Exclusive: Focus Features has acquired U.S. rights and select international territories on upcoming thriller Last Breath, starring Woody Harrelson, Finn Cole and Simu Liu. Focus will distribute the Alex Parkinson-directed title in the U.S. with Universal Pictures International handling select territories including France, Scandinavia, Australia and New Zealand, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and Vietnam.
The project is an exhilarating true story, based on the 2019 documentary of the same name, which Parkinson co-directed with Richard da Costa. It follows a seasoned deep sea diver as he battles against the raging elements to execute his final rescue mission. It’s described as a “heart-pounding” and “gripping tale of teamwork” that takes audiences on a race against time. Mitchell Lafortune, Parkinson and David Brooks have written the script for the fact-based narrative.
Last Breath was developed by father and son Paul and David Brooks of Longshot Films and Dark Castle Entertainment,...
The project is an exhilarating true story, based on the 2019 documentary of the same name, which Parkinson co-directed with Richard da Costa. It follows a seasoned deep sea diver as he battles against the raging elements to execute his final rescue mission. It’s described as a “heart-pounding” and “gripping tale of teamwork” that takes audiences on a race against time. Mitchell Lafortune, Parkinson and David Brooks have written the script for the fact-based narrative.
Last Breath was developed by father and son Paul and David Brooks of Longshot Films and Dark Castle Entertainment,...
- 5/16/2024
- by Diana Lodderhose and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The Avenue has landed North American rights to the action comedy “Old Guy,” starring Christoph Waltz, Lucy Liu and Cooper Hoffman.
Simon West directed the film, while “The Last Son” scribe Greg Johnson penned the script.
The film follows aging contract killer Danny Dolinski (Waltz), who still believes he’s the best at what he does. Stuck at a dead end but vying for the love of club manager Anata (Liu), Danny is thrilled when The Company pulls him back in the field — but it’s only to train Gen Z newcomer Wihlborg (Hoffman), a prodigy assassin with an attitude. The mismatched pair is asked to eliminate top members of a competing crime syndicate and, in the process, uncover their employer’s true motive: removing the old guard in a full takeover. However, The Company didn’t anticipate that Danny’s experience, coupled with Wihlbord’s brilliance, could enable them...
Simon West directed the film, while “The Last Son” scribe Greg Johnson penned the script.
The film follows aging contract killer Danny Dolinski (Waltz), who still believes he’s the best at what he does. Stuck at a dead end but vying for the love of club manager Anata (Liu), Danny is thrilled when The Company pulls him back in the field — but it’s only to train Gen Z newcomer Wihlborg (Hoffman), a prodigy assassin with an attitude. The mismatched pair is asked to eliminate top members of a competing crime syndicate and, in the process, uncover their employer’s true motive: removing the old guard in a full takeover. However, The Company didn’t anticipate that Danny’s experience, coupled with Wihlbord’s brilliance, could enable them...
- 3/12/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
Nine months ago, it was announced that Elisabeth Moss (The Invisible Man), Kate Hudson (Almost Famous), and Kaia Gerber (Babylon) had signed on to star in the “sexy psychological thriller” Shell, with Teen Spirit‘s Max Minghella directing from a screenplay written by Jack Stanley (Lou). Now production on Shell has just wrapped in Los Angeles, and along with the end of filming comes to the reveal that Moss, Hudson, and Gerber are joined in the cast by Arian Moayed (Succession), musician and composer Este Haim (Licorice Pizza), Lionel Boyce (The Bear), author/comedian Ziwe (Ziwe), Amy Landecker (Transparent), Peter MacNicol (Ally McBeal), Blake Lee (Cruel Summer), Dustin Milligan (Schitt’s Creek), Peri Gilpin (Frasier), and Mary Lynn Rajskub (24).
Shell is “set in a near future, when humanity’s cultural obsession with youth and beauty has been taken to new extremes“. Here’s the synopsis: Struggling actress Samantha (Elisabeth Moss...
Shell is “set in a near future, when humanity’s cultural obsession with youth and beauty has been taken to new extremes“. Here’s the synopsis: Struggling actress Samantha (Elisabeth Moss...
- 2/6/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: SAG and Tony Award nominee Arian Moayed (Succession), Grammy-nominated musician and composer Este Haim (Licorice Pizza), actor-writer Lionel Boyce (The Bear), and actor-comedian Ziwe (Ziwe) are among cast to have joined Elisabeth Moss, Kate Hudson, and Kaia Gerber in psychological thriller Shell.
Filming recently wrapped in Los Angeles on the movie which marks the sophomore directorial effort from The Handmaid’s Tale and The Social Network star Max Minghella.
Cast is rounded out by SAG-award nominee Amy Landecker (Transparent), Emmy winner Peter MacNicol (Ally McBeal), Blake Lee (Cruel Summer), Dustin Milligan (Schitt’s Creek), Peri Gilpin (Frasier), and Mary Lynn Rajskub (24).
In Shell, struggling actress Samantha (Moss) is given an opportunity to get a free trial at Shell, a pioneering health and beauty company which promises to keep its clients looking young forever. Samantha’s life and career is transformed by the treatment, and she develops a burgeoning friendship with Shell’s CEO,...
Filming recently wrapped in Los Angeles on the movie which marks the sophomore directorial effort from The Handmaid’s Tale and The Social Network star Max Minghella.
Cast is rounded out by SAG-award nominee Amy Landecker (Transparent), Emmy winner Peter MacNicol (Ally McBeal), Blake Lee (Cruel Summer), Dustin Milligan (Schitt’s Creek), Peri Gilpin (Frasier), and Mary Lynn Rajskub (24).
