The Rum Diary

[03]

in the rain or in the snow

[cron]

got da got da funky flow!

[MacGuffin]

King, WIP toast 'Rum' with Depp
Source: Hollywood Reporter

NEW YORK -- Hunter S. Thompson's 1959 novel "The Rum Diary," first published in 1998 and set for film adaptation in 2000, may finally reach the screen with star-producer Johnny Depp, Warner Independent Pictures and Graham King's GK Films.

GK acquired all rights to the late author's autobiographical first novel for Depp to star in and produce with King and WIP through his Infinitum Nihil production company. The film also will be produced with Film Engine, with A.J. Dix, Anthony Rhulen and William Shively attached alongside Robert Kravis and Greg Shapiro.

Bruce Robinson, whose 1987 comedy "Withnail & I" gained a cult following, is writing the adapted screenplay and directing.

"Rum Diary" is loosely based on Thompson's experience working as a freelance journalist in Puerto Rico in the late '50s. Depp will play a reporter who works alongside a motley crew of self-destructive staffers at a struggling San Juan newspaper, where an erotic love triangle emerges.

A GK spokesperson said it is hoped that production will begin shortly after principal photography is completed on Depp's next film, Mira Nair's crime drama "Shantaram," for Warner Bros. Pictures and producers King, Infinitum Nihil and Plan B. No shooting dates have been set for either film.

Many plans to make "Rum Diary" have been announced over the years. The now-defunct indie production outfit Shooting Gallery and SPi Films optioned the book and announced plans to make the film in 2000, with Depp set to star and exec produce and Nick Nolte co-starring and his Kingsgate Entertainment also producing. Film Engine picked up the option in 2002 and announced plans to produce it with Kingsgate partner Shapiro. Benicio Del Toro and Josh Hartnett were soon attached as cast members.

Del Toro reportedly was set to make his directorial debut with "Rum Diary" in late 2003, but the project remained dormant through Thompson's February 2005 suicide. It was resurrected in April by new production outfit Dark & Stormy Entertainment, co-founded by Shooting Gallery alum Kravis, with Robinson and Depp attached. Distributor WIP's new involvement in the project may provide better luck for its eventual production.

According to their reps, Del Toro, Nolte and Hartnett are no longer attached to the project.

Depp and King's companies also are joining with Warners to produce a film adaptation of ABC's 1966-71 vampire soap opera "Dark Shadows."

Depp's credits include playing Thompson's alter ego in Terry Gilliam's 1996 adaptation of the author's book "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" for Universal Pictures.

[Just Withnail]

Old thread

[MacGuffin]

Amber Heard joining Johnny Depp in 'Diary'
Film is adapted from Hunter S. Thompson's novel
Source: Variety

BERLIN -- Amber Heard is in negotiations to play the coveted female lead opposite Johnny Depp in "Rum Diary," the adaptation of the Hunter S. Thompson novel, which Bruce Robinson is writing and directing.

Heard is a relative newcomer who so far has been cast in supporting roles in more modest movies. Her notable roles include the title character in "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane" and a stint as Seth Rogen's high school-aged girlfriend in "Pineapple Express."

"Diary" will place Heard at the front and center of a love triangle in the tale of a washed-up, hard-drinking journalist named Paul Kemp (Depp) in 1950s Puerto Rico. Heard will play Chenault, the free-spirited girlfriend of a fellow journalist who cheats on him with Kemp, trying to convince him to run away with her.

The role drew strong interest from many a leading lady (Scarlett Johansson and Keira Knightley were among those reported to have been vying for it), though some had reservations regarding the nudity the role calls for. But that didn't inhibit Heard -- in the upcoming ensemble Bret Easton Ellis adaptation "The Informers," she spends all but one scene in the flesh. "Diary," however, also will offer the opportunity to showcase some dramatic chops.

The role of Sanderson, the third point in the triangle, has not been cast.

The project, which Depp, Christi Dembrowski and Graham King are producing, begins March 30 in Puerto Rico. "Rum" is a production of King's GK Films and Depp's Infinitum Nihil. Also producing are Film Engine with A.J. Dix, Anthony Rhulen and William Shively attached alongside Robert Kravis and Greg Shapiro.

"Diary" is a passion project for Depp, a friend of Thompson, who has been trying to get the adaptation off the ground since 2003.

Heard, who just booked the lead in John Carpenter's haunted house thriller "Ward 19," also nabbed a cameo in Columbia's "Zombieland," starring Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson. She will play the object of Eisenberg's affection who turns into a zombie.

