Prisoners

[jo]

Update re filming schedule --

www.myentertainmentworld.com/mew/film_production_P.3.html

PRISONERS - January, 2013 - Philadelphia, PA & Derby, CT; Details Are only Available By Subscription.. STORY: After his 6 years old daughter is kidnapped, a small town carpenter butts heads with a young, brash detective in charge of the investigation. Feeling failed by the law, he captures the man he believes responsible, holding him captive in a desperate attempt to find out what he did with his daughter, whom he's convinced is still alive. (Posted: September 26, 2012)


The movie was originally planned to film in Derby, Connecticut when it was shelved in late 2009 or early 2010. It looks like they are going back to the original filming location...and adding Philadelphia to the filming sites!

Jo

[jo]

I am little nostalgic for New England towns, having studied in a famous small one in Massachusetts ( Amherst) -- here are some images of Derby --











This was taken in Derby in January 2012 -- will they be filming in this kind of winterscape?



Jo

[jo]

Of course nothing has been formally announced by the towns/cities concerned that they have been chosen for the filming locations, but we will see. But it sounds definite that it will likely take place in the Northeast.

Given the busy Oscar/Golden Globe season in January-February, Hugh may have to add a lot to his mileage program stats during that time - assuming some Oscar nods go his way and Les Miserables

Jo

[droverswoman]

The photos are gorgeous, Jo! Thanks!

More news for Prisoners - Paul Dano is now part of the cast. I don't know him, but he looks young enough to maybe play Hugh's character's son?

www.variety.com/article/VR1118060434?refCatId=13

[jo]

Yes, it looks like he might play Keller's son.

Here's the full Variety article --

Paul Dano joins Jackman, Gyllenhaal in 'Prisoners'

Melissa Leo co-stars in Denis Villeneuve pic

By Justin Kroll




Dano

Paul Dano has come on board to join Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal in Alcon Entertainment's "Prisoners."
Pic also stars Melissa Leo with Denis Villeneuve helming.

Script by Aaron Guzikowski revolves around a small-town carpenter whose young daughter and best friend are kidnapped. After the cops fail to find them, he takes the law into his own hands but in the process runs up against the big-city detective assigned to the case.

Alcon toppers Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson are producing, along with 8:38 Prods.' Kira Davis and Madhouse Entertainment's Adam Kolbrenner. Ed McDonnell and John Stark exec produce.

Production is scheduled to begin in early 2013. Alcon is targeting a fall 2013 release through its output deal with Warner Bros.

The WME-repped Dano was last seen in Sony and FilmDistrict's "Looper" and recently wrapped production on Steve McQueen's "Twelve Years a Slave."

Contact Justin Kroll at [e-mail]

[jo]

Here's another report on his casting -- from Playlist:

blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/paul-dano-joins-prisoners-with-hugh-jackman-jake-gyllenhaal-20121008

Paul Dano Joins 'Prisoners' With Hugh Jackman & Jake Gyllenhaal

News .
by Kevin Jagernauth
October 8, 2012 4:07 PM


While David O. Russell's upcoming movie with Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner and Amy Adams is in the early lead for cast of the year for 2013, "Prisoners" ain't looking too shabby either. With Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal and Melissa Leo already on board, the long brewing movie has added another very talent name to the ensemble.

Paul Dano has come aboard the film, that boasts a pretty gritty little premise. The Black List script penned by Aaron Guzikowski (“Contraband”), revolves around a small-town carpenter named Keller (Jackman) whose young daughter and best friend are kidnapped. After the cops fail to find them, Keller takes the law into his own hands, but in the process runs up against the big city detective (Gyllenhaal) assigned to the case. No word yet on Dano's role.

So: Jackman, Gyellenhaal, Leo and Dano? Yeah, we can roll with that. "Incendies" helmer Denis Villeneuve is at the helm, with an early 2013 shoot in the works with the movie to come out next year as well. Will it be an Oscar player? [Variety]

I kind of like the last sentence -- I have been thinking of the possibility, too

Presumably, they have not cast Keller's wife ( I assume that Melissa will play the aunt), the suspected kidnapper, and Keller's daughter.

PS: Please check out the link for a better picture of Paul Dano.

Jo

[nevaeh777]

Hmmm...I'm still not completely sold on Paul Dano playing Keller's son though. In real life, Dano is 28 years old. I know that actors can play way younger than they are (or older for that matter), but the character of Ralph is 15. Absolutely there is a possibility that he was cast for that role, but I'm wondering if they've cast him as the "suspected" kidnapper Alex Jones. Granted, that character is 34, but then again, we don't know how they've changed up the script. I've seen Dano in several roles and know that he has the talent to pull off playing this schizophrenic role.

