ROMAN POLANSKI

Started by modage, June 26, 2003, 01:44:22 AM

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Pubrick

Quote from: themodernage02

how could you cheat on her, really?
oh, he found a way..
under the paving stones.

MacGuffin

Polanski propels 'Pompeii'
Director to tackle biggest project yet
Source: Variety

Roman Polanski's next directing effort will be his biggest undertaking yet in terms of scale, subject and budget.

"Pompeii" is a dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of Mt. Vesuvius just before and during its eruption. The budget is projected to be $130 million, the director said.

It is based on the bestseller of the same name by "Fatherland" novelist Robert Harris, who is writing the script. Filming will begin in Italy this summer.

"Pompeii" will be produced by Polanski and Robert Benmussa of RP Productions, along with Alain Sarde. It will draw on private funding sources, as was the case with many of the director's previous projects.

"It will be handled like our last two films," Polanski said, "as an independent European production." No studio or distribution partners as yet have been approached, he said.

Pic's protagonist is a young engineer who has to repair an enormous aqueduct whose destruction threatens the Roman Empire. He finds himself enmeshed in politics and romance. The film takes place over three days and the final act is the volcanic eruption and the destruction of the aqueduct, which stretched 60 miles and served hundreds of thousands of people.

"I got seduced by the writing," Polanski told Daily Variety. "In general terms, when someone tells me to make a movie set in ancient times, I say it's not my cup of tea. But I liked that it was a thriller and I have read all of his books and there is such minute detail. He goes very far into the research."

Plus, the "Chinatown" helmer added, "There is corruption in connection with water."

Polanski, who won an Oscar for "The Pianist," last directed "Oliver Twist." He also played a supporting role in the Brett Ratner-directed "Rush Hour 3" for New Line.

Telling a period story of a volcano's eruption will take Polanski into event movie territory. Though "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown" were certainly landmarks, they were before the term "tentpole" came into use, and Polanski's top-grossing release in the years since has been $32 million for "The Pianist."

"It will be very dependent on visual effects," he noted. "I don't like to brandish effects, but the truth is that there have been a lot. 'Pianist' had about 200 CGI effects and 'Oliver Twist' had at least 400. It's always a challenge to do something a little different, but that's what keeps me going."
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


Skeleton FilmWorks

MacGuffin

Polanski pushes 'Pompeii' forward
Italian rights sold
Source: Variety

Roman Polanski's "Pompeii" is percolating.

Italy's RAI Cinema has acquired all Italian rights to the historical tentpole set against the backdrop of the Mt. Vesuvius eruption, and Spain's spanking new Ciudad de la Luz studios is inked as the Roman-era thriller's main production hub.

Following a fierce bidding war with Medusa, RAI plunked down a handsome sum — said to be in $10-15 million range — for "Pompeii," which has a projected $130 million budget.

Deal was inked by RAI Cinema topper Giancarlo Leone with Polanski and producer Robert Benmussa's RP Productions, which is producing along with Alain Sarde.

Summit Entertainment has also recently come on board to handle worldwide sales, excluding one or two European territories, besides Italy.

Pathe Distribution is in negotiations to take French rights.

Meanwhile, Polanski, Benmussa, and project's line producer Daniel Champagnon, have inked with Spain's Ciudad de la Luz to base the production in the Valencian facility. This will allow them to tap into sweet new local 12%-18% tax rebates capped at Euros 5.4 million ($7.2 million).

Valencia's Sorolla Films will very possibly enter as a co-producer, channelling the regional rebates into the film. Polanski and Benmussa have also recently approached a raft of Spanish producers and TV channels to co-produce "Pompeii" — one of the costliest European film projects ever. They aim to raise $13 million for Spanish rights.

Pic has a projected August start with plans for a five month shoot.

Polanski, Benmussa and Sarde in March dispatched set designer Allan Starski to scout the real Pompeii archeological site in Italy and view Roman artifacts in the nearby Naples Archeological Museum. Starski and his assistants on their visit drew sketches and measured columns and mosaics.

But while Italy's Campania region film commission is proposing incentives to lure the "Pompeii" production to lens on site, 90% of the shoot is expected to be done on Spanish soundstages, backlots and locations. Plus, Polanski has said this pic will be big on CGI effects.

Scribe Robert Harris and Polanski are putting the final touches to the screenplay draft of "Pompeii," which adapts Harris' eponymous period tale of the famously catastrophic volcanic eruption.

"Pompeii" will tap an A-list Hollywood star to play the lead role of Marco Attilio Primo, a young Roman engineer sent to Pompeii in A.D.79, just days before the devastating eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.

Several European actresses, including a top Italian thesp, are under consideration for the lead femme role.
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


Skeleton FilmWorks

MacGuffin

Bloom and Johansson in Talks for Pompeii

ComingSoon.net has learned that Oscar winner Roman Polanski (The Pianist) is in talks with Orlando Bloom ("Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogies) and Scarlett Johansson (The Prestige) to star in his historical tentpole Pompeii.

Based on the New York Times best-selling novel by Robert Harris (author of "Archangel" and "Fatherland"), Pompeii tells the story of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79 through the eyes of a young engineer, Marcus Attilius Primus, who is sent to repair the greatest aqueduct in the Roman Empire, which brings water to 250,000 people on the Bay of Naples. Attilius not only has to fight the corrupt forces that control the town of Pompeii, but ultimately the overwhelming power of nature itself.

The film has a projected August start with plans for a five month shoot. Polanski co-wrote the script with Harris.
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


Skeleton FilmWorks

Gold Trumpet

Quote from: MacGuffin on May 10, 2007, 06:03:17 PM
Bloom and Johansson in Talks for Pompeii

That's depressing. Polanski reminds me of Scorsese. He's a major talent, but bad decisions have produced an uneven career and now with age going against him, he is taking on very questionable projects. Scorsese and Polanski appreciate genre and try to excel at it, but Polanski is the easily the master of the two. Only he could have made a film like The Tenant a personal and telling work, but the addition of these actors in Pompeii have made my heart sink.

I watched The Pianist again recently. It is still a great work. I understood why he did Oliver Twist, but I'm expecting the worst in Pompeii now.

MacGuffin

POLANSKI PULLS OUT OF 'POMPEII' AFTER SUMMIT VOICES CONCERNS OVER SCHEDULING
Source: Hollywood Wiretap

Roman Polanski has pulled out of the production of epic drama "Pompeii" due to scheduling conflicts. Screendaily.com says the director withdrew after Summit International said it may have to postpone principal photography in Europe next summer due to concerns over a possible industry strike.

Summit is selling worldwide rights and is searching for a replacement director with producers Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde who have traditionally been Polanski's collaborators.

"I put a lot of work and energy into the development of 'Pompeii,' so it is not without regret that I have to decline my further involvement," Polanski said.

"In order to ensure that a film of this caliber and scale is produced in the manner required, the producers have pushed back the film to a time that will accommodate the production needs," Summit International chief executive officer Patrick Wachsberger said.

"While we are saddened that Roman will not be available to direct the film, we know we will work with the renowned film-maker and our friend in the near future."

"We understand that Roman cannot wait indefinitely for a start date after having worked on this project for more than nice months," said Benmussa and Sarde.

Based on Robert Harris' novel, Pompeii centers on a young engineer caught up in political intrigue as Mount Vesuvius is about to erupt.

Summit had already completed sales to Nordisk Film, IDC in Mexico and Brazil, Mars in South Korea, Pathe in France, RAI/01 in Italy, SPI in Eastern Europe and Antena 3 Television for release through DeAPlaneta in Spain.

Summit and Benmussa had also sealed a co-production partnership with Germany's Constantin Film, France's R P Productions and Ensueno, the production division of Spain's Antena 3 Television.

The film had been being prepped to shoot at Ciudad De La Luz in Alicante Spain.
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


Skeleton FilmWorks

MacGuffin

From DVDFile:

The classic Roman Polanski thriller Repulsion is coming to DVD from Sony on 4 December. This scary flick starring the gorgeous and one-of-a-kind Catherine Deneuve will arrive with a new anamorphic widescreen transfer (which is good, because the film's last DVD transfer stunk) and a cleaned-up mono mix (no bonuses will be included). SRP is $14.99.
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


Skeleton FilmWorks

ElPandaRoyal

God, I loved it when Catherine Deneuve played those hot sexually repressed women. She was really stunning!
Si

MacGuffin

Polanski returns with 'Ghost'
Director to adapt Robert Harris' political novel
Source: Variety

Roman Polanski will direct political thriller "The Ghost" as his next feature.

Robert Harris will team with Polanski to adapt Harris' novel of the same name, published last month by Simon & Schuster, for the bigscreen.

Story centers on a ghostwriter who is hired to complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister. He uncovers secrets that put his own life in jeopardy.

Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde will produce the film, slated to begin shooting in Europe next fall.

Polanski had been working on the $100 million epic "Pompeii" for 18 months with frequent collaborators Benmussa and Sarde, but he jettisoned that project in September.

Summit Intl., which has a long-standing relationship with Polanski and the producers, will represent worldwide rights to "The Ghost."

"I have been looking for a political thriller to direct for some time, and 'The Ghost' could not be more perfect," Polanski said. "Robert has constructed a novel with such suspense, it is hard to put it down."

Harris noted that most of the story takes place in an oceanfront house during the middle of winter, which he dubbed "classic Polanski territory."

The director also partnered with producers Benmussa and Sarde on "The Pianist" and "Oliver Twist."
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


Skeleton FilmWorks

MacGuffin

Chapa preps Polanski bio
Source: Hollywood Reporter

Roman Polanski, who has filmed many tragic stories over the years, will soon see his own tragedy-filled life brought to the big screen in an unauthorized biopic.

Amadeus Pictures head Damian Chapa will write, produce and direct "Polanski," which will include passages about the director's childhood in Poland during the Holocaust; the murder of his wife, Sharon Tate, by followers of Charles Manson in 1969; and his conviction for sex with a minor that has kept him out of the U.S. for decades.

"It's a very intense story we're going to carefully base on court documents and public-domain records," Chapa said. "I've looked at the court documents of his (statutory rape) case, and they're so brash and in-your-face. What happened there has overshadowed his whole life yet also been swept under the carpet. I've always been fascinated by his story and couldn't understand why no one has done a movie about him."

ICM, which reps Polanski, did not offer any comment by press time.

The project will begin principal photography in January in Belgium, Poland and the U.S., with Chapa playing Polanski's early collaborator, Polish producer Eugene Gutowski. Chapa said the title role will be cast in the next few weeks.

Actor-turned-filmmaker Chapa has directed and starred in several low-budget Amadeus films, including "I.R.A. -- King of Nothing," with Rachel Hunter, and "Shade of Pale," with Gary Busey. His latest, "Fuego," with David Carradine, was shopped at the recent AFM.
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


Skeleton FilmWorks

Pubrick

Quote from: MacGuffin on November 08, 2007, 08:49:11 PM
Actor-turned-filmmaker Chapa has directed and starred in several low-budget Amadeus films, including "I.R.A. -- King of Nothing," with Rachel Hunter, and "Shade of Pale," with Gary Busey. His latest, "Fuego," with David Carradine, was shopped at the recent AFM.

so who's gonna play polanski in his next straight-to-video abomination? patrick swayze? dustin diamond?
under the paving stones.

MacGuffin

EXCLUSIVE: Nicolas Cage And Pierce Brosnan Cast In Roman Polanski's 'The Ghost'
Source: MTV

Last fall, Roman Polanski announced that his next film would be an adaptation of "The Ghost," a Richard Harris novel about a ghostwriter hired to write the memoirs of an ex-Prime Minister.

Now MTV News can announce who'll join him.

Pierce Brosnan and Nicolas Cage have been tapped to star as the British Prime Minister Adam Lang and the unnamed ghostwriter, respectively, in the next project from the legendary, Oscar winning director, Brosnan revealed. (And, yes, it took considerable effort not to write "From Ghost Rider to ghostwriter." You're welcome.)

"I'm going to go off and work with Mr. Roman Polanski and Nic Cage on a film called 'The Ghost,'" Brosnan said. "It's a thriller."

A thriller and then some, and right in Polanski's wheelhouse. Inspired in part by Tony Blair, the novel picks up steam when the ghostwriter learns privileged details about a scandal which threatens to engulf the ex-Prime Minister. Soon, he finds himself in personal jeopardy, and must learn to balance his commitments to Lang with his own safety.

Most of the story takes place in an oceanfront house in the middle of winter.

"I have been looking for a political thriller to direct for some time, and 'The Ghost' could not be more perfect," Polanski told Variety at the time of his announced commitment to the project. "Robert has constructed a novel with such suspense, it is hard to put it down."
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


Skeleton FilmWorks

MacGuffin

Roman Polanski wants sex charge dismissed
Filmmaker claims judicial, prosecutorial misconduct
Source: Hollywood Reporter

Roman Polanski on Tuesday filed papers with the Los Angeles Superior Court asking that his notorious decades-old sex case against him, in which he pleaded guilty to unlawful intercourse with a 13-year-old girl, be dismissed.

Attorneys for the Oscar-winning fillmmaker claim judicial and prosecutorial misconduct and cite the recent HBO documentary "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired" as revealing a pattern of misconduct between the court and the District Attorney's Office throughout the case.

They list a slew of reasons for the case to be dismissed, including that the victim, Samantha Geimer, has made "numerous" and repeated requests that the case be dismissed and that Mr. Polanski serve no further term of incarceration, a request that must be considered."

Polanski's Los Angeles attorneys Chad Hummel and Bart Dalton said those communications were in violation of the rule of law and were made without the knowledge of their client or his attorney. Dalton is the son of Douglas Dalton, Polanski's attorney in the original case.

"This case serves as a classic example of how our justice system can be abused and defendants' rights trampled, by an unholy alliance between courts and criminal prosecutors," the attorneys said in a statement.

