just focused on the risks,” Hutcherson explains.

Having sized up the American teen before he stepped foot in the copter, Kailani is convinced he as wouldn’t have the slightest idea what her life is like and what her problems are. But as events unfold, she begins to wonder if she might have been mistaken, especially as they quite literally can’t avoid falling into each other’s arms with each surprise the island tosses up. “Embracing this experience and everything it offers means she’ll have to open her heart and Kailani has always been ruled by her head,” says Hudgens. “But she gets pulled into this incredible world and ends up finding more than she expected.”

Opening across the Philippines on Thursday, Feb. 2 in IMAX 3D, Digital 3D and regular theatres, “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

JOSH HUTCHERSON explores “THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND” in “JOURNEY” sequel

Actor-on-the-rise Josh Hutcherson (upcoming “The Hunger Games”) returns as young explorer Sean in New Line Cinema's “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” the follow-up to the 2008 worldwide hit “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”

When the story opens, young Sean is definitely not where he wants to be. It’s been years since his father’s death, and his mother, Liz (Kristin Davis), has recently married Hank (Dwayne Johnson) and relocated the family to suburban Ohio. With no friends around, and a stepfather with whom he’s convinced he has nothing in common, Sean spends many solitary hours poring over his maps and Jules Verne novels and dreaming about undiscovered corners of the world that await him. 

“He feels trapped,” says Hutcherson, who reprises a role that has matured in sync with his own life in the four years since “Journey to the Center of the Earth” first screened. “He’s ready to move on to bigger things, and he’s filled with curiosity about the world, which I completely understand. I think a lot of people do, even if they’re not necessarily interested in discovering lost islands. There’s just a driving need to be out there on your own, figuring things out and finding your own way.”

More specifically, Hutcherson emphasizes, “Sean doesn’t want any part of his step-dad. He thinks the guy has nothing to offer; he’s unhip, uncool and has no imagination.”

“Hank and Sean are at odds from the beginning, as one wants to connect and the other wants to distance himself,” explains Johnson. “Family is one of the most important thing to Hank, and his intention throughout the story is to make his family whole again.”

But as noble as Hank’s intentions are, Sean feels he’s to blame for everything wrong with his life right now. More importantly, he’s sure to be the immovable object standing between Sean and the exploration the young man considers his birthright. 

That assumption will be tested sooner than Sean thinks when he receives a strange radio call one night. It’s an encrypted S.O.S. that he suspects may be from his grandfather, Alexander, who hasn’t been heard from since he set out to prove that the Mysterious Island in Jules Verne’s novel was fact and not fiction. 

“Alexander is Sean’s idol. He’s pretty much always done whatever he wanted, and he’s always off on some crazy expedition,” says Hutcherson. “If Alexander is in trouble, Sean will do anything to reach him.”

Sean couldn’t be more thrilled and vindicated. But his euphoria at finding his grandfather is short-lived when he learns that getting off the island will be much harder than falling onto it, and that they have very little time in which to accomplish it. The ground beneath them is sinking. Fast. The entire land mass will be underwater in days, if not hours, and their slim chance of survival is entirely in their own hands.

Hutcherson was most recently seen in Lisa Cholodenko’s Academy Award®-nominated feature, “The Kids are All Right.” His additional film credits include “The Vampire’s Assistant,” opposite John C. Reilly and Salma Hayek; “Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D,” “Bridge To Terabithia”; “Firehouse Dog”; “RV”; “Little Manhattan”; “Zathura” and “The Polar Express.” Hutcherson won Young Artist Awards for Leading Young Actor for his roles in “Zathura” and “Bridge to Terabithia.”

Opening across the Philippines on Feb. 02 in IMAX 3D, Digital 3D and regular theatres, “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” is a New Line Cinema presentation, will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.