by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 16th, 2011 at 11:54 am
Last October, we learned that Michael Mann was considering an adaptation of Bernard Cornwell’s Agincourt. Today, ScreenDaily reports that Mann is now officially attached to direct and that Luc Roeg’s Independent is developing the project with Benjamin Ross writing the script. Roeg tells ScreenDaily that Agincourt now has “momentum”, but it’s still too early to predict a start date for filming. Mann recently directed the pilot for the upcoming HBO series Luck. He’s also been circling biopics of notorious Chicago crime boss Tony Accardo and Spanish Civil War photographer Robert Capa.
Cornwell’s novel tells about the famous 15th century Battle of Agincourt through the perspective of young fugitive Nicholas Hook who becomes an archer in King Henry V’s fight against the French. Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel.
http://collider.com/michael-mann-agincourt/91157/
Tilda Swinton, Michael Fassbender, and Mia Wasikowska to Star in Jim Jarmusch’s “Crypto-Vampire Love Story”
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 16th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Last August, we reported that director Jim Jarmusch had lined up talented actors Tilda Swinton, Michael Fassbender, and Mia Wasikowksa for his next film. Today, we finally have some details on the project and it sounds like a doozy. Jarmusch tells ScreenDaily that the film is a “‘crypto-vampire love story’, set against the romantic desolation of Detroit and Tangiers.” Swinton, Fassbender, and Wasikowska will all play vampires with John Hurt in a featured role.
While I’ve grown more than tired with the glut of vampire flicks we’ve seen over the past several years, Jarmusch is obviously going to craft a vampire flick unlike any other. Granted, I’m not the biggest fan of his work, but I can appreciate that he’s uncompromising and original in his vision and I’m glad filmmakers like him can still get their movies made.
http://collider.com/jarmusch-vampire-movie-swinton-fassbender-wasikowska/91144/
New Financier Comes on to HIGHLANDER Reboot; Justin Lin Still Attached; New Screenwriters Announced
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 16th, 2011 at 8:19 am
RCR Media Group has sent out a press release announcing they’re co-financing the Highlander reboot with Summit Entertainment and Neal Moritz Productions. For those unfamiliar with the premise, it’s about immortal guys called Highlanders who cut off each other’s heads until only one Highlander remains. Then he gets a special prize and a Queen song plays. The press release reports that Fast Five director Justin Lin is still attached, but keep in mind that his plate is filling up with other projects due to the success of Fast Five. Not only does Universal want to hit the gas on Fast and Furious 6, but Lin is also attached to Terminator 5. Does he want to make the first great Highlander movie (the original is campy fun, but not a great movie) or does he want to go to a film that’s likelier to succeed like Fast 6 or T5?
The press release also announces that Art Marcum and Matt Holloway (Iron Man) wrote the screenplay, but back in February we reported that Twilight screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg had been hired to rewrite the script that was originally penned by The Wibberleys (National Treasure) . Neither Rosenberg nor The Wibberleys are mentioned in the press release, which you can read after the jump.
http://collider.com/highlander-reboot-new-financier-screenwriters/91121/
Chris Pine in Talks to Star in Jeff Nichols’ MUD
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 15th, 2011 at 7:52 pm
Chris Pine may star in Mud, the new drama from Take Shelter writer-director Jeff Nichols. 24 Frames reports that Pine would play the title character, fugitive who encounters two 14-year-old boys who attempt to help him escape from an island in the Mississippi. Rather than the hard-charging hero Pine has played in his recent films, Mud “is both an unsavory and a redemptive character and who teaches the boys as much as he learns from them.” Producer Aaron Ryder (Memento) says the film is in the vein of Stand By Me. FilmDistrict, which has been cleaning up at Cannes, will distribute.
Folks familiar with Pine’s acclaimed work on stage will probably be less unsurprised to hear him talking on more serious dramatic work in films. He’s got a nice mix of action and drama coming up with the untitled Jack Ryan reboot churning through development, Star Trek 2 likely to shoot sometime this year, and Alex Kurtzman’s family drama Welcome to People. He’ll next be seen in McG’s action-comedy This Means War. As for Nichols, some folks loved Take Shelter, but I thought it moved a bit too slowly and could use a bit of editing even though star Michael Shannon was electrifying.
http://collider.com/chris-pine-mud-jeff-nichols/91089/
First Image of Cameron Diaz and Colin Firth on the GAMBIT Set; Stanley Tucci and Cloris Leachman Cast
by Brendan Bettinger Posted: May 15th, 2011 at 8:16 am
Director Michael Hoffman (The Last Station) initiated principal photography last week on the remake of the 1966 caper comedy Gambit. Cameron Diaz and Colin Firth are subbing in for Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine, respectively, as partners in a con to sell a fake Monet painting. Stanley Tucci and Cloris Leachman have just signed on to the production; they will be joined by Alan Rickman and Tom Courtenay. Factor in the Coen Brothers wrote the screenplay, and there’s plenty of talent on both sides of the Gambit camera.
Production is in London right now, with plans to shift to New Mexico. See the first official image of Diaz and Firth in costume on the Gambit set along with the official press release after the jump.
http://collider.com/gambit-movie-image/90954/
