This may be the oddest mix of director and material that you might read all year. According to Variety, Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) will be directing an adaptation of Herman Melville's Moby Dick for Universal, who made a big pre-emptive buy of this revisionist take. Not surprisingly, it won't be the "Call me Ishmael" version that you remember from school. In fact, Ishmael probably won't even be in it.
Adam Cooper and Ben Collage are penning the screenplay, and taking what they call "a graphic novel approach" to a book considered to be one of the best in the English language. (In Hollywood talk nowadays, this means "It will look like 300.") Moby Dick becomes a kind of Jaws in this version, where we will see him wreaking havoc on the seas long before he encounters Captain Ahab and the Pequod. Ahab won't become the obsessive and destructive captain, but a brave and charismatic leader. (Yeah, there was a moral there, but who needs that nowadays?) Bekmambetov is looking to apply his frenetic visual flair to the story of the great white whale. I think we all know what the style is, and what this will look like. Moby's white body will look terrific splattered with blood as he drags ships down to the depths at high speed.
Honestly, Moby Dick is not one of my favorite books, and it's only an academic snarkiness that balks at a Bekmambetov version. Besides, it's going to be pretty funny when audience members rush to Borders to buy a copy of the book, imagining it to be packed with gore and brawny heroes, not "to the last I grapple with thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee!"
After the record-breaking success of Night Watch and Day Watch (and an early film for B-movie maven Roger Corman, Arena), Khazakstan-born, Russia-based director Timur Bekmambetov makes his English-language big-studio debut with Wanted, a bruising, brawny action film starring James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie. Bekmambetov spoke with Cinematical in Los Angeles about making the jump to big-money moviemaking, the hidden world of secrets behind Wanted's look, the action-film apprenticeship of James McAvoy, working with Angelina Jolie and how " .... we (film makers) are all vampires. ..."
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In Wanted, rapper-actor Common plays The Gunsmith-- a cool, deadly expert marksman who mostly lets his bullets do the talking. But meeting with Cinematical in Los Angeles, the veteran of films like Smokin' Acesand Street Kings is warm and obviously enthusiastic about his experiences, talking about everything from his preparation process for playing what he calls "a Samurai warrior" in Wanted to the challenges facing African-American actors -- plus what's good to drink in Prague and how holding a real gun to James McAvoy's head can get you in the moment for your scenes.
Cinematical's podcast content is now available through iTunes; you can subscribe at this link. Also, you can listen directly here at Cinematical by clicking below:
As ever, you can download the entire podcast right here -- and those of you with RSS Podcast readers can find all of Cinematical's podcast content at this link.
The flashy advertisements, the curving of bullets and Angelina Jolie make it pretty difficult to remember that Wanted was originally based on a series of graphic novels by Mark Millar. From early reports (including a review from Cinematical), the adaptation is a loose one, so you might be surprised to hear that Millar actually felt it was an improvement on his work.
He posted his enthusiastic response on his official message board. (If you choose to click, be warned, the place abounds with spoilers.) "Even the biggest change -- the loom stuff in the middle Timur wrote -- works really well. I think the fate thing really made the character more empathetic as the 'killing for fun' stuff would have made him a little hateful. They kept all the best bits and junked my over-indulgences. So I feel very happy as it was a kind of perfected version that made it to the screen. Could not be happier."
Millar also added that he's been approached by Universal about concocting a sequel. "They've asked me how I can develop some of the other stuff from the book into the sequel. We'll see what box office is like at the weekend, but everyone knows this is going to make a LOT of dough. Wall·E permitting." (He actually has a few choice words for the hapless robot, who really shouldn't be held accountable for his release date.)
When Wanted was announced as the opening night film for the Los Angeles Film Festival, there was a mild outbreak of head-scratching over the choice; why start a film festival loaded with independent and foreign film with a big-studio action movie? The fact is that the opening-night LAFF premiere of Wanted-- directed by a Kazakh director who made his name in Russia, loosely based on a series of comics by a Glasgwegian Scot, starring America's most notable movie starlet opposite a Glasgow-born lead actor and shot with Prague standing in for Chicago -- doesn't say much about the LAFF as a film festival and doesn't say a single thing about L.A. as a real city, but it says plenty about L.A. as a company town with a global span. Wanted's a corporate product, but, thankfully, it's an excellent one -- the two-fisted, double-barreled high-octane guilty pleasure summer action movie you've been waiting for. Wanted is speedy and spiffy and shiny as a bullet, and it's got about as much actual weight when it stops moving.
