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The Sequel We've All Been Waiting For: 'Hamlet 2'
Filed under: Comedy », Deals », Remakes and Sequels »
Alas, poor Yorick! Because when it comes to Hollywood, nothing is sacred. Variety reports that Eric Eisner (son of Hollywood heavyweight Michael Eisner) has struck a deal to produce Hamlet 2 under his shingle, L+E Productions. The film stars Steve Coogan (aka Alan Partridge) and Catherine Keener. The teen comedy (yes, it's a teen comedy) will focus on a struggling drama teacher who decides to write the ultimate in sequels, Hamlet 2, to save his drama department. Andy Fleming co-wrote the film with Team America: World Police scribe Pam Brady, and is also set to direct. Fleming also directed the Nancy Drew update with Emma Roberts earlier this year, and was responsible for 1996's The Craft, so he has plenty of experience when it comes to teen flicks.
This wouldn't be the first time that Shakespeare has been appropriated for "mall rats" -- and some attempts have been more successful than others. If you've seen Coogan in Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, you know how funny he can make literary adaptations, so you never know, the film might actually have a chance. Coogan has been receiving some bad press from some unlikely places lately, which could damage his chances of breaking out in the U.S. He might be a household name in England, but most North Americans probably couldn't pick him out of a lineup. Next up for Coogan is the comedy biopic of England's first ski jumper, Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards, and then it's on to the Challenger disaster drama Safety Glass for Pop-up Video writer Jonathan Glatzer. Hamlet 2 is set to begin shooting on Sept. 17 in New Mexico.
Sam Rockwell Is Not a Crook
Filed under: Drama », Casting », Universal »
Despite the seemingly never-ending delay of The Assassination of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford, there is still plenty of news for fans of Sam Rockwell. The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Rockwell, along with Toby Jones and Matthew Macfadyen have signed on for the film version of the Peter Morgan play Frost/Nixon. The play is based on a series of television interviews between disgraced president Richard Nixon and David Frost that took place in 1977, in which Frost managed to get Nixon to admit to his role in the Watergate break-in. Last year, Christopher reported that Ron Howard was set to direct, and the script was adapted by Morgan himself. Also returning to the project from the stage version are Frank Langella (Nixon) and Michael Sheen (Frost). Rockwell will be playing James Reston Jr., Frost's head researcher.This latest announcement came just a few weeks after Monika reported that Rockwell had signed on to star in the Chuck Palahniuk adaptation Choke. Frost/Nixon is set to start production this summer, which might cause a bit of a tight schedule for Rockwell since Choke was reportedly set to start later this month. Rockwell also has the upcoming thriller Joshua set for release this July, and Snow Angels with Kate Beckinsale later this year. So even though Jesse James might still be in limbo, it doesn't look like Rockwell is having any trouble finding work.
Rob Marshall Will Direct The Big Screen Version Of 'Nine'
Filed under: Drama », Music & Musicals », Romance », Deals », The Weinstein Co. », Remakes and Sequels »
It looks like we're getting another big-budget musical from the Weinsteins -- probably not a bad idea, since the last one they made won six Oscars. Variety recently reported that Rob Marshall has signed to direct the film version of the Tony Award winning musical Nine. The musical debuted in 1982 with Raul Julia and beat out Dreamgirls that year for Best Musical. In 2002, Antonio Banderas took on the lead and *The project is still looking for a screenwriter, and casting has yet to begin -- there is no word on whether Banderas will return. Marshall warned that "This one needs to be created specifically for the talent involved, to suit their strengths, casting will be a big issue here, and if commitments complicate things, it will be 2009." We're not quite sure what that means since any movie that he started prepping now wouldn't likely arrive in theaters until 2009 anyway, but I'm sure the Weinsteins won't mind waiting, since it seems that their reputation at the box-office could use a little help.
*Correction: Banderas was nominated but the award went to Harvey Fierstein.
Fox Faith Will Roll Out Gospel Singing Romance Movie
Filed under: Romance », Deals », 20th Century Fox », Family Films », Religious »
Since the only other faith-based production company I'm familiar with is the one that makes those Kirk Cameron movies, it's no surprise that I didn't really know all that much about the new Fox's new "faith-based" company Fox Faith. Variety recently reported that the corporate stepchild, which recently released The Last Sin Eater, has slated an adaptation of the gospel stage play A Good Man Is Hard To Find for the big screen. Leslie Small will be adapting the Rev. David Payton play about three women in the midst of a "spiritual and romantic crisis."
