Film News (06/06/09)

Theres a trio writer directors making the headlines this week. Um, and a couple of other stories that I can't fit into a single witty headline.

How do you Know

Writer-director James L. Brooks has recruited his old buddy Jack Nicholson to join the supporting cast of this Reese Witherspoon vehicle set to start lensing next month. Nicholson's replacing the notoriously diffident Bill Murray, who forgot to checks hi messages, or something. Jack has won 2 Oscars whilst working for Brooks in the past, so hopefully there'll be some good things coming. The film only has How do you Know as a working title, but I prefer that to the untitled blah blah blah...


When Jack and James last worked together they made the world fall in love with Helen Hunt, and this yappy dog.



Creed of Violence

Writer-Director Todd Field (I'm determined to make that link work) has been hired as a writer to adapt Boston Teran's latest novel (it's due to be published later this year). Field only usually writes when he's going to direct as well, so I can almost get away with the opening words. Plot revolves around a desperado and a Government agent halting an arms smuggling operation in 1910.

Hamlet

It's been a couple of years since the last Hamlet adaptation, so we're due another. This time brought to the 21st century and starring an "age-appropriate" Emile Hirsch. I've seen some snark about this project, but I'm sure Hirsch has the acting chops to be able to carry the role. His work in Into the Wild was incredible, and Hamlet's similar just with an even weirder family.

Invictus

Kris Tapley over at Incontention had the scoop on the title for Eastwood's Mandela biopic, so I'll just link to that. The title comes from a poam by William Earnest Henley, that was a favourite of Mandela's during his time in prison.

Next Three Days

Yesterday the French Film Anything for Her came out in the UK, so this week the US remake has been announced. Writer-Director Paul Haggis (we're back with that ridiculous link) will be finding ways to make a film with little commercial appeal, yet strangely award magnety.



The French Film Poster.