I'm Not There - Bob Dylan biopic

[cowboykurtis]

posting that?  yeah

no, the idea

[Ghostboy]

But why?

I really hope this works. And even it it doesn't, you have to applaud Haynes for trying to something so audacious and challenging.

Filmmakers trying things like this keeps cinema exciting. The other Todd already proved that eight people can play the same person to a really beautiful effect - why can't a similar technique be used on a historical figure? It's bound to be far more interesting than any traditional biopic could, or would, be.

Also, I love the blatant artsiness of the title.

[cowboykurtis]

But why?

I really hope this works. And even it it doesn't, you have to applaud Haynes for trying to something so audacious and challenging.

Filmmakers trying things like this keeps cinema exciting.

it may keep things exciting in speculation, but does not neccessarily mean it will be best for the film.

I just can't see it working.

different actors for different ages is one thing...

using women to play a man (especially Dylan) just seems is absolutely absurd - a novelty act.

call me a traditionalist if you will, but i can't see this working as a storytelling device - a conversation peice...maybe.

[RegularKarate]

Palindromes

I think you're dismissing it too quickly... that's what I meant by that

[cowboykurtis]

i haven't caught it yet - been meaning to.

are there men and women playing the lead in palindromes? that's the core of Hayne's idea that I can't see working in the Dylan pic. I can see it work if it was all the same sex.

the only film ive seen work using multiple cast members for one character was That Obscure Object of Desire - was done in a very tactful and subtle way. And with only 2 actors, opposed to 5,6,7...

Such a bold move seems like it would be very disjointed and distracting. There are certain filmmaking/storytelling conventions that are very hard to stray from.

however, I can't fully disregard or condemn until I see it.

[Ghostboy]

are there men and women playing the lead in palindromes? that's the core of Hayne's idea that I can't see working in the Dylan pic. I can see it work if it was all the same sex.

There's one boy amongst all the girls.

[godardian]

Okay, so of course I have to come back to post in this topic... sorry, no triumphant return, but please know that you guys are all always lurking somewhere in the back of my head (in the little pantry not crammed full of school info).

I disgree with cowboyk's assessment... Haynes has certainly not ever been one to leave gender roles unchallenged, and I'm sure he'd be the first to embrace the idea that there's masculine and feminine in each and every human being, and Dylan was so androgynous that he makes the perfect example.

I liked Palindromes a lot, too. But this sounds like a very different motivation. Solondz's well-made point was that people's attributes can change, but their natures can't, or at least are unlikely to. Haynes's sure to be well-made point will likely be that, for the sake of masking our insecurities and functioning in society, we need to pretend our natures (or "identities," to use the word that's always bound to come up in a discussion of Haynes) are much more fixed than they could ever possibly be, and that the differences between a man and a woman are not as significant as we make them. I don't imagine most people will feel Bob Dylan's gender is such a significant part of what he is that Haynes's casting will seem like a stunt. The question of the importance of one's chromosomes and genitalia-- or what connection those things should have to our socialized identities, the kind of identity none of us have any choice but to have-- has always been central to Haynes's work, so this idea seems very much like him. I know he believes one's "gender," unlike one's innate biological sex, to be a very mutable and very sociocultural phenomenon. I'm not a huge Dylan fan, but I'm really looking forward to it.

Hope all are well.

[meatwad]

found this on the imdb boards

Dylan Biopic
Thursday, May 04, 2006
By Roger Friedman

Colin Out, Heath In For Bob Dylan Film

Here's the big word from the world of film: Colin Farrell is supposedly out and "Brokeback Mountain" star Heath Ledger is in for the Bob Dylan biopic getting ready to shoot this summer called "I'm Not There."

I am told that director Todd Haynes, of "Far from Heaven" fame, was forced to change lead actors at the last minute. The reason for Farrell's departure is unknown, but what is known is that he's been in rehab already this year.

Neither actor was actually going to play Bob Dylan alone in Haynes's imaginative script. Indeed, the screenplay calls for six different people to play the legendary singer-songwriter, including Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere and Christian Bale.

Julianne Moore, also in the film, is set to play another role (not Dylan), sources tell me.

The fact that John Lennon was recently represented by six actors in a failed Broadway musical is of no consequence to Haynes and company. "We had the idea first," an insider told me.

The script also calls for the use of more than a dozen Dylan songs, which will be chosen by Haynes from the songwriters' huge catalogue. Dylan is said to be so enthusiastic about the project that he's given up his half of the publishing income to make the budget work. The other half is owned by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, and they're not giving up anything. After all, some of it will go toward paying Michael Jackson's debt.

And don't worry; the songs will not be sung by the actors. Many well-known acts like The White Stripes and Aimee Mann will get a shot at re-interpreting Dylan's work.

[SiliasRuby]

Dylan is my fourth fav. musical artist. (The other three are The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin.) So I have some somewhat expectations for this. I'm extremely interested in how this film will work and Julianne Moore being in this just makes this project even mire exciting. I wonder if she will play Sara. Only time will tell.

