Lynda Carter Gives Gal Gadot The Wonder Woman Stamp Of Approval

Originally published on PopWrapped.  27 December 2013.

Gal Gadot has received Lynda Carter’s stamp of approval for the role of Wonder Woman. Carter recently spoke about her most iconic role as well as seeing Gadot, who was recently cast in the forthcoming Superman vs. Batman film, step into the Amazonian’s boots.

Responding to whether it will be strange for her to see someone else in the role, Carter told Metro, “I don’t think so. It was a long time ago. I care more about the character continuing than holding on to my piece of it. I hope she has fun with it.”

Carter even agreed that having Wonder Woman as a part of an ensemble, rather than her own standalone film may work best. “She won’t have to carry the whole film. It takes the pressure off. I wish her well. I’m just glad she’s going to be out there again. Maybe she’ll get her own show again.”

Gadot is certainly doing her part to make sure she represents the Amazonian princess well. The NY Daily News reported Gadot as saying, “It’s the physical preparations that I’m starting now.” Her training regimen is said to include Kung Fu, kickboxing, swords and jujitsu.

As for doubters who say that Gadot’s slim body doesn’t match with the superheroine’s curvy figure, the Israeli actress isn’t worried. “I represent the Wonder Woman of the new world,” she said. Specifically addressing comments about her flat chest, Gadot pointed out that “historically accurate Amazonian women actually had only one breast. So, if I’d really go ‘by the book,’ it’d be problematic.”

Warner Bros.’ still untitled Superman/Batman film is scheduled for release on July 17, 2015.

Martin Freeman Almost Missed Out On Being Our Dr. Watson

Originally published on PopWrapped.  27 December 2013.

With the highly anticipated return of BBC’s Sherlock coming in January, the idea of anyone besides Martin Freeman playing Dr. John Watson to Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Holmes seems laughable. But the star of The Hobbit, who has been the perfect partner for the consulting detective, nearly missed out on the role.

During his audition, Freeman was reportedly “grumpy” according to series co-creator Mark Gatiss. The actor had a good reason: his wallet had been stolen on his way to the audition. Without knowing this though, Gatiss and the Sherlock creative team thought Freeman wasn’t interested in the role of Dr. Watson. When Freeman learned this via his agent, he was quick to correct the error.

“And I said, ‘Oh… I am really interested. Please call them and let them know that I am interested.’ I wasn’t being blasé about it at all. I just wasn’t on my best day.”

Thankfully the actor got a second chance and was even paired with Cumberbatch to read for the part again.

“It instantly worked, it seemed to me,” Freeman said about working with Cumberbatch. “I thought he was a fantastic actor and there was something about our rhythms, similarities and differences that meant that it just happened.”

Sherlock returns to BBC One on New Year’s Day at 9 p.m. Freeman and Cumberbatch are also both currently starring in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, which is in theaters now.

Gran Turismo 6 Adds Sebastian Vettel To Game Experience In New Update

Originally published on PopWrapped.  19 December 2013.

If you have ever wanted to learn how to drive a racecar from one the greatest drivers of all time, the new update for Gran Turismo 6 is your chance. Available now, the update introduces Sebastian Vettel as one of the racing game’s mentors.

For those of us not as up to date on the world of Formula One racing, Vettel is the reigning world champion four years running. Only 26-years-old, he is one of the most dominant and successful Formula One drivers ever.

“To be taught how to drive downforce cars by the best racing driver in the world is very special,” said Kazunori Yamauchi, president of game developer Polyphony Digital.
Gran Turismo 6 was released just two weeks ago for PS3 and hit number eight on the all-format games chart. Along with Vettel, who drives for Red Bull Racing, the update for the game includes new Red Bull cars and the Red Bull X Challenge though commentators were quick to point out that these additions simply supplement Vettel’s inclusion.

The update, which comes so soon after the game’s release, may be an attempt to boost game sales, which have been significantly lower than Gran Turismo 5’s. In their review of Gran Turismo 6, Digital Spy remarks that there is little difference between the game and its predecessor. With the additional of Vettel and his Red Bull challenge and cars, Gran Turismo 6 could be looking to quiet those criticisms and bring in some new players.

Evangeline Lilly Wants Nothing To Do With A Hobbit Love Triangle

Originally published on PopWrapped.  19 December 2013.

No one ever wants a love triangle, at least, no one besides movie studios. Hobbit actress Evangeline Lilly has come out to say she was strongly opposed to a triangle involving her character, Tauriel, in Peter Jackson’s sequel.

During an interview with Yahoo Movies, Lilly recalled telling the filmmakers, “You have to promise me I will not be in a love triangle.” This was something Lilly had had plenty of experience with in the past. We all remember the Jack/Kate/Sawyer saga on Lost, right? So The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug filmmakers promised her it wouldn’t happen again.

