Movies: Stellar Cast Of Suspects In “Murder On The Orient Express”

Murder On The Orient Express cast photo

In the most timeless of whodunits, “Murder on the Orient Express” follows renowned detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) as he attempts to solve what would become one of the most infamous crimes in history based on Agatha Christie’s classic and most ingenious novel of the same title.

After a shocking murder of a wealthy businessman on the lavish European train barreling its way west in the dead of winter, private detective Poirot must use every tool of his trade to uncover which of the train’s eclectic passengers is the killer, before he or she strikes again.

More than 80 years after its publishing, Christie’s novel remains beloved by new generations of readers. Kenneth Branagh’s stunning retelling of the beloved mystery with its acclaimed ensemble and breathtaking visuals invites audiences to take the most suspenseful train ride of their lives.  Branagh explains why it was a natural fit for him to direct and play Poirot:  "It felt that there was a way in which those two things were very congruent with one person doing the same job.  Because, crucially, I think, Hercule Poirot is a director.  He directs the characters, and like a director, Poirot intuitively tries to listen to the way in which he can be specific and bespoke about how to create the mood that's required for each interrogation.”

Movies: “Murder On The Orient Express” Trailer & Poster Debut

Following the all-star cast photo reveal of the highly-anticipated latest remake of the classic book by Agatha Christie “Murder on the Orient Express”, 20th Century Fox further exposes the whodunit exploits of the uber-intelligent detective Hercule Poirot on its poster and trailer debut  - https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=_ibNEKpmrJY&feature=youtu.be

Directed by Kenneth Branagh who also stars as Poirot, “Murder on the Orient Express” features a powerhouse cast that includes Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penélope Cruz, Josh Gad, Daisy Ridley and Olivia Colman who all play a crucial part in solving the elusive answers to a murder committed who are all considered as suspects while on board the Orient Express.

Branagh, in recent interviews said he made a conscious decision not to watch director Lumet’s (1974) version, and that he had advised the cast also to avoid watching it. “Our goal is to try and find a new approach. That’s why classic stories are worth retelling,” he said, adding that “there are some surprises.”

“Murder on the Orient Express” opens November 8 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

MOVIES: LUKE EVANS SWAGGERS AS GASTON IN “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”

Welsh actor Luke Evans (The Girl on the Train, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug) smashes his way to playing Gaston, the shallow and arrogant villager intent on marrying Belle (Emma Watson) in Disney's live-action fantasy adventure, Beauty and the Beast.

A former War hero, Gaston holds court in the village tavern and has every eligible woman in town wrapped around his finger. Smitten with Belle, who is strong-willed and impervious to his charms, Gaston becomes consumed by rejection and jealousy and leads a mob of villagers to the Beast’s castle to rescue Belle and kill the Beast.

For the role of the egotistical village heartthrob, the filmmakers were concerned the part would be difficult to cast. With a popular character like that from the 1991 animated film, it was important he transitions into a human character the audience would find believable in a real-world environment. The screenwriters bestowed Gaston with some new characteristics to make him appear more contemporary and credible, fashioning him to be a war hero who saved the town from invaders and someone who is easily provoked. Director Bill Condon explains, “With a short temper, he can easily lose control when anyone or anything crosses him, which became an interesting way to take something that was cartoonish and turn it into something real.”

MOVIES: DAN STEVENS IS A PRINCE TRANSFORMED BY A CURSE IN “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”

Attaining global stardom and acclaim for his performance as the dashing Matthew Crawley in the Golden Globe®-winning drama Downton Abbey, Dan Stevens now stars in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, opposite Emma Watson’s Belle.

The British thespian plays the Beast, a spoiled and arrogant Prince transformed by the curse of an enchantress.

Of particular importance to the filmmakers was determining the fine line between man and beast, as there are moments when rage overwhelms the character and makes him more beastly, yet there are other times when he is quite gentle.

“[Director] Bill Condon and I spent a lot of time talking about how we could add some nuances to my character to make him more dimensional than the Beast from the animated film,” says Stevens. “It was quite interesting, trying to find those little human beats that would make him less animalistic and more a human trapped inside this creature.”

MOVIES: EMMA WATSON CAPTURES YOUR HEART AS BELLE IN “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”

Known to global audiences as the spunky and smart wizard Hermione in the Harry Potter franchise, Emma Watson is now poised to be fondly remembered as Belle, the shrewd villager who yearns for adventure, in the live-action retelling of Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

For over a decade, the British actress has charmed audiences playing the quick-witted and tenacious Hogwarts student in the Potter films and in films including The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Noah and The Bling Ring. In addition, she has a highly-visible role as a human rights activist and global goodwill ambassador for the United Nations, something which has become her life’s calling.

Of all the female characters in all the Disney films, she has always been drawn to – and most identifies with – Belle.

