Thompson on Hollywood

Paul Haggis Talks Scientology to The New Yorker, ABC Videos Cruise

We've been waiting for Lawrence Wright's New Yorker Scientology expose ever since Canadian writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash) denied involvement in writing a tell-all book. That may not be necessary now that The New Yorker has published the 26-page story about the director and his many years spent in league with the religion. Lawrence has said: “I will expand on that material for the book. Both the article and the eventual book will explore the Haggis family’s experience inside the church and their decision to leave it. Haggis has been extremely helpful and candid, but he is certainly not a collaborator."

By Sophia Savage
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February 9, 2011 8:56 AM
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Weekly Wrap: Sundance DealBook & Interviews, Oscar Nomination Reactions, Projects in Production

SUNDANCE DEALBOOK

By Sophia Savage
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January 28, 2011 7:57 AM
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Production Watch, Part 2: De Palma's Passion, Untouchables; Jay-Z & Willow Smith's Annie Confirmed

- Brian De Palma is stepping out to direct a remake of France's 2010 psychodrama Crime d'amour (Love Crime), with the title Passion. "Not since Dressed to Kill have I had a chance to combine eroticism, suspense, mystery and murder into one spellbinding cinematic experience," De Palma told Variety. Set in the UK, the France-Germany-UK-Spain co-production is in the works at Paris-based SBS Productions (they also have Polanski's Gods of Carnage in the works with Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly). Productions like this are moving away from U.S. financing due to the limitations of the U.S. market, according to SBS's Ben Said: "Movies of this kind are very difficult to make today in the U.S. because the U.S. doesn't have co-productions and the studios are not interested in making them." The original Love Crime starred Kristin Scott Thomas and Ludivine Sagnier as feuding exes - one of whom ends up murdered by the other. De Palma's cast is expected to be announced by the start of Cannes this May.

By Sophia Savage
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January 27, 2011 11:39 AM
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Development Watch: Will Smith A Modern Robin Hood, Wahlberg Fights Robots, Hardy and LaBeouf Bootleg

- The Wachowskis (The Matrix) are jumping on Warner Bros.' remake wagon with Hood, less than a year after Universal brought the story of the legendary thief back to life with Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett in Ridley Scott's Robin Hood. Rest assured the Wachowski's version (which they wrote) will be different: a modern, urban retelling with Will Smith rumored to be involved. They have also been working on CN-9, said to include an archeological investigation of two US soldiers falling in love in Iraq and an assassination plot against George W. Bush. No word on when either will start shooting.

By Sophia Savage
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December 8, 2010 4:31 AM
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Bigelow's Triple Frontier, Republican vs. Democrat Women, The Expendables' Patriotic Divide

- The Wrap uncovered an email of Paramount interest re: what's in the cards for the studio (unofficial). For example, Kathryn Bigelow's next feature Triple Frontier (written by Hurt Locker Oscar-winner Mark Boal), an action-adventure set in the border zone between Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil), may star an ensemble of Will Smith, Sean Penn, Javier Bardem and Christian Bale. A thriller is in the works from Bad Robot mastermind J. J. Abrams (the original idea about the game "7 Minutes in Heaven" turning deadly came from Lost director Jack Bender, who may take the reins). The script for the Tom Clancy reboot featuring a new Jack Ryan needs re-writes (also possibly being directed by Bender), and Hansel and Gretel is "beginning casting conversations" (this fairy-tale turned comedy reintroduces the pair 15 years after their gingerbread house fiasco, when they've become witch bounty hunters. All of these works in progress are subject to change, natch. Paramount production chief Adam Goodman can't be very happy at being caught with his pants unzipped.

By Sophia Savage
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August 18, 2010 7:36 AM
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Jolie Transcends Gender, Action Star Shortage, Banks as Tinkerbell

- Angelina Jolie is the first actress to transcend gender. It's hard to argue that any other actress, dead or living, can do what she can. Sony paid her $20 million up front for Salt, reports THR. Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura agrees that it's unusual for a female to be an action star. But in Jolie's case, "She's not a female action star; she's an action star. She's really the first female to transcend gender. I don't think it's occurred before."

By Sophia Savage
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July 15, 2010 3:47 AM
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David Lynch Wants Your Money, Hefner Takes Back Playboy, Ruffalo Directs, Inception Without DiCaprio

- Got fifty bucks? David Lynch wants your money to fund the final installment of LYNCHthree, a documentary trilogy that follows his life and work. LYNCHone was cut from 700 hours of footage shot over two years post-Inland Empire. A behind-the-scenes look at Inland Empire comprised LYNCHtwo. Now, LYNCHthree will be shot by the director of the first two installments, who goes by the pseudonym "blackANDwhite."

By Sophia Savage
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July 13, 2010 4:11 AM
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Men In Black III Gets Sony Green Light in 3D

Finally, after Sony's great success with the first two Men in Black installments in 1997 and 2002 (which grossed over $1 billion worldwide), it's no surprise that Columbia PIctures is confirming the inevitable go-ahead on the third installment of Men in Black, in 3D, set for release on May 25, 2012.

By Anne Thompson
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May 7, 2010 5:57 AM
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Howl Finds a Home, Will Smith Looks at Sequels, Live Baseball on PS3, Mags See Uptick

Adam Yauch's Oscilloscope Laboratories has finally acquired U.S. distribution for Sundance opener Howl. O-scope had three nominations at the last Oscars, so the Jeffrey Friedman/Rob Epstein Beat biopic adds a little wind to the distrib's sails. James Franco plays Allen Ginsberg in this historic evocation of the young poet's obscenity trial and off-beat lifestyle.

By Cameron Carlson
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April 22, 2010 7:12 AM
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Who Should Star in Harvey?

Now that Tom Hanks is no longer in the running for Steven Spielberg's remake of the Universal classic Harvey--because he was understandably leery, I hear, of the inevitable comparisons with James Stewart in the original role--who could pull this off? Hanks is probably too close to Stewart on some level--people have been comparing them his entire career. The role should be played by a warm and likable man who can convince us that he is talking to a six-foot rabbit. That means a top-notch actor who can hold the screen and pull in audiences. Here's my list: vote! And write in anyone you think I've overlooked.