Thompson on Hollywood

Will Roth & Fincher Deliver Jolie's Cleopatra?

Features

Let us count the ways that Sony's "Cleopatra" could go wrong. But hiring Eric Roth to write the script for the Angelina Jolie epic (possibly with David Fincher at the helm) is a good sign. We can thank Roth for "Forrest Gump," "The Insider," "Munich," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and many other fine scripts including the upcoming "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close." Based on Stacy Schiff's sprawling bestseller, this "Cleopatra" is rooted in a complex history and demands a seasoned writer who will not lose sight of the biography's authentic primary sources. Bringing Fincher on board would also set the project on the right course. Exuding the infamous intelligence, charisma and sexuality of Cleopatra will be easy for Jolie, who nonetheless needs a strong director to pull from her a layered and compelling performance. The Egyptian queen--arguably the most powerful woman of all time-- was a master political strategist who deftly manipulated her two life mates, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. (Picking the right two co-stars is also key.) If the movie gods align the elements, this could be Jolie's career-defining role--and her best shot at a Best Actress Oscar.

By Sophia Savage
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November 16, 2011 3:49 PM
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CASTING WATCH: Jolie Gets Agent to Go Indie, U.N.C.L.E. Eyes Tatum, Beatty Picks Felicity Jones

News

By Sophia Savage
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November 15, 2011 1:40 PM
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The Iron Lady Review: No Thatcher Hatchet Job, Streep Splendid

Reviews

By David Gritten
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November 15, 2011 11:39 AM
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Weekend Box Office: Mighty Immortals VFX Trounce Sandler Comedy Jack and Jill, DiCaprio as J. Edgar

News

Of three high-profile pictures arriving this 11/11/11 weekend, Relativity’s “Immortals” easily captured the top spot with an estimated $32 million, landing ahead of expectations and marking a company best debut. The stylized VFX-packed R-rated sword-and-sandal actioner from the producers of “300” and director Tarsem Singh was expected to open in the $25 million-to-$30 million range.

By Brian Fuson
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November 13, 2011 1:59 PM
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J. Edgar DiCaprio Parody Kicks Off Oscar Campaign

On the bright side of Clint Eastwood's "J. Edgar" receiving mixed reviews (it has its supporters, including ThePlaylist), FunnyOrDie has created this hilarious video for its star, L. DiCaprio. The actor is better than the movie, so he'll forgive us for laughing at this kick-off to his Oscar campaign.

By Sophia Savage
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November 10, 2011 11:49 AM
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IN THE WORKS: Miles Davis Biopic Based on His Son's Book, Dark Magus; George Tillman Jr. at the Helm

News

By Sophia Savage
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November 9, 2011 4:38 PM
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AFM News EXCLUSIVE: Keira Knightley To Star In Effie Gray Biopic Untouched

News

Keira Knightley is in talks to play the role of artists’ muse Effie Gray in period drama Untouched for Brazilian director Andrucha Waddington (House of Sand), reports Liza Foreman.

By Liza Foreman
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November 7, 2011 10:38 AM
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AFM News EXCLUSIVE: Jessica Chastain To Star In Princess Di Biopic

News

Many of the deals announced at the American Film Market will never get made. One hot ticket item that could go forward is current it-girl Jessica Chastain starring as Princess Diana in Caught in Flight, reports Liza Foreman.

By Liza Foreman
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November 6, 2011 7:53 PM
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AFM News Briefs: Seyfried as Lovelace, Farrell & Rapace's Violent Spree, Lautner Gets Van Sant

- Amanda Seyfried and Peter Sarsgaard are now in talks to star as porn star Linda Lovelace and her pornographer husband, Chuck Traynor, in Lovelace, an adaptation of Eric Danville’s book The Complete Linda Lovelace, from Howl directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. W. Merritt Johnson (TV's In Treatment, Temple Grandin) and Andy Bellin (Trust) wrote the adaptation. After Lovelace and Traynor’s notorious Deep Throat became a porn classic, she left her husband and accused him of forcing her into pornography and prostitution.

By Sophia Savage
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November 2, 2011 5:47 AM
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CASTING WATCH: Who Should Play Grace Kelly in Upcoming Grace of Monaco?

Features

Grace of Monaco, a spec script by Arash Amel, has been acquired by Pierre-Ange Le Pogam (through his new Stone Angel production and financing banner). Given the competitive level of interest in the script, the film about Grace Kelly, who was both Hollywood and actual royalty--will likely be gearing up sooner than later. The script looks at a six-month period of Kelly's life during 1962 when, as THR puts it, "the city-state got into a heated dispute with France, which grew tired of the petite principality being a tax haven. Kelly, still relatively new in her role as princess, maneuvered behind the scenes to save Monaco from a coup. Insiders have compared the script to King's Speech in scope and tone."