But during postproduction, the studio came back asking for more emphasis (SPOILERS!) on the growing affection between Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Tauriel as well as her fondness for the dwarf Kili (Aiden Turner). And just like that, a love triangle was formed. Lilly told Access Hollywood that she was surprised but not angry.

“For a year of shooting there was no love triangle… And then, I came back for re-shoots in 2012 and they were like, ‘Well, we made a couple of alterations to some scenes and we added a couple more scenes,’” she joked. “And all of a sudden manifested a love triangle before my very eyes and the film was shot, and I’m in and there’s no getting out and there was no escaping it.”

U2 Team Up With Paul Epworth For A Remix Of “Ordinary Love”

Originally published on PopWrapped.  18 December 2013.

Pairing up with music producer Paul Epworth is always a solid move even if your song has already been nominated for a Golden Globe. That’s exactly what U2 have done for a new version of their current song, “Ordinary Love.”

The mix, which you can hear below, brings in a great new beat to punch up U2’s signature ethereal pop-rock sound. “We think Paul Epworth’s mix is a very soulful, uplifting one and we hope our audience will agree,” said U2’s frontman, Bono, in a Facebook post on their official page.

The original version of “Ordinary Love,” produced by Danger Mouse, is featured on the soundtrack of upcoming biopic Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom, starring Idris Elba. Epworth, who is best known for his collaborations with Adele, has won an Academy Award and four Grammys.

Check out his mix of “Ordinary Love” right here.

Debate Continues Over The Development Of A Twitter Edit Function

Originally published on PopWrapped.  18 December 2013.

Users have been calling for it almost since the beginning of Twitter and now it looks like our prayers have finally been answered. In a long overdue update, Twitter is rumored to be working on an “Edit” button. This would allow users to edit their tweets after sending thus helping us all avoid deleting and rewriting tweets that had typos.

The Desk cites Twitter employees close to the project as saying that the button is a “top priority.” Users would only be able to edit their tweet once and only minimally, such as removing or adding a word or correcting a typo. The option will also only be available for a “limited amount of time” though how long the time period will be has yet to be determined. This policy is said to help prevent users from changing a breaking news tweet that has accumulated a large amount of retweets into an advertisement or promo.

However, The Wire, in straight contradiction to The Desk’s Matthew Keys’ post, is reporting that several other tech blogs are stating the Twitter “edit” feature will not be available any time soon. In fact, CNETstates that “an edit option is not something Twitter is paying attention to right now.”

With no official word from Twitter itself, users will just have to wait and see if an edit button magically appears someday.

TV RECAP: ‘Once Upon a Time’ Ep. 311: ‘Go Home’

Originally published on The Flickcast.  16 December 2013.

It has been a very long and exhausting(ly boring) half a season of Once Upon a Time, Oncers. But we made it! We braved the Neverland forest of perpetual setbacks and sides stories. We survived the onslaught of emotional baggage from everyone from the unusual suspects (Snow & Charming) to we-expect-better-from-you characters (Rumple).

We even managed to stay tuned in while a slew of new faces joined this entirely too large cast and enjoyed some (Ariel) while questioning the purpose of others (Tink). So now, Peter Pan’s twisted tale comes to a close, Rumple finds his courage and Emma gets to change her mind about a life-altering decision. Time for us all to go home…

Felix and fake Pan drop random vials of magic from Regina’s vault into Storybrooke’s well. But as we all recall, in order for the curse to work you have to supply the heart of the thing you love most. For Pan it’s not Rumple but Felix (a friendship/loyalty kind of love, just so we’re clear). The Lost Boy isn’t so sure about this plan and can’t we talk about this…Nope. He heart is ripped out and crushed into the well.

This is all while Gold is explaining to the main cast that the new curse will follow Pan’s evil machinations, just like the old curse did Regina’s. The solution is twofold: First, switch Pan and Henry back to their bodies, which requires the Black Fairy’s wand. Second, get the scroll back and Regina can cancel the new curse. A plan in place the team breaks their huddle while green smoke billows up from the well. Credits.

In the first of far too many flashbacks this evening, Blue reassures Charming and Snow that their daughter will be the Savior and everything will be peachy. For two people who also spout this kind of gushy optimism, they are unfairly grouchy about the fairy’s blanket optimism. However it does give Charming the chance to speak the episode’s tagline: Happy endings aren’t always what we expect.

In Gold’s shop, Snow reminisces with Emma over her old mobile. The two bond further over having both tried to do what was best for their kid by sending them away. In more important news, Rumple is nearly ready to perform the switchback spell as soon as he gets the Black Fairy’s wand. Tink, Neal, Hook and Charming are working on that at the church, where the Blue Fairy’s body is laid out for mourners. Looking to pay his respects, the Shadow swoops in upon the Wand Retrieval Unit. Commercial.