The court declined comment on the case itself, since it is still pending, but said its position for several years has been "if Mr. Polanski wants to resolve this matter, he must appear in person. Should he do so, he would be taken to Dept. 100 for sentencing -- which is where this all left off. At that point, his attorneys would be free to pursue whatever legal strategy they choose."

The DA's spokeswoman, Sandi Gibbons, said her office had not been served with the motion and only heard about it through media reports. She said the office could not take a position until they see dismissal papers.

"We're looking forward to seeing Mr. Polanski in Los Angeles to litigate it," she said.

A hearing on the motion is set for Jan. 21.

The Poland-born Polanski was originally indicted on six felony counts and faced up to life in prison. Instead, he pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sex with a minor and fled the U.S. in 1978 to avoid serving what his lawyers claim would be a second term of imprisonment for the offense. Polanski had already served time in a California prison, they said.

In the filing, Polanski's lawyers claim "extraordinary new evidence" has surfaced in the doc revealing that the prosectuor at the time, David Wells, had "repeated unethical and unlawful" communications with the judge at the time, the late Lawrence Rittenband, without Polanski's attorneys present, in which the disposition of the case was discussed.

"As a result of these improper conversations, Judge Rittenband was illegally influenced by Wells and became unduly cocerned about his public reputation regarding his conduct in this case," the filing states. "Driven by personal preoccupations and motivations, Judge Rittenband intentionally violated Mr. Polanski's plea agreement, imposed an illegal sentence upon him and threatened him with a second term of imprisonment and compelled deportation -- all in clear violaion of state and federal law and over the objectsion of both the defense and the prosecution."

A warrant issued at that time is still in effect. Now a French citizen, the filmmaker has avoided traveling to Britain as well, for fear of extradiction.

The doc by Marina Zenovich, which played Sundance and Cannes, follows the case against Polanski, including a 1997 meeting between the court, Polanski's attorneys and the DA that would have paved the way for the director to return to the U.S.

According to the doc, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler, who was the new judge in the case, insisted that the hearing, which would have ended the 30-year-old case, be televised. Polanski, fearing a media circus, did not return. After HBO aired the doc earlier this year, court officials called the assertion a complete fabrication and insisted HBO change the wording. It now indicates the court only insisted the hearing be held in open court.

Polanski won a best director Oscar in 2002 for the Holocaust drama "The Pianist."
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


Skeleton FilmWorks

MacGuffin

Pair join Roman Polanski's 'Ghost'
Wilkinson, Belushi round out cast of thriller
Source: Variety

Tom Wilkinson and Jim Belushi round out the cast of Roman Polanski's "The Ghost." Lensing on the thriller based on the Robert Harris novel of the same name is to begin Feb. 4 in Berlin.

Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Ewan McGregor and Olivia Williams had been previously announced as cast members.

Screenplay, penned by Harris and Polanski, centers on a former British prime minister who's holed up on an island writing his memoirs when his aide drowns, triggering political and sexual intrigue.

Polanski's producing along with Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde. Shoot will take place mainly at Studio Babelsberg.

Summit Intl., which has a longstanding relationship with Polanski and the producers, is repping the film for RP Prods. and has pre-sold "The Ghost" to Pathe in France; Kinowelt in Germany; Optimum in the U.K.; Rai Cinema in Italy; Acme UAB in the Baltic states; Dutch Filmworks in Benelux; and SPI Intl. in Eastern Europe.

A U.S. distributor has yet to be announced. ICM is representing North American rights.

Wednesday's announcement came as an appeals court issued a stay on a hearing in Los Angeles County Superior Court over Polanski's request for a dismissal of his conviction for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977.
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


Skeleton FilmWorks

MacGuffin

Timothy Hutton haunts 'Ghost' pic
Roman Polanski film starts shooting this week
Source: Hollywood Reporter

BERLIN -- Timothy Hutton has joined the cast of Roman Polanski's "The Ghost."

The film, which begins shooting this week in Berlin, tells the tale of a ghostwriter (Ewan McGregor) who is hired to complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister (Pierce Brosnan). When he uncovers secrets, his own life is put in jeopardy.

Hutton plays the role of the prime minister's American lawyer. Tom Wilkinson, James Belushi and Kim Cattrall also are in the cast.

Polanski is producing the film along with Robert Benmussa, Alain Sarde and Patrick Wachsberger. The film is based on the book by Robert Harris

Hutton stars in TNT's "Leverage," which was recently renewed and has new episodes scheduled to air in the summer. The actor is coming off three movies that recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival: "Lymelife," "Brief Interviews With Hideous Men," and "The Killing Room."
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


Skeleton FilmWorks