MOVIES: GET RE-AQUAINTED WITH THE BELOVED CHARACTERS OF “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”

With barely three weeks before Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast bows on the big screen, the studio has released the official descriptions of the beloved fairy tale's characters.

And when searching for talent to bring the beloved animated characters to life on screen, the filmmakers canvassed the worlds of film, television, music and theatre to find the performers best suited for each role.

BELLE (Emma Watson) is a bright and spirited young woman who dreams of adventure, romance and a world far beyond the confines of her French village. Fiercely independent and keeping to herself for the most part, Belle wants nothing to do with the town’s arrogant and boorish rogue Gaston, who relentlessly pursues her. When her father is imprisoned in the castle of a hideous Beast, Belle trades her own freedom for his and quickly befriends the former staff who have become household objects as result of a curse placed on the castle. The Beast, while surly and ill-mannered, can be generous and chivalrous and knows how to make her laugh, and Belle soon begins to sense the kind heart of the Prince within.



THE BEAST (Dan Stevens). Once a dashing young Prince who had grown to become cruel and self-absorbed before being transformed by an enchantress into a hideous Beast, he is trapped in the castle until he can learn to love another and be worthy of their love in return, thus breaking the curse. When the Beast catches Maurice trespassing and takes him prisoner, his beautiful and headstrong daughter Belle takes his place, and the Beast develops feelings for her, slowly beginning to come back to life.


GASTON (Luke Evans) is the arrogant and shallow villager intent on marrying Belle. A former War hero, he holds court in the village tavern and has every eligible woman in town wrapped around his finger. Smitten with Belle, who is strong-willed and impervious to his charms, Gaston becomes consumed by rejection and jealousy and leads a mob of villagers to the Beast’s castle to rescue Belle and kill the Beast.

LEFOU (Josh Gad), Gaston’s sidekick, is not the brightest bulb in the box. He worships Gaston, who has no regard for him whatsoever and makes him the brunt of his jokes, but soon comes to realize that beneath Gaston’s handsome exterior lays a heart that is much darker.

MAURICE (Kevin Kline), Belle’s father, is a reclusive artist who specializes in beautiful one-of-a-kind music boxes, which to Belle represent the world beyond the confines of Villeneuve but to Maurice are a way to protect his daughter while preserving perfect memories from his past. When Maurice stumbles upon the Beast’s castle and is taken prisoner, Belle comes to plead for his release, eventually trading her freedom for his. Now it is up to him to convince the villagers of Belle’s imprisonment and to find a way to set her free.

MOVIES: JOSH GAD LENDS VOICE TO BAILEY, THE NARRATOR IN “A DOG'S PURPOSE”

Known to tens of millions as the voice of Olaf in Frozen, Josh Gad lends his voice to Bailey, the real star—the heart and soul throughout the entirety of Universal Pictures' new family adventure, A Dog's Purpose.

Director Lasse Hallström and Amblin Entertainment reached out to the Tony Award-winning actor with high hopes of finding the voice of Bailey.

His unparalleled vocal abilities are just as melodic as they are humorous and emotional, and the filmmakers were certain he would be the production’s perfect Bailey. “After hearing what Josh did with Olaf in Frozen, I had a pretty good sense of his talents and why he would be great for the role of the narrator. But when we started our work, I was truly moved at what an amazing match he was for the visuals of the dog and how he connected to that character,” says Hallström.

Gad, who was under the impression that he was being asked to consider doing voiceover work for a talking dog, but was he in for a surprise. Gad reflects on the casting process: “I have always been a huge fan of Lasse Hallstrom’s and have been longing for the opportunity to work with him. I got a call one day saying there was a new movie that he directed and wanted me to be a part of. I got extremely excited and was told that the movie was shot already. I did not understand.”

The performer continues, “My initial reaction was that I did not want to do a talking animal movie, but Leslee Feldman (VP of Casting at Amblin) told me to watch the film before I made my decision. She handed me a tissue box and said, ‘Here, you are going to need this.’”

“I watched the film—realized it was not a talking dog—and was so moved and blown away by it that I felt compelled to be part of it. If someone walked in, they would have thought I was robbed at gunpoint and watched a family of squirrel’s burn down because I was sobbing. After completing the part, I can honestly say that I have not felt this way about a project I have been involved in since Frozen. Anyone watching this is going to be in awe of the beauty, the truth and the entertainment of what Lasse has put together,” says Gad.

Based on author W. Bruce Cameron’s beloved best-selling novel, A Dog’s Purpose, from director Lasse Hallström shares the heartwarming and surprising story of one devoted dog who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.

Over the course of five decades, a single voice—that of an indefatigable dog—takes us along a riveting and uplifting path that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever loved an animal. Although he is reincarnated in the bodies of multiple canines through the years, it is his unbreakable bond with a kindred spirit named Ethan that carries and inspires one dog throughout his journey to find a true purpose for his boy.

