|
|
Post by luzie on Aug 21, 2013 4:59:48 GMT -5
And btw., we *reallly* need some film news. I hope Hugh´s refusal to host the Oscars (I am pretty sure he was asked) means that he will be filming something (and no, I don´t consider any Houdini related news as exciting news since that thing seems to be still far away, even with the latest rumours and it would also mean Hugh´s absence from the big screen for two or more years...*feels selfish*) I second that! And I'm neither a Djokovic nor a Nadal fan, I've always liked and still like Roger Federer.  |
|
|
|
Post by birchie on Aug 26, 2013 19:22:55 GMT -5
Well here's another one! www.broadwayworld.com/article/Busby-Berkeley-Biopic-and-Play-in-the-Works-DiCaprio-or-Jackman-to-Star-20130826Busby Berkeley Biopic and Play in the Works; DiCaprio or Jackman to Star?
(Original story by Patricia Gay for The Weston Forum.)
A biopic and stage play about the great American film director and choreographer Busby Berkeley is underway.
The rights to The Busby Berkeley Book, written by Tony Thomas and Jim Terry, have been secured by LionHawk productions, and Pamala Hall, its principal, is writing both a screenplay and stage play about Berkeley's life.
Speaking from her home in Weston, Connecticut, Hall, a fan of the old studio days of Hollywood, said she was very excited about the project. "I felt, as did Busby's friends and my friends, that it was time to remember Busby and all that he brought to us," she said.
Among the actors under consideration for the role of Berkeley are Leonardo DiCaprio and Hugh Jackman. "We're looking for someone special, who can sing, dance and act," Hall said.
Berkeley's works were uplifting to audiences during a time marked by war and financial depression. "I hope seeing Busby and the kind of magic he created will again uplift some hearts, and audiences will enjoy getting lost in the magic of those times again," Hall said.
Berkeley (born Nov. 29, 1895, died March 14, 1976), was a fan of showgirls and elaborate props. A highly influential Hollywood movie director and musical choreographer, his dance numbers were noted for their complex and visually stunning geometric patterns.
Berkeley's career spanned several decades. During the Great Depression, his films 42nd Street, Footlight Parade and Gold Diggers of 1933 were box office hits. In 1943, he choreographed the famous "Lady in the Tutti-Frutti Hat" number" featuring Carmen Miranda in The Gang's All Here.
His Broadway musicals include A Connecticut Yankee and The Wild Rose. In 1970, he supervised a successful revival of No, No Nanette, starring Ruby Keeler.
Berkeley had several well-publicized run-ins with film stars such as Judy Garland. In 1943, he was removed as director of Girl Crazy because of disagreements with Garland, although the lavish musical number "I Got Rhythm," which he directed, remained in the picture.
Berkeley had a turbulent private life. He was married six times and in 1938 was involved in an alienation of affections lawsuit. In 1935, he was the driver responsible for a car accident on the Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles in which two people were killed and five were seriously injured. But after two trials ended with hung juries, he was acquitted in a third trial. Periods of depression hauntEd Berkeley, including a failed suicide attempt.
For more about the Busby Berkeley film and stage projects, visit lionhawkproductions.com/film/busby-berkley. Maybe it's me but when I think about someone who can sing and dance Leonardo DiCaprio just doesn't spring into my mind! I'll place this in the category of I'll believe it when I see it. Sue |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,480
Member is Online
|
Post by jo on Aug 26, 2013 22:05:07 GMT -5
Leo DiCaprio a triple threat ?? I saw his ROMEO AND JULIET ( Baz Luhrmann's version) and there was some music in the movie -- but I do not recall him singing. Maybe he did? But dancing??? Hugh is not only a triple threat but he did mention Busby Berkely and his musicals in Back on Broadway? Or was that in TBFO? But, hey -- Sounds like an awards-bait story Jo |
|
|
|
Post by mamaleh on Aug 26, 2013 23:23:32 GMT -5
I had quite a chuckle on reading that DiCaprio is considered a singer-dancer in addition to being an actor. What, you never saw J. EDGAR: THE MUSICAL?  Just the other day I was watching GIRL CRAZY on TCM and immediately recognized Berkeley's signature precision choreography of the big "I Got Rhythm" number that closes the movie. I didn't know about his tumultuous private life. That aspect, combined with his creative Hollywood career, does indeed sound like the stuff of a fascinating movie. But where it all might fit in with UNBOUND CAPTIVES, THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH, SIX YEARS and that planned Lee Daniels movie, ORDERS TO KILL--who knows? Ellen |
|
|
|
Post by Jamie on Aug 27, 2013 8:07:00 GMT -5
The Busby Berkeley project sounds very interesting and there is enough of a physical similarity to not make it a real stretch on believability and his life is certainly dramatic http://golden_age_films.tripod.com/html/berkeley/buzbio.htm Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by carouselkathy on Aug 27, 2013 11:56:26 GMT -5
From what I've heard, there was not much redeeming social value to Berkeley as an individual. It would take quite an amazing screenplay to balance that with his dance direction expertise and make it palatable to modern audiences.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kelly on Sept 4, 2013 19:07:35 GMT -5
Has anyone heard any more about the "Six Years" project? |
|
|
|
Post by carouselkathy on Sept 4, 2013 20:24:08 GMT -5
I think that's an old article because it's worded as if the book hasn't been released yet. I read SIX YEARS over spring break, so this is not a new story. That doesn't mean it's not true, but I'll take it with a grain of salt.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kelly on Sept 4, 2013 21:01:58 GMT -5
I think that's an old article because it's worded as if the book hasn't been released yet. I read SIX YEARS over spring break, so this is not a new story. That doesn't mean it's not true, but I'll take it with a grain of salt. It was a story from March 2013 but haven't heard abut it since. It sounds very intriguing, what did you think of the book? |
|
|
|
Post by carouselkathy on Sept 4, 2013 22:01:08 GMT -5
The book was an interesting mystery which I read pretty quickly, but not something that made me want to read other books by the same author.
