Mark Strong

Mark Strong Promises "Funny Moments" In 'Shazam!' Movie

By Daniel Falconer in Movies / TV / Theatre on 10 February 2018

The movie isn't set for release until April, 2019.

We may not have much to go off in terms of first looks when it comes to upcoming DC Extended Universe movie 'Shazam!', but those involved in bringing it to life have certainly been more than willing to share information about what we should expect over the past few months.

Mark Strong takes on the role of the villainous Sivana in 'Shazam!'

With Zachary Levi set to take on the titular role in the flick; the superhero alter ego of youngster Billy Batson (Asher Angel), fans have been looking forward to seeing a whole new corner of the DCEU explored. When it was announced that horror aficionado David F. Sandberg would be directing, excitement only grew. 'Shazam!' would undoubtedly feel unlike any other DCEU release.

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Mark Strong Discusses His "Evil" Role In DC Extended Universe Movie 'Shazam!'

By Daniel Falconer in Movies / TV / Theatre on 15 January 2018

Mark Strong

The actor is no stranger to the world of comic book movies.

Doctor Sivana may not be one of the most prominent villains to come from the world of DC Comics, but he'll be making a name for himself in upcoming DC Extended Universe release 'Shazam!'. Mark Strong is the man who'll be stepping into the shoes of the character, starring alongside Zachary Levi who takes the leading heroic role of Captain Marvel. The true identity of that hero however is where things get a little complicated, as he's actually a young child called Billy Batson, played here by Asher Angel.

Mark Strong is gearing up to play the villain in DCEU flick 'Shazam!'

Billy will be able to transform into the superhero when he uses the word "Shazam!", and will face off against his biggest challenge when Strong's Dr. Thaddeus Sivana steps onto the scene. No stranger to the world of superhero movies, and in particular DC villains, Strong previously played the nasty Sinestro in the failed DC movie, 'Green Lantern', back in 2011.

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Mark Strong Spills On Shazam! Secrecy

By Bang Showbiz in Movies / TV / Theatre on 14 January 2018

Mark Strong Ryan Reynolds Zachary Levi

'Shazam!' star Mark Strong has revealed the DC Extended Universe scripts are so closely guarded that they are encrypted and disappear if you stop reading them after ''20 seconds''.

Mark Strong has revealed the scripts on 'Shazam!' have encrypted technology which makes the text disappear if you stop reading for ''20 seconds''.

The 54-year-old English actor is to play villain Doctor Sivana in the DC Extended Universe movie about teenage boy Billy Baston who can transform into adult superhero Captain Marvel when he utters the word which is the film's title.

Strong has not been surprised by the level of secrecy on David F. Sandberg's project as he knows how guarded comic book films are because he played Sinestro in the panned Ryan Reynolds-led 'Green Lantern', and he admits he was desperate to return to the DC universe due to the reception the 2011 Warner Bros. Pictures movie got.

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Kingsman: The Golden Circle Review

Good

Two years ago, Kingsman: The Secret Service seemed to come out of nowhere, ruffling feathers as it took an anarchic, often transgressive approach to the super-spy genre and made a star of Taron Egerton. Now Matthew Vaughn is back with a sequel, and it's rather clear that he has a franchise in mind. The new movie is still wildly energetic and eye-catching, but it also has a more predictable plot that takes fewer risks.

We catch up with Eggsy (Egerton) as he's a respectable member of the Kingsman juggling his private life with his serious girlfriend Princess Tilde (Hanna Alstrom). But megalomaniacal drug lord Poppy (Julianne Moore) and her part-cyborg henchman Charlie (Edward Holcroft) launch a vicious attack on Kingsman bases, leaving Eggsy and his colleague Merlin (Mark Strong) on their own. For help, they turn to their American counterpart Statesman, run by Champ (Jeff Bridges). His agents Tequila, Whiskey and Ginger (Channing Tatum, Pablo Pascal and Halle Berry) offer help getting Kingsman back on its feet. And they also reveal that they've rescued fallen agent Harry (Colin Firth), who is recovering from a brain injury. Meanwhile, Poppy launches a global assault.

To tell this rather simple story, Vaughn indulges in all kinds of flashy visual trickery. The action sequences are choreographed like wacky cartoons, as the camera swoops through the complicated mayhem with acrobatic skill. And the characters are vividly played by the top-notch cast with maximum personality flourishes. Egerton is terrific at the centre, as adept at physicality and comedy as he is at finding a touch of emotion here and there. His scenes with Firth are especially strong. And Moore makes the most of her goofy kingpin, who is trying to recreate 1950s Americana in the jungle, plus added madcap 1970s flair with a riotous Elton John, who gets stuck right into the mayhem.

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Kingsman: The Golden Circle Trailer

For those who knew him, Gary Unwin (better known as Eggsy to his friends), was never a likely candidate for a spy. After stealing a car and being a bit of a hooligan (who's always up for a laugh) eventually Eggsy landed himself in trouble with the police. What the outside world didn't know about Eggsy was his father was an incredibly brave probationary secret agent and Eggsy displays many of his father's strengths. Kingsman Harry Hart sees Eggsy's potential and trains him up as a Kingsman spy. Only Eggsy and one other trainee, Roxy, succeed in proving that they have what it takes to become a Kingsman. Together, with the help of Harry and their quartermaster, Merlin, they defeat psychopathic billionaire Richmond Valentine. Their mission is a success but in the process Harry is shot in the head.

Though Eggsy loses his mentor, life continues for the young spy and he becomes the Kingsman that Hart always knew him to be. As worldwide threats become known, the Kingsman are once again placed as the brink of extermination. Their headquarters and training grounds are blown up and Eggsy and Merlin must once again find a way to save the world.