[jo]

I was just about to post the same thing - that he could be playing the role of the suspected kidnapper

I doubt that Variety would have reported an exclusive article on the casting of a very minor part, that of Keller's son.

Wow - this is going to be some movie!!

Jo

[jo]

Deadline is reporting that Paul Dano chose the role in PRISONERS over JERSEY BOYS --

Paul Dano Joins ‘Prisoners’ Cast

By MIKE FLEMING | Monday October 8, 2012 @ 4:04pm PDTTags: Alcon Entertainment, Paul Dano, Prisoners


Paul Dano had a choice between Prisoners and the Jon Favreau-directed Jersey Boys and opted for the former, a kidnapping thriller that stars Hugh Jackman, Melissa Leo and Jake Gyllenhaal. I’m told the timing was better to do Prisoners, which Denis Villeneuve (Incendies) is directing from a script by Aaron Guzikowski (Contraband); production is set to get under way early next year. The story centers on a small-town carpenter (Jackman) whose young daughter and her best friend are kidnapped. After the cops fail to find them, Keller takes the law into his own hands but runs up against a hot-shot detective (Gyllenhaal) assigned to the case. Alcon Entertainment is producing and Warner Bros plans to release next fall through its output deal with Alcon. Dano, who currently appears in Looper and just wrapped Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave, is repped by WME.

Jo

[droverswoman]

Oh, I should have said I was only speculating about him being Hugh's son because I had no idea who Paul Dano was, or how old he was! :-[ Now that you tell me he's 28, Nevaeh, I agree, it does not make sense he would be the son. Never mind! ;D

But I agree, Jo - this is shaping up to be a major contender already!

[jo]

Someone's told me that Paul has also appeared in a number of Broadway plays. Maybe that was why he was asked to play a role in the film version of Jersey Boys, although he appeared in straight plays, not musicals.

Hugh, Jake, Paul have all appeared in dramas in NYC! I don't know if Melissa has any theatre background but she is an Oscar winner. This augurs well for the quality of acting for this movie.

Jo

[mamaleh]

Jo, Leo won a Drama Desk award for THE DISTANCE FROM HERE, which was running at the Duke on 42nd St. when Hugh was embodying Peter Allen at the Imperial. Plus, she's done a number of Off-B'way plays for Joe Papp's Public Theater.

Sounds like an exciting cast.

Ellen

[nevaeh777]

I don't know how accurate this site is, but they're listing a release date for Prisoners already.

www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/steve-carells-burt-wonderstone-hugh-378035

[jo]

That must have come from the studio which is releasing the movie, so I would imagine it is accurate . Besides, that is THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, one of two of the most reliable industry or trade paper ( the other one being VARIETY, which has just been sold to the same owner of Nikke Finke's DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD) --

The studio dated two other high-profile movies, including Hugh Jackman-Melissa Leo drama Prisoners (Sept. 20, 2013)

That is the end of the summer season for movies....and well on to the start of the speculations for the next Oscars ;D...Given the raves for the script and the excellent casting that has been announced and a promising director on board -- why not???

Hopeful Jo

[jo]

Given a September release -- does this mean Hugh will have to hop on board immediately at the beginning of 2013 for filming? Plus filming locations are on the East coast, if early reports are true ( Philadelphia and Derby, Connecticut).

Assuming he gets a nod for his role in Les Miserables, will he have time to do some PR work in early 2013? PLus the Golden Globes will be right after the AMPAS announces the Oscar nominees on January 5... The Golden Globes ( of which he has very strong chances for winning in the Comedy/Musical sector) is supposed to be announced on January 13. The Oscars are on February 24.

Crossing my fingers re the Oscar/Golden Globes nominations/wins...and for also being able to handle filming duties for another promising drama!

[jo]

Not sure if I am suffering from cross-eyed vision, but I think Hollywood Reporter just revised their first online report, to show this change --

www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/steve-carells-burt-wonderstone-hugh-378035

>>>Prisoners, fully financed and produced by Alcon Entertainment, is considered an awards contender and will open Sept. 20, 2013. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the film stars Jackman as a father-turned-vigilante who kidnaps the man he suspects is behind the disappearance of his 8-year-old daughter and her best friend. Warners is distributing per its deal with Alcon.<<<

They didn't mention the awards potential in the first upload (see what I quoted in my first response to Nevaeh's post on the release date)

Jo

[nevaeh777]

Whoa, they DID revise it Jo. Either that or you and I are going crazy LOL! Great news though!!! I love the line, "..is considered an awards contender..." Yahoo > It's great you went back into the link!