So far, cast announcements have included Golden Brooks from Girlfriends, Darrin Dewitt Henson from Stomp the Yard, and singer Deborah Cox -- at least we are guaranteed one cast member who can sing! The film is just the first of many "faith-based" productions for the company, and the studio seems to think the film's success is a lock, given the market for this kind of fare. Producer Jeff Clanagan was quoted as saying the film is "a bulls-eye for the faith-based African-American market, and it comes with the bonus of having a built-in audience after its tremendous success as a stage play." Shooting has already begun, and the film is set for release this January. Even if a Gospel romcom isn't my idea of a great night at the movies, it can't be any worse than Left Behind.
Vintage Image of the Day: Madeline Kahn and Kevin Kline
Filed under: Comedy », Music & Musicals », Vintage Image of the Day »

Actress Madeline Kahn died on this day in 1999, from ovarian cancer. I intended to post a still from one of her best-known movie roles, looking particularly for something from Blazing Saddles or Young Frankenstein. I wouldn't have minded finding a good photo of her as Trixie Delight in Paper Moon, either. However, I stumbled upon a lovely tribute site, Madeline-Kahn.com, found this wonderful photo, and could not resist, considering who else is in it.
The above photo was taken as publicity for a Broadway musical, On the Twentieth Century, which was based on the wonderful 1934 screwball comedy Twentieth Century. The musical opened on Broadway in early 1978. That's a rather young Kevin Kline, pre-movie career, standing to the left of Kahn. Kahn played temperamental actress Lily Garland in the musical, and Kline played her current boy-toy, whom she favors over megolamaniacal producer Oscar Jaffe (played by John Cullum). Cy Coleman, who wrote the music, is standing in the middle. And that's Adolph Green and Betty Comden, who wrote the book and lyrics, on the right side of the photo. Since Comden died recently, do you see why I had to share this photo with you? The only problem with this photo is that it makes me wish very hard that I could have seen this production, although I would have been 9 years old at the time and probably would have fallen asleep in the middle.
I could go on and on about Madeline Kahn, but instead I recommend you visit the above-mentioned tribute site to enjoy dozens of great photos from the actress's films, TV appearances, and plays, as well as other information about her.
Vintage Image of the Day: Judi Dench, pre-Dame
Filed under: Vintage Image of the Day »

Most of us have been watching Dame Judi Dench as an older woman in so many movies that it's difficult to remember her younger years. Her early film work from the 1960s is generally unmemorable: small roles in British movies like The Third Secret and A Study in Terror. The earliest film I have seen her in is the 1968 adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream, a fascinatingly strange version of the play with a great cast: Ian Holm as Puck, Diana Rigg and Helen Mirren as Helena and Hermia, David Warner as Lysander, Ian Richardson as Oberon and Judi Dench as Titania. The film was directed by Peter Hall, who had directed the play earlier for the Royal Shakespeare Company in London.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find a still from that movie (which isn't available on DVD, either). However, I did find a photo from Hall's 1962 RSC production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which also included Richardson as Oberon and Dench as Titania. She would have been about 28 years old. The RSC Pictures & Exhibitions site contains more photos of Dench in productions through the years. My little brother claims that these days, Dench gets an Oscar nomination for walking across the street, although I feel her performance in Mrs. Henderson Presents was one of the only reasons to watch the film. (The other reason was Bob Hoskins.) Perhaps these early photos of Dench will remind us of her amazing range in acting roles.
Cannes 2005: Play Gets Cannes Market Screening
Filed under: Foreign Language », New Releases », Cannes », Festival Reports », Cinematical Indie »
Well, this is exciting - I just got a press release indicating that Alicia Scherson's Play, one of my favorite films from the Tribeca Film Festival, will be screening in the Cannes Marketplace. Play won rave reviews and an award for Best New Narrative Filmmaker at Tribeca, but according to the PR company, "world rights" are still available. The screening will be held this Thursday afternoon; the film is represented by Carmichael PR. 








