|
Post by Ace on Jun 23, 2008 17:18:06 GMT -5
www.ln-online.de/artikel/2413834/Roman Polanski dreht für seinen neuen Film auf Sylt. 23.06.2008 Westerland (dpa/lno) - Star-Regisseur Roman Polanski hat einem Zeitungsbericht zufolge die Nordseeinseln Sylt und Amrum als Drehorte für seinen neuen Film ausgesucht. In dem Polit-Thriller "The Ghost" soll der frühere James-Bond-Darsteller Pierce Brosnan eine der Hauptrollen spielen, wie der Schleswig-Holsteinische Zeitungsverlag am Montag berichtete. Derzeit werde nach Schauplätzen und Unterkünften auf den Inseln gesucht. Die Dreharbeiten sollen im Herbst beginnen. In der gleichnamigen Romanvorlage von Robert Harris geht es um einen Ghostwriter, der nach dem Tod des ehemaligen britischen Premierministers über dessen Leben schreiben soll. Roman Polanski turns for his new film on Sylt Westerland (DPA/lno) - star producer Roman Polanski selected the North Sea islands Sylt and Amrum according to for a newspaper report as turning places for its new film. In the Polit thriller " The Ghost" the former James bond actor Pierce Brosnan is to play one of the leading roles, as the Schleswig-Holstein newspaper publishing house reported on Monday. At present for scenes and accommodations on the islands one search. The shootings are to begin in the autumn. In the novel collecting main of the same name of Robert Harris goes it around a Ghostwriter, which is to write after the death of the former British prime minister over its lives.
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 23, 2008 17:25:45 GMT -5
Roman Polanski will direct The Ghost based on the political thriller by Robert Harris. The story centers on a ghost-writer who has been hired by a former British leader to write his memoirs. The leader had been entangled in a mess of espionage and secrets due his close alliance with an American leader. Many believe this is based on British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Polanski and Harris will co-adapt the script.
The shooting of the film will take place in autumn (EU) on the island of Sylt, a haven of rich and famous, reported the local press.
The protagonist of the film will be the "former agent 007" Pierre Brosnan, who embodies the role of a writer who was responsible for writing the memoirs of former British prime minister recently deceased.
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 23, 2008 18:09:33 GMT -5
Earlier stories: Variety: Roman Polanski returns with 'Ghost' Director to adapt Robert Harris' political novel By TATIANA SIEGEL Nov. 7, 2007, Roman Polanski will direct political thriller "The Ghost" as his next feature. Robert Harris will team with Polanski to adapt Harris' novel of the same name, published last month by Simon & Schuster, for the bigscreen. Story centers on a ghostwriter who is hired to complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister. He uncovers secrets that put his own life in jeopardy. Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde will produce the film, slated to begin shooting in Europe next fall. Polanski had been working on the $100 million epic "Pompeii" for 18 months with frequent collaborators Benmussa and Sarde, but he jettisoned that project in September. Summit Intl., which has a long-standing relationship with Polanski and the producers, will represent worldwide rights to "The Ghost." "I have been looking for a political thriller to direct for some time, and 'The Ghost' could not be more perfect," Polanski said. "Robert has constructed a novel with such suspense, it is hard to put it down." Harris noted that most of the story takes place in an oceanfront house during the middle of winter, which he dubbed "classic Polanski territory." The director also partnered with producers Benmussa and Sarde on "The Pianist" and "Oliver Twist." ====================================== www.screenrush.co.uk/article/fichearticle_gen_carticle=18411904.htmlWho Will Play Polanski's Ghost? Now Filming - Thursday 8 November 2007 It has been announced that Roman Polanski, famed fugitive from justice and veteran director, is set to adapt Robert Harris's recent novel The Ghost for the big screen. The Ghost is a political thriller about a ghostwriter who is employed to pen the memoirs of former British Prime Minister Adam Lang, a thinly disguised version of Tony Blair. Under indictment for war crimes, Lang has been exiled to Martha's Vineyard where the cynical narrator learns that a previous hired-pen has