[droverswoman]

Great news!! Another date to mark on our calendars! YAY! I imagine all the details about his Les Mis promotion have been worked out, and are part of his contract for this - that's what's usually done. Just as an example (and to borrow from one of my other passions), when the very last Harry Potter movie premiered, Daniel Radcliffe was on Broadway doing How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Warner Bros. bought out all the theatre seats for the days they needed him for promotion. :o

Jo is absolutely right, Nevaeh - if you read it in Hollywood Reporter, it's reliable.

[nevaeh777]

Thanks so much Jo and Barbara for telling me about the accuracy of the Hollywood Reporter! Sometimes I find info on Hugh on different sites, but I debate whether or not to post something here as I'm not completely sure of it's accuracy. I'll know in future that this is a reputable site! Thanks again for letting me know!

[jo]

Box Office Mojo has posted that PRISONERS will be on wide release on September 20, 2013!

boxofficemojo.com/schedule/?view=bydate&release=all&date=2013-09-06&showweeks=4&p=.htm

Its major competition is a thriller/drama about Formula One motor-racing, called RUSH, a pet project by Ron Howard. It will star Chris Hemworth as the late racing star James Hunt in his battle on and off the racetrack with another champion, Niki Lauda. It has done some filming in Monaco recently and is going to be popular with the male demos ( likely a strong competition for PRISONERS in that sector, but unlike Nascar, F-1 is not that popular in the USA, although there might be two races in the USA by next year, one might even be a street car race in New Jersey if it can be made feasible). F-1 however has a huge international following, some saying that it is second only to the Olympics in the number of people watching the TV coverage.

I am the greatest fan of FORMULA ONE -- I have gone to three races - twice in Monte Carlo/Monaco and once in Montreal...and I watch the racing coverage every weekend that it is on ( about 20 races a year -- from free practice, to qualifying, to Race Day) and I even post on what must be one of the largest message boards in the world - the ATLAS/Autosport board.

But, guess what I am watching when the movie opens on September 20, 2013 -- assuming we get a similar opening date ??!!! ;D ;D ;D

My eyes will be all on New England ( setting for PRISONERS) and likely not on Spa, Belgium or Monza, Italy where the likely races will be at that time

Jo

[Jamie]

Jo

If you haven't seen it, there is an excellent old movie: Grand Prix - www.imdb.com/title/tt0060472/ You would love it for the opening alone. James Garner and Yves Montand as the American and French Drivers.

[jo]

I have seen it ;D

But it is not really a realistic portrayal -- as it simply focused on the glamor of Monaco and the colorful lives of the racers.

Monaco is glamorous and there is nothing like the Grand Prix weekend there, especially so that it follows the Cannes Film Festival right after. It is the slowest track to race in but there is nothing like hearing the shrieking engines reverberating against the tall buildings and seeing the bobbing yachts on the harbor while the cars zoom...

LOL - in real life, the racing drivers live and breathe racing at breakneck speeds and are too busy developing their racing cars with the engineers. Many of them of course become multimillionaires and live grandly, but that seems to be less important to them, as some even do career comebacks to get that "rush" again in their bloodstream.

There's one racing champion, who when he was younger was probably better suited to film the character of James Hunt ( who is being portrayed by Chris Hemsworth) - he is Finnish, complete with blonde locks, and is not just a daring driver but also used to lead a colorful life

Here's something that used to happen ( but not anymore) -- cars used to fall into the water of the Monaco harbor during accidents. Can you believe that?? That would have been during the time of the James Garner/Yves Montand movie - LOL!

I think when PRISONERS open, it will probably open better than RUSH in the USA...but it can also hold its own overseas because of the names Jackman and Gyllenhaal!

Jo

[jo]

The report from The Hollywood Reporter is a few days' old -- but there are two important details not reported elsewhere.

www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/paul-dano-joining-hugh-jackman-prisoners-377137

>>>Dano will play a neighbor who has the mental capacity of a 10-year old and has a very sweet disposition, but may hide the personality of a killer.

A January start in Atlanta is being eyed.<<<


This confirms that Dano will play the role of the suspected kidnapper.

And that there may be a change in filming location -- down south in Atlanta, rather than New England. I wonder if there will be such a change in the script, too?

Or is the winter weather the main factor for the change in filming location?


Jo

[rmtndew]

Atlanta is awfully close to my home in Chattanooga. I may have to bribe someone to swing down for the weekend and try to find where they're shooting. lol

I'm happy that they've confirmed Paul Dano as the suspected kidnapper. I think he'll do an excellent job. So far, I've not been let down by the casting. Everyone seems to work in their roles. I'm hoping this movie will be one of those small movies that gets made without a whole lot of buzz and then when it comes out, it blows everyone away.

- Alicia

[jo]

It is already slated for a WIDE release on Sept 20, 2013 by Warner Bros - so it is not likely going the way of small movie releases

But we all hope the vibe would be like an exciting indie drama!

Jo