February 28, 2006
Bardem for "Cholera"
Javier Bardem is set to star in the big-screen adaptation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "Love in the Time of Cholera," which Mike Newell is directing for New Line Cinema. The Nobel Prize-winning author's novel follows a romantic young man (who Bardem will portray) who loses the girl of his dreams to a wealthier suitor and spends the next 50 years building his life and reputation so that one day he might have her. Other women find this devotion irresistible, so he finds himself with frequent female companionship throughout his wait, but his heart always remains faithful to the woman who first captured his heart.
For years, the author rebuffed offers to adapt "Cholera" for the big screen. He finally relented after being pursued for two years by Stone Village Entertainment's Scott Steindorff. Oscar winner Ronald Harwood ("The Pianist") penned the screenplay. The studio expects to start the movie this year and is eyeing locations in Central America and South America. Bardem received an Oscar nomination for his work in 2001's "Before Night Falls" and starred in Alejandro Amenabar's "The Sea Inside" in 2004. He recently wrapped director Milos Forman's "Goya's Ghosts," starring Natalie Portman and Stellan Skarsgard, and will star in "No Country for Old Men" for the Coen brothers.
© 2006 Reuters
February 27, 2006
NSI FilmExchange
Running between March 1st and 4th, the NSI Film Exchange attempts to further the development of Canadian film, television and new media by providing a forum in which emerging and established talent come together to exchange ideas and screen outstanding 100% Canadian short and feature films. If you are in the Winnipeg, MB area check out the official NSI website for the full schedule of films being shown. There are also numerous workshops and talks being given around the city on a variety of subjects from video game design to writing for television. Check it out and support the growth of the Canadian entertainment industry.
February 24, 2006
Brokeback shirts sold for $100,000
US gay activist Tom Gregory just spent more than $100,000 US on two used plaid shirts. And he could not be happier. Gregory was the winning bidder in an online auction for two shirts worn by the star-crossed lovers played by Australian actor Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in Oscar front-runner Brokeback Mountain. To Gregory they represent the ongoing plight of gays for acceptance in society. A longtime gay activist, Gregory, 45, said he plans to keep the shirts "as they were, on the hanger, entwined". "I would never wear them, put them on, or separate them," he said. The proceeds of the sale by the film's distributor, Focus Features, on eBay, benefit Variety - the Children's Charity of Southern California.
© 2006 Associated Press
February 23, 2006
First Image of Spider-Man 3
A sneak peak at the new Spider-Man film. Check out a pic of the new costume that will be featured in the third installment. You may think you're looking at a black and white photo but look closely and you'll see that Spider-Man is actually wearing a black suit in Spider-Man 3. Tobey Maguire returns in the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Spider-Man 3 due to be released in May 2007. Will we see the alien symbiote/Venom storyline? Looks very promising!
February 17, 2006
American Gangster
According to Variety, talks are on again to have Ridley Scott direct Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington in the Brian Grazer-produced drama "American Gangster". Universal initially pulled the plug on the project in late 2004 over budget concerns. At that time, Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day") was to begin shooting scenes in Harlem with Washington and Benicio Del Toro was attached to the project.
Writer-director Terry George ("Hotel Rwanda") was brought on to rework the script and rein in the budget. Apparently Ridley Scott is working with George's draft of the script. The story is based on a Harlem drug lord who builds his empire by smuggling heroin in the coffins of American soldiers returning from the Vietnam War. Crowe, who would play a cop, is cast as Washington's adversary, a pairing that was previously featured in 1995's "Virtuosity". Universal will apparently decide shortly whether they will finance or co-finance the revamped script. If Universal gives up on the project, two other studios have expressed interest in picking the film up.
February 16, 2006
Website created for critics of 'The Da Vinci Code' film
According to an article posted on the AOL entertainment website, Sony has decided to try and placate critics of their upcoming film 'The Da Vinci Code', which many conservative Christian groups feel is blasphemous, by creating a website to discuss the controversial content of the film and the book it is based upon.
The site, thedavincichallenge.com, will post essays by about 45 Christian writers, scholars and leaders of evangelical organizations who will pick apart the book's theological and historical claims about Christianity.
February 03, 2006
The Hulk 2
There had been quite a lot of talk going around that Eric Bana would not be returning to portray Bruce Banner in a sequel to 2003's big budget film. The rumour-mill was suggesting that David Duchovny would take up the role in a straight to DVD production. However, all of this appears to be cleared up in an interview Avi Arid had with AICN staff. According to their article, he stated that: