Like a cat with a mouse (Film News - 29/08/10)

I didn't have a news section last week as I couldn't get to a computer, but that's probably a god thing as there hasn't exactly been much going on over the last few weeks. Mainly casting news on projects we've already talked to death here as well as the odd bit of unlikely rumours. Luckily we do have some good stories in the release date sections still to come with December becoming a lot more interesting... First up though is:

Toyer

Gadner McKay's novel is an interesting twist on the serial killer/gorno sub genre where the antagonist kidnaps girls in order to psychologically play with them but not murder or rape them, then once he has his fill releases them again. I can't quite see how - in the universe of the book - this isn't regarded as a major criminal act but apparently our hero is able to get away with it time and time again. If the set up sounds a little Hitchcockian then you won't be surprised to hear Brain De Palma is currently working on a big screen adaptation with the action transferred to the Carnevale di Venezia.



If anyone can make this sort of thing work I imagine it's De Palma (above, holding up a window) with his usual visual tricks and obsession with identity. It's not the first time Brian toyed (sorry) with the idea of adapting it but with nothing else on his plate I hope he finally gets a chance to go ahead with production.

Read on for OAPs, kidnap, terrorism, mass murder, spys, serial killers, the war on drugs and exhaustive gun battles. I'm thinking the OAPs may be out of place in this weeks post.



Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Our first confirmed casting story is for Dame Judi Dench who has signed on to play one of the residents in the titular Indian retirement home. We're still waiting to hear which other major British stars of a certain age who will also be signing up.

Carjacked

It's been on the radar for a couple of years now, but Peter Medak's thriller set completely within the car of a mother and daughter who are kidnapped has picked up Maria Bello as the victim and Stephen Dorff as her captor. I suspect this will be more an exercise in style than a great movie - like Phone Booth - but I'll sill be there to see what intensity Bello can bring to the role. Example of carjacking to the left, in case you've spent your whole life in a cave.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Joining Sandra Bullock in Stephen Daldry's 9/11 picture will be Tom Hanks. I'm not sure what part he's going to play - the film revolves around a pre-teen whose father died in the terrorist attacks - but even a cameo role should do wonders for it's overall appeal. Expect it to win all the Oscars in 2012.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Following the announcement that Rooney Mara (Social Network, Nightmare on Elm Street) will be playing Lisbeth in the American remake comes the added rumour that Max von Sydow (looking a little confused on our right) will be the patriarch at the centre of the family who are haunted by the crime that forms the backbone of the plot. It's nice to see there will be some Swedish presence in the remake.

Salt 2

With Anjelina Jolie's spy vehicle passing $110m in it's US gross and with a deliberately ambiguous ending it comes as no surprise that everyone's signed on for a return including Jolie and director Philip Noyce. Whether there's enough plot to make it work remains to be seen but the first film was an enjoyable romp so I expect I'll be up for a sequel.

Scream 4

Two more starlets, Anna Paquin and Kristen Bell, have been added to the cast of Wes Craven's return to the tongue in cheek franchise. Filming's been going on for some time so I wouldn't expect either actress to make it to the final credits intact.

Triple Frontier

A leaked memo from Paramount executives has announced a number of small and longer term projects currently under development, including within it notes about Kathryn Bigelow's next drug drama. Apparently she has been meeting with Will Smith, Javier Bardem, Christian Bale and Sean Penn which sounds like hell of a cast to me.

Untitled Gallipoli Project

Peter Jackson is remaining tight lipped about The Hobbit and Tintin sequels but he has been talking this week about his ambition to retell the Gallipoli story prior to the 100th anniversary in 2015. Unlike Peter Weir incredible 1981 film (DVD cover, right) Jackson intends to balance the politics and show the culpability from the ANZAC commanders as well as the incompetence of the British Generals in charge of the operation. It sounds controversial and with only 5 years to make it it's hard to think he can squeeze it in with both of the aforementioned blockbusters so one of them is likely to give...

Honorary Oscars

We've also learned this week that AMPAS will be bestowing honorary awards on to historian and preservationist Kevin Brownlow, director Jean-Luc Godard and actor Eli Wallach, as well as the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award to producer-director Francis Ford Coppola. Some very good choices there. I'll be watching The Good, the Bad and The Ugly to celebrate Eli's award later. How will you be celebrating?

Release Dates

New York I Love You - Falling back a week - just a week this time - is the follow up to the acclaimed Paris, Je t'aime. I'm not sure but I may have mentioned before how much I'm looking forward to this. Find your love story on 08 October 2010.

Miral - December is beginning to fill up with prestige fare including this look at the Palestinian/Israel issue from avant-garde director Julian Schnabel and it's sure to pose far more questions than it answers. Find out which side of the wall you're on on 03 December 2010.

The Way Back - Peter Weir's part escape-movie part travelogue follows a group of fugitives from the Steppes in Siberia to the Indian subcontinent including Ed Harris and Colin Farrell. Escape from a gulag on 24 December 2010.

How do you Know - James L. Brooks doesn't make many films, but when he does they're usually minor hits critically and commercially, we'll see what happens with this Reese Witherspoon starring rom-com. Decide who you really love on 28 January 2011.

Morning Glory - Harrison Ford gets to play grumpy and Diane Keaton flighty in this warring anchors picture, don't expect much but it could be diverting. Read between the headlines on 28 January 2011.

Black Swan - It's certainly one of the most anticipated movies of the awards season but so far even having seen the trailer we still don't know if Darren Aronofsky's ballet drama is about a nervous breakdown or a malicious spirit. Practise your pirouette on 11 February 2011.

Restless - Gus van Sants low key follow up to Milk has moved out of the busy January schedules to find solace later in the year, it's always going to a tough sell for his more introspective work though. Find your one true love on 11 March 2011.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Who'd have thought the first film to break into the schedules for 2012 would be a remake of a Swedish breakthrough, saying that with it's prominence on the best-seller lists and one of the most publicised casting processes since Scarlett O'Hara it's not a huge surprise the studios thinking ahead. Fight your inner demons on 06 January 2012.