One of the many big news to come out today at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) centers on Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon, which is being developed as a movie by director/producer Michael Bay.

“Having one of Hollywood’s boldest feature film directors attached to bringing Ghost Recon to the big screen is a dream come true for us,” said Ubisoft Motion Pictures CEO Jean-Julien Baronnet. “And with Warner Bros. unmatched track record of successfully producing, marketing and distributing big movies from the industry’s top talents, we think this project has huge potential.”

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon has been a cash cow for Ubisoft, as the franchise has sold over 24 million copies.  As for Bay, his previous credits include Bad Boys, The Transformers films, and most recently Pain & Gain which starred Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson.

So will Michael Bay turn Ghost Recon into a successful movie franchise? Is he the right person for the project? Tell us what you think!

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Henry Cavill has joined a very small club of actor’s who have played Superman. George Reeves and Christopher Reeve highlight those who have played the iconic comic book superhero on the big screen. Some would think that Cavill would feel the pressure of those who have played the ‘Man of Steel’ before him, but Cavill explains that he does not feel any such pressure from his predecessors or from the worldwide attention he is receiving for playing Superman. (Click on the media bar below to hear Henry Cavill)


Man of Steel opens in theaters this Friday

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One of the most interesting movies opening this Summer is World War Z, which is based on the book by the same name, and was written by Max Brooks (son of legendary comedian Mel Brooks).

Brad Pitt stars as a United Nations worker trying to stop a zombie epidemic from affecting the world. Brad Pitt says World War Z is a very authentic, original summer movie, and that it is a fun, scary film. (Click on the media bar below to hear Brad Pitt)

World War Z opens in theaters June 21.

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Out on DVD today, Beverly Lewis’ The Confession continues the adventures of young Amish woman Katie Lapp (Switched at Birth star Katie Leclerc) as she attempts to reconnect with her birth mother (Sherry Stringfield).

Unfortunately, her mom’s gambling addicted husband (Adrian Paul) attempts to pass off another woman as Katie, thereby complicating matters.

During our phone interview with director Michael Landon Jr. talked about working with his actors and he also gave us valuable insight on the directing process.

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Hollywood Outbreak: You’re also a co-writer for the teleplay on Beverly Lewis’ The Confession.  How did that process help you as the director?

Landon: It helps in the sense that you get to kind of guard the storytelling. So when I’m doing that, I’m seeing the film as well.  I know visually and from a storytelling standpoint - I’m seeing the film played out on paper. So in that respect, it’s extremely helpful. The downside probably is that it’s another person you’re not collaborating with who brings potentially great stuff to that table. I co-wrote The Confession with Brian Bird so I’ve got his input as well so it’s not single-handedly done. It’s fortunate that I’ve been able to work in those different capacities just in terms of being able to oversee the entire process.

Can you talk about what Katie Leclerc brings to the table as a collaborator?

She’s the gal next door. It’s probably a combination of life experiences with her and the fact that she’s not allowing the business to override her personhood, if you will. She’s not being tainted by the business. So many times I feel like there’s so many agents and managers and their intentions are good but I think they begin to…they create a different person that what was initially there sometimes.

So they build kind of a wall around the actor?

Well, there’s amazing actors that have been in the business and have all sorts of people who have been helping them in their career. Sometimes you have a person who gets affected by the business and no longer has that spark, that interest in everyone in the first place. And Katie, she’s been on Switched at Birth for a few seasons now, she’s the same person and she is a natural. She’s a dream to work with. You ask her for something and she gives it to you plus ten. She can be in the moment instantly. She’s got a great sense of humor and is very easygoing. Loved working with her and would love to work with her again.

Is putting the story ahead of everything else a lesson you learned from seeing your father (director/actor Michael Landon) work, or is it something you learned as a director yourself?

Definitely a combination. What I gained from my father were these things. I fell in love with the family genre through my father. I not only was impacted but I was seeing how he was impacting other people in a positive, which is becoming rare these days.

The other thing I learned from my father was how he dealt with his crew and his cast. He was very respectful. He treated everyone respectfully - it didn’t matter if it was the guest star or if you were the grip. He was faithful to them. He created an atmosphere where people could enjoy themselves but had to work hard. From there I started to hone in on my own craft and I feel like as I continue to make films I feel like I’m becoming more confident and I’m executing things better.

In terms of execution, the chemistry between Sherry Stringfield and Katie Leclerc is very natural. Is chemistry something you create or is it just luck?

Most directors will tell you that a large percentage of our job happens before the camera rolls. Instinctually casting the right people and then the second part for me is creating an atmosphere where they feel safe and comfortable to work in. The other thing is hopefully finding bits and bobs that will help them get them where they want to.

For example with Sherry Stringfield, I showed her a YouTube video that I found very powerful of a father and a child being reunited. That became the inspiration on when she first thought she is meeting her daughter. I felt that gave her a direction and a place to go. So it’s anything you can do to get the actor in the mood or in that place is obviously beneficial.

