Oh Ari Fleischer -- the David Cross of Press Secretaries. Wait a minute -- why didn't they get David Cross for this role? He'd be perfect. Anyway, MTV tells us that Rob Corddry (The Daily Show, Semi-Pro ... and a bunch of other random comedies) has signed on to play former Press Secretary Ari Fleischer in Oliver Stone's W. Corddry joins a cast that continues to get larger by the minute, and includes Josh Brolin (George W. Bush), Elizabeth Banks (Laura Bush), James Cromwell (George Bush Sr.), Ellen Burstyn (Barbara Bush), Thandie Newton (Condi Rice), Ioan Gruffudd (Tony Blair) and 50 Cent (as Colin Powell).
Yes, I'm kidding about that last one.
Earlier today, we clued you into a script review of W currently circulating the internets. According to some, the film seems to be taking the Bush is a moronic alcoholic fratboy route, which, if you watch, well, The Daily Show, is kinda old news. As Eugene put it, "Most people -- whether or not they accept it -- have already absorbed the meme that Bush is an arrogant, reckless, hard-drinking buffoon, and I'm not sure that this perception merits its own movie." I completely agree -- and I'd much rather have watched Stone return to Vietnam with Pinkville than sit down for a feature-length version of a joke that's way past its prime.
I'll say one thing for Oliver Stone's W: it makes for some fun casting updates. Watching this movie come together has had much more novelty value than I would have thought. I guess that's what happens when you set out to make a movie about the most controversial figures in the world right now, instead of decades ago.
And you may now take Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair off your to-cast lists. Those roles have been filled with Thandie Newton and Ioan Gruffudd (respectively, though I think it would have been much more interesting in reverse order). Both actors are British, but this won't be the first time Newton has played an American. My worry about her isn't her accent so much as the fact that she seems too damn nice. I think they should have followed the lead of the ultraconservative 2006 TV miniseries and cast 24's Penny Johnson Jerald (a.k.a. the terrifying Sherry Palmer). That's about as on-the-nose as it gets.
According to the tabloid rags, Guy Ritchie has his hands full with his marriage to Madonna, but he's also been busy trying to reinvigorate his career. We've got RocknRolla on the way, the story of a Russian mobster doing shady land deals and attracting the attention of London's crime world, and it stars Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton, Ludacris, and Idris Elba. But before we even see if that helps rip him from the sinking world of Swept Away, Thandie tells MTV that the new film will be one of three.
The actress says: "RocknRolla is one of three films and Guy's keen to get going on that straight away." It will include Newton, who makes it through this first film, but she says many others have not, and that the sequel "will follow whoever's left." Apparently the shoot was swift, with only three weeks of pre-production, so Ritchie could get going on this at any time.
That being said, since this is a story where only some survive for the sequel, Ritchie might want to wait for 2 and 3 until after the first one premieres, to prevent potential spoilers and all. But maybe he just wants to get these in the bag before the verdict lands on the first. It could go either way, but since Tom Wilkinson has been on a hotter than hot roll lately, I'm hoping for good things. How about you?
When I refer to David Schwimmer'sRun Fatboy Run as "a modern-day screwball farce," that's a nice way of saying it's outrageously predictable, unabashedly sappy, and completely formulaic through and through. You know where the movie is going from frame one, and it sure doesn't take a lot of detours getting there. But the phrase "screwball" probably wouldn't have come to mind if Run Fatboy Run wasn't at least a little bit funny. Which it is. So if you don't mind an amiable-yet-seriously familiar 90 minutes -- and you're a big fan of British actor Simon Pegg -- I'd have no problem recommending the flick. Even if I'd never come close to calling it something brilliant.
The effortlessly likable Simon Pegg stars as one of those lovably lazy sad-sack types that you only come across in comedic films: Despite the fact that he left his pregnant fiancee (Thandie Newton) at the altar five years earlier, Pegg's "Dennis" is one of those losers we love to root for. (How a doofus like this ever scored a catch like Thandie Newton -- and then abandoned her! -- is one of the film's sillier conceits.) So when his former flame's smarmy new boyfriend (Hank Azaria) mentions that he'll be running in an upcoming marathon, Dennis senses a shot at redemption.
It seems like just a few months ago we were enjoying the sights, the sounds, the smells and the cinema of South By Southwest 2007, but guess what? Now that it's January, the festival's only about nine weeks away! Awesome! So today we caught some slightly early news on what SXSW is cooking up for this March, and I must say I'm pretty impressed with what they snagged for their opening night film.