[MacGuffin]

Aaron Eckhart, Richard Jenkins in 'Diary' pic
Depp, Heard cast in Hunter S. Thompson tale
Source: Hollywood Reporter

BERLIN -- Aaron Eckhart and Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins will be hitting the sauce in "Rum Diary," the adaptation of the Hunter S. Thompson novel that stars Johnny Depp.

Eckhart is in negotiations while Jenkins is signed on for the movie, which Bruce Robinson adapted and is directing. Amber Heard also is on board.

Eckhart is part of a love triangle that sees him vying with Depp for Heard's affection. "Diary" is the tale of a washed-up, hard-drinking journalist named Paul Kemp (Depp) in 1950s Puerto Rico. Eckhart would play Sanderson, a wealthy landowner who believes everything has a price and introduces Kemp to a different standard of living.

Jenkins is playing Lotterman, the man who oversees the rundown newspaper where Kemp works.

The project, which Depp, Christi Dembrowski and Graham King are producing, begins shooting March 30 in Puerto Rico. "Rum" is a production of King's GK Films and Depp's Infinitum Nihil. Also producing is Film Engine, with A.J. Dix, Anthony Rhulen and William Shively attached alongside Robert Kravis and Greg Shapiro. GK Films is preselling at the European Film Market in Berlin.

Eckhart, who played Harvey Dent/Two-Face in "The Dark Knight," also is attached to star in "Battle: Los Angeles," a sci-fi actioner from Columbia Pictures, director Jonathan Liebesman and producer Neal Moritz.

The CAA-repped actor next stars opposite Jennifer Aniston in "Traveling."

Gersh-repped Jenkins, nominated for the best actor Oscar for "The Visitor," just signed on for a stint in Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard's mystery-shrouded horror project "Cabin in the Woods" for MGM/UA. He is additionally repped by Bill Treusch.

[MacGuffin]

Giovanni Ribisi Joins The Rum Diary
Source: Variety

Giovanni Ribisi has been added to the cast of Warner Independent's The Rum Diary, starring Johnny Depp. He'll play a carousing journalist in the Hunter S. Thompson adaptation, reports Variety.

Written and directed by Bruce Robinson, the film is about Paul Kemp (Depp), a freelance journalist writing for a rundown newspaper in 1950s Puerto Rico who is surrounded by a bunch of lost souls bent on self-destruction.

Amber Heard, Aaron Eckhart and Richard Jenkins co-star.

[Pozer]

http://tinyurl.com/3saw8wz

classic Playlist writeup in there.

[socketlevel]

It's gonna be great watching a bruce robinson film again. how to get ahead in advertising is one of my all-time favorites.

[MacGuffin]

[Jeremy Blackman]

I sense a marketing copies entry, but I can't quite place it.

[Stefen]

It's the poster for my life when I got kicked out of law school and started posting on xixax.

[pete]

I sense a marketing copies entry, but I can't quite place it.

?

[MacGuffin]

Johnny Depp Banned From Talking 'The Rum Diary' With ABC Affiliates

UPDATED: According to new report, Disney doesn't want his new film to overshadow "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Disney has apparently banned ABC affiliates from speaking with and videotaping Johnny Depp when it concerns his new film, The Rum Diary.

The actor arrived at the Austin Film Festival on Friday where The Rum Diary will be screened and he's accepting an award from the festival's organizers for his "Extraordinary Contribution to Film." But, if you're watching on an ABC affiliate, you won't be hearing what Depp has to say on either topic.

According to Houston's KHOU, no ABC affiliates were allowed to speak with or even shoot the actor at the event due to a clause in his contract with Disney for its successful film franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean.

"We came here expecting to talk to one of the biggest names in Hollywood," say KHOU News reporter Shelton Green. "But apparently, Disney doesn't want Johnny Depp's new movie premiering here at the Paramount [Theatre] to get more exposure than his new Pirates of the Caribbean movie. So, they wouldn't allow us to interview him nor would they even allow us to get video of him, but hundreds of other people did."

The Walt Disney Co. owns ABC Inc. and several ABC owned and operated stations.

The Rum Diary is based on the novel of the same name by Hunter S. Thompson about a reporter in Puerto Rico during the 1950s. Depp both produced and stars in the film out in theatres on Oct. 28.

The fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, On Stranger Tides, debuted last may. The next installment is reportedly due to go into production in summer 2012.

THR has requested official comment from Disney and ABC.

[72teeth]

Dayum! Disney's got the devil's clutch on Depp! But I'm sure he's just fine without junkets...