So much for all those casting updates for (and comments asking about how to get cast in) Pinkville, Oliver Stone's latest Vietnam war movie. Thanks to the writer's strike, the movie is now delayed indefinitely, according to Variety. United Artists put the stop on the production because both Stone and Pinkville screenwriter Mikko Alanne are members of the WGA, and more script-tuning is needed. Apparently the film is fully written, but there were expectations that things would be changed while filming is taking place -- something Stone is known for -- and that's not allowed to happen during the strike. The movie now joins Angels & Demons (aka The Da Vinci Code 2), which was the first major feature to be delayed because of the strike. Yet unlike that higher-profile film, Pinkville may not be easily started when the strike is over. There are now possibilities the cast will change or that United Artists will be less interested in doing such a serious picture right off the disappointment of Lions for Lambs.It will be a shame if Pinkville is on hold for too long. And it will be too bad if the ensemble cast is broken up. Just last week I was getting all excited for Michael Pitt. Before that, I was already into the group of actors brought together: Bruce Willis, Woody Harrelson, Channing Tatum, Michael Peña and Xzibit (plus Toby Jones, who was announced with Pitt). However, with rescheduling now there may be a chance that Sean Penn could come back to the film, as he was originally reported to be attached.
The cast and crew was set to begin shooting in a few weeks in Thailand, so now obviously there are a lot of people out of work who are likely praying for the strike to end asap. Once given a new greenlight, Pinkville will be Stone's fourth feature film to deal directly with the Vietnam war, following Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July and Heaven and Earth (unless he somehow squeezes another in before this one -- who knows how long UA will keep this on hiatus?). This time Stone is focusing on the terrible My Lai Massacre and the trial of the U.S. soldiers involved.
Oddly enough, The Hollywood Reporter has two new casting announcements today, despite Friday's announcement from UA. Jason Behr (The Grudge) is set to play Lt. Stephen Brooks, commanding officer at My Lai, and Cam Gigandet (Who's Your Caddy?) is cast as guilt-ridden soldier Fred Widmar.
Insert Caption: Indiana Jones DVDs_thumbnail.jpg)
Cinematical Seven: When an Animated Series Goes Live Action ... and Gets it Right_thumbnail.jpg)
Full 'G.I. Joe' Cast Photos!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-19-2007 @ 3:35PM
Sara said...
Im praying this movie is kaputs for good. Stone is out to make our Vietnam soldiers look bad again like Platoon.
Im so happy Redacted the antiwar film by Cuban and DePalma flopped hard. Even Beowulf was said by the news to flop with their 28 million opening considering their monstrous budget of 150 million.
Im a war junkie but does Hollywood see that its K.I.A.at the box office after 9/11?
Reply
11-19-2007 @ 3:54PM
doc said...
TRUE.....
I miss the All American war films like Air Force One,Top Gun,Executive Decision,Black Hawk Down,The Rock,Independence Day,Delta Force by Chuck Norris etc.
I even miss All American hero Jack Ryan by Tom Clancy.
They may be cheesyballsy but entertaining.Seems to me nowadays Hollywood is so obsess about this war protest they are ashame of being Americans. Even Superman Returns said "fight for truth,justice and the whole other stuff" what happened to American way? Thank goodness for Spidey who has taken over that role.
Reply
11-23-2007 @ 12:18AM
David Everitt-Carlson said...
Seems the "American way" got am"Bush"ed. It's probably good we learn that Vietnam was a bad idea all around, and so is what we're doing now in Iraq. What makes our soldiers look bad is the poor decision making that puts them in these situations in the first place.
11-23-2007 @ 12:20AM
ShawnMichaelE said...
Seems the "American way" got am"Bush"ed. It's probably good we learn that Vietnam was a bad idea all around, and so is what we're doing now in Iraq. What makes our soldiers look bad is the poor decision making that puts them in these situations in the first place.
----------------------------------------------
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 5:08PM
Tom Riordan said...
I think you guys are forgetting or were unaware of the fact that Oliver Stone is a Vietnam Vet. He's earned the right to make films on the topic.
Reply
1-04-2008 @ 12:42PM
Ralph said...
Although I do not know much about the topic (which I have now become interested in), I feel that PINKVILLE is a film that should be produced. I am a long time fan of Oliver Stone and feel he has an obligation to make this film. If it is filmed in the way of JFK I feel it will have more of an impact. After seeing JFK when I was like 8 and seeing hundreds of times since I always find new things about the assassination and the conspiracy theories. I feel if PINKVILLE is the same way the audience will gain more information of what happen and will give the audience the chance to come up with our own theories and opinions...which is what film is really about.
Reply
1-07-2008 @ 1:43PM
morgan said...
Yes, Oliver is a Viet Vet, He was in the 25th Division (Jungle Lightening). As a Veteran of the 23rd Division (Americal) I do not feel that it needs to be rehashed or the G.I.s retrashed. The Vietnamese have put the War behind and have done a remarkable recovery (with little U.S. assistance). Mikko Alanne wasn't even born when it happened let alone an American. He like Stone is in it for the money an little else.
Reply
1-07-2008 @ 5:47PM
Ralph said...
Would you rather like a war movie someone who is trying to use there own ideas or for someone who was in the "shit" as it is said by many? No I am not a vet, but I have plenty of family who have fought and served for the US.
If Stone wants to make a 4th Vietnam movie then I say let him do it. I like his films. Even though sometimes I may not agree with his view point or opinion he still entertains me.
What about World Trade Center? We know how Stone feels about the US. When I heard he was making it I thought to myself he is either going to bash the hell out of it or he's going to make a fantastic film. And in my eyes he made a wonderful movie out of something so tragic.
But what do I know about the world and politics...I'm just a film geek.
Reply
5-03-2008 @ 1:38PM
Rick said...
Does anyone know when or if Pinkville will begin production.I know it was cancelled because of the writers strike. Thanks
Reply