In Shell, struggling actress Samantha (Moss) is given an opportunity to get a free trial at Shell, a pioneering health and beauty company which promises to keep its clients looking young forever. Samantha’s life and career is transformed by the treatment, and she develops a burgeoning friendship with Shell’s CEO,...
- 2/5/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
photo credit Peter Marley
Highland Film Group announced today that it has locked distribution deals in key international territories in all media for the action comedy Old Guy starring two-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz, Lucy Liu and Cooper Hoffman (Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza).
Directed by Simon West and written by Greg Johnson (The Last Son), Highland Film Group has sold the rights to Old Guy to Snd Films for France, Square One Entertainment GmbH for Germany, Vertigo Releasing and Lumiere Ventures for the UK, YouPlanet Pictures for Spain, Blue Swan Entertainment for Italy, Spentzos Film for Greece, Nos Lusomundo Audiovisuais for Portugal, Sf Studios for Scandinavia, Vertical Entertainment for Eastern Europe, Aqua Group for Turkey, Falcon Films for the Middle East, Forum Film for Israel, California Filmes for Latin America, MovieCloud for Taiwan, Filmfinity for South Africa and Village Road Show for Australia and New Zealand.
Aging...
Highland Film Group announced today that it has locked distribution deals in key international territories in all media for the action comedy Old Guy starring two-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz, Lucy Liu and Cooper Hoffman (Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza).
Directed by Simon West and written by Greg Johnson (The Last Son), Highland Film Group has sold the rights to Old Guy to Snd Films for France, Square One Entertainment GmbH for Germany, Vertigo Releasing and Lumiere Ventures for the UK, YouPlanet Pictures for Spain, Blue Swan Entertainment for Italy, Spentzos Film for Greece, Nos Lusomundo Audiovisuais for Portugal, Sf Studios for Scandinavia, Vertical Entertainment for Eastern Europe, Aqua Group for Turkey, Falcon Films for the Middle East, Forum Film for Israel, California Filmes for Latin America, MovieCloud for Taiwan, Filmfinity for South Africa and Village Road Show for Australia and New Zealand.
Aging...
- 5/22/2023
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Highland Film Group’s action-comedy Old Guy — starring Christoph Waltz, Lucy Liu and Cooper Hoffman — has landed a number of key international deals.
Directed by Simon West (The Expendables 2, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, The Mechanic) and written by Greg Johnson (The Last Son), the film has sold to Snd Films for France, Square One Entertainment GmbH for Germany, Vertigo Releasing and Lumiere Ventures for the U.K., YouPlanet Pictures for Spain, Blue Swan Entertainment for Italy, Spentzos Film for Greece, Nos Lusomundo Audiovisuais for Portugal, Sf Studios for Scandinavia, Vertical Entertainment for Eastern Europe, Aqua Group for Turkey, Falcon Films for the Middle East, Forum Film for Israel, California Filmes for Latin America, MovieCloud for Taiwan, Filmfinity for South Africa and Village Road Show for Australia and New Zealand.
In Old Guy aging contract killer Danny Dolinski (Waltz) still believes he’s the best at what he does. Stuck...
Directed by Simon West (The Expendables 2, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, The Mechanic) and written by Greg Johnson (The Last Son), the film has sold to Snd Films for France, Square One Entertainment GmbH for Germany, Vertigo Releasing and Lumiere Ventures for the U.K., YouPlanet Pictures for Spain, Blue Swan Entertainment for Italy, Spentzos Film for Greece, Nos Lusomundo Audiovisuais for Portugal, Sf Studios for Scandinavia, Vertical Entertainment for Eastern Europe, Aqua Group for Turkey, Falcon Films for the Middle East, Forum Film for Israel, California Filmes for Latin America, MovieCloud for Taiwan, Filmfinity for South Africa and Village Road Show for Australia and New Zealand.
In Old Guy aging contract killer Danny Dolinski (Waltz) still believes he’s the best at what he does. Stuck...
- 5/22/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cooper Hoffman and Christoph Waltz team up as a pair of unlikely hitmen in this first-look still from Simon West’s upcoming action comedy Old Guy. Lucy Liu also stars in the film.
West directs and produces the feature, which was written by Greg Johnson (The Son) and recently wrapped in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Highland Film Group is co-financing the action comedy and handling worldwide rights.
Old Guy follows aging contract killer Danny Dolinski (Waltz), who still believes he’s the best at what he does. Stuck at a dead end but vying for the love of club manager Anata (Liu), Danny is thrilled when The Company pulls him back into the field, but only to train Gen Z newcomer Wihlborg (Hoffman), a prodigy assassin with an attitude. The mismatched pair is asked to eliminate top members of a competing crime syndicate and, in the process, uncover their employer’s...
West directs and produces the feature, which was written by Greg Johnson (The Son) and recently wrapped in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Highland Film Group is co-financing the action comedy and handling worldwide rights.
Old Guy follows aging contract killer Danny Dolinski (Waltz), who still believes he’s the best at what he does. Stuck at a dead end but vying for the love of club manager Anata (Liu), Danny is thrilled when The Company pulls him back into the field, but only to train Gen Z newcomer Wihlborg (Hoffman), a prodigy assassin with an attitude. The mismatched pair is asked to eliminate top members of a competing crime syndicate and, in the process, uncover their employer’s...
- 5/20/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lucy Liu (Strange World, Shazam! Fury of the Gods) and Cooper Hoffman (Licorice Pizza) have joined two-time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz (No Time to Die, Big Eyes, Inglourious Basterds) in Old Guy, the upcoming action comedy from Simon West (The Expendables 2, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider).