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,480
Member is Online
|
Post by jo on Sept 4, 2013 23:23:15 GMT -5
I think what could be key to the fast development of SIX YEARS towards getting a Paramount studio greenlight is if TOM ROTHMAN has actually come on board as producer! In the THR report, he was still in talks to produce the movie.
He would have the wide range of contacts and probably still considerable influence ( he was once co-CEO of Fox Films, having overseen the production of such movies as Titanic, Avatar, the Fox franchise XMEN series, and even creating the subsidiary Fox Searchlight known for its glittering indie projects such as Slumdog, The Wrestler, Black Swan, etc, during his time)to get things moving fast. Key would be the screenplay getting written and getting a director attached. I do not know what role Hugh's talent agency WME, which packaged the film project, will play in speeding up development or whether their involvement stopped after the deal was put together (which included Hugh being attached to the project).
Maybe if someone has access to IMDB-Pro, there might be some updates on that?
Jo
|
|
|
|
Post by Jamie on Sept 5, 2013 8:18:51 GMT -5
I think what could be key to the fast development of SIX YEARS towards getting a Paramount studio greenlight is if TOM ROTHMAN has actually come on board as producer! In the THR report, he was still in talks to produce the movie. He would have the wide range of contacts and probably still considerable influence ( he was once co-CEO of Fox Films, having overseen the production of such movies as Titanic, Avatar, the Fox franchise XMEN series, and even creating the subsidiary Fox Searchlight known for its glittering indie projects such as Slumdog, The Wrestler, Black Swan, etc, during his time)to get things moving fast. Key would be the screenplay getting written and getting a director attached. I do not know what role Hugh's talent agency WME, which packaged the film project, will play in speeding up development or whether their involvement stopped after the deal was put together (which included Hugh being attached to the project). Maybe if someone has access to IMDB-Pro, there might be some updates on that? Jo I bought the book when the rumor on this first started. Have to say I was pretty bored by it. Of course anything with Hugh would be worth seeing as he is sure to bring an added element to the character, but I would hope for a rewrite in the script to create a little more reality and/or interest. |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,480
Member is Online
|
Post by jo on Sept 16, 2013 3:18:21 GMT -5
Maybe we can now reclassify THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH ( P.T. Barnum) from rumor to strong possibility, as confirmed by Hugh -- www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/16/hugh-jackman-on-prisoners-the-oscars-x-men-days-of-future-past-and-more.html He sounds pretty excited about it! I wonder if this is his backup musical ( albeit onstage) if his creative team for HOUDINI fails to deliver to suit his schedule? The subject was also mentioned in another interview ( kinda out of the blue) -- I wonder if it was Hugh himself who brought up the subject? Who's producing the movie? It was initially a SEED project, but has any studio picked it up as a possible film project? Jo |
|
|
|
Post by birchie on Sept 16, 2013 9:05:45 GMT -5
Maybe we can now reclassify THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH ( P.T. Barnum) from rumor to strong possibility, as confirmed by Hugh -- www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/16/hugh-jackman-on-prisoners-the-oscars-x-men-days-of-future-past-and-more.html He sounds pretty excited about it! I wonder if this is his backup musical ( albeit onstage) if his creative team for HOUDINI fails to deliver to suit his schedule? The subject was also mentioned in another interview ( kinda out of the blue) -- I wonder if it was Hugh himself who brought up the subject? Who's producing the movie? It was initially a SEED project, but has any studio picked it up as a possible film project? Jo That's the second mention of the PT Barnum movie in a week. I think I can believe it might actually happen! Sounds like the music is done and that he really likes it!! So that's 2 musical projects with 2 different venues to look forward to!  I think it's quite ambitious and brave for all of them to be creating a NEW movie musical! Can't remember the last time that happened! Cheers to all involved and I hope it's a huge success! smiley-happy096 <cheer>  Sue |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,480
Member is Online
|
Post by jo on Sept 16, 2013 9:09:22 GMT -5
It was mentioned again in a video interview with ComingSoon.net -- www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=108826As if the interviewer might have been prompted to relate it to the rest of the discussions? Maybe Hugh thinks it could already stand some initial plugging Jo |
|
|
|
Post by mamaleh on Sept 16, 2013 16:18:08 GMT -5
I'm assuming this is after UNBOUND CAPTIVES? And what about HOUDINI? I think we need a scorecard.