I have to hand it to Timur Bekmambetov; during the half-hearted viral campaign for Wanted, I bet no one saw that little stunt coming. But, now it's back to more traditional marketing before Wanted opens in a few weeks, and it really was about time we got a look at an R-rated trailer (and not just in Russian either) for the comic-related flick. The domestic R-rated trailer for Bekmambetov's feature film adaptation of Mark Millar's comic book series is now online (courtesy of Apple) and if you caught that Russian version floating around the net, then I'm afraid there isn't much new to report. On the upside, at least now we get to hear the great and dignified Morgan Freeman drop an 'F bomb', and that is always fun.
Wanted is based on Millar's comic book about an insignificant office drone (played by James McAvoy) who is the heir to a team of assassins. Some early glimpses of the film were a bit of a Matrix re-hash, but with each trailer release, my expectations have risen ever so slightly. Thankfully, this new trailer makes it clear the film is going to steer clear of PG-13 sensibilities and will head straight for the blood and guts instead. Even though I've been burned by 'Angelina the action hero' before, I am starting to wonder if this movie could be the dark horse in the box office race this summer. What do you think?
For a few weeks now, a grainy video has been circling the Internet of an office worker going absolutely insane. It originated on Break.com, and I've included it after the jump for your critical enjoyment.
Those fearing that their cubicle neighbor might engage in similar hysterics can breathe easy -- it was all a sly bit of viral marketing from Timur Bekmambetov for Wanted. He revealed the stunt over on his personal blog, where he allegedly had a good laugh at the gullibility of the West. I'm not seeing any geographic mockery here, so quite possibly he took that down.
A new, R-rated Russian trailer for Wanted has found its way online, and it really is worth a watch. Honestly, it looks like an entirely different movie, more along the gritty lines of Timur Bekmambetov's style in Night Watch than the slickness the American trailers imply. It gives a whole new depth to James McAvoy's character, too. And Angelina Jolie doesn't show up until halfway through, which is just kind of funny to me.
But the best part? (Well, besides the gore.) We actually get a glimpse of Konstantin Khabensky, the tormented lead of Night Watch. I was beginning to wonder if he made the final cut; here's hoping he has a decent role and not just the two seconds shown in the trailer.
Wanted opens June 27th -- and I might be more inclined to see it after this. I wonder if it can convince others. So far even my McAvoy obsessed sister is dismissing it. For R-rated purposes, we've included the trailer after the jump (though be aware that it is R-rated and does include violence).
Any fans of the Russian Watch (Dozor) franchise out there? Anyone? Drat. Smash hits in their home country, Night Watch and Day Watch have barely blipped on the U.S. box-office radar, with the second film failing to crack $500 grand stateside. Their failure to catch on isn't really surprising -- we like fantasy, but maybe not fantasy this goofy, surreal, and (sometimes) downright abstract. And the movies are really more about Russia than an epic battle between the forces of light and dark, anyhow.
But the series is making a killing at home, as I say (Day Watch's $34 million take is a Russian record), and director Timur Bekmambetov was presumably hired to direct this summer's very American Wanted on the strength of the Watch films. Having finished frolicking with Angelina Jolie, he's finally revving up the third film in the series. The American title was previously thought to be Twilight Watch, which is what the Sergei Lukyanenko novel is called here, but according to this Screen Daily story, Fox International is going with the snappier Dusk Watch. Bekmambetov is already in preproduction on the film.
I think the movies are confusing, occasionally annoying (The Chalk of Fate? Seriously?), and weird enough to be really interesting. If the plot description (supernatural "Others" representing either the forces of light or the forces of dark hide among us, bound by a centuries-old truce that's about to be broken) sounds interesting to you, they're worth checking out, at least as curiosities.