And if that world premiere isn't cool enough, festival chief Matt Dentler has also divulged the following titles for SXSW '08:
At the Death House Door (Steve James & Peter Gilbert) "A sobering and powerful story of the wrongful execution of Carlos DeLuna and the Death House Chaplain, Pastor Carroll Pickett, who spent the last day of DeLuna's life with him."
Dreams with Sharp Teeth (Erik Nelson) "A documentary portrait of acclaimed author Harlan Ellison, as he looks back on his fabled and influential career as one of the world's top science fiction writers."
Flawless (Michael Radford) "In 1960s London, a talented but overlooked diamond executive (Demi Moore) is convinced to participate in a jewelry heist when a veteran janitor (Michael Caine) hatches a plan."
Run Fatboy Run (David Schwimmer) "An out-of-shape divorced father (Simon Pegg) makes one last attempt to win back the respect of his son, his ex-wife (Thandie Newton), and the community around him. All he has to do is finish his first marathon."
Wild Blue Yonder (Celia Maysles) "Celia Maysles had no idea her father and his brother Albert were pioneers of verite documentary filmmaking. Determined to uncover the secrets surrounding her background, Celia sets out on a quest to rediscover her father by using his own artistic process."
Expect a few more flashy surprises before the full SXSW slate is announced on February 5! Until then, feel free to browse through the SXSW website and decide if THIS is the year you're finally going to take my advice and attend the dang festival. (You do know it's a movie AND music fest, right? Interactive, too, and I do believe I've mentioned the indigenous BBQ more than once.)
With his first feature, Guy Ritchie made one heck of a name for himself amongst moviegoers itching for crime, action, and lots of testosterone. In the late '90s, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels was the quintessential guy movie -- every man I knew raved about it with the passion usually saved for religious zealots. Many of those same moviegoers followed along with Snatch, but then slammed into the cinematic wall with his Swept Away. One might think this had something to do with Ritchie's attempt to have a female lead, and that he wouldn't dare enter those waters again. Nevertheless, he has with RocknRolla, which found its deal in May, and was cast in June.
If co-star Thandie Newton is to be believed, we shouldn't worry about her presence in the crime feature. She recently talked to MTV and said: "I was the only girl for miles around. I thought I'd have to struggle to be a woman in that scenario. [But] Guy was so open to me having ideas." Perhaps because of his inexperience writing ones that live up to the male characters he creates? Her character, Stella, is an "accountant who becomes more and more cooked as the story goes on. I think [Guy] was surprised at how dirty I played this character. I just kept pushing it and he loved it. He loves surprises." Maybe this will be the big breakthough for Ritchie -- female characters that don't have sap that dies on the big screen, but rather, sass that rivals his memorable male characters. What do you think? Will RocknRolla re-inspire the admiration of his old fanbase with a lead like Newton and much less romance?
After Spaced, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, it's widely believed that Simon Pegg can do no wrong; appearing as if custom-made to test that contention is the new comedy Run, Fat Boy, Run. Run, Fat Boy, Run gets approving nods from comedy connoisseurs when you mention Pegg's in the lead; mention the presence of David Schwimmer in the director's chair and their expressions change subtly ...
After the success of Friends, Schwimmer could have devoted himself to any number of pastimes -- stick-fighting, model rocketry, leisurely laps in a Scrooge McDuck-style pool of Sacagawea dollar coins. Instead, Schwimmer starred in Duane Hopwood -- which saw Schwimmer playing a barely-functioning alcoholic, as if a brief crawl through the gutter would get the Ross off him -- and here he makes his directorial debut.
Run, Fat Boy, Run stars Pegg as Dennis; five years ago, Dennis left his pregnant girlfriend Libby (Thandie Newton) at the altar. Now, he's living in a basement flat, working as a security guard, occasionally being a good dad to his son Jake (Matthew Fenton) -- and confronted with Libby's relationship with Whit (Hank Azaria), a well-to-do, can-do American. In a moment of weakness -- motivated by pride, or idiocy, or both -- Dennis reacts to Whit's bragging about his upcoming athletic endeavors by saying that he, too, is going to run the London Marathon ...
