poe Tagged Articles at Cinematical

The long-in-the-works Edgar Allan Poe biopic may be a step closer to getting produced. Cinemablend is reporting this as an "unconfirmed rumor," but it sounds like Viggo Mortensen may take on the juicy role of one of the most famous (and famously drug-addled) horror authors of all time. Who is writing and directing this biopic? Why, Sylvester Stallone, of course! The site's source says "Stallone has recently met with Viggo Mortensen and has offered him the role of Edgar Allan Poe in the film. Mortensen is considering the role although he wants some slight revisions in the script."

Since Stallone announced this project years ago, various actors have been mentioned as possible Poes. That list includes Robert Downey, Jr. and Johnny Depp, who certainly seem like fitting choices. The Cinemablend source also mentions that Clifton Collins, Jr. (Capote) and John Hawkes (American Gangster), two solid actors who look a lot like the author, are being considered should Viggo bail. Back in 1994, Stallone spoke about his Poe biopic with Interview. saying "I could probably produce it or direct it. I couldn't play Poe, because there's no way the baggage that I would bring to the role could ever be assimilated by the public. But I should do it, because it's the best thing that I've ever written, including Rocky or Paradise Alley." Stallone may consider the Poe screenplay his best, but what is his deepest and most profound script? Quoth The Raven, "Rocky Four."

Additionally, for more Stallone, USA Today has published a photo along with a lengthy article on the new Rambo film, due out early next year.

The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Josh Lucas will star in Tell-Tale, a psychological thriller directed by Michael Cuesta. Cuesta directed two very good indies -- L.I.E. and Twelve and Holding, and has helmed episodes of two of my favorite shows -- Six Feet Under and Dexter. The film's producers include big-time directors/brothers Tony Scott (Top Gun) and Ridley Scott -- who is currently tearing up the box office with the terrific American Gangster. The script was written by Dave Callaham, who also penned the video game adaptation Doom. (Had to look that up because THR managed to mention every aspect of the film but the screenwriter -- see why writers feel under-appreciated?)

Tell-Tale is a contemporary adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's classic story "The Tell-Tale Heart," (which was also reimagined as a hilarious Simpsons episode -- "Lisa's Rival"). Lucas will play a "single father whose recently transplanted heart leads him on a frantic search to find the donor's killer before a similar fate befalls him." I love the Poe story, so I'm up for this new take. Lucas was rumored to be playing Captain Pike in the upcoming Star Trek film, but we learned this morning that's not the case. What I really think Lucas should be doing is a movie where he, Matthew McConaughey, and Bradley Cooper try to tell each other apart for two hours.

And then there are some days when you're absolutely delighted to hear about a rumor that is not true. Awhile back, Martha told us how Robert Downey Jr. was in talks to star in Sylvester Stallone's Poe. Hey, throw David Fincher behind a project like that and I'm totally down to see Downey Jr. play the famous poet (after all, his Chaplin was pretty damn good), however, knowing Sylvester Stallone is writing and directing -- well, here's where I look straight into the camera and sigh. (I have to pause for a moment while I quietly laugh to myself after picturing Stallone read Poe aloud on set.)

Now, according to IMDB, this is more than just a rumor -- it's fact. They even have Downey Jr. listed as "attached" on Poe's film page. When Downey Jr. caught wind of that, he threw out a few expletives and wished IMDB would accidentally list him in the role of Spider-Man instead of Tobey Maguire. He did admit to having dinner with Sly Stallone to discuss the project, but insisted he'd rather wait until he's "hot again" so that they could do "this at a big studio."

So, what I get out of this whole thing is Downey Jr. wants to play Poe, but the project won't be happening any time soon. I imagine, with Stallone finishing Rocky Balboa, then heading out to shoot another Rambo sequel, figure it will be at least two years before Poe heats back up. Downey Jr. also briefly touched on his role in the upcoming Charlie Bartlett, in which I was pumped up to see the actor playing a high school principal. On Bartlett, he says "It's almost like Mean Girls was like Harold and Maude, and I play a high school principal." Sweet! Hey, I'm down for whatever this guy gets involved in. Well, everything except another trip to rehab.

IESB's got a new interview up with Robert Downey Jr. that's ostensibly about The Shaggy Dog, but he talks about a few other projects, as well. Because I love you, I sat through the entire thing - which involves far too much studio-mandated talk about how great an actor the dog is (apparently no one can shut up about his brilliance) and a strange effort by Downey to portray his Token Bad Guy character as a lesson to kids - in order to glean the few interesting tidbits that appear at the very end.

First, though he doesn't actually speak about it, Downey appears to be very fired up indeed about A Scanner Darkly, at least if rubbing his hands together and cackling with glee at its mere mention is any indication. Second, he thinks it would be a good idea to remake Weird Science. He really said that, almost totally unprompted. I don't get it either, particularly because the interviewer didn't think to ask for details about why such a thing might be necessary. Third and most bizarrely, Downey is in informal talks with Sylvester Stallone to star in Poe, a biopic written and directed by Sly himself. While it's remarkably easy to picture Downey as Poe (my mental image looks pretty much just like he did in Chaplin, except with a more elaborate mustache), the thought of Stallone giving Downey acting direction is almost too demented to comprehend.

[via Moviehole]