I guess whether we like it or not, viral campaigns are hot, hip and here to stay. Universal pictures has launched the viral site for Timur Bekmambetov's Wanted, and it all revolves around a shadowy group known as the Fraternity of Weavers. Now for the tricky part: to crack the code on the website you must enter five secret words to earn a peek at the handbook for the fraternity -- plus you get a little bit more info behind Angelina's bad-ass hand tattoo. So if you're the kind of person who likes puzzles, then feel free to figure it out on your own. But, if you're like me and a little impatient, you can click over to Coming Soon and they have the solution -- I won't spoil it here.
Wanted is based on Mark Millar's graphic novel about an everyday schmo (as played by James McAvoy) who turns out to be the heir to a secret society of assassins. Angelina Jolie stars as Fox, the second in command and mentor to McAvoy. Morgan Freeman plays the elder statesman and co-founder of the group, while hip-hop artist Common stars as the weapons expert, The Gunsmith.
The viral site provides plenty of background info on the history of the ancient fraternity, but for the most part it's a bunch of spiritual mumbo-jumbo about fate, destiny, the Cathars, and ancient weaving cults -- oh, and plenty of Wikipedia links. There's also a sign up page if you're interested in becoming a member of the fraternity (hazing optional?). One imagines more viral goodies will most likely show up at some point before Wanted opens in theaters on June 27th.
Warning: This post contains excessive grasping at straws.
Most knowledgeable folks seem to think that the upcoming Wanted looks like a piece of junk. I can understand their position: the trailer was kind of a sensory assault, and didn't exactly make the film seem original. For my part, I'm not ready to write it off. I like James McAvoy, director Timur Bekmambetov is a fellow Russian, and I tend to enjoy the wildly implausible brand of action that the film seems to be going for. So I'm happy to report a piece of news that kind of surprised me: Wanted has been rated R by the MPAA for "strong bloody violence throughout, pervasive language and some sexuality." That elaboration makes it seem like they won't be trying to trim the bad parts to earn a PG-13.
Now, okay: obviously that doesn't mean much. I mean, the similarly (identically?) themed Hitman was rated R too, and look how that turned out. But for me, the R rating speaks not directly to quality, but to the kind of film Wanted is likely to be. Seeing the trailer (and not knowing the source material), I thought that while it looked kind of cool, it also looked like a broad, inoffensive, second-rate action romp -- my first association, probably due to the presence of Angelina Jolie, was with Lara Croft Tomb Raider. But maybe it won't be. Maybe it'll turn out to be harsh, and sexy, and over-the-top in ways that are actually interesting. Maybe it'll be more like Running Scared or Shoot 'Em Up than like Ghost Rider.You might think that those comparisons don't help and that it still looks like crap, but it seems to me that an R rating for a movie like this increases the odds of it being worthwhile. Or am I off my gourd?
When I first saw this headline, I thought: "Yes! Hollywood has realized there are other time periods outside of Tudor England!" Then I read the details and went, "Oh. Not really, then."
The Hollywood Reporter announced that Universal has picked up The Knights Templar, a spec script penned by Adam Torchia and Justin Stanley. Timbur Bekmambetov and Marc Platt will produce.
The story revolves around the ever popular Knights Templar, who return from the Crusades to find a vampire army, intent on destroying the Holy Grail. Whether the Grail will actually be the Cup of Christ or something to do with Mary Magdalene remains to be seen. Knights vs. Vampires! Go!
Bekmambetov, the Russian director behind Wanted, Night Watch and its sequel, is obviously no stranger to the undead. No word on who is directing, but I wouldn't be surprised if there is a chair with his name on it as it seems perfectly suited to his style. THR notes that Universal is obviously confident in Wanted, and wants to keep him in the fold.
I was really hoping for a real historical movie about the Knights Templar. They're not my favorite subject, but I'm a sucker for those historical films, especially when they involve chainmail and castles. But Hollywood never seems to regard the medieval era as anything but high fantasy fodder, which is a downright shame because there are loads of movies begging to be made. Big medieval battles are cool enough on their own without adding vampires (which will inevitably be CG) into the mix. Besides, this movie will just lead to many guys showing up at the Renaissance Faire dressed as Knights Templar, but packing stakes and garlic alongside their swords. Yeah, that matters to me. I don't lace myself up in a corset to see guys in painted bedsheets, you know.