already wound up dead. It has been confirmed by producers Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde that Polanski and Harris, whose novel Enigma was adapted for the screen by Tom Stoppard and Michael Apted, will work with the on the screenplay together. The novelist has described the story which takes place in an ocean-front house in the depths of winter as 'classic Polanski territory'. With the Paris based director's recent films leaping from the Warsaw ghetto in The Pianist to Victorian London in Oliver Twist it will certainly be a refreshing change to see him return to the modern day in this his fifth adaptation in a row. Roman Polanski had been previously involved in a project to film another Robert Harris blockbuster, Pompeii but pulled out earlier this year. At the time Benmussa and Sarde blamed fears of an actor's strike for their putting the production on ice but others suggested the man at the helm had been unsatisfied with the script. With this new announcement it seems unlikely the epic will erupt at any time soon ? at least not with Polanski calling the shots. The Ghost will commence filming in Europe next Autumn but no hints have been given on who we can expect to star. ============================= IGN Polanski Plans Political Thriller Polish helmer to adapt The Ghost by Orlando Parfitt, IGN UK UK, November 8, 2007 - Director Roman Polanski has lined up a Robert Harris adaptation as his next project, just two months after pulling out of the similarly Harris-penned feature Pompeii. The new film will be based on The Ghost, a political thriller that centres on a ghostwriter hired to pen the autobiography of a former British Prime Minister. While researching the book, he uncovers a sinister conspiracy that puts his own life in danger. Polanski spent 18 months working on the $100 million project Pompeii, about the volcanic eruption that destroyed the Roman town in 79 A.D., but he dropped out due to scheduling problems. Polanski on location on his last production Oliver Twist. Speaking about The Ghost, Polanski told Variety, "I've been looking for a political thriller to direct for some time and The Ghost could not be more perfect. Robert has constructed a novel with such suspense, it is hard to put down." Polanski made his name in the 1970s directing critically acclaimed dramas like Rosemary's Baby and Chinatown. More recently, he won the Best Director Oscar for his 2002 holocaust drama The Pianist.
|
|
|
Post by TIM on Jun 24, 2008 4:39:06 GMT -5
Hope this is true.
Great to see Pierce working with one of world best known director.
He shud do this film rather then film like Vanilla Gorilla
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 24, 2008 17:37:40 GMT -5
This says Pierce will be playing the PM not the ghostwriter moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/06/24/exclusive-nicolas-cage-and-pierce-brosnan-cast-in-roman-polanskis-the-ghost/EXCLUSIVE: Nicolas Cage And Pierce Brosnan Cast In Roman Polanski’s ‘The Ghost’ Published by Shawn Adler on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 4:49 pm. Last fall, Roman Polanski announced that his next film would be an adaptation of “The Ghost,” a Richard Harris novel about a ghostwriter hired to write the memoirs of an ex-Prime Minister. Now MTV News can announce who’ll join him. Pierce Brosnan and Nicolas Cage have been tapped to star as the British Prime Minister Adam Lang and the unnamed ghostwriter, respectively, in the next project from the legendary, Oscar winning director, Brosnan revealed. (And, yes, it took considerable effort not to write “From Ghost Rider to ghostwriter.” You’re welcome.) “I’m going to go off and work with Mr. Roman Polanski and Nic Cage on a film called ‘The Ghost,’” Brosnan said. “It’s a thriller.” A thriller and then some, and right in Polanski’s wheelhouse. Inspired in part by Tony Blair, the novel picks up steam when the ghostwriter learns privileged details about a scandal which threatens to engulf the ex-Prime Minister. Soon, he finds himself in personal jeopardy, and must learn to balance his commitments to Lang with his own safety. Most of the story takes place in an oceanfront house in the middle of winter. “I have been looking for a political thriller to direct for some time, and ‘The Ghost’ could not be more perfect,” Polanski told Variety at the time of his announced commitment to the project. “Robert has constructed a novel with such suspense, it is hard to put it down.”
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 24, 2008 17:39:09 GMT -5
From P.B.com
June 23rd, 2008
Dear Friends,
Summer is here and so are summer movies... and I just happen to be in one. I attended a screening of "Mamma Mia" last night and was very pleased with the picture. Meryl rocks! It’s marvelous to see this legendary actress kick up her heels and shine as she serenades us with her superb voice. Additionally the world has a new star in Amanda Seyfried who lights up the screen and has the voice of an angel. I am very proud to be part "Mamma Mia" and as I head off to New York to start the promotional tour for this film I can honestly say it’s a good night out at the movies. So go, have a laugh, and revel in the songs of Abba.
Next up I will be in New York making a movie called "The Greatest" with my production company Irish DreamTime. It is written by a young woman named Shana Feste who will also be making her directorial debut. The talented and beautiful Susan Sarandon is cast to play my wife in this drama about a family who tragically loses their son in a car accident only to find that the young girl he was with that night is now carrying his child. It is a complex study of love, grief and forgiveness.
This Fall I'm off to Berlin to start a picture with renowned director Roman Polanski based on the book by Robert Harris "The Ghost." The talented ensemble includes Nicholas Cage, Tilda Swinton and Kim Cattrall. So having had time off with my wife and children for the last few months I'm now busy and excited by the work ahead.
I hope you all have wonderful and happy summer. Be safe. Do good things.
|
|
|
Post by TIM on Jun 24, 2008 21:04:36 GMT -5
Ex James Bond is now the ex Prime Minister of England.
Can anyone who has read the book tell who is the main lead in the book, the PM or the writer.
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 26, 2008 9:01:49 GMT -5
www.variety.com/article/VR1117988074.html?categoryid=13&cs=1Cage, Brosnan see Polanski's 'Ghost' Tilda Swinton to co-star in political thriller Roman Polanski has set Nicolas Cage, Tilda Swinton and Pierce Brosnan for his next film, "The Ghost," an adaptation of the Robert Harris political thriller. Production begins in September in Europe. Cage will play a ghostwriter hired abruptly to finish the memoirs of an ex-British prime minister after the first scribe turned up dead. The ghostwriter's research leads him to uncover skeletons in the pol's closet that put the writer's life in danger. Swinton will play the wife of the former prime minister (Brosnan). Her marriage is crumbling, and she falls for the writer. Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde are producing. Polanski and Harris teamed to write the script. Summit is selling worldwide rights; domestic distribution hasn't yet been determined. Polanski set his sights on the drama last year (Daily Variety, Nov. 7), after he fell out of the $100 million epic "Pompeii," also an adaptation of a Harris book. More than one option Cage will star in a remake of “Bad Lieutenant” lensing in late summer. Swinton has been shooting the indie “I Am Love,” while Brosnan, who’ll next be seen in Universal’s “Mamma Mia!,” stars with Susan Sarandon in the Shana Feste-directed “The Greatest,” which his Irish DreamTime is producing.
|
|
|
Post by Lauryn on Jun 26, 2008 11:20:25 GMT -5
When I first saw this news posted I hoped we’d get confirmation so I could know whether I should get excited. This is an intriguing prospect for sure, with Polanski at the helm, Stoppard and Apted, and this cast assembled (and I’m counting on Nic Cage to be so thrilled to be on parole from those awful National Treasure movies that he gives the performance of his life, LOL!)
Coincidentally the “The Queen” was on cable and I sat down and watched it again. Michael Sheen’s portrayal of Tony Blair was as astoundingly good as I remembered. It’s a shame he didn’t get an Oscar nom for Best Supporting. It means something for him to shine, because there wasn’t a weak link in that cast.
Speaking of “The Ghost” and memoirs that get people into trouble, there’s a funny little novel I read that has potential for an enjoyable ensemble role for the SMA once he turns sixty-something. The book is “Paper Chase” by Bob Cook. It’s about a gaggle of old timers in British Intelligence who become incensed about a directive from their superiors warning that under no circumstances should any employees even think about writing their memoirs. (This novel came out just after the real Spycatcher book scandal in Britain’s MI-5 in ’87.)
Of course, the old spies take offense at this highhandedness and proceed to collaborate on a blockbuster of a memoir. They make it all up, it’s more fun that way -- full of sex, danger, duplicity, all of them tarted up as James Bonds while their hapless superiors look on. Needless to say their real bosses are tying themselves in knots trying to figure out a way to prosecute the memoirists under the Official Secrets Act but since none of the events are actually true they can’t. They’re left with having to give fulminating denials to the press that any of it ever happened. Of course, the more they deny, the more the public believes it’s true, etc. Eventually, the writers end up getting enmeshed in a real spy game that actually does put them in danger. That part doesn't quite mesh as well, but still, it’s a fun read and would be a nice project for an ensemble of old pro actors.
|
|
|
Post by Yuliya on Jun 26, 2008 11:50:24 GMT -5
LOL, Lauryn, thank you for sharing. Maybe I'll look up that book.
Incidentally, does the prime minister have any screen time? Not that I don't like Cage when he knows what he's going, even though he tends to be kind of the same.
|
|
|
Post by Lauryn on Jun 26, 2008 14:37:48 GMT -5
LOL, Lauryn, thank you for shareing. Maybe I'll look up that book. Incidentally, does the prime minister have any screen time? Not that I don't like Cage when he knows what he's going, even though he tends to be kind of the same. From the book jacket of the novel: "Dashing, captivating Adam Lang was Britain's longest serving - and most controversial - prime minister of the last half century, whose career ended in tatters after he sided with America in an unpopular war on terror. Now, after stepping down in disgrace, Lang is hiding out in wintry Martha's Vineyard to finish his much sought-after, potentially explosive memoir, for which he accepted one of history's largest cash advances. But the project runs aground when his ghostwriter suddenly and mysteriously disappears and later washes up, dead, on the island's deserted shore." "Enter our hero - Lang's new ghostwriter - cynical, mercenary, and quick with a line of deadpan humor. Accustomed to working with fading rock stars and minor celebrities, he jumps at the chance to be the new ghost of Adam Lang's memoirs, especially as it means a big payday. At once he flies to Lang's remote location in America to finish the book in the seclusion of a luxurious estate, but it doesn't take him long to realize he has made a fatal error in judgment. The state of affairs is grim enough when the ghost begins to unearth the bone-chilling circumstances of his predecessor's death. And before long, he discovers that the ex-prime minister is not just a charismatic politician who made a few mistakes. He's a dark, tortured man with haunting secrets in his past - secrets with the power to alter world politics. Secrets with the power to kill."
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jun 26, 2008 19:00:04 GMT -5
Before you explained the plot I was trying to envision an older PB in John Houseman's role in "Paper Chase". I was almost there. Your PC sounds like a lot more fun than scaring law students. ============================================== www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/the-names-blair-tony-blair-855418.htmlThe name's Blair, Tony Blair Brosnan to play a former PM with a freebie-loving wife. Sound familiar? By Arifa Akbar, Arts Correspondent Friday, 27 June 2008 When Robert Harris published a bestselling political thriller about the nefarious deeds of a former prime minister and his freebie-loving wife, it was thought to be a "thinly veiled, possibly vengeful novel" about his one-time friend, Tony Blair. But if Mr Blair was stung by the description of the central character in The Ghost, he may have felt differently yesterday after hearing that the actor cast for the lead in its film adaptation is the former James Bond star, Pierce Brosnan. And alongside Brosnan will be Tilda Swindon as his wife, who is thought to be based on Cherie Blair. Directing the production will be Roman Polanski, director of The Pianist and Chinatown. For Mr Blair, the outcome in casting the protagonist could have been far less flattering. In the past, he has been played by the Welsh actor Michael Sheen in the Stephen Frears' films, The Queen and The Deal, and he is much smaller than Mr Blair. Harris said he wholeheartedly approved of Brosnan in the lead. "When his name was floated months ago, I though it was a good idea," he said. "He has got a kind of charm and the good looks. I wanted to get away from the idea of a lookalike – that features in The Queen – so I thought this was an excellent idea." Filming will begin on 2 September in Berlin, as well as studio Babelsberg, where the Holocaust drama, The Pianist, was also filmed, and the Island of Sylt in northern Germany. Release of is expected in autumn next year. Polanski has filmed most of his films in Europe since the late 1970s. He set his sights on the drama last year after he pulled out of directing the $100m epic, Pompeii, another adaptation of a Harris book. At the time, he said he had been "seduced by the writing" in Harris's bestseller, but the writers' strike delayed filming. Harris, the screenwriter for Pompeii, also sent Polanski a fresh manuscript of The Ghost. Harris and Polanski co-wrote the script for the film. In Harris's book, the premier is described as a man of little conviction, slavishly subservient to an incompetent US president, touchy about references to his student acting skills and with a brainy wife who "loved their summer freebies in the Caribbean".
|
|
|
Post by Yuliya on Jun 27, 2008 11:01:40 GMT -5
Lauryn, thank you for explaining. It does sound interesting. Have you read the book? I'm sure you talked about it in an earlier post, but I can't find it. If you have - is it worth reading? (As in - would have it been worth reading if PB weren't going to be in the movie based upon it? )
|
|
|
Post by Lauryn on Jun 28, 2008 9:39:25 GMT -5
Lauryn, thank you for explaining. It does sound interesting. Have you read the book? I'm sure you talked about it in an earlier post, but I can't find it. If you have - is it worth reading? (As in - would have it been worth reading if PB weren't going to be in the movie based upon it? ) He’s a thriller writer with a very solid reputation, but I haven’t read any of his books. Until I looked up that book jacket blurb I hadn’t realized just how closely the character mirrored Tony Blair and his decline and fall, though apparently with even darker unknown unknowns (as Rumsfeld might put it).
|
|
|
Post by Lauryn on Jun 28, 2008 9:53:33 GMT -5
Before you explained the plot I was trying to envision an older PB in John Houseman's role in "Paper Chase". I was almost there. Your PC sounds like a lot more fun than scaring law students. Well, of course it were adapted into a movie, they'd have to change the name -- not that I think this old 80's novel is really on anyone's mind in Hollywood. Heh. If they ever updated the law school movie "Paper Chase" they'd have to change that part where Professor Kingsfield gives Hart a dime to call his mother and tell her there's serious doubt about him ever becoming a lawyer. Hart would have to go all the way back to his dorm to get his cell phone. I'm sure Professor K wouldn't allow them anywhere near his class. ============================================== I see what the author is getting at by not wanting a “look-alike” in the role, a fresh take on it, but that may inadvertently do a small disservice to Michael Sheen whom I thought gave a very attuned portrait of Blair in that snapshot in time, not just an impersonation. It occurs to me that PB so despises George Bush that this role will be a real acting stretch for him. I think they should just hand out the Oscar right now! <wink> So far, one tiny thing I’m looking forward to is him playing a PM who is "touchy about references to his student acting skills," LOL! That makes me smile already.
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jul 26, 2008 11:46:36 GMT -5
Shooting for the film has been postponed to Jan 2009 because of the potential actor's strike. This might explain/confirm the Charlotte Doyle Sept shooting date. That film might be part of one of the independent film companies that SAG has side deals with.