West directs and produces the feature, which was written by Greg Johnson (The Son) and recently wrapped in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where it was filmed on location, with support from Northern Ireland Screen. Highland Film Group is co-financing the action comedy and handling worldwide rights.
Old Guy follows aging contract killer Danny Dolinski (Waltz), who still believes he’s the best at what he does. Stuck at a dead end but vying for the love of club manager Anata (Liu), Danny is thrilled when The Company pulls him back into the field, but only to train Gen Z newcomer Wihlborg (Hoffman), a prodigy assassin with an attitude.
West directs and produces the feature, which was written by Greg Johnson (The Son) and recently wrapped in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where it was filmed on location, with support from Northern Ireland Screen. Highland Film Group is co-financing the action comedy and handling worldwide rights.
Old Guy follows aging contract killer Danny Dolinski (Waltz), who still believes he’s the best at what he does. Stuck at a dead end but vying for the love of club manager Anata (Liu), Danny is thrilled when The Company pulls him back into the field, but only to train Gen Z newcomer Wihlborg (Hoffman), a prodigy assassin with an attitude.
- 5/18/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: With Berlin’s EFM market just a few weeks away, pre-sale packages are already starting to take shape. Here’s one of the first notable ones: two-time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz (No Time To Die) has been set to star in action-comedy Old Guy.
The Expendables 2, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Con Air director Simon West is aboard to direct the movie which has been written by Greg Johnson (The Last Son).
Inglourious Basterds and Django star Waltz will play ageing contract killer Terry Eubanks who still believes he’s the best at what he does. Stuck at a dead end, he is thrilled when The Company pulls him back in the field, but only to train Gen Z newcomer Wihlborg, a prodigy assassin with an attitude. The mismatched pair is asked to eliminate top members of a competing crime syndicate and, in the process, uncover their employer...
The Expendables 2, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Con Air director Simon West is aboard to direct the movie which has been written by Greg Johnson (The Last Son).
Inglourious Basterds and Django star Waltz will play ageing contract killer Terry Eubanks who still believes he’s the best at what he does. Stuck at a dead end, he is thrilled when The Company pulls him back in the field, but only to train Gen Z newcomer Wihlborg, a prodigy assassin with an attitude. The mismatched pair is asked to eliminate top members of a competing crime syndicate and, in the process, uncover their employer...
- 1/23/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Highland Film Group co-finances, handles worldwide rights.
Christoph Waltz will star in the action comedy Old Guy, which Highland Film Group co-finances and will introduce to buyers at the EFM in Berlin next month.
Simon West is directing from a screenplay by Greg Johnson and production is scheduled to start early this year in Belfast.
Waltz will play an aging contract killer assigned to train a Gen Z newcomer who discovers with his new partner that their employers want to eliminate the older assassins like him.
Jib Polhemus and Martin Brennan are producing with Hal Sadoff and Norman Golightly on behalf of Dark Castle Entertainment.
Christoph Waltz will star in the action comedy Old Guy, which Highland Film Group co-finances and will introduce to buyers at the EFM in Berlin next month.
Simon West is directing from a screenplay by Greg Johnson and production is scheduled to start early this year in Belfast.
Waltz will play an aging contract killer assigned to train a Gen Z newcomer who discovers with his new partner that their employers want to eliminate the older assassins like him.
Jib Polhemus and Martin Brennan are producing with Hal Sadoff and Norman Golightly on behalf of Dark Castle Entertainment.
- 1/23/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The distributor has acquired North American rights from Yari Film Group to Can’t Stand Losing You: Surviving The Police, which screens in the Cannes market today.
The documentary, based on guitarist Andy Summers’ memoir One Train Later, recounts the story of the UK band’s rise to fame, their break-up and 2007 reunion tour.
Andy Grieve directed and recently served as editor on The Armstrong Lie and We Steal Secrets: The Story Of Wikileaks.
Norman Golightly, Nicolas Cage and Bob Yari produced and William J Immerman served as executive producer. Summers composed the score.
Can’t Stand Losing You: Surviving The Police screens at 8.30pm at the Palais – Bory.
The documentary, based on guitarist Andy Summers’ memoir One Train Later, recounts the story of the UK band’s rise to fame, their break-up and 2007 reunion tour.
Andy Grieve directed and recently served as editor on The Armstrong Lie and We Steal Secrets: The Story Of Wikileaks.
Norman Golightly, Nicolas Cage and Bob Yari produced and William J Immerman served as executive producer. Summers composed the score.
Can’t Stand Losing You: Surviving The Police screens at 8.30pm at the Palais – Bory.
- 5/17/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
2 New Clips from A Thousand Words, starring Eddie Murphy. Paramount Pictures distributes the comedy directed by Brian Robbins from the script by Steve Koren. The family comedy which opens March 9th is produced by Sharla Sumpter Bridgett, Nicolas Cage, Norm Golightly, Alain Chabat, Stephanie Danan and Robbins. Also in the cast are Ariel Winter, Allison Janney, Kerry Washington, Cliff Curtis, Clark Duke, Darcy Rose Bynes, Jordan-Claire Green, John Witherspoon and Justina Machado. The story tells of Jack McCall (Murphy), who says anything to get what he wants. However, when he lies to a spiritual guru about getting his book published, his home is implanted with a tree with leaves that drop each time Jack speaks. How, he has a thousand words left to speak, they'd better be worth mouthing out. What happens when a tree loses all its leaves?...