Cast Angelina Jolie in your movie, and everything post production becomes that much easier. No one photographs better than this woman -- and certainly no one looks more sexy with a gun.
This new teaser poster comes by way of Ain't It Cool News, where you can get a high-resolution version. I do love the way her tattoo blends into her customized gun. Not even Lara Croft has guns that fancy. The movie could be crap (though Erik Davis liked what he saw of it, AICN's Quint did too), but I do love a stylish action chick. Just because you're an assassin doesn't mean you can't accessorize!
Wanted opens June 27th, 2008. What do you think of this one? Is it on your summer radar?
Above you can see a photo of the Exclusive Comic Con poster for Wanted (click on the image to enlarge). Wanted is just one of the films that will host a panel tomorrow during New York Comic Con, with the film's director Timur Bekmambetov on hand to answer questions ... and a little birdie told me there might be some new footage screened as well. I was able to meet Timur tonight during a private function at Universal's fatdaddy suit in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel here in New York City. I could sit here all day and talk about this friggin' suite -- remember the apartment they rocked out in Cloverfield, way up overlooking Central Park? Yeah, this was the exact same view. Unreal.
I'm not allowed to talk about what went down in this suite, but I believe we're allowed to show you this poster and urge you all to head out to Comic Con tomorrow to check out Timur and Wanted. Screw it ... based on what I saw, this movie looks pretty damn ridiculous. Action. Lots of it. Crazy car chase. Jolie with marks all over her body. Lots of red. I'll shut up now. .
You've seen the sexy photos of Angelina Jolie in Wanted(if you haven't, check 'em out), and you've watched the behind-the-scenes video. Now it's time to see the action-packed trailer that goes with them. The movie, another in a long line of assassin/hitman movies coming out these days, stars Jolie as a gun-toting, fast-car-driving woman called "Fox", who must team up with a novice called "Wesley" (played by James McAvoy), who has been dragged out of his cubicle to be trained as an assassin. Why? Because that's what his estranged father did for a living -- in fact, his father was the best in the world until he was recently killed. And like father, like son, even without experience, Wesley must have the goods. Well, even if he hasn't, he's at least got Morgan Freeman, always playing the God-like, wisdom-filled mentor, to guide him.
So, what makes this different from any other movie you've seen? I mean, it's got Jolie looking straight out of Mr. and Mrs. Smith(though maybe a bit skinnier), Freeman from anything he's ever been in, McAvoy acting clueless as if he were still in Uganda, some comedic scenes involving a greenhorn with a gun, and the always-recycled gag of having a shoot-out in the toilet paper aisle of a supermarket. With all that, do you even need something new? Well, there does appear to be a cool sequence involving the destruction of a train. And that sideways-shooting machine gun is pretty neat. Is that enough? Oh, and a strange kiss between the extremely mismatched Jolie and McAvoy (he looks so small next to her). You've never seen that before.
Wanted is the English-language debut of Russian filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov, who is still in the midst of giving us his Night Watchtrilogy. Based on a comic book, it was adapted by 3:10 to Yuma's Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, with a rewrite from Dean Geogaris (Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Crade of Life), In addition to those named, it co-stars Terence Stamp, Common and the versatile German actor Thomas Kretschmann (he was in The Pianist and King Kong and Baby Geniuses 2!). It hits theaters March 28.
This may be the oddest mix of director and material that you might read all year. According to Variety, Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) will be directing an adaptation of Herman Melville's Moby Dick for Universal, who made a big pre-emptive buy of this revisionist take. Not surprisingly, it won't be the "Call me Ishmael" version that you remember from school. In fact, Ishmael probably won't even be in it. 
The flashy advertisements, the curving of bullets and Angelina Jolie make it pretty difficult to remember that .jpg)
I have to hand it to 
For a few weeks now, a grainy video has been circling the Internet of an office worker going absolutely insane. It originated on 
Any fans of the Russian Watch (Dozor) franchise out there? Anyone? Drat. Smash hits in their home country, 
I guess whether we like it or not, 
Warning: This post contains excessive grasping at straws.
When I first saw this headline, I thought: "Yes! Hollywood has realized there are other time periods outside of Tudor England!" Then I read the details and went, "Oh. Not really, then."
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You've seen the sexy photos of 
