October
16
Today's Linkage: 10/16/08
[By Jeff Sneider]
It seems Paramount has confirmed to EW that Brad Pitt has walked away from Darren Aronofsky's "The Fighter." The director's planned follow-up to "The Wrestler" stars Mark Wahlberg as Boston-bred Irish boxer Micky Ward. Pitt was set to play Ward's half-brother and trainer. The reversal marks the second Aronofsky film Pitt has abandoned after "The Fountain." Hugh Jackman wound up giving a career-best performance in that film so maybe another A-Lister will feel compelled to step up and try to fill Pitt's shoes.
Latino Review reports that WB execs are keen to cast none other than Ryan Gosling as The Green Lantern. I'm embarrassed to admit I know nothing about that character but as one of Gosling's biggest fans, I have to express my disappointment. If this rumor turns out to be true then Green Lantern fans have every reason to rejoice but Gosling has a knack for choosing really interesting material and I can't help but think that if he takes the role, that's one or even two fewer great indies he could be making. I realize it's trendy for talented actors to get into the superhero game (Bale, Norton, Downey Jr.) and if the film is a hit, it could give Gosling his choice of projects, but how many "Green" superheroes do we really need, seeing as Seth Rogen has "Green Hornet" coming out next year.
According to The Playlist, writer-director Quentin Tarantino has added a handful of cast members to "Inglorious Bastards," which began filming this week in Germany. Tarantino reunites with "Death Proof" stars Omar Doom and Michael Bacall (one of Variety's 10 Screenwriters to Watch), and welcomes aboard German actors Christian Berkel and August Diehl. But the casting addition I'm most excited about is that of Julie Dreyfus who memorably played Sophie Fatale in "Kill Bill Vol. 1."
Universal has enticed a trio of lovely ladies to join "Couples Retreat," the Jon Favreau-scripted comedy being directed by his longtime producing partner Peter Billingsley. (Cue wholly unnecessary "Christmas Story" reference now.) Kristen Bell will play Jason Bateman's wife, Malin Akerman shacks up with Vince Vaughn and Kristin "Charlotte" Davis will play Favreau's ball and chain. Faizon Love's love interest has yet to be cast and while I'll admit that Queen Latifah first came to mind, might I suggest Davis' "Sex and the City" co-star Jennifer Hudson. Believe it or not, of all the talented actors listed above, she's the only one with an Oscar.
And finally, the one and only El Mayimbe reports that Justin Marks' "Greyskull" is dead at WB. To be honest, this doesn't surprise me despite the fact that El Mayimbe gave Marks' script an A+ back in June. Personally, I couldn't care less and I grew up wearing He-Man underwear so I understand the nostalgia factor. I know companies like Mattel and Hasbro have toys to sell but no matter how much money "Transformers" made it was still a BAD movie and I have a feeling that "G.I. Joe" will turn out equally disappointing. Sure fanboys are excited to see their favorite childhood properties reincarnated on the bigscreen but that doesn't necessarily mean they translate that well. I don't know what will become of "Greyskull" but I'm confident Marks will land on his feet considering he's writing approximately 100 other scripts that fanboys would kill to take a crack at.
It seems Paramount has confirmed to EW that Brad Pitt has walked away from Darren Aronofsky's "The Fighter." The director's planned follow-up to "The Wrestler" stars Mark Wahlberg as Boston-bred Irish boxer Micky Ward. Pitt was set to play Ward's half-brother and trainer. The reversal marks the second Aronofsky film Pitt has abandoned after "The Fountain." Hugh Jackman wound up giving a career-best performance in that film so maybe another A-Lister will feel compelled to step up and try to fill Pitt's shoes.Latino Review reports that WB execs are keen to cast none other than Ryan Gosling as The Green Lantern. I'm embarrassed to admit I know nothing about that character but as one of Gosling's biggest fans, I have to express my disappointment. If this rumor turns out to be true then Green Lantern fans have every reason to rejoice but Gosling has a knack for choosing really interesting material and I can't help but think that if he takes the role, that's one or even two fewer great indies he could be making. I realize it's trendy for talented actors to get into the superhero game (Bale, Norton, Downey Jr.) and if the film is a hit, it could give Gosling his choice of projects, but how many "Green" superheroes do we really need, seeing as Seth Rogen has "Green Hornet" coming out next year.
According to The Playlist, writer-director Quentin Tarantino has added a handful of cast members to "Inglorious Bastards," which began filming this week in Germany. Tarantino reunites with "Death Proof" stars Omar Doom and Michael Bacall (one of Variety's 10 Screenwriters to Watch), and welcomes aboard German actors Christian Berkel and August Diehl. But the casting addition I'm most excited about is that of Julie Dreyfus who memorably played Sophie Fatale in "Kill Bill Vol. 1."
Universal has enticed a trio of lovely ladies to join "Couples Retreat," the Jon Favreau-scripted comedy being directed by his longtime producing partner Peter Billingsley. (Cue wholly unnecessary "Christmas Story" reference now.) Kristen Bell will play Jason Bateman's wife, Malin Akerman shacks up with Vince Vaughn and Kristin "Charlotte" Davis will play Favreau's ball and chain. Faizon Love's love interest has yet to be cast and while I'll admit that Queen Latifah first came to mind, might I suggest Davis' "Sex and the City" co-star Jennifer Hudson. Believe it or not, of all the talented actors listed above, she's the only one with an Oscar.
And finally, the one and only El Mayimbe reports that Justin Marks' "Greyskull" is dead at WB. To be honest, this doesn't surprise me despite the fact that El Mayimbe gave Marks' script an A+ back in June. Personally, I couldn't care less and I grew up wearing He-Man underwear so I understand the nostalgia factor. I know companies like Mattel and Hasbro have toys to sell but no matter how much money "Transformers" made it was still a BAD movie and I have a feeling that "G.I. Joe" will turn out equally disappointing. Sure fanboys are excited to see their favorite childhood properties reincarnated on the bigscreen but that doesn't necessarily mean they translate that well. I don't know what will become of "Greyskull" but I'm confident Marks will land on his feet considering he's writing approximately 100 other scripts that fanboys would kill to take a crack at.
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Why can't Aronofsky just be honest and admit that it was HIS schedule that skutted Pitt's involvement with this film? He couldn't work around Aronofsky's schedule. Aronofsky just comes off as so disingenuous about this whole situation once again putting blame on Pitt when in fact like The Fountain it's his own behavior that's messed a project he's supposed to direct up.
Tell the truth Darren, PLEASE
Posted by: Elliot | October 16, 2008 at 08:05 PM
First picture of Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine is online here:
http://www.cinematical.com/2008/10/17/first-look-brad-pitt-in-inglourious-basterds/
Brett Ratner might be directing Conan!
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/38775
Posted by: Eli | October 17, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Oh, please. Green Lantern and the Green Hornet have about as much in common as George Clooney and George Bush.
Posted by: cadavra | October 17, 2008 at 11:18 PM