Benedict Cumberbatch At UCL – ‘The Current War’ Filming This Weekend

The big news from this week for us is, of course, the big film shoot which took over the main quad this weekend. Alfonso Gomez-Rejon’s The Current War began shooting last month here in London, and transformed the Portico this weekend into the New York Stock Exchange – where Benedict Cumberbatch’s Thomas Edison (pictured at the top in the film’s first official still released by The Weinstein Company) delivered a rousing speech. Cumberbatch, no stranger to UCL students showing up at his sets with Sherlock‘s signature Speedy’s Cafe just minutes from the campus, greeted everyone (including our committee members) who stood out there in the cold watching the shoot. The film also stars Tom Holland (who, too, was spotted on set), Katherine Waterston, Michael Shannon and Nicholas Hoult. [Cumberbatch Brasil]

Sundance Film Festival Joins The Women’s March

The film world did not forget what was happening in the real one. Following Donald Trump’s inauguration on Friday; Park City, Utah – host of the Sundance Film Festival – joined hundreds of thousands assembled in major cities across the world to protest Trump’s presidency and his stance on issues from women’s and LGBTQ rights to embracing immigrants. TV personality Chelsea Handler led the march at Sundance, with stars attending the festival including Charlize Theron all joining in. Many film and TV actresses and actors also took part in the various marches in L.A., New York, London and of course the main event in Washington D.C.. [Variety]

First Reviews For Danny Boyle’s ‘T2 Trainspotting’ Are In

Ahead of its UK release this coming Friday, the highly-anticipated Trainspotting sequel was screened for press in central London on Thursday evening. With no embargo, the reviews came flooding in – with most praising the film (currently at 79% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a few critics feeling it doesn’t quite live up to the first film. In any case, we are curious to check Danny Boyle’s T2 out for ourselves next week, and we will review it here. [The Independent]

‘A Dog’s Purpose’ In Controversy Over Alleged Animal Abuse On Set

Famed ABBA music video and Salmon Fishing In The Yemen director Lasse Hallström’s new film has been plunged into controversy this week after an edited video released by TMZ went viral, allegedly depicting one of the dogs starring in the film being forced into water on set. Universal and producers Amblin Entertainment have been dealing with the fallout, with reports from those who’ve seen the full footage of the day’s shoot suggesting that the dog was fine all along and the video was specially edited and sold to TMZ to fulfil PETA’s agenda of ensuring no animals are used on set of film and TV productions. [Deadline]

‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ Passes $1 Billion Globally

Surprise, surprise, Disney are once again on a roll. The first Star Wars spin-off film has, as of just a few minutes ago, officially joined the billion-dollar club at the global box office. It has been an incredibly successful 2016 for Disney, with the (now) 6 films grossing over $1 billion all coming from the studio – and this is sure to be reassuring for the cast and crew of the untitled Han Solo spin-off, which is up next for Disney/Lucasfilm after the release of Episode VIII this December. [THR]

Trailer Of The Week – ‘Logan’ Final Trailer

What’s your favourite piece of film/TV news from this week? Let us know in the comments or our Facebook and Twitter!