Their hunt takes them to America and it's revealed that The Kingsman aren't the only highly secret organisation looking to protect the world; the two Brit's are introduced to Champagne, Jack Daniels and Tequila - three agents working for the Statesman, the US equivalent to Kingsman. With the help of their new American counterparts, Eggsy, Merlin and some other familiar faces might just stand a chance of saving the world all over again.

Miss Sloane Trailer

Elizabeth Sloane is a lobbyist and often finds herself facing off against some of the most important politicians in America. She's a consummate professional and is often taken as cold and calculating but these elements of her personality only work to her benefit.

In many ways, being a successful lobbyist is like being a chess champion, you always must have the foresight to be at least one step ahead of your opponent and making sure they don't see your moves coming - and if they do, making equally sure that you have a counter measure in place.

After years of success, Elizabeth decides that her time has come to take on one of the biggest challenges; the Gun control laws and Elizabeth soon becomes aware at just what lengths people will go to in order to protect their second amendment right.

Mark Strong at the 2016 GQ Men of the Year Awards in association with Hugo Boss held at the Tate Modern, Bankside, United Kingdom - Tuesday 6th September 2016

Grimsby Trailer

Nobby is a good ol' northern lad who loves nothing more than spending time with his family and mates down at the local pub but there's something missing from his life - his brother. When Nobby and his brother were young boys, they were separated and the two haven't seen one another since.

Being separated for so many years has led the two grown men down very different lives. Nobby has multiple children and lives with the love of his life whilst his brother, Sebastian is a loner who doesn't have a personal life at the cost of his job, a professional spy.

When Nobby manages to track down his brother, the two are reunited and it instantly leads to Noddy making costly mistakes for his brother. The spy's mission is ruined and he must go into hiding and re-evaluated his plan. Ever the thinker, Noddy comes up with the perfect place for Sebastian to lay low. Grimsby - the boys home town.

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Grimsby - Red Band Teaser Trailer

Nobby and Sebastian are long lost brothers who live completely different lives. Sebastian is a highly skilled MI6 assassin whilst his brother, Norman Grimsby - affectionately known as Nobby - leads a much simpler life.

Football loving Nobby lives in North England with the love of his life Lindsey and their eleven children. Their life is good and they're all very happy together - yet Nobby longs to reconnect with his brother. When Nobby's search finally returns a positive result, he doesn't realise how much danger he's putting both himself and his brother in.

The brothers are finally reunited but unbeknownst to Nobby, Sebastian has exposed a deadly plot that could scale to a global disaster. With both brothers on the run, Nobby must put some of his northern traits to one side and help his brother protect the world.

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Angela Lansbury Is Honoured At 89, While The Kinks Musical Wins Big At Olivier Awards

By Stephanie Chase in Movies / TV / Theatre on 13 April 2015

Ray Davies Angela Lansbury George Maguire Mark Strong

The best London’s West End has to offer was out in force at the 39th annual Olivier Awards.

Angela Lansbury and The Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon, were the big winners at Olivier Awards, held on Sunday evening at London’s Royal Opera House. At the ceremony, hosted by Lenny Henry, Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge also won big, taking home three awards including best revival.

Angela lansbury Lansbury took home the best supporting actress award.

Angela Lansbury, who turns 90 this October, returned to the West End last year as Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit at the Gielgud Theatre. The actress took home the best supporting actress for her performance, telling the audience "I simply can't believe it,” while accepting the statue.

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Kingsman: The Secret Service Review

By Rich Cline

Excellent

With virtually the same tone as they used in their superhero spoof Kick-Ass, filmmakers Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman take another riotously adult approach to pastiche, this time tackling the James Bond genre. Essentially they have made a 007 movie that refuses to tone itself down for the PG-13 audience, indulging in the profanity and excessive violence other films shy away from. So it doesn't really matter if the plot itself isn't quite as rebellious as it pretends to be.

Kingsman is a top-secret spy agency located in a Saville Row tailor, beholden to no corporation or government. Led by Arthur and Merlin (Michael Caine and Mark Strong), these gentlemanly super-agents use the names of the knights of the Round Table. And when one of them dies, they know it's time to get with the times and recruit someone young and hip. So they set up a rigorous school for trainees, with one lucky graduate set to earn a spot at the table. Harry, aka Galahad (Colin Firth), chooses rough East End teen Eggsy (Taron Egerton) as his candidate. The son of a former agent, Eggsy shows considerable promise even if he lacks the expected refinement. Then just before the final selection is made, they discover that mobile phone billionaire Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson) is up to something nefarious. So Eggsy and fellow rookie Roxy (Sophie Cookson) kick into action to figure out what he's up to, and stop him.

Despite constant reminders that "this isn't that kind of movie", it clearly is. Every Bond element is here, including the crazed villain with an elaborate lair and a technically augmented sidekick (Sofia Boutella's vicious blade-footed henchwoman Gazelle). The only difference is that where Bond hints cheekily at violence and sex, Vaughn and Goldman go for it. This film is packed with outrageous, over-the-top carnage and intensely rude dialogue, delivered with relish by the expert cast. Firth, Caine and Strong are terrific at combining tweedy propriety with public schoolboy naughtiness, while Jackson merrily plays around with Valentine's god-complex.

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Sacha Baron Cohen and Mark Strong - Sacha Baron Cohen and Mark Strong spotted filming 'Grimsby' in Essex - Purfleet, United Kingdom - Thursday 10th July 2014

Mark Strong - 57th BFI London Film Festival - 'Saving Mr Banks' - Premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square - London, United Kingdom - Sunday 20th October 2013