Just a few days from the Toronto International Film Festival, and the posters are coming out of the woodwork. Picturehouse was kind enough to provide us with an exclusive first peek at the spandy-new poster (click the image for a bigger view) for former FriendDavid Schwimmer's feature directorial debut (he has quite a bit of TV stuff under his belt), Run, Fatboy, Run. The film stars Simon Pegg as Dennis, a chunky, uninspired loser who gets cold feet and dumps his hot girlfriend, Libby (Thandie Newton) on their wedding day -- and then spends the next five years regretting it. He finally decides to win Libby back from her new, wealthy and handsome love, Whit (Hank Azaria), but first he has to get in shape and win a marathon to prove to Libby that he's a changed man.
Sounds like a great date flick to me. Like Knocked Up and 40 Year Old Virgin, it has the appeal of an average-looking Everyguy with a very attractive woman -- guys like to cheer for guys like that, and women clearly find them appealing as well, if Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow are any indication. The geek factor could definitely give the film a box office edge, especially if there's good buzz at TIFF. I've always like Schwimmer as an actor, and I'm really curious to see how he directs this film. What do you think of the poster? The film opens in the US on October 26; until then, you'll have to satisfy your curiousity with the film's official website, which has a trailer for the film, and
If I really scour my memory, I can vaguely remember the excitement that Guy Ritchie used to incite with his films. God, it has been seven years since I last went to the theater to see one of his movies -- Snatch. Yet no matter what cinematic pitfalls he has suffered since then, he's got one heck of a cast lined up for his next film -- RocknRolla. Variety has just announced the cast, which consists of Gerard Butler (300), Tom Wilkinson (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), Thandie Newton (Crash), Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges (Hustle & Flow) and Idris Elba (The Reaping). (No, surprisingly, there's no Jason Statham anywhere to be seen.) Not only is this cast much better than Madonna, but it's pretty great in its own regard!
Erik Davis first posted about RocknRolla last month, when word hit that Ritchie was writing and directing another feature in the vein of his big successes -- Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. The film is about a Russian mobster who coordinates "a crooked land deal, putting millions of dollars up for grabs and attracting all of London's criminal underworld." If this cast is the collection of criminals, this is looking to be a group reminiscent of the pirate kings in the latest Pirates of the Caribbean, but with much more recognizable faces. The budget on this puppy is under $20 million, it has already started production and will be done in his classic "fast-paced, low-budget style." Now, will it sweep away that really bad offering and get him back on track as the guru of bad arses, or will Dark Castle Entertainment and Warner Bros. have a stinker on their hands?
David Schwimmer hasn't had an easy time after Friends. Since the popular series wrapped, he's had one completely-off-the-radar release, one new release, and the voice of a giraffe. There have been no well-publicized romantic exploits, or a television show. Maybe it's the curse of the Gellars, as Courtney Cox has also been out of the spotlight. Schwimmer's comedic goofiness seems to have carried him as far as it can, at least on-screen. Now, he will Schwim behind the camera with the new film, Run, Fat Boy, Run. It is a first for Material Entertainment -- the joined forces of Entertainment Film Distributors and New Line Cinema.
Our own Martha Fischer originally covered the film when Simon Pegg was in negotiations to play the "fat boy." An original screenplay by Michael Ian Black (Reno 911!), Run tells the tale of an overweight man who wants to win back the fiancé he left at the alter five years earlier by running in a marathon and somehow upstaging her dapper new fiancé. With casting complete, Pegg will be joined by Thandie Newton, Hank Azaria, and Dylan Moran. Is it safe to assume that Azaria will be the new man in her life? For a man who still has charisma as a tight pants Lancelot, the script must make him really undesirable.
The cast looks promising, although we all know that great casts don't necessarily make great movies. The title? Well, I think they could have come up with something a little more original, but we're talking about the guy who writes about over-the-top cops in Reno. Basically, it follows the usual supportive formula when you can't think of your own words of encouragement. My first memory of it is in Forrest Gump with the whole "Run, Forrest, run!" And, my favourite use would be the juvenile, yet funny, chiding "Fly, fat ass, fly!" from Mallrats.
Can you think of earlier uses of the "Action, Name, Action" formula? What are your favourites?
Hey, alright! Now that all the excitement about Big Momma's House 2 and Madea's Family Reunion has
worn off, I've really been itching for another movie in which the star is in drag. And now, thanks to Eddie Murphy, there's one on the way. Thank goodness, huh? His effort is
called Norbit, and offers the added wrinkle of the non-drag
Eddie marrying the drag version. That's right: the hilarity never stops. According to Variety's summary,
Norbit (that's Murphy #1) is "a meek guy," who is somehow forced to marry "a monstrous woman"
(Eddie #2) just before, wouldn't you know it, he meets the woman of his dreams. Damn that luck.
