Even with the writers strike in full effect, preproduction on the big screen adaptation of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time is ramping up. Last month Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire helmer Mike Newell signed on to direct the video game adaptation. Our friends at Collider spoke with Jerry Bruckheimer, and the producer revealed that a script has been turned in and they are beginning to develop the film’s look and feel.
“We’re just starting to… we have a screenplay, we’re just starting to develop the look of it. It’ll be unique and fresh,” Bruckheimer said, later adding that the script is not set in stone: “We’re not going to film until June so hopefully the writers will come to some kind of consensus with the studios and we can continue.”
My sources tell me the plan was to originally begin production in March/April, which keeps with the production timelines of the Pirates of the Caribbean films. But now Bruckheimer is saying that filming isn’t going to begin until June 2008, which I’m hearing is the latest possibly start date for the planned Summer 2009 release date. Concept art and locations and prop designs need to finalized by early next year. What will happen if the writers strike isn’t over by then? Will the movie be delayed? It appears that the current screenplay draft is far from final. They went into production on the Pirates sequels without completed scripts, and were forced to revise the script based on the locations and props built based on preliminary drafts. To be fair, Pixar’s Ratatouille went through some revision when Brad Bird replaced the director. Bird was forced to stick within the 3D set constructions and character designs while revising the screenplay, and still made the movie of the year.
When asked if the film will be set in the mid-ages, Jerry stated:
“…but that could change to. It might change a little bit, we’re not sure yet. It’ll definitely be a period film; we’re not going to make it contemporary.”
But director Mike Newell, who Bruckheimer calls “inventive and ingenious”, gives us hope for the project, telling Rotten Tomatoes last month:
“It’s not a video game movie. It’s a great story. If you had read the script, you would know that it wasn’t a video game. It’s very exciting and it’s immensely romantic and it’s like Lost Horizon. It takes you to somewhere you’ve never been.”
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time is currently being prepped for a July 10th 2009 release.
December 3rd, 2007 at 9:25 am
It will be interesting to find out who will star in this. Who is a big enough star for Disney, but not a typical white guy? Tricky.
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:28 pm
I really could care less about anything with Jerry Bruckheimer’s name on it. Yes, I’ll say it: Pirates (all of them) were terribly executed trash. And don’t give me that “Jack Sparrow is one of the greatest movie characters of all time bull (im looking at you Film Magazine).” Doing a Keith Richards impression in a buckaneer get- up isn’t impressive or original. National Treasure looks like trash by the way.
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:56 pm
I agree, casting this film will be tough. Prince of Persia could potentially be a great movie, but I suppose you could say the same thing about Tomb Raider, so who knows? It does have one thing going for it though - the original game had a really good soundtrack, they’d be crazy not to use it in the movie.
December 4th, 2007 at 4:42 am
as long as the main prince is not that singer prince haha :D
December 4th, 2007 at 7:07 am
“…not a video game movie.” Riiight. They better change the name of the movie, then, since millions of gamers and potential viewers know what “Prince of Persia” is! :P
December 4th, 2007 at 9:01 am
Recently, quite a few celebrities were said to appear on the millionaire luxury club “Meetrich.com”. OMG!!! Are these famous guys fond of internet dating for now?? Maybe they are indeed so rich that they feel boring sometimes to need new things?
December 10th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
there is only one reasonable hollywood actor to play the prince thats Adrian Grenier from entourage. hands down would nail it
January 18th, 2008 at 4:16 am
What about someone like Naveen Andrews from lost?
???????
January 30th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
please fast realise to this movie
February 27th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
David Zahedian, has just completed The Chain Letter starring Nikki Reed and other name actors, i met him on set, at first i couldn’t figure out what his nationality was he spoke perfect english, he kinda looked latin, maybe spanish, but omg, his body was in shape, me and my girlfriend was kinda interested in him, he’s a quite person tho, but professional and intelligent, well at least he came off that way, i didn’t see a ring on him so i doubt he’s with anybody, but i saw him change into a high school football outfit and he looked like a tanned young version of brad pitt and what was funny was his character’s name was BRAD, hehehe … I saw his headshot on imdb but he looked exactly like that but with long straight hair, anyway we got to talking during lunch and he was born in america on the east coast somewhere and moved to california years ago to become an film actor, he told me his parents where from persia but that he wasn’t a typical persian had american values and beliefs, he’s even a christian, asked him how he keeps in shape eating all that food during lunch break he says martial arts training and lots of running.
He’s so charming his eyes always shining omg, lets just say he wasnt boring, anyway, i completely forgot about this movie, but i should of told him to go out for this role as the prince, for the movie prince of persia, i hope the right person gets this comment, his namez kool not like the typical hard to read name, david zahedian, anyways, keep an eye out for him, a very interesting actor and person.
;)
March 5th, 2008 at 6:00 am
a great person to play the prince would be Javier Bardem, he should definatly get the part. He serious, charming a little funny, he’s got that big, tall, dark and hansom look and he speaks with an accent…..he’s perfect!
March 15th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
thomas dekker
i know he look like the average white guy i think lol a he could change his look for the part lol a tan what i see is that it be great but i highly doubt he would so just boring wishfull girl thinking but just in my mind eye i think hes
got skills
March 19th, 2008 at 10:36 am
They will not need typical white guy. i think face is important. it should be more Asian than european.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
There is one new actor who looks much better than the others you mentioned, (sorry for that) but I am a big fan of that game and I am looking forward to see it on the big screen, so I would like the movie Prince to look the same as the game Prince. So, I found this site: http://www.saygonvillage.com
This actor looks great and he created the Prince character for all three parts of the game even with the costumes - they are real! He looks better than the Prince from the game!!!
See for yourselves and enjoy !!!
June 30th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
First of all how can they choose Jake from Bubble Boy and her to play a blood thirsty WORRIER and a smokin hot pricess that can run in any direction on a wall and basically does his own martial arts with any weapon you can think of. Second if they want a true wariorr they should choose one of the guys from 300 especially the kid that got his head decapitated. Even though he died he still LOOKS, ACTS, and FIGHTS like the The PRINCE of PERSIA!!!!!! Third although Disney made Pirates 1 2 and 3 pretty good they should stay as far away from this as possible for 5 main reasons. 1.BLOOD 2.VIOLENCE 3.LANGUAGE 4.ADULT CONTENT 5.HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL NOTHING AGAINST HSM it’s just that I and most of the fans agree that it should be rated R not a rated G love story.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:07 am
I think that man that you Bellinda have said that looks like prince or better, looks older than prince i thought should look like. anyway actor must have not just his face, he must act like him. I think they have already chose actor. whatever i would see good film ))
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 am
IF ANYONE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS UP COMING PIECE’O'CRAP GO TO GOPATITION.COM BECAUSE SOMEONE MADE A PATITION FOR THEM TO RECAST THIS MOVIE.
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:24 am
Prince of persia (warrior within) is best than sands of time
July 9th, 2008 at 4:57 am
i know man who wants to participate in this film, his face looks like prince’s. i can send his photos to anyone. he would really help to cast the movie, he has some good ideas.
July 13th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Bubble-Boy Might Be In All THREE PoP MOVIES!?!? :(