Ellen
|
|
|
|
Post by Jamie on Sept 16, 2013 17:04:19 GMT -5
I'm assuming this is after UNBOUND CAPTIVES? And what about HOUDINI? I think we need a scorecard. Ellen He still has not personally confirmed anything specific about Unbound Captives other than wanting to do a "western" in that Cowboys magazine interview. I think that one is still in the wishful thinking column. |
|
|
|
Post by birchie on Sept 16, 2013 19:00:36 GMT -5
I'm assuming this is after UNBOUND CAPTIVES? And what about HOUDINI? I think we need a scorecard. Ellen He still has not personally confirmed anything specific about Unbound Captives other than wanting to do a "western" in that Cowboys magazine interview. I think that one is still in the wishful thinking column. I took it to mean Unbound Captives. The article named it and he said Oscar knows all about the project and keeps asking him when filming is going to start so he can go live near the Am. Indians. I think if it was not still going forward he would have said something other than how excited his son is. I hope it's true anyway. Fingers firmly crossed!  Sue |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,480
Member is Online
|
Post by jo on Sept 24, 2013 9:55:28 GMT -5
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,480
Member is Online
|
Post by jo on Sept 24, 2013 10:10:27 GMT -5
This could really be true ( and especially so that we know Houdini will be delayed) -- although I wonder if he is taking the lead role?
Again, I cannot open the link to The Times. I suppose the news will be covered on internet news summaries.
Jo
|
|
|
|
Post by birchie on Sept 24, 2013 10:47:36 GMT -5
This could really be true ( and especially so that we know Houdini will be delayed) -- although I wonder if he is taking the lead role? Again, I cannot open the link to The Times. I suppose the news will be covered on internet news summaries. Jo That paper could learn a thing or 2 from the NY Times...at least they let people read a few articles a month before having to subscribe. I won't subscribe to the UK version if they won't let you even try it out!! I'm a sci-fi fan but this doesn't sound very interesting to me. I saw Elysium and didn't like it as much as I thought I would. When that & Oblivion were first announce (with similar sounding themes) I thought I'd like Elysium better, mostly because I like Matt Damon better than Tom Cruise plus it had Jodie Foster so I saw that as a win/win. It turned out that I didn't like either one enough to buy a DVD. District 9 was OK but another one I didn't like enough to buy a DVD. As for this film project...I hope it's not true that Hugh has signed on. If he has, then I hope I hear something more in the future that makes it sound more interesting. With the great projects that he should be getting offered these days, I can't imagine why he would choose this one! I should clarify...my criteria for buying DVDs or BluRays is that it has to be a movie that I'm going to want to watch multiple times. So while I might think a movie is OK and something I didn't necessarily dislike, if I don't think I'll watch it more than one time on a DVD I won't buy it. Sue |
|
|
|
Post by klenotka on Sept 24, 2013 10:51:01 GMT -5
Well, this would kill me because Sharlto Copley is in the movie and he is - closely behind Hugh - my favourite actor. I loved his and Blomkamp´s District 9. However, I won´t hold my breath for this because - yes, it is a sci-fi comedy - Sharlto should play the title role of a robot (Chappie) but with the lead role was tied Dev Patel (from Slumdog Millionare and "The Newsroom"). So I don´t really know where Hugh would fit in. But I don´t have to say that it would be an interesting choice for him and he would follow his wish to be in a comedy for a change |
|
|
|
Post by mamaleh on Sept 24, 2013 10:51:33 GMT -5
I can't access the Times either. A third-world robot policeman with rabbit ears? Sci-fi comedy blended with social commentary? Sounds intriguing. If this report is true, I'll bet Hugh was seduced by the social commentary angle.
I didn't see ELYSIUM, but I unexpectedly enjoyed DISTRICT 9.
Ellen
|
|
|
|
Post by apetricc12 on Sept 24, 2013 15:35:44 GMT -5
This sounds very promising. I hope it works out.
Annette P
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,480
Member is Online
|
Post by jo on Sept 28, 2013 8:20:02 GMT -5
Direct from Hugh, as reported from the Zurich Film Festival press conference -- www.screendaily.com/news/hugh-jackman-joins-neill-blomkamps-chappie/5060918.article?blocktitle=LATEST-FILM-NEWS&contentID=40562*Maybe the role in CHAPPIE is not the lead ( " I am doing a role in Neill's...")? He said he will be there (Johannesburg) for a couple of weeks. Maybe this is just a filler role ( like BUTTER) which would satisfy his desire to do something light, for a change? *Re HOUDINI -- maybe I am reading too much into it -- but why the words " make a decision" in about a month? I thought it has been settled that the project cannot meet the spring 2014 target date that seemed to want? Does this mean he may even opt out of the project...or stick with it, if the first reading has fantastic results ?? Or if the momentum for GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH ( which he seems to be excited about) fits in with his own plans, does this mean he may opt out of a stage musical and do a movie musical instead? Would he want to do two musicals one after another - not after his dramatic turn in PRISONERS has been very well-praised? Jo
|
|