- 3/1/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
2 New Clips from A Thousand Words, starring Eddie Murphy. Paramount Pictures distributes the comedy directed by Brian Robbins from the script by Steve Koren. The family comedy which opens March 9th is produced by Sharla Sumpter Bridgett, Nicolas Cage, Norm Golightly, Alain Chabat, Stephanie Danan and Robbins. Also in the cast are Ariel Winter, Allison Janney, Kerry Washington, Cliff Curtis, Clark Duke, Darcy Rose Bynes, Jordan-Claire Green, John Witherspoon and Justina Machado. The story tells of Jack McCall (Murphy), who says anything to get what he wants. However, when he lies to a spiritual guru about getting his book published, his home is implanted with a tree with leaves that drop each time Jack speaks. How, he has a thousand words left to speak, they'd better be worth mouthing out. What happens when a tree loses all its leaves?...
- 3/1/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
2 New Clips from A Thousand Words, starring Eddie Murphy. Paramount Pictures distributes the comedy directed by Brian Robbins from the script by Steve Koren. The family comedy which opens March 9th is produced by Sharla Sumpter Bridgett, Nicolas Cage, Norm Golightly, Alain Chabat, Stephanie Danan and Robbins. Also in the cast are Ariel Winter, Allison Janney, Kerry Washington, Cliff Curtis, Clark Duke, Darcy Rose Bynes, Jordan-Claire Green, John Witherspoon and Justina Machado. The story tells of Jack McCall (Murphy), who says anything to get what he wants. However, when he lies to a spiritual guru about getting his book published, his home is implanted with a tree with leaves that drop each time Jack speaks. How, he has a thousand words left to speak, they'd better be worth mouthing out. What happens when a tree loses all its leaves?...
- 3/1/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
From DreamWorks Pictures, Sneak Peek the newest poster supporting the comedy-drama "A Thousand Words", starring Eddie Murphy, directed by Brian Robbins :
"...'Jack McCall' (Murphy), a fast-talking Hollywood literary agent is cursed with a magical 'Bodhi' tree in his backyard by New Age guru, 'Dr. Sinja' (Cliff Curtis). McCall only has a thousand words to speak, as every word he says makes a leaf fall from the tree...and he will die when the last leaf falls..."
Also appearing are Clark Duke, Kerry Washington, Ariel Winter, Steve Little, Allison Janney and John Witherspoon.
The film was originally lensed in 2008, to be released in 2009, but was repeatedly delayed after being caught up in the separation of DreamWorks Pictures from Paramount Pictures and Viacom.
Produced by Nicolas Cage, Alain Chabat, Stephanie Danan, Norman Golightly, Robbins and Sharla Sumpter Bridgett, "A Thousand Words" from DreamWorks Pictures and Saturn Films, will be released by Paramount Pictures,...
"...'Jack McCall' (Murphy), a fast-talking Hollywood literary agent is cursed with a magical 'Bodhi' tree in his backyard by New Age guru, 'Dr. Sinja' (Cliff Curtis). McCall only has a thousand words to speak, as every word he says makes a leaf fall from the tree...and he will die when the last leaf falls..."
Also appearing are Clark Duke, Kerry Washington, Ariel Winter, Steve Little, Allison Janney and John Witherspoon.
The film was originally lensed in 2008, to be released in 2009, but was repeatedly delayed after being caught up in the separation of DreamWorks Pictures from Paramount Pictures and Viacom.
Produced by Nicolas Cage, Alain Chabat, Stephanie Danan, Norman Golightly, Robbins and Sharla Sumpter Bridgett, "A Thousand Words" from DreamWorks Pictures and Saturn Films, will be released by Paramount Pictures,...
- 2/20/2012
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Trailer for A Thousand Words, starring Eddie Murphy Brian Robbins' comedy drama opens March 23rd via DreamWorks Distribution and is produced by Nicolas Cage, Alain Chabat, Sharla Sumpter, Brian Robbins, Norman Golightly and Stephanie Danan. Also in the cast are Ariel Winter, Allison Janney, Kerry Washington, Cliff Curtis, Clark Duke, Darcy Rose Bynes and Jordan-Claire Green. In A Thousand Words scripted by Steve Koren, Eddie Murphy plays a man who learns that he has only "a thousand words" left to speak before he dies. Now don't get too excited, Koren wrote this weekend's debuting abomination Jack and Jill, so odds are, this may be a stinker.
- 11/11/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Trailer for A Thousand Words, starring Eddie Murphy Brian Robbins' comedy drama opens March 23rd via DreamWorks Distribution and is produced by Nicolas Cage, Alain Chabat, Sharla Sumpter, Brian Robbins, Norman Golightly and Stephanie Danan. Also in the cast are Ariel Winter, Allison Janney, Kerry Washington, Cliff Curtis, Clark Duke, Darcy Rose Bynes and Jordan-Claire Green. In A Thousand Words scripted by Steve Koren, Eddie Murphy plays a man who learns that he has only "a thousand words" left to speak before he dies. Now don't get too excited, Koren wrote this weekend's debuting abomination Jack and Jill, so odds are, this may be a stinker.
- 11/11/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Trailer for A Thousand Words, starring Eddie Murphy Brian Robbins' comedy drama opens March 23rd via DreamWorks Distribution and is produced by Nicolas Cage, Alain Chabat, Sharla Sumpter, Brian Robbins, Norman Golightly and Stephanie Danan. Also in the cast are Ariel Winter, Allison Janney, Kerry Washington, Cliff Curtis, Clark Duke, Darcy Rose Bynes and Jordan-Claire Green. In A Thousand Words scripted by Steve Koren, Eddie Murphy plays a man who learns that he has only "a thousand words" left to speak before he dies. Now don't get too excited, Koren wrote this weekend's debuting abomination Jack and Jill, so odds are, this may be a stinker.
- 11/11/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
This is a movie I am looking forward too and seems to actually be another hit for Cage. I have been wondering if we’d see any marketing/advertising materials soon for the movie being that its only a few months out, now ComingSoon has debuted the first teaser poster for the film and its pretty awesome artwork. In fact I am confident saying this is some of the best poster art I have seen in awhile.
I am impressed by the coloring and the sneering of Cage showing his magical ring but its really the color scheme and attraction that almost has it in a painting style.
The films follows an average college student (Jay Baruchel) is reluctantly recruited to work for a sorcerer (Nicolas Cage), who gives him a crash course in the art and science of magic to prepare him for a battle against the forces of darkness in modern Manhattan.
I am impressed by the coloring and the sneering of Cage showing his magical ring but its really the color scheme and attraction that almost has it in a painting style.
The films follows an average college student (Jay Baruchel) is reluctantly recruited to work for a sorcerer (Nicolas Cage), who gives him a crash course in the art and science of magic to prepare him for a battle against the forces of darkness in modern Manhattan.
- 4/15/2010
- by Kevin Coll
- FusedFilm
If heading out to the typical summer blockbusters (Iron Man 2, The A-Team, Toy Story 3 and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) is already a given and you’re looking for other movies to occupy your time, or if you’re looking for film to take the kids to, Disney is hoping that a live action adaptation of a portion of Fantasia will be just what the doctor ordered.
The decision to adapt the iconic moment (and The image of Mickey Mouse in the minds of fans around the world) into a full-length, live action film has its roots in Cage’s fondness for the film (he watches it every year) and a quick, on-set conversation with a former producer.
“When I came up with this idea, I was on Next. I was talking with (producer) Todd Garner and I said, ‘Man, I really want to play a magician. I want to play a sorcerer.
The decision to adapt the iconic moment (and The image of Mickey Mouse in the minds of fans around the world) into a full-length, live action film has its roots in Cage’s fondness for the film (he watches it every year) and a quick, on-set conversation with a former producer.
“When I came up with this idea, I was on Next. I was talking with (producer) Todd Garner and I said, ‘Man, I really want to play a magician. I want to play a sorcerer.
- 4/9/2010
- by Jennifer Tomooka
- The Flickcast
By Todd Gilchrist
On Saturday Walt Disney dominated the early hours of programming in the 5000-seat Esplanade Room at San Francisco’s Wondercon: the studio brought out cast members and filmmakers from Prince of Persia, Toy Story 3, and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Prior to their public panel, however, the cast and crew of their new filmThe Sorcerer’s Apprentice, including stars Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel and director Jon Turtletaub, spoke directly to journalists, offering additional insights about what was involved in making the movie’s magic come to life on screen.
[Note: Although "Hollywood News" is used to distinguish questions from answers in the text below, our journalist was just one of many reporters asking questions of the filmmakers.]
Hollywood News: What aspects of Fantasia find their way into the film? Stylistic, physicality, any inspirations from the original animation?
Jon Turtletaub: Jay is the apprentice and Mickey Mouse wasn’t available so we went with Jay. Jay was cheaper. Not a lot. We knew we couldn’t make it a whole movie and it wasn’t...
On Saturday Walt Disney dominated the early hours of programming in the 5000-seat Esplanade Room at San Francisco’s Wondercon: the studio brought out cast members and filmmakers from Prince of Persia, Toy Story 3, and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Prior to their public panel, however, the cast and crew of their new filmThe Sorcerer’s Apprentice, including stars Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel and director Jon Turtletaub, spoke directly to journalists, offering additional insights about what was involved in making the movie’s magic come to life on screen.
[Note: Although "Hollywood News" is used to distinguish questions from answers in the text below, our journalist was just one of many reporters asking questions of the filmmakers.]
Hollywood News: What aspects of Fantasia find their way into the film? Stylistic, physicality, any inspirations from the original animation?
Jon Turtletaub: Jay is the apprentice and Mickey Mouse wasn’t available so we went with Jay. Jay was cheaper. Not a lot. We knew we couldn’t make it a whole movie and it wasn’t...
- 4/5/2010
- by Todd Gilchrist
- Hollywoodnews.com
All the focus for Disney on the fanboys and fangirls has been on the new Tron film, Tron Legacy but many forget they have a few other movies coming out this summer. One in particular is The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. From the team that brought us a National Treasure this is a retelling of the classic poem and Fantasia scene with Mickey Mouse. Disney has released a new international trailer for the film that gives a lot more of the film and it looks like a lot of bad ass magic fun to the extreme.
The films follows an average college student (Jay Baruchel) is reluctantly recruited to work for a sorcerer (Nicolas Cage), who gives him a crash course in the art and science of magic to prepare him for a battle against the forces of darkness in modern Manhattan.
The Cast and Crew
Nicolas Cage – Balthazar Blake – The Sorcerer
Jay Baruchel – Dave Stutler,...
The films follows an average college student (Jay Baruchel) is reluctantly recruited to work for a sorcerer (Nicolas Cage), who gives him a crash course in the art and science of magic to prepare him for a battle against the forces of darkness in modern Manhattan.
The Cast and Crew
Nicolas Cage – Balthazar Blake – The Sorcerer
Jay Baruchel – Dave Stutler,...
- 3/26/2010
- by Kevin Coll
- FusedFilm
Longtime Saturn Films president Norm Golightly is exiting his post.
Golightly has spent the past 12 years as president of Saturn, the production shingle of Nicolas Cage.
A Cage spokesperson said Golightly is leaving to pursue new opportunities. A replacement has not been named. Saturn will continue to function as an independent production company for the actor.
