Thursday, August 18, 2011

Sure Shots: Seth Green; Alejando Gonzalez Inarrritu; Hugh Jackman



* I feel like there's been a severe shortage of Seth Green in my cinematic world. While he's been busy toiling away with his Emmy nominated show, Robot Chicken, his movie career lately has consisted of the abysmal Mars Needs Moms and equally repulsive Old Dogs. It's been three years since his riotous supporting bit as an Amish car enthusiast in Sex Drive. But now he's jumping back into the film game, as he's set to topline the indie drama, The Story of Luke. Written and directed by Alonso Mayo based on his own documentary, the film stars Lou Taylor Pucci(Thumbsucker) as an autistic man seeking a girlfriend and a job. Green will play his mentor, with Kristen Bauer and Cary Elwes co-starring as Pucci's aunt and uncle. [Variety]

* Perhaps no other filmmaker has done more to expand the influence of foreign film in our country than Alejandro Gonzalez Inarrituo. From Amores Perros to last year's Biutiful, all of his movies feature multiple themes anyone can relate to. One of those themes is vengeance, which I think is best embodied by Amores Perros and his follow-up, 21 Grams, although presented in unconventional ways. His next film sounds like it will address the issue in a more direct manner. Warner Brothers has tapped the Mexican director to helm The Revenant, a revenge thriller based on Michael Punke's 2003 novel. Adapted for the screen by Mark L. Smith, the story takes place in 1823 and centers on a fur trapper who is mauled by a bear, then robbed and left for dead by the two men accompanying him. He recovers, then treks through hundreds of miles of uncharted wilderness to get retribution. Sounds awesome.

* Suddenly, unknown commercials director Michael Gracey is everywhere. Just a couple of weeks ago he was picked to helm Disney's Snow White film, The Order of the Seven, and now he's the man to spearhead a project that's been basically in limbo for the last two years. Gracey will direct Hugh Jackman in the glitzy musical, The Greatest Showman on Earth, about the famous entertainer and scam artist who popularized the three-ring circus. Jenny Bicks(Sex and the City) wrote the script, which will focus in part on Barnum's infatuation with a Swedish opera singer. Jackman's pretty busy with both The Wolverine and Tom Hooper's upcoming Les Miserables, so it may be awhile before this finally kicks into gear.

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