War Of The Worlds

MacGuffin · March 17, 2004, 01:02:10 AM

Spielberg & Cruise Teaming on War of the Worlds!
Source: Variety

Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise will bring The War of the Worlds to the big screen, with Cruise expected to star, reports Variety. David Koepp (Secret Window) will rewrite a Josh Friedman first-draft script based on the classic H.G. Wells alien-invasion novel.

Depending on how quickly a script is approved, the sci-fi epic could start filming in late 2005. Cruise and his C/W Productions partner Paula Wagner set up the film at Paramount in May 2002. DreamWorks will come aboard as a partner, now that Spielberg is involved, adds the trade.

Cruise and Wagner will produce, and it is likely Spielberg and DreamWorks Pictures co-heads Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald will be involved in that capacity as well.

"War" became permanently etched in American culture when Orson Welles' Mercury Theater performed the story on radio in 1938 and ignited a nationwide panic when listeners didn't realize it was fiction. H.G. Wells wrote the book in 1898.

Also, while Spielberg's plans for Indiana Jones 4 have stalled, he's now interested in The Rivals, the Robin Swicord-scripted drama centered on 19th-century legit stars Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse. That film seems likely for a winter start at DreamWorks. And C/W is preparing Mission: Impossible 3 for Paramount, to be helmed by Narc director Joe Carnahan. The third film is expected to go into production this summer, with Cruise to star.

mogwai · March 17, 2004, 10:11:20 AM

no effin' way!!!

but they could've adapted this play instead:

...or maybe it doesn't make any difference.

Just Withnail · March 17, 2004, 10:37:46 AM

Good news, but it doesn't clearly state that Spielberg is directing. Anything could happen. I'm betting on producer.

Ghostboy · March 17, 2004, 10:45:33 AM

He'll direct it. He and Cruise have been circling this since the Minority Report days.

modage · March 17, 2004, 11:38:18 AM

Quote from: mogwaino effin' way!!!

mogwai · March 17, 2004, 11:43:06 AM

yes?

Pubrick · March 17, 2004, 12:36:55 PM

Quote from: mogwaiyes?

he's supporting ur reaction with an exclamation.

similar to the dramatic NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO in this thread.

phil marlowe · March 17, 2004, 02:19:47 PM

i'll say this will be very pretty awesome

Kal · March 17, 2004, 02:24:03 PM

This movie could be so great... and just hope they dont fuck it up like in Minority Report

cine · March 17, 2004, 02:27:28 PM

Quote from: andykThis movie could be so great... and just hope they dont fuck it up like in Minority Report

But they didn't fuck up Minority Report.....

phil marlowe · March 17, 2004, 02:33:11 PM

nope, if this is going to be only half as good as minority report...

*satysfied*

modage · March 17, 2004, 03:01:10 PM

Quote from: phil marlowenope, if this is going to be only half as good as minority report...

*satysfied*

exactly. if its even HALF as good ill love it.

mutinyco · March 17, 2004, 08:04:34 PM

Should be interesting. Spielberg has been doing more offbeat projects lately. It's like he's been doing more personal/art films, while everything from TLOTR to Harry Potter took epic film fantasy to another level -- both technically and in profit. This'll give Spielberg a reputable entrance back into that domain after this hiatus.

El Duderino · March 17, 2004, 08:12:17 PM

this movie sounds great, i cant wait

Alethia · March 17, 2004, 08:23:34 PM

but i thought spielberg aliens were nice?