Film News Roundup: 5

            Sad news for cinephiles this week; two major Oscar contending films seem to be out of running.  

Rumor is that Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, and Matthew McConaughey, might not make its Nov. 15 release date due to the length of the first cut. It’s reported that Scorsese’s cut of the films stands at 180 minutes long; Paramount studio’s executives are hoping that the director can cut the running time of the film.

Rather than being pushed out of awards season completely, Paramount is hoping it can still make a push for the film during the Christmas holidays. The studio is likely to push back Kenneth Branagh’s “Jack Ryan”, starring Chris Pine, Keira Knightley, and Kevin Costner, from its Christmas date to Jan. 17 in order for “The Wolf of Wall Street” to stay in the awards race.

It’s also being reported that Sony Pictures Classics has decided to delay Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher to 2014, completely taking it out of the awards race. The decision was based on giving Miller more time to finish the film.

“Foxcatcher” is based on the true story of Olympic wrestling champion brothers Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and Dave Shultz (Marl Ruffalo) and their relationship with the eccentric multimillionaire John du Pont.

On a more exciting note, filming is underway for Peter and Bobby Farrelly’s sequel to “Dumb and Dumber.” The first images of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels back in their character costumes have hit the web.

The sequel, titled “Dumb and Dumber To,” picks up 18 years after the events of the first film. I’m sure many fans, like me can’t wait to see this film and see what other ridiculous things Harry and Lloyd will be up to.

Check out the image below. “Dumb and Dumber To” is set to hit theaters in 2014.

In casting news, Jennifer Lawrence is reuniting with her “Hunger Games” director Gary Ross on a new adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel, “East of Eden.” Steinbeck’s novel is a retelling of the story of Abel and Cain, concentrating on two families: the Trask and the Hamiltons.

Lawrence is set to play the mother of the Trask brothers, Cathy Ames; a cold and cruel mother. Ross and Lawrence will also be busy on another upcoming novel adaptation of Hanna Kent’s novel, Burial rites.

Lawrence is easily one of the most highly touted young actresses in film and undoubtedly will be seeing from her for years to come. Coming off her Oscar winning performance in “Silver Linings Playbooks,” Lawrence can be seen next in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and David O. Russell’s “American Hustle.”

Until next time, this has been Matinée Idol.