[takitani]

A few months ago, there was a really cool interview with Haynes in a magazine called Tokion, in which he divulged some stuff about I'm Not There. I didn't buy the mag 'cause I'm cheap and broke as hell. Nevertheless, I did jot down some highlights from the interview in my blog.

And oh, rumors are swirling that Haynes outright fired Farrell because he was afraid that Farrell's booze (and maybe drugs?) habits would prove detrimental to production.

[MacGuffin]

Williams, Ledger on Dylan bio
Source: Hollywood Reporter

Oscar-nominated actors Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams are joining the all-star cast of the Bob Dylan biopic "I'm Not There," written and directed by Todd Haynes.

Ledger, who replaces Colin Farrell, is in negotiations to be one of seven actors cast that will represent the different aspects of Dylan's life story and music. Williams will play Coco Rivington, a model with whom an androgynous folk star -- played by the already cast Cate Blanchett -- is taken. Also cast are Christian Bale, Julianne Moore and Richard Gere.

The movie represents an onscreen reunion for Ledger and Williams, who were Oscar-nominated for their performances in Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain."

Haynes and Killer Films principal Christine Vachon earlier had persuaded Dylan to assign the filmmakers the rights to his life story and music. The first biographical screenplay about Dylan is set to go before the cameras in July in Montreal and was co-written by Haynes with Oren Moverman.

Vachon is producing with Dylan's business manager, Jeff Rosen. Wells and Goldwyn are exec producing.

Haynes has reteamed with cinematographer Ed Lachman ("Far From Heaven") and hired production designer Jan Roelfs ("World Trade Center") to create period looks for "I'm Not There."

[MacGuffin]

Cate Blanchett to Play Bob Dylan in Biopic

Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, who has portrayed Queen Elizabeth and Katharine Hepburn, will add another legend to her resume: Bob Dylan.

The 37-year-old Australian actress is one of seven actors to play Dylan at various stages of his career in the biopic, "I'm Not There," tentatively scheduled for release next year. She'll portray a specific aspect of Dylan's personality, embodied by an androgynous singer-songwriter character named Jude, according to Killer Films, the movie's production company.

Heath Ledger and his girlfriend and "Brokeback Mountain" co-star Michelle Williams have also joined the cast, along with Christian Bale, Julianne Moore and Richard Gere.

The movie will be directed by Todd Haynes, who helmed 2002 movie "Far from Heaven" and 1998's "Velvet Goldmine," about rock icon David Bowie.

Blanchett will next be seen in the upcoming dramas "Babel," opposite Brad Pitt, and "The Good German," alongside George Clooney.

[MacGuffin]

Production Starts on Haynes' I'm Not There
Source: Killer Films

Principal photography will commence Monday, July 31st on Todd Haynes' new feature film I'm Not There. This production will shoot entirely on location in Montreal, Canada.

The film is a portrait of Bob Dylan that has six actors playing the iconic singer-songwriter in his different life-guises. The different "Dylans" will be portrayed by Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, and Ben Whishaw.

Also cast in supporting roles are David Cross, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Bruce Greenwood, Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams.

Among Haynes' collaborators on the film crew are cinematographer Ed Lachman (Far From Heaven), production designer Judy Becker (Brokeback Mountain), costume designer John Dunn (Casino) and editor Jay Rabinowitz (The Fountain). The intriguing line-up of musicians for the Dylan soundtrack includes Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth, Richie Havens, and the band Calexico.

I'm Not There is being produced by Christine Vachon, through Killer Films, along with John Goldwyn, Jeff Rosen and James D. Stern, through his Endgame Entertainment, which is the primary financier of the film.

John Sloss, Andreas Grosch, Amy J. Kaufman and John Wells all serve as executive producers on the picture. Charles Pugliese is serving as co-producer.

[MacGuffin]

That's Not Bob Dylan, That's Cate Blanchett, Baby!
Source: Rolling Stone

You may remember director Todd Haynes: He's the one who used Barbie Dolls to tell the life story of Karen Carpenter some years back. Now he's found a way to top himself: He's currently filming a Bob Dylan biopic called I'm Not There in which seven different actors portray the legendary singer-songwriter. Here are the first shots to emerge from the set: Speaking for ourselves, we're pretty shocked at how well Cate Blanchett manages to pull off Dylan circa 1965 or 1966. Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, Julianne Moore, David Cross, Michelle Williams and Christian Bale are also in the movie - though it's unclear if they all will play Bob as well. Taking bets now: will it be better or worse than Masked And Anonymous?

[godardian]

For once, having a Rolling Stone subscription pays off! On page 38 of the October 19 issue, there's a quite detailed on-set report by Brian Hiatt. Many interesting details are revealed. (Dunno if they count as "spoilers." No plot info is given away, I don't think.)