Norbit's
dream girl will be played by Thandie Newton, so despite the monstrous
wife, he does appear to have some taste. Also just added to the cast were Eddie Griffin, who will play a retired pimp
(The word "retired" makes it sounds so official, like he's actually getting social security checks and
everything.), box office poison Cuba Gooding, in the role of Newton's boyfriend, and Terry Crews, who will play one of
Norbit's in-laws.
The movie is shooting right now in LA; release is scheduled for some time in 2007.
If only because we haven't posted a Casino
Royale Bond Girl Update lately, I feel it's important to share the latest word from one of the many alleged
Vesper Lynds, Thandie Newton. According to Newton, she's totally not
doing it. Though this news will greatly sadden those of you who think the Russian looks like a
man and for some reason aren't into the fake lesbian,
Thandie herself actually rather liked our collective, rumor-mongering attention because it "gave [her] an
opportunity to fantasize about something that wasn't ever going to happen." Ah well. Bygones.
Meanwhile, of course, the movie shoots away in Prague, totally chick-free (Judi Dench might be there, but come on - she's a Dame, not a chick).
It's getting so late that I'm starting to wonder if they're not just going to go out on the street and cast the first
hot Czech number who walks by.
Rose
Byrne and Thandie
Newton just won't do - and the problem is their hair color. This, at least, is the latest word from the breathless
tabloid search for Casino
Royale's Vesper Lynd. See, the villain's woman (to be played by Caterina
Murino), has dark hair, and contrast between the ladies is a must. (And apparently the film's budget is so low that
hair dye is not an option.) According to the most recent rumors, the new It Girl is Lana
Antonova, a Russian actress best known for, well, nothing. She does, however, appear in the forthcoming The World's Fastest Indian (as "Sexy Woman
in Pink" - keep your eyes peeled), if you want to confirm that her hair is in fact blonde.
If nothing
else, her name is tantalizing close to the old school, dirty names that used to be assigned to Bond girls - remember Xenia Onatopp?
Yeah, yeah, yeah - I know. A couple of weeks
ago we reported that
Vesper Lynd (aka Casino
Royale's Bond Girl) would be played by Rose
Byrne. Hey, don't point at us - it was revealed by The Daily Mail, which is by far the most reliable
tabloid (look, an oxymoron!) when it comes to predicting Bond stuff. But now The Sun - easily the least
reliable tabloid in London, possibly on earth - thinks otherwise (for which you can't blame them, seeing as how the
Mail's predicted date of official announcement has passed).
According to The Sun's
information, Lynd will be played by Thandie
Newton who, if nothing else, has solid spy girlfriend experience.
Furthermore, the tabloid claims that Daniel Craig himself digs her: he
was "'deeply impressed' with...[Newton's] performance in the raunchy bedroom scene test." (I know - it sounds
like he wants to date her, not act opposite her. But remember, this is The Sun we're talking about.)
No matter which damn woman it is, they better hurry up: shooting is due to being in just a few days.
Oh Ari Fleischer -- the David Cross of Press Secretaries. Wait a minute -- why didn't they get David Cross for this role? He'd be perfect. Anyway, MTV tells us that Rob Corddry (The Daily Show, Semi-Pro ... and a bunch of other random comedies) has signed on to play former Press Secretary Ari Fleischer in Oliver Stone's W. Corddry joins a cast that continues to get larger by the minute, and includes Josh Brolin (George W. Bush), Elizabeth Banks (Laura Bush), James Cromwell (George Bush Sr.), Ellen Burstyn (Barbara Bush), Thandie Newton (Condi Rice), Ioan Gruffudd (Tony Blair) and 50 Cent (as Colin Powell). 
I'll say one thing for 
According to the tabloid rags, 
It seems like just a few months ago we were enjoying the sights, the sounds, the smells and the cinema of 
With his first feature, 
If I really scour my memory, I can vaguely remember the excitement that 
David Schwimmer hasn't had an easy time after Friends. Since the popular series wrapped, he's had one 
Hey, alright! Now that all the excitement about 
If only because we haven't posted a 
Yeah, yeah, yeah - I know. A couple of weeks
ago we 
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SCOOP: Spider-Man 4 and 5 Might be Shot at the Same Time!
Cinematical Seven: Disney's Awesome Live-Action Kid Adventures
