Leonardo DiCaprio is in final negotiations to star in Christopher Nolan’s Inception. As of right now, we know almost nothing about this film, other than that it is a contemporary sci-fi action movie set in “the architecture of the mind”, whatever that means. The plan is to begin shooting this Summer, with a July 16th 2010 release date.It’s hard to really comment on this story since we know next to nothing. One thing is for sure, DiCaprio is a three-time Academy Award nominated actor, and very capable of turning out a good performance. Anyone have any idea what Inception is about? Last week, it was rumored that both DiCaprio and Ellen Page had been cast in the film (although, I can’t find the original source of this rumor), so might Page be next?
source: Variety
First it was akira now it's Ninja Scroll, too. Leonardo DiCaprio's production company Appian Way will be producing a live-action adaptation of the classic anime movie for Warner Brothers. Screenwriter Alex Tse, who wrote Zack Snyder's upcoming Watchmen as well as Michael Mann's upcoming Frankie Machine, will be writing the script. No director has been announced yet, but considering Akira picked up a no-name director, I expect Ninja Scroll to probably do the same. At one point, it was rumored that James McTeigue's Ninja Assassin was a Ninja Scroll remake, but that was quickly debunked. Now it's actually happening.
Ninja Scroll is a Japanese action thriller anime written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Yoshiaki Kawajiri. The film was first released in Japan in 1993 and made its way to the US in 1996, where it quickly became one of the most popular anime movies in US history. The anime is set feudal Japan and tells the story of a ninja-for-hire who is forced into fighting an old nemesis who is bent on overthrowing the Japanese government. His nemesis is also the leader of a group of demons each with superhuman powers. In addition to Akira, it's regarded as one of the best anime movies ever made and is just as popular.
One of the biggest questions surrounding this is whether or not all of the violence, gore, sex, and nudity will remain intact in this translation. I'm expecting that Warner Brothers will try to make this PG-13, but then again, it could very well be R. I'm thinking they're waiting to see how Ninja Assassin does in theaters, since that is a very hard R ninja movie. Either way, this is quite an exciting future for anime fans, with Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Cowboy Bebop, and now Ninja Scroll all being converted into live-action Hollywood adaptations. I just hope this trend turns out to be more worthwhile than video game adaptations.
Despite “Quarantine’s” lead over “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” which ranked second with $4.5 million, industry estimates figure that the R-rated zombie film might have a hard time keeping Disney’s dog pic down. It’s conceivable that Saturday’s family matinee effect will lift “Chihuahua” to first place by Sunday, placing it ahead of not only “Quarantine,” but another R-rated pic, Warner Bros.’ Leonardo DiCaprio-Russell Crowe actioner “Body of Lies.”
In its second Friday, “Chihuahua” dipped 45% at 3,218 theaters, raising its eight-day cume to $39.5 million. The PG-rated pic inched ahead of “Lies,” which opened in third with $4.4 million from 2,710.
“Lies” marks Crowe’s fourth collaboration with director Ridley Scott after the crime epic “American Gangster” which also starred Denzel Washington. “Gangster” posted the second highest opening day for an R-Rated fall drama last November with $15.9 million.
DreamWorks thriller “Eagle Eye,” distributed by Paramount, continued to chart in the top five in its third Friday. The Shia LaBeouf starrer slotted fourth with $3.2 million on 3,614, off 41% from a week ago, with a total B.O. to date of $62.7 million.
Sony’s Michael Cera-Kat Dennings teen laffer “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” ranked fifth with $2.1 million from 2,421, down 52%, and an eight-day cume of $16.4 million.
Universal’s biopic “The Express” about college football hero Ernie Davis opened in sixth with $1.5 million off 2,808. The Fox-Walden family adventure “City of Ember,” starring Tim Robbins and Bill Murray, trailed Friday’s wide bows, posting $940,000 off 2,022.
Warner Bros.’ Guy Ritchie shoot-em up “RockNRolla” owned the highest theater average among limited fare with $6,053 or $42,372 at seven locales. Since its Wednesday opening “RocknRolla” has racked up $101,300. Mike Leigh’s comedy-drama “Happy-Go-Lucky,” distributed by Miramax, followed with a per theater of $4,646 or $19,000 at four theaters. Sony Classics’ “Rachel Getting Married” saw a 51% uptick in its Friday-to-Friday haul with $116,000 from 26 sites or $4,479 per theater. Rocky Mountain’s Billy Graham biopic “Billy: The Early Years” generated $72,000 at 282 venues.
Source: Variety
The director met with Brad Pitt in France on Tuesday to talk about the possibility of Pitt playing the key role of Aldo Raine. Tarantino also plans to meet with Leonardo DiCaprio for another lead role, that of Hans Landa, on Thursday.
Now I really like Brad Pitt, so I am game for just about anything he is in. But that statement goes DOUBLY strong when DiCaprio is involved.
This gets me interested in this film, and I am already tired of Tarantino, and I have no idea what this movie is about having never been exposed to the material. So getting these guys involved might have the same effect on others who don’t list Tarantino as their cup of tea.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s company Appian Way bought the rights to make Fleming, a film based on the life of British author Ian Fleming, best known as the creator of James Bond. The story follows Fleming, who fought as a Commander of Naval Intelligence in World War II while creating James Bond and the many characters from his books. Apparently most of the characters in Bond are actually based on areal people Fleming encountered. Writer Damian Stevenson describes the film as “Shakespeare in Love or Finding Neverland with some real-life Bond-like espionage and female flattery thrown in.”
