Anton Corbijn

Started by MacGuffin, June 19, 2011, 10:34:34 AM

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MacGuffin

Anton Corbijn To Helm Adaptation Of John le Carré's Political Thriller 'A Most Wanted Man'
Source: Playlist

After adapting Martin Booth's "A Very Private Gentleman" to much acclaim, it looks like Dutch rock-photographer Anton Corbijn is once again turning to a novel for inspiration with his next project now revealed to be an adaptation of John le Carré's 2008 political thriller "A Most Wanted Man."

The director had previously teased his next feature film as his last but we're hoping his comments—which included the admission that he wasn't a "very good fit for 'Spider-Man 25'"—were a deceptive combination of self-depreciation and sarcasm rather than a Soderberghian retirement pact. That said, he declared at the time that his last feature would be "a German-set thriller that would star German actor Herbert Grönemeyer", and this le Carré adaptation worryingly fits that description.

'Wanted Man' is evidently loosely based on the story of Turkish-German Guantanamo detainee Murat Kurnaz but rather follows "a Chechian Muslim named Issa who illegally immigrates to Hamburg, where he gets caught up in the international war on terror." Here's an extended synopsis courtesy of Amazon;

When boxer Melik Oktay and his mother, both Turkish Muslims living in Hamburg, take in a street person calling himself Issa at the start of this morally complex thriller from le Carré (The Mission Song), they set off a chain of events implicating intelligence agencies from three countries. Issa, who claims to be a Muslim medical student, is, in fact, a wanted terrorist and the son of Grigori Karpov, a Red Army colonel whose considerable assets are concealed in a mysterious portfolio at a Hamburg bank. Tommy Brue, a stereotypical flawed everyman caught up in the machinations of spies and counterspies, enters the plot when Issa's attorney seeks to claim these assets.

The plot sounds fairly complex and somewhat of an anti-thesis to his last feature, "The American," which predominantly followed a hitman confronting and battling his inners demons rather than any physical threats. Much of that pic fell on the shoulders of lead George Clooney (as it did with Sam Riley for "Control") so we're intrigued to see if Corbijn has actually managed to acquire funding for the project with semi-retiree Grönemeyer in the lead —there's no mention of him in the latest announcement but the role of Issa (the son of a Red Army colonel) does sound like something he could take on.

Principal photography will predominantly take place in Hamburg, Germany as early as this winter based on a script by Australian scribe Andrew Bovell (Mel Gibson starrer "The Edge Of Darkness"). Malte Grunert's Berlin-based shingle Amusement Park Films with Hamburg's film board partially subsididng the production.

The surprising speed of development for the project was surely helped by author le Carré, who's hot property at the moment with Tomas Alfredsson re-adaptation "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Tom Hardy among others expected to fare in the upcoming awards season.. You can hear the author himself teasing the story of 'Wanted Man' in a trailer for the novel produced by Simon Channing-Williams at the time of publication.
"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


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cronopio 2

is anyone a fan of john le carré?

MacGuffin

Robin Wright for 'Wanted Man'
Thesp boards adaptation of le Carre thriller
Source: Variety

Robin Wright is in talks to star in a feature adaptation of the John le Carre tome "A Most Wanted Man."

"The American" helmer Anton Corbijn is directing from a script by Andrew Bovell. Original story revolved around a Chechnian Muslim who illegally immigrates to Hamburg, Germany, where he gets caught up in the international war on terror.

Andrea Calderwood, Simon Cornwell, Stephen Cornwell, Gail Egan and Malte Grunert will produce through Amusement Park Films, Demarest Films, Film4, the Ink Factory and Potboiler Prods.

Le Carre novels have been hot properties for Hollywood in recent years. Besides its 2011 film "Tinker Tailor Solder Spy," starring Gary Oldman, Focus Features also saw nice results from 2005's "The Constant Gardener," which received a supporting actress Oscar for Rachel Weisz and three other nominations.

The CAA-repped Wright was most recently seen in Sony's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."
"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

Haven't seen Control, but loved The American and therefore am interested in whatever he comes up with next. And I can't really say I'm a le Carre fan because I've never read any of his novels, but I like me some spy/thriller shit when done well, so with a good director, it may turn out to be quite nice.
Si

MacGuffin

'Control' Filmmaker Anton Corbijn to Direct James Dean Movie 'Life'
Source: The Wrap

Anton Corbijn, who directed George Clooney in "The American,' is attached to direct "Life," which chronicles the relationship between photographer Dennis Stock and James Dean.

Luke Davies ("Candy") wrote the movie, which Iain Canning and Emile Sherman will produce for See-Saw Films ("The King's Speech").

Set in 1955 before the premiere of "East of Eden," story follows photographer Dennis Stock, who meets undiscovered star James Dean at a party and quickly comes to believe that the free-spirited actor has the potential to personify a social revolution. Beset with guilt from being an estranged parent to his son, Dennis slowly emerges from behind his bravado, spending time with Jimmy in Los Angeles, New York, and Indiana, having been commissioned Life Magazine. The photos would capture a star in the making and provide Dennis with the self-belief to be an international renowned artist.

Pre-production on "Life" will start in early 2014.

Founded in 2008 by Sherman and Canning, See-Saw Films produced Oscar winner "The King's Speech" and Steve McQueen's sex addiction drama "Shame," which starred Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan. The company is currently in post-production on John Curran's "Tracks," which stars Mia Wasikowska. See-Saw's first television series, Jane Campion's "Top of the Lake," just finished its run on the Sundance Channel.

Corbijn, who made his name in music videos, made his feature directorial debut with the Ian Curtis biopic "Control." His next film, "A Most Wanted Man," stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe and Robin Wright.
"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