Gore Verbinski's Lone Ranger Movie Will Actually Be Don Quixote
published: 2011-02-21 23:55:02 Author: Josh TylerGore Verbinski is hard at work on a big screen version of The Lone Ranger, and that’s not going to be easy. It’s Tonto that’s the problem; handle it the wrong way, and the Native American sidekick character could easily come off as a racist caricature. It doesn’t help that Tonto’s being played by Johnny Depp who, though he may have some Native American ancestry somewhere (what Heinz 57 American doesn’t?), isn’t really Native American. Verbinski’s solution? He’s not really making The Lone Ranger.
For those of you wondering why anyone would cast a star like Johnny Depp to play a faithful sidekick instead of the movie’s lead, the answer is they haven’t. Though the movie’s titled “The Lone Ranger” Verbinski tells the LA Times that it’s all about Tonto, and the entire thing will be told from his point of view. What’s more, it’s not so much the classic Lone Ranger story he’s telling, actually, he’s sort of turning the whole thing into Don Quixote. He explains, “The only version of ‘The Lone Ranger’ I’m interested in doing is ‘Don Quixote’ told from Sancho Panza’s point of view.”
That’s been the plan all along apparently. Verbinski says, “I was honest early on with Johnny that Tonto is the part. We’re not going to do it [straight], everyone knows that story. I don’t want to tell that story.” Cervantes is the real influence for the story he’s telling, not the 1933 radio adventures or subsequent TV series we all think of when we think Lone Ranger.
What’s more, it sounds like they’re going to really use Johnny Depp’s talent for playing somewhat unbalanced characters to the fullest. Gore says, “I want the version from the untrustworthy narrator who might be a little crazy — but somehow the question is, is he crazy or is the world crazy?” Why do I suddenly have a wild west version of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas in my head? There’s no way that can happen, this is a Disney movie after all. We should probably expect something more along the lines of Captain Jack Sparrow crazy instead. Either version seems like a good move.
For those of you wondering why anyone would cast a star like Johnny Depp to play a faithful sidekick instead of the movie’s lead, the answer is they haven’t. Though the movie’s titled “The Lone Ranger” Verbinski tells the LA Times that it’s all about Tonto, and the entire thing will be told from his point of view. What’s more, it’s not so much the classic Lone Ranger story he’s telling, actually, he’s sort of turning the whole thing into Don Quixote. He explains, “The only version of ‘The Lone Ranger’ I’m interested in doing is ‘Don Quixote’ told from Sancho Panza’s point of view.”
That’s been the plan all along apparently. Verbinski says, “I was honest early on with Johnny that Tonto is the part. We’re not going to do it [straight], everyone knows that story. I don’t want to tell that story.” Cervantes is the real influence for the story he’s telling, not the 1933 radio adventures or subsequent TV series we all think of when we think Lone Ranger.
What’s more, it sounds like they’re going to really use Johnny Depp’s talent for playing somewhat unbalanced characters to the fullest. Gore says, “I want the version from the untrustworthy narrator who might be a little crazy — but somehow the question is, is he crazy or is the world crazy?” Why do I suddenly have a wild west version of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas in my head? There’s no way that can happen, this is a Disney movie after all. We should probably expect something more along the lines of Captain Jack Sparrow crazy instead. Either version seems like a good move.
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Rumor Has Kevin Costner Being Eyed To Play Jonathan Kent, Superman's Earthly Father
published: 2011-02-21 17:45:20 Author: Eric EisenbergArriving online today I discovered that the big question on everybody's mind was "Who does Zack Snyder want Kevin Costner to play in his Superman reboot?" In my write-up of the story I suggested two characters that the Oscar winner could play - Perry White, the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Planet, and Jonathan Kent, the man who raised Superman on Earth. Turns out that my second guess may have been right on target. Latino Review is reporting from "well-placed sources" that the role that Costner is wanted for is that of Pa Kent. As the story goes, Jonathan Kent, along with his wife Martha, discover Kal-El's rocket, which crashes to earth in the town of Smallville. Though they know he's not of this Earth, they raise him as their son, giving him the name Clark Kent.
While I still think that Perry White is a better fit, I do like the idea of Costner in the part. Still, it's way, way to early to be saying that Costner will be in the film. The actor isn't even in negotiations for the part yet and, for all we know, he might not even be aware that Snyder is interested in casting him. The point is, if he ends up not doing the movie, don't set yourself up for disappointment.
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http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Rumor-Has-Kevin-Costner-Being-Eyed-To-Play-Jonathan-Kent-Superman-s-Earthly-Father-23285.html
Is Kevin Costner Up For A Role In Zack Snyder's Superman Reboot?
published: 2011-02-21 13:41:45 Author: Eric EisenbergBack during the early 1990s Kevin Costner was one of the biggest movie stars you could land to lead the cast in your movie. Films like Dances With Wolves, The Bodyguard and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves were all box office successes and the actor/director was even taking home Oscars. In recent years, however, his fortune hasn't be so strong. Averaging only about one film per year, his most successful movie in the last decade was Open Range, which only pulled in an average sum of $58 million. Should he choose to sign on, however, he could be headed back to $100 million blockbusters very soon.
Deadline reports that Zack Snyder has a "heightened interest" in casting Costner to play a lead role in the upcoming Superman reboot. The article makes no mention and has no guesses regarding who the actor might play in the comic book film. Set to go into production later this year, the only cast member yet signed on for the film is Henry Cavill who will be playing the Man of Steel.
At this stage in the game it's even hard to guess what role Costner might play. He has done both hero and villain in past films, but what established characters are there that available to be speculated about? If Lois Lane isn't in the movie, does that mean Perry White, who could be a solid fit for Costner, won't be either? If Supes is still in Smallville, will the veteran actor be playing Jonathan Kent? We simply don't know enough to start asking those kinds of questions.
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http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Is-Kevin-Costner-Up-For-A-Role-In-Zack-Snyder-s-Superman-Reboot-23277.html
UPDATED: Glenn Close To Play The Lead In The Susan Boyle Biopic?
published: 2011-02-21 16:19:06 Author: Eric EisenbergUPDATE! To no one's surprise, this rumor has been debunked. Glenn Close's reps tell USA Today that it's all malarky. Glenn Close is not playing Susan Boyle.
Here's our original report of this spurious rumor.
That reputable beacon of journalistic integrity known as The Sun is reporting from an unnamed source that Glenn Close has signed on to play Susan Boyle. Said the source on the casting, "Glenn has played some imposing women in the past including Cruella de Vil and Alex Forrest, who boils the pet rabbit in Fatal Attraction, but SuBo might just be her biggest role yet." The article makes no mention of who will write or direct the project.
Considering that Boyle's appearance is very much a part of her story, I've always wondered about how self-esteem works into casting like this (The Daily Telegraph previously reported that Robin Williams was up for the part of Boyle). Is Glenn Close comfortable enough with her appearance that she has no problem with someone saying, "You'd be perfect to play Susan Boyle"? Considering that this is The Sun, however, please do keep in mind that there is a 90% chance that this story is fake.
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http://www.cinemablend.com/new/UPDATED-Glenn-Close-To-Play-The-Lead-In-The-Susan-Boyle-Biopic-23281.html