Golightly began his tenure with Saturn and Cage on the production of "Shadow of the Vampire," which was released in 2000. Since then, Golightly and Cage produced multiple features under their Saturn Films banner including "The Life of David Gale" and "Lord of War" as well as the television series "The Dresden Files."
Golightly served as a producer on "Next" and executive producer on "The Weather Man," "World Trade Center," "Ghost Rider" and "Knowing."
Most recently, Golightly and Saturn Films produced the upcoming "A Thousand Words," starring Eddie Murphy, and exec produced "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" starring Cage.
Golightly has spent the past 12 years as president of Saturn, the production shingle of Nicolas Cage.
A Cage spokesperson said Golightly is leaving to pursue new opportunities. A replacement has not been named. Saturn will continue to function as an independent production company for the actor.
Golightly began his tenure with Saturn and Cage on the production of "Shadow of the Vampire," which was released in 2000. Since then, Golightly and Cage produced multiple features under their Saturn Films banner including "The Life of David Gale" and "Lord of War" as well as the television series "The Dresden Files."
Golightly served as a producer on "Next" and executive producer on "The Weather Man," "World Trade Center," "Ghost Rider" and "Knowing."
Most recently, Golightly and Saturn Films produced the upcoming "A Thousand Words," starring Eddie Murphy, and exec produced "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" starring Cage.
- 8/5/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Monica Bellucci has joined the cast of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” from Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer, playing the sorcerous and former love of Balthazar Blake, played by Nicholas Cage. Jay Baruchel also stars in the film as Blake’s apprentice. The film revolves around a sorcerer who recruits and trains a young protege to help him fight the forces of evil in modern-day New York City, and is a loose adaptation of the famous mini from Disney’s “Fantasia” from 1940. Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer, and Toby Kebbell are also in the cast. Exec producing “Apprentice” are Cage and his Saturn Films partner Norm Golightly as well as Todd [...]...
- 5/16/2009
- by Costa Koutsoutis
- ShockYa
Variety reports that Toby Kebbell will play celebrity illusionist Drake Stone in Disney's The Sorcerer's Apprentice . Stone joins forces with Alfred Molina's evil sorcerer, Horvath, to gain ultimate powers. The Jerry Bruckheimer production, based on the popular segment in Disney's animated classic Fantasia , takes place in contemporary New York, where a wizard (Nicolas Cage) searches for an apprentice (Jay Baruchel). Teresa Palmer also stars in the film, directed by Jon Turteltaub. Executive producing are Cage and his Saturn Films partner Norm Golightly as well as Todd Garner, Barry Waldman and Jerry Bruckheimer Films' Mike Stenson and Chad Oman. The film is scheduled for release on July 16, 2010.
- 4/20/2009
- Comingsoon.net
Alfred Molina is readying his potions for "The Sorcerer's Apprentice."
The actor has signed on to play the evil magician Horvath in the Disney tentpole starring Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel. Jon Turteltaub is directing the film, and Jerry Bruckheimer is producing.
The story centers on an average college student (Baruchel) who is reluctantly recruited to work for a sorcerer named Balthazar Blake (Cage). The man gives him a crash course in the art and science of magic to prepare him for a battle against the forces of darkness in modern Manhattan.
Teresa Palmer also is in the cast, playing Baruchel's love interest.
Executive producing are Cage and his Saturn Films partner Norm Golightly as well as Todd Garner, Barry Waldman and Jerry Bruckheimer Films' Mike Stenson and Chad Oman.
The movie begins shooting this month in New York.
Molina's deal puts him back into Disney and Bruckheimer's fold...
The actor has signed on to play the evil magician Horvath in the Disney tentpole starring Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel. Jon Turteltaub is directing the film, and Jerry Bruckheimer is producing.
The story centers on an average college student (Baruchel) who is reluctantly recruited to work for a sorcerer named Balthazar Blake (Cage). The man gives him a crash course in the art and science of magic to prepare him for a battle against the forces of darkness in modern Manhattan.
Teresa Palmer also is in the cast, playing Baruchel's love interest.
Executive producing are Cage and his Saturn Films partner Norm Golightly as well as Todd Garner, Barry Waldman and Jerry Bruckheimer Films' Mike Stenson and Chad Oman.
The movie begins shooting this month in New York.
Molina's deal puts him back into Disney and Bruckheimer's fold...
- 3/3/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Teresa Palmer has nabbed the female lead in Disney's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," starring Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel.
Taking its cues from the classic Goethe and Paul Dukas-inpsired Mickey Mouse portion of "Fantasia," the live-action feature centers on an apprentice (Baruchel) who is left to tend to a magic workshop when his sorcerer master (Cage) leaves it in his hands. The apprentice gets a broomstick to do his chores for him, but things get out of control when the broom develops a mind of its own.
Palmer is playing Baruchel's love interest.
Jon Turteltaub is directing; Jerry Bruckheimer is producing.
Exec producing are Cage and his Saturn Film partner Norm Golightly as well as Todd Garner, Barry Waldman and Jerry Bruckheimer Films' Mike Stenson and Chad Oman.
The move brings Palmer back into Disney's arms; she is onscreen in the company's holiday film "Bedtime Stories."
The Australian actress...
Taking its cues from the classic Goethe and Paul Dukas-inpsired Mickey Mouse portion of "Fantasia," the live-action feature centers on an apprentice (Baruchel) who is left to tend to a magic workshop when his sorcerer master (Cage) leaves it in his hands. The apprentice gets a broomstick to do his chores for him, but things get out of control when the broom develops a mind of its own.
Palmer is playing Baruchel's love interest.
