Posted on Monday, November 7th, 2011 by Angie Han
Back when MGM’s financial woes put plans for Bond 23 on indefinite hiatus, director Sam Mendes signed on to direct a quick feature titled On Chesil Beach, based on a 2007 novella by Atonement author Ian McEwan. But now that those Bond issues have worked themselves out, Mendes is hard at work on Skyfall, and On Chesil Beach has fallen into the hands of another filmmaker. Mike Newell is now attached to helm the picture, an intimate drama about a young couple on their wedding night. More details after the jump.
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Posted on Friday, November 4th, 2011 by Angie Han
If you ask me, Helena Bonham Carter playing bitter Miss Havisham in Mike Newell‘s Great Expectations has sounded like ideal casting from the very start. But if you had any doubt in your mind whatsoever as to Bonham Carter’s suitability, let these new photos put those worries to rest. Two new stills from the film have been released, showing Bonham Carter looking right at home as the shut-in of Charles Dickens‘ classic tale. After getting ditched at the altar, the character wastes away in her decaying wedding dress for the rest of her life.
Also starring in Newell’s adaptation are Ralph Fiennes, Holliday Grainger, Robbie Coltrane, Jason Flemyng, Sally Hawkins, and War Horse actor Jeremy Irvine as protagonist Pip. Check out the images after the jump.
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Posted on Wednesday, October 5th, 2011 by Angie Han
The theme of this Casting Bits seems to be “rising stars,” as All My Children‘s Ambyr Childers stakes out a spot in an all-star cast, War Horse star Jeremy Irvine leads a movie starring Britain’s finest, and Thor actress Jaimie Alexander signs on to co-star with the Governator himself. Read more after the jump.
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Oliver Stone is quickly locking down the cast for Savages, the adaptation of Don Winslow‘s novel about two pot dealers (Aaron Johnson and Taylor Kitsch) whose mutual girlfriend (Blake Lively) is kidnapped by a drug cartel (Salma Hayek and Benicio del Toro) in an effort to coerce the guys into bowing to the cartel’s will. John Travolta and Uma Thurman also signed on, with that casting announced just hours ago.
Now Emile Hirsch, the great young(ish) actor who seems to do a spate of films then drop off the radar for a while, is in the film playing a role that is yet to be announced. That makes quite a cast so far — while it is difficult to get excited about John Travolta of late, the collection of people is a pretty serious lineup. Is this going to be the movie where Oliver Stone really roars back to life? [Variety]
After the break, while Ralph Fiennes remains a possible addition to the next James Bond film, he’s also in line for a part in Mike Newell’s new version of Great Expectations. Read More »
Rowan Joffe, screenwriter of the underrated The American and of 28 Weeks Later, is now working with director Mike Newell on an adaption of the WWII double-agent story Agent Zigzag, based on the book of the same name by Ben MacIntyre.
The subject of the book and the film is Eddie Chapman, dashing and charming criminal, conman and spy. He’s the classic image of the fast-living spy. Recruited by the German Secret Service at the outset of WWII, he was a major asset for the Nazis, but was also secretly working for Britain, as Agent Zigzag. His story sounds like perfect movie material.
A bit of info on the book is after the break. Read More »
Mike Newell will follow up Prince of Persia, not quite a modern classic, with a new take on a genuine classic and perennial enemy of disinterested English classes across America. He’ll direct a new version of Great Expectations as part of a year-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens‘ birth, in 2012. Read More »
Yesterday it was reported that Neil Marshall, Mike Newell and David Slade are on the short list of filmmakers being considered to direct Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and Scarlett Johansson and Bradley Cooper circling the lead roles. The Wrap now adds a couple more interesting names to the list:
Jonathan Demme has read the script and wants to direct the movie, but he’s not the only one interested in the job, as TheWrap has learned that Matt Reeves (“Cloverfield”), Mike White (“Year of the Dog”) and the “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” team of Phil Lord and Chris Miller are also in the mix.
I can understand Demme’s interest, but Matt Reeves seems like a more natural fit coming off of Let Me In. Mike White’s humor seems like an odd match for this property, and his directorial debut Year of the Dog left me thinking he should stick to screenwriting. I have yet to see Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, despite constant encouragement to do so from friends. I’ve heard it’s hilarious. I really liked Lord/Miller’s animated television series Clone High U.S.A., but does their cartoon-like sensibility fit this period zombie film (even if it is a ridiculous comic take?).
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As unbelievable as the notion of Darren Aronofsky directing Wolverine 2 might be, there’s something more difficult to swallow going on in Hollwood: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is becoming a hot property. Initially set to be directed by David O. Russell with Natalie Portman starring (she is still producing) the film now needs a new creative team. So, start the ‘shortlist’ compilation. Directors such as Neil Marshall and Mike Newell are reportedly in the mix, and Scarlett Johansson has been mentioned as a possible star. Read More »