Opening across the Philippines on March 1st, A Dog's Purpose is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

MOVIES: BELOVED BESTSELLER “A DOG'S PURPOSE” NOW A HEARTWARMING FILM

Based on author W. Bruce Cameron’s beloved best-selling novel, A Dog’s Purpose, comes director Lasse Hallström’s heartwarming  and surprising story of one devoted dog who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.

After its publication in 2010, A Dog’s Purpose became an enormous hit, finding an audience with animal lovers across the globe who were charmed by its tender, poignant and humorous take on what our animal companions think of us and why they are truly here.  The No. 1-New York Times Best-Selling book spent more than one year on that list and has been translated into 20 languages, and published in 29 different countries worldwide.  It even spawned a sequel, “A Dog’s Journey,” which was published in 2012 and achieved similar acclaim.

The series author, W. Bruce Cameron, is well known as the writer of the best-selling humor tome 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.  The book was adapted into a hugely popular ABC sitcom, which starred the late John Ritter, and Katey Sagal and introduced the world to The Big Bang Theory’s Kaley Cuoco.

MOVIES: EVERY DOG HAPPENS FOR A REASON IN “A DOG'S PURPOSE”

Told from a dog's perspective, Universal Pictures' feel-good movie A Dog's Purpose shares the heartwarming and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Frozen's Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.

Over the course of five decades, a single voice-that of an indefatigable dog-takes us along a riveting and uplifting path that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever loved an animal. Although he is reincarnated in the bodies of multiple canines through the years, it is his unbreakable bond with a kindred spirit named Ethan that carries and inspires one dog throughout his journey to find a true purpose for his boy.

In 1962, eight-year-old Ethan Montgomery (Bryce Gheisar) and his mother (Juliet Rylance) rescue a Golden Retriever puppy they discover suffering inside a hot car. Despite the reservations of Ethan's father (Luke Kirby), the family adopts the pup they name Bailey, and the friendship of a lifetime ensues.

MOVIES: PURE ENCHANTMENT IN “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” FINAL TRAILER

Disney has released the final trailer of “Beauty and the Beast,” giving fans a longer peek than before to its enchanting story.

Check out the final trailer at http://youtu.be/NIt3nvELueg and watch the film in Philippine cinemas starting March 16, 2017.

Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is a live-action adaptation of the studio’s animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs.

“Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within.

The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Oscar® winner Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s eccentric, but lovable father; Josh Gad as Le Fou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Golden Globe® nominee Ewan McGregor as Lumière, the candelabra; Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as Cadenza, the harpsichord; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; six-time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald as Madame De Garderobe, the wardrobe; Hattie Morahan as Agathe, the enchantress; Nathan Mack as Chip, the teacup; Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and two-time Academy Award® winner Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.

Directed by Oscar® winner Bill Condon based on the 1991 animated film, “Beauty and the Beast” is written by Evan Spiliotopoulos and Stephen Chbosky and Bill Condon.

“Beauty and the Beast” will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International. Like us on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow us on Twitter, @disney_phil; follow us on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #BeOurGuestPH.

Movies: “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” UNVEILS FIRST OFFICIAL IMAGES

I can't believe this is already out March 2017! 

Some quick thoughts on the photos: 

They are beautiful! 

Okay, I get that some people were "dissapointed" with Belle's dress, it's not as extravagant as the original animated movie, but maybe they have a surprise when the movie comes out. 

Luke Evans + Josh Gad as Gaston and Le Fou are perfect! 

Feast your eyes on the newly released official images from Disney's “Beauty and the Beast! Take your first look on Emma Watson and Dan Stevens as the titular characters, Luke Evans as Gaston and the castle's enchanted staff!

Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is a live-action adaptation of the studio’s animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs.

“Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within.

The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Oscar® winner Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s eccentric, but lovable father; Josh Gad as Le Fou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Golden Globe® nominee Ewan McGregor as Lumière, the candelabra; Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as Cadenza, the harpsichord; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; six-time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald as Madame De Garderobe, the wardrobe; Hattie Morahan as Agathe, the enchantress; Nathan Mack as Chip, the teacup; Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and two-time Academy Award® winner Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.

Directed by Oscar® winner Bill Condon based on the 1991 animated film, “Beauty and the Beast” is written by Evan Spiliotopoulos and Stephen Chbosky and Bill Condon and produced by Mandeville Films’ Academy Award® nominees David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman, with Emmy® winner Jeffrey Silver, Thomas Schumacher and Oscar nominee Don Hahn serving as executive producers. Eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards® (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the animated film, provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as three new songs written by Menken and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice.

Opening across the Philipppines in March 15, 2017, “Beauty and the Beast” will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures. Like us on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow us on Twitter, @disney_phil; follow us on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #BeOurGuestPH.