Jon Turteltaub is directing; Jerry Bruckheimer is producing.
Exec producing are Cage and his Saturn Film partner Norm Golightly as well as Todd Garner, Barry Waldman and Jerry Bruckheimer Films' Mike Stenson and Chad Oman.
The move brings Palmer back into Disney's arms; she is onscreen in the company's holiday film "Bedtime Stories."
The Australian actress...
- 1/8/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- Nostalgia makes a lot of the older fans go cuckoo. Even though they had separated decades ago, their recent sold out stadium tour proved that the members of the musical act known as The Police remain fan favorites. Following in the Sundance preemed Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out, now it is the guitarist of the group (Andy Summers) who will see his autobiography become a film docu project thanks to the Yari Film Group and producers Norm Golightly, Brett Morgen and Nicolas Cage. One Train Later will borrow the same technology that Morgen used to portray the life in pictures of producer Bob Evans - but it is Lauren Lazin (Tupac: Resurrection) who is in negotiations to direct. Summers would narrate his tale about the Police from his perspective. About 25,000 photos Summers has taken of the band over the years will be featured in an animated style to tell the story.
- 10/31/2007
- IONCINEMA.com
Richard Branson and Deepak Chopra have found their holy man. According to Variety, the Virgin Comics founders have summoned Nicolas Cage to topline their feature adaptation of The Sadhu. Based on a comic book series steeped in Indian mythology, the film centers on a colonial soldier who travels to India and becomes a spiritual warrior. Chopra will pen the screenplay and produce the project with his son Gotham Choopra, Cage's Saturn Pictures partner Norm Golightly and Virgin Comics CEO Sharad Devarajan. Cage's other comic book adaptation, Ghost Rider, will be released February 16, 2007.
- 11/14/2006
- IMDbPro News
"Lord of War" is an oddly satisfying mesh of an international action-adventure with an extremely dark satire about the global arms trade. Writer-director Andrew Niccol says he has based his story on actual events and created in his anti-hero a composite of five real-life arms dealers. Operating on the theory it is better to laugh than to cry, Niccol treats the rising fortunes of such a creature with comic irony. And in Nicolas Cage, he has a leading man who can behave with anti-humanitarian instincts and still compel audience fascination.
Production notes indicate this is a $50 million project, modest for an international escapade but high for a movie whose dark subject matter veers from the mainstream. It's a playable film with colorful characters and exotic locales, but without festival exposure, from which it may have benefited, "Lord of War" will need strong marketing to reach its audience.
The film is intelligently crafted from beginning to end. Opening credits express the ensuing story succinctly by following the manufacture and delivery of bullets right up to the point one is about to enter a young boy's brain.
Cage's Yuri Orlov narrates the story of his evolution into an illegal gun-runner. Normally, a voice-over narration presages weaknesses in the script. Not here. This narration is filled with wry observations about the international conspiracy to get guns and ammo into those regions of the world where they will do the most harm.
Yuri's family emigrated to the U.S. from Soviet-controlled Ukraine when he was a boy by falsely claiming to be Jewish. So, in essence, everything about Yuri is B.S., from his rationale that dealers in cars and cigarettes actually deliver more death than he does to his insistence to trophy wife, Ava (Bridget Moynahan), that his business is international transport.
His climb out of the Little Odessa immigrant community in Brighton Beach, N.Y., initially includes his brother Vitaly (Jared Leto). But gun-running turns Vitaly into an all-purpose addict. Yuri soldiers on, though, donning a suit and tie to meet the world's worst despots and warlords.
Even so, he has a hard time maintaining the guise of extreme wealth for his wife until the fall of the Soviet Union offers the largest bonanza of arms in history: More than $32 billion in arms get stolen from the Ukraine alone. For Yuri, it's an inside job, as his Uncle Dmitri, a perpetually soused army general, has the keys to the cache.
His competition comes from Ian Holm's silky smooth Simeon Weisz, who has enough conscience to trade with what he believes to be the politically righteous side. But Yuri's unprincipled methods work best with figures such as maniacal Liberian strongman Andre Baptiste (Eamonn Walker) and his equally crazed son Andre Jr. (Sammi Rotibi).
As with Joseph Heller's great war novel "Catch-22", the comedy stems from your understanding that in war things really are this bad. What can one do but laugh at a guy who wears a bullet on a chain necklace, like a coke dealer's gold spoon, or worries more about catching AIDS in Africa than what his business is doing to the people?
Cage is brilliant. His Yuri is numb to reality, seeing only the next deal. He wears this stoicism as a badge of pride. The brother's spin out of control is the only realistic reaction one can have to the horror he sees and helps perpetuate. Leto's Vitaly is a kid who never should have left his parents' borscht restaurant.
Moynahan's character is hard to read because the movie views Ava only as Yuri sees her. Moynahan doesn't come into her home until her final scenes. Ethan Hawke as Interpol agent Jack Valentine, who dogs Yuri's trail for years, is perhaps too naive. Walker and Rotibi manage the trick of finding comedy in total insanity.
The production gets terrific mileage out of locations in South Africa, the Czech Republic and New York City, creating First and Third World countries worthy of a John le Carre novel.
