Jodie Foster's Flora Plum Starts Production
Source: Los Angeles Daily News
The Los Angeles Daily News reports that four years after the plug got pulled on Jodie Foster's Flora Plum directorial project - due to the shoulder injury of then-male lead Russell Crowe - the film's production finally got under way last week.
Luc Besson's EuropaCorp is producing and handling international sales on Foster's $24 million project. The film stars Ewan McGregor as a circus freak and Claire Danes as Flora Plum, a penniless girl who joins the circus. Meryl Streep also stars.
Based on a Steven Rogers script, "Plum" has been at least six years in the works, with Barry Mendel first committing to produce back in 1997.
An entire greenlit production can be completely derailed for years (and possibly forever) by a star's injury...
...Am I the only one who finds that a little frightening?
Reading Christine Vachon's book gives some insight into this, too... Both
Happiness and
Velvet Goldmine were put into jeopardy when Patricia Arquette and Nicole Kidman, respectively, withdrew their attachment.
Casting-contingent budgeting is a minefield, it seems... A sobering reminder that those of us who appreciate the talent behind the camera, without which the on-camera talent would be inert and could never shine, are probably well in the minority.