JoshuaOppenheimer Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Conan the Script Rewriter
Filed under: Action », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Deals », Lionsgate Films », Scripts », Newsstand », Comic/Superhero/Geek », Remakes and Sequels »
Lionsgate is very eager to get their remake of Conan the Barbarian up and shooting. How can they not be? At this point, Conan spin-offs Thulsa Doom and Red Sonja are neatly beating it in the pre-production department (Red Sonja already has a star, a director, and merchandise already!), and both were green-lit after Conan. A sad state of affairs for the Cimmerian, indeed. But it looks like things are moving again. According to The Hollywood Reporter, they've has hired Dirk Blackman and Howard McCain to rework the script. They seem a pretty good fit for the pulpy source, being fresh off Outlander (which McCain also directed) and Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans. They're still looking for a director, but would anyone be surprised if they decided on McCain?
They're replacing Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer, who wrote several drafts, apparently none of which was to the studio's liking. The CEO of Paradox Entertainment, Fredrik Malmberg, is aiming to stick close to the source material. He'd also like to become a franchise. (Is that a surprise to anyone? Thought not.) "There's no reason there couldn't be a Conan movie every two years. He's almost like Batman: He's a dark hero. He's a hard hero. He has to be badass, but we also have to like him."
Lionsgate is also looking to restart another long-delayed swords-and-loincloths project -- McCain and Blackman's Amazon, to which Scarlett Johansson has long been attached, has landed in the studio's loving hands. They're looking for a director for that, too. It wasn't that long ago that I wished for a resurgence of swords and sorcery -- and I'm getting it. It's going to be glorious! Chainmail bikinis and dudes with eight-packs, all worthy of being painted on the side of your van. Welcome back, 1980!
'Conan' Script is Getting a Rewrite
Filed under: Action », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Lionsgate Films », Scripts », Remakes and Sequels »
Despite being one of the most beloved characters in the sword and sorcery genre, I can't help thinking that the reboot of Conan the Barbarian might be doomed -- I mean, it has been almost a whole year since news of a bidding war first surfaced, and after endless casting speculation we find out that now the script is suffering through a few growing pains of its own. IGN spoke with Nu Image/Millennium Films and they said that writers Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer have just started their "contractually obligated" rewrite of the script.There is still no word on a director yet, but IGN reports that "The filmmakers are still talking to some directors but expect to engage more of them once they have a screenplay everyone is happy with." At one point everyone from Rob Zombie to John McTiernan was attached to the project, but nothing ever panned out -- could that have been the sign of a bad script that wasn't getting any better? But, for fans that are eager for the northern barbarian to get a makeover, all is not lost. IGN reports that the studio is planning on getting the production moving "sooner rather than later" in hopes of capitalizing on the popularity of the new MMORPG, Age of Conan - Hyborian Adventures -- that is if they can ever find someone to direct or star in the film.
Conan is expected to arrive in theaters sometime in 2009.
Brandon Routh Tackles Another Comic Book Character
Filed under: Casting », Scripts », Comic/Superhero/Geek »
Lots of people liked Brandon Routh's Superman, but many were also much less than impressed. He tried, but he just couldn't pull off the role like other fellow actors have in similar positions -- Tobey Maguire, Christian Bale, and so on. Instead of backing away from the comic world with a shrug, Routh is going to try again. Comic Book Resources has reported that the actor will take his next comic stab by starring in an adaptation of the horror series Dylan Dog. The movie, Dead of Night, will be directed by Snakes on a Plane helmer David R. Ellis, from a screenplay by Joshua Oppenheimer and Thomas Dean Donnelly.Dylan Dog is a supernatural PI who lives in London, always wears a red shirt, black jacket, and blue jeans, and used to work for Scotland Yard. If you look at a picture of the character, he looks kind of like Rupert Everett, and that's because the look was based on the actor. (I guess he wasn't interested in the role...) I can see why Routh was picked, but I'm not sure it was the best match out there -- Routh has that fresh, gentle sort of quality, and Dog is all about the tortured visage. The actor will need to learn how to amp up the angst and look a little less sweet and cheek-pinchy.
I'm thinking Routh should take some pointers from David Boreanaz (who could've pulled the role off). Doesn't that picture on CBR look like Angel? Anyhow, fans will just have to hope that this stint works out better than Routh's last, and that this production doesn't get tossed into the pile of comic flops. The $35 million production will start soon in Connecticut.
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