LORD OF WAR
Lions Gate Films
Entertainment Manufacturing Company presents a VIP Medienfonds 3, Ascendant Pictures, Saturn Films production in association with Rising Star, Copag V and Endgame Entertainment
Credits:
Screenwriter/director: Andrew Niccol
Producers: Philippe Rousselet, Andrew Niccol, Nicolas Cage, Norman Golightly, Andy Grosch, Chris Roberts
Executive producers: Fabrice Gianfermi, Bradley Cramp, Gary Hamilton, Christopher Eberts, Andreas Schmid, Michael Mendelsohn, James D. Stern
Director of photography: Amir Mokri
Production designer: Jean Vincent Puzos
Music: Antonio Pinto
Co-producer: Douglas E. Hansen
Costumes: Elisabeth Beraldo
Editor: Zach Staenberg
Cast:
Yuri Orlov: Nicolas Cage
Vitaly Orlov: Jared Leto
Ava Fontaine: Bridget Moynahan
Simeon Weisz: Ian Holm
Baptiste Sr.: Eamonn Walker
Baptiste Jr.: Sammi Rotibi
Valentine: Ethan Hawke
MPAA rating R
Running time -- 122 minutes...
Production notes indicate this is a $50 million project, modest for an international escapade but high for a movie whose dark subject matter veers from the mainstream. It's a playable film with colorful characters and exotic locales, but without festival exposure, from which it may have benefited, "Lord of War" will need strong marketing to reach its audience.
The film is intelligently crafted from beginning to end. Opening credits express the ensuing story succinctly by following the manufacture and delivery of bullets right up to the point one is about to enter a young boy's brain.
Cage's Yuri Orlov narrates the story of his evolution into an illegal gun-runner. Normally, a voice-over narration presages weaknesses in the script. Not here. This narration is filled with wry observations about the international conspiracy to get guns and ammo into those regions of the world where they will do the most harm.
Yuri's family emigrated to the U.S. from Soviet-controlled Ukraine when he was a boy by falsely claiming to be Jewish. So, in essence, everything about Yuri is B.S., from his rationale that dealers in cars and cigarettes actually deliver more death than he does to his insistence to trophy wife, Ava (Bridget Moynahan), that his business is international transport.
His climb out of the Little Odessa immigrant community in Brighton Beach, N.Y., initially includes his brother Vitaly (Jared Leto). But gun-running turns Vitaly into an all-purpose addict. Yuri soldiers on, though, donning a suit and tie to meet the world's worst despots and warlords.
Even so, he has a hard time maintaining the guise of extreme wealth for his wife until the fall of the Soviet Union offers the largest bonanza of arms in history: More than $32 billion in arms get stolen from the Ukraine alone. For Yuri, it's an inside job, as his Uncle Dmitri, a perpetually soused army general, has the keys to the cache.
His competition comes from Ian Holm's silky smooth Simeon Weisz, who has enough conscience to trade with what he believes to be the politically righteous side. But Yuri's unprincipled methods work best with figures such as maniacal Liberian strongman Andre Baptiste (Eamonn Walker) and his equally crazed son Andre Jr. (Sammi Rotibi).
As with Joseph Heller's great war novel "Catch-22", the comedy stems from your understanding that in war things really are this bad. What can one do but laugh at a guy who wears a bullet on a chain necklace, like a coke dealer's gold spoon, or worries more about catching AIDS in Africa than what his business is doing to the people?
Cage is brilliant. His Yuri is numb to reality, seeing only the next deal. He wears this stoicism as a badge of pride. The brother's spin out of control is the only realistic reaction one can have to the horror he sees and helps perpetuate. Leto's Vitaly is a kid who never should have left his parents' borscht restaurant.
Moynahan's character is hard to read because the movie views Ava only as Yuri sees her. Moynahan doesn't come into her home until her final scenes. Ethan Hawke as Interpol agent Jack Valentine, who dogs Yuri's trail for years, is perhaps too naive. Walker and Rotibi manage the trick of finding comedy in total insanity.
The production gets terrific mileage out of locations in South Africa, the Czech Republic and New York City, creating First and Third World countries worthy of a John le Carre novel.
LORD OF WAR
Lions Gate Films
Entertainment Manufacturing Company presents a VIP Medienfonds 3, Ascendant Pictures, Saturn Films production in association with Rising Star, Copag V and Endgame Entertainment
Credits:
Screenwriter/director: Andrew Niccol
Producers: Philippe Rousselet, Andrew Niccol, Nicolas Cage, Norman Golightly, Andy Grosch, Chris Roberts
Executive producers: Fabrice Gianfermi, Bradley Cramp, Gary Hamilton, Christopher Eberts, Andreas Schmid, Michael Mendelsohn, James D. Stern
Director of photography: Amir Mokri
Production designer: Jean Vincent Puzos
Music: Antonio Pinto
Co-producer: Douglas E. Hansen
Costumes: Elisabeth Beraldo
Editor: Zach Staenberg
Cast:
Yuri Orlov: Nicolas Cage
Vitaly Orlov: Jared Leto
Ava Fontaine: Bridget Moynahan
Simeon Weisz: Ian Holm
Baptiste Sr.: Eamonn Walker
Baptiste Jr.: Sammi Rotibi
Valentine: Ethan Hawke
MPAA rating R
Running time -- 122 minutes...
- 9/19/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Revolution Studios partner Todd Garner will enter into a nonexclusive, first-look deal with Revolution Studios as an independent producer, it was announced Tuesday by Revolution founder Joe Roth. In the wake of the development, Roth now will oversee all of Revolution's development activities. Garner's first project in his new role will be to serve as an executive producer on The Fog, which will be released in October. Garner also will join Suzanne Todd and Jennifer Todd as a producer on the Tim Allen comedy Zoom, which will begin production in July. In addition, Garner will serve as a producer along with Nicolas Cage and Norm Golightly on the sci-fi action thriller Next and with Ted Hartley, Ice Cube and Matt Alvarez on the remake of the classic 1948 comedy Mr. Blandings Builds his Dream House, both of which are in preproduction. Garner also has several other projects in development.
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