What kind of reaction do you get from your films?

You definitely want to make an impact. I’ll screen my edit several times. In television, you’re on a pretty tight schedule so you don’t get to do as much as perhaps you would like to do in terms of test screenings and getting input from various people. I did one film that I edited as well - again that’s one of those things that I won’t do again. Making movies is a collaborative art form. You need great people, giving you great input, to make a good movie.

And it’s not about who’s right or wrong in this collaboration, correct?

Exactly. I believe that’s very true. Sometimes there’s a bit of right and wrong that could happen just in terms of certain things that are entering the story or something that has to happen to push the story forward. There are 1,000 ways to skin a cat and at the end of the day depending on who gets final cut, they have to go with their instincts and what they believe.

The Confession ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. Will there be a third installment of the series?

There is The Shunning which is the first installment of this story and it has a bit of a cliffhanger. The Confession has a bit of a cliffhanger. There is a third book and it’s called The Reckoning.  We’re waiting on Hallmark to give us a green light. The numbers were very strong. It took the night for cable television and was third in all of cable for the week. The numbers were very strong. Beverly Lewis has a great following and the movies have a great following now. We are definitely hopeful to finish up the trilogy and we believe we will.

Even though you’re veteran filmmaker, do you feel like there are still lessons you have to learn?

Oh my goodness yes. I have so much to learn. Because nothing is ever the same in this business. The people you work with, the situations you come in contact with. The stories that you’re telling. Nothing’s ever the same. There’s certain ground work you can build off of but you’re constantly learning. I’m so far down on the totem pole in terms of great other story tellers and directors so yes I have a ton to learn.

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Dwayne Johnson, seen this year opposite Mark Wahlberg in the action comedy Pain & Gain and the hit film Fast & Furious 6, continues his hectic work schedule as principal photography  started today on Hercules.

Directed by Brett Ratner (Tower Heist), the film will shoot in Budapest, Hungary. The cast includes Ian McShane (Deadwood), Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love), and Rufus Sewell (Dark City).

The great news is that first rate cinematographer Dante Spinotti, who shot L.A. Confidential and The Insider has been hired to lens the film. Spinotti has also served as the DP for Ratner’s films X-Men: The Last Stand, Tower Heist, After the Sunset, and Red Dragon.

Based on the graphic novel Hercules: The Thracian Wars, the storyline has a mercenary Hercules pitted against a barbaric warlord.

The Paramount Pictures project is set for a July 25th, 2014 release.

To hear Dwayne Johnson talk about Hercules, click on the media bar below:

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It’s been nearly two weeks since Judith Hill’s shocking elimination on The Voice, and her bold choice of taking on the hit song #thatPOWER should have kept her on the program.

During our phone interview with Hill, she reminded us that, when it comes to singing, it’s really not about winning or losing. We also had no idea the songbird is a former composer, and after the interview we also regretted not asking her about the beautiful songs she created for the film Red Hook Summer or her participation in the upcoming documentary 20 Feet From Stardom.

The singer did talk about other interesting topics, including the lessons she learned during her run on The Voice. Here’s our interview with Judith Hill:

Hollywood Outbreak: Your performance of #thatPOWER was spot on - I’m sure it’s a choice you don’t regret.

Judith Hill: Yeah, I really, really enjoyed myself on that Monday. That was a time I got to really stretch out and show everyone my style. Musically it was a blast so I definitely have no regrets and I’m actually happy that I was able to leave the show on that note and really I think the most important thing is that you sing and perform as an artist. I’m glad I got the opportunity to do that.

One of the advantages of doing ‘The Voice’ must be the fan base you get to reach out to during the competition.

Definitely. It’s an amazing opportunity to gain new fans and really showcase your talent. Win or lose, it’s a great opportunity. So yeah, I’m so glad I went on there.

What are some of the lessons you’ve learned from being on the show?

I learned a lot about myself. I learned more of who I am as an artist and what my strengths and weaknesses are. That’s just stuff I’ll take with me now as I continue my career and perform I know what to do and what not to do. And also it’s great practice. When you’re getting to perform like that with a full production, you get better each week. And so I feel like I’m a better performer than I was before I stepped on The Voice.

One of your great qualities is the way you interpret songs. Where did you learn that skill? Is that an innate talent or did it take years to develop?

Well definitely (it took) years to develop. I was a composition major in college and before I was a singer, I was a composer. I would compose for orchestras. With that, I learned how to arrange music. When you compose music you really start to hear things so that’s been the fun part of being an artist - it’s taking pop songs and reinventing them and interpreting them in different ways. I think that brings me more joy than anything.

What’s the key to connecting with an audience? Is it a craft you can hone or are you just absolutely born with it?

No I think it’s something you can grow into. I’m still on that journey of growing. It’s always important to give them a great show, entertain them, make them feel something and whatever that emotion of that song - it’s (about) really selling that emotion. Making it palpable and making it something they can really remember. It’s not just about singing great. It’s putting on a show. (But) in The Voice I learned it’s more than just putting on a show. I learned it’s about your personality and if they like you as a person. So there’s a lot of factors going into it.

How much work goes into doing ‘The Voice’ - what was a week’s worth of work like?

It was exhausting! There was no break. The day after the eliminations, you get your song for the next week and you’re up bright and early the next morning working on the song and filming it. The rest of the week is just complete madness with press and recording it for iTunes and rehearsing with the band. And wardrobe. It’s just non-stop. You really don’t get a breather. I think that once you see the contestants on the Monday night show, people don’t realize what the week was like to get to that point.

I love your voice, and it feels you’ve been inspired by artists like Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin. Where do you see yourself in the music landscape?

Well, thanks for that. I definitely connect deeply with Aretha and Nina, and the iconic Ray Charles. I would see myself as a modern day, female version of a Ray Charles or something. Just a soul singer who that plays but was also able to rock out in a soulful way and that’s been my goal - it’s to reinvent soul music yet still have a classic sound but in a modern day world.

Can you elaborate about the work you do for kids in Tokyo?

I definitely get so much more in return. Whenever you pour yourself into someone else, you find that it actually blesses you more. The students in Tokyo and all throughout Japan have been such a joy in my life. They’re just so grateful and warm. Sometimes I feel like I don’t really know what to say to them, I don’t have much. They’re so grateful and anything you give them, they’re so appreciative. It’s really an honor to be able to work with students and be able to share with them.

You were considered a frontrunner on the show, and your elimination shocked a lot of the fans. Do any of these compliments, in their own way, help ease the pain of being off the show?

It’s really sweet and it’s definitely been encouraging. Even though in my down days, I’m encouraged by the fact that there are people that really appreciate me. That’s so sweet, and it’s been really, really helpful. It’s a hard business and sometimes you don’t know if what you’re doing is making a difference. That’s been really encouraging. It’s so much more than winning or losing. It’s about giving and using music to inspire people and move them up. That’s the true mission of an artist.

What does it take to make it in the music business? Is it solely based on talent, or is perseverance just as important?

It’s all of that, I think that perseverance is key. You get 1,000 no’s before you get a yes. Especially nowadays there are a lot of people who will pass on you, but that doesn’t mean that what you’re doing is not right. It takes a lot of practice to get better. Also being at the right place at the right time. Staying connected. A lot of things come from just knowing people. So it’s all of those things. Being faithful and showing up every day and making sure you’ve got your shoes on. In any moment, an opportunity could come and you want to make sure you’re ready.

The Voice, featuring a performance from coach Usher, airs tonight (NBC, 9 pm et/pt).

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Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell and Rooney Mara roll their Hollywood wattage down the 101 for downtown showings at the annual Los Angeles Film Festival, running June 13 - 23.

Ethan Hawke has been working in films for over thirty years. Throughout his career, Hawke has played many different and diverse roles and is not afraid to tackle roles that are challenging. His role in the hit film, The Purge, is no different. Hawke explains that he isn’t afraid to take on diverse roles, and while The Purge is a fun popcorn movie, it has a lot to say about our culture. (Click on the media bar below to hear Ethan Hawke)

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It’s been a solid summer for actor Ethan Hawke, as his latest film The Purge was the #1 film at the box-office, taking in $36.38 million.  Hawke can also be seen opposite Julie Delpy in Before Midnight, a feature which continues the romantic adventures of Jesse and Celine (the previous two features were Before Sunset and Before Sunrise).

Fast & Furious 6 came in at #2 with $19.76 million, and Now You See Me continues its solid outing with a third place finish ($19.5 million).  The Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson comedy The Internship debuted at #4, and with a $58 million budget it’s a pretty disappointing start for the film.

This summer’s biggest bomb, however, is the Will Smith sci-fi After Earth, which took in just $11.2 million this weekend.  To date, the movie has made just $46 million domestically.

Here’s the top 10:

1.  The Purge - $36.38 million

2.  Fast & Furious 6 - $19.76 million

3.  Now You See Me - $19.5 million

4.  The Internship - $18.1 million

5.  Epic - $12.1 million

6.  Star Trek Into Darkness - $11.7 million

7.  After Earth - $11.2 million

8.  The Hangover Part III - $7.38 million

9.  Iron Man 3 - $5.79 million

10.  The Great Gatsby - $4.23 million

Click on the media bar to her Ethan Hawke talk about Lena Headey, his co-star in The Purge:

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Colin Farrell can now be heard in the animated film, Epic, in which he is voicing an animated character for the first time in his career. Farrell told us that he has always been a fan of animated movies, even before he had children. Farrell, who has two sons, told us that at times he has tried to watch animated movies with them, and gets a little disappointed when they lose interest. (Click on the media bar below to hear Colin Farrell)

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