alejandro agresti Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Camilla Belle Going Biblical With Al Pacino?
Filed under: Drama », Casting », DIY/Filmmaking », Newsstand », Religious »
I scanned this Variety article in vain, looking for some mention that Cecil B. DeMille had arisen from the grave purely to revive bombastic Biblical epics. But no. Nor is it April 1, so this has to be legitimate, as unlikely as it seems.Apparently, Aloe Films is producing a film called Mary, Mother of Christ with Camilla Belle in the title role. But it's the rest of the cast and characters that sends this into truly "Whoa, really?" land. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is signed to play the duel roles of Gabriel and Lucifer, while Peter O'Toole will be playing Symeon. Currently in talks to join in are Al Pacino and Jessica Lange, who are interested in playing King Herod and Anna the Prophetess.
Start to think that over in your mind -- the crazy eyed Rhys Meyers as archangel and devil, and Al Pacino as King Herod. That's like John Wayne /Greatest Story Ever Told territory, and will either end up cinematic gold or mocked on YouTube.
The film will be helmed not by a resurrected DeMille, but by Alejandro Agresti, and it's currently aiming for a April 2, 2010 release which will coincide with Good Friday, making it one of those event films on par with The Passion of the Christ or The Nativity Story.
I don't mean to sound snarky at all, though I wince at the political and religious frenzy that seems to surround such releases. I'm merely surprised at the level of talent that's attached to this, yet it warranted such a whispery mention in Variety -- it's almost like they can't quite believe it either.
Woody Looks into Books
Filed under: Casting », RumorMonger », DIY/Filmmaking »
It's funny, there's a weird little thing that goes on when it comes to a Woody Allen film. Fans of the filmmaker often seem to be in agreement that Allen (now in his 100's) is best suited behind the camera, instead of in front of it. Following the success of Match Point, a film that remained Allen-less throughout, you'd think they might be right.
However, there are also those that feel a Woody Allen film is not a Woody Allen film unless, well, Woody Allen himself makes an appearance. I feel Match Point did so well because, unlike Celebrity, Allen wrote a main character without throwing in a slew of his own neurotic nonsense. Then again, it's those same neuroses that make a Woody Allen film, well, yeah -- a Woody Allen film.
Where am I going with all this? Well, there's now word that, for the first time since 2000's Picking up the Pieces, Allen may be starring in a film without directing it. According to an interview with The Lake House director Alejandro Agresti, he's currently in negotiations with Allen and Christopher Plummer to have them both star in his next film, based on Agresti's own novel, The Scent of Books. Story revolves around two aging novelists who receive an inheritance of 20,000 rare, first edition books from their mentor. If he accepts the part, Allen might team up once again with Jason Biggs (Anything Else), as Biggs and Cillian Murphy are both in talks to star as younger versions of the two novelists. Is it even possible for Woody to not play Woody? Personally, I did not see Pieces and forget whether or not I liked Scenes from a Mall (seeing as Bette Midler was in it, I'm thinking not), so I won't complain ... yet. Though I am skeptical.
[via JoBlo]
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