Pierce Brosnan & Roman Polanski Filmdreh verschoben Dienstag, 22. Juli 2008 04:00
Die Dreharbeiten zum Polit-Thriller "The Ghost" von Starregisseur Roman Polanski in Deutschland sind auf Januar 2009 verschoben worden. Ursprünglich sollte der Streifen mit dem ehemaligen Bond-Darsteller Pierce Brosnan von September an in Potsdam und Berlin sowie auf der Nordsee-Insel Sylt entstehen. Wie gestern aus Produktionskreisen verlautete, hätte die verbliebene Zeit bis September wegen des noch immer drohenden US-Schauspielerstreiks nicht für eine angemessene Vorbereitung ausgereicht. Vorlage für den Polanski-Thriller ist der gleichnamige Roman von Robert Harris um einen Ghostwriter (wie man hört, soll Hollywoodstar Nicolas Cage die Rolle übernehmen), der nach dem Tod des ehemaligen britischen Premierministers über dessen Leben schreiben soll. Auch wenn der Premier in dem Buch einen anderen Namen trägt, so soll er offenbar doch Tony Blair darstellen. Die Rolle von Blairs Frau Cherie wird laut der Zeitung "The Independent" die britische Schauspielerin und Oscar-Preisträgerin Tilda Swinton übernehmen. Autor Harris sagte unlängst der Zeitung, er sei begeistert, dass Brosnan (55, "Mamma Mia") den britischen Premier spiele. "Er hat Charme und sieht gut aus." Polanski (74) hatte bereits das Holocaust-Drama "Der Pianist" im Studio Babelsberg in Potsdam gedreht. Für den Film erhielt er 2003 den Oscar (beste Regie). Seinen Durchbruch in Hollywood hatte Polanski 1966 mit "Tanz der Vampire" geschafft.
|
|
|
Post by sparklingblue on Jul 27, 2008 6:02:23 GMT -5
Hee hee, PB playing that P.M. sounds like fun. ;D That he's headed for Berlin should have made me at least faint, shouldn't it?
|
|
|
Post by Andrea on Nov 18, 2008 11:41:10 GMT -5
from THR.com
Dutch Filmworks seals slew of Benelux deals Sly Stallone's "The Expendables" among titles By Stuart Kemp
Nov 18, 2008, 06:32 AM ET LONDON -- Indie distributor Dutch Filmworks (DFW) reported several high profile acquisitions in the immediate aftermath of the American Film Market, snapping up Benelux rights to a slew of titles including the Sylvester Stallone action saga "The Expendables" from Nu Image/Millenium.
Stallone will direct "The Expendables" from his own screenplay about a team of mercenaries sent on a mission to overthrow a crazy Latin American leader. Jason Statham and Jet Li will also star alongside Stallone.
DFW also snapped up transsexual romance "The Danish Girl" starring Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron from Kathy Morgan International, as well as the Ed Norton starrer "Leaves Of Grass from Tim Blake Nelson.
Other DFW purchases also include Roman Polanski's mystery "The Ghost" with Pierce Brosnan, Ewan McGregor and Kim Catrall from Summit Entertainment, The Dutch company said Tuesday
[...]
Ewan McGregor is in my opinion a good choice though a bit younger than the character in the book. I hope Kim Cattrall won't be Ruth. I would have liked Tilda Swinton so much to play the wife ...
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Nov 18, 2008 11:57:52 GMT -5
Thanks Andrea!
Ewan is younger than optimal (the age difference further unbalances the power) but probably a better fit than Cage as the British ghostwriter. Catrall was always part of the cast according to PB's site (when he originally gave the cast list as he, Cage, Swinton, Catrall) and not playing his wife. I suspected Cage would drop out when the film was rescheduled because he has 83 other projects line up. I'm disappointed if Tilda is no longer on board though. I wonder who will replace her. Kristin Scott Thomas would be great.
|
|
|
Post by Andrea on Nov 19, 2008 13:15:13 GMT -5
Maybe they just let Tilda's name out without further meaning. Hopefully. But yes, Kristin Scott Thomas would be another great British choice, even though her presence is quite different from Tilda's. But then I can imagine her as well as someone showing a rather low-key surface with more underneath and not "shining" too much besides Adam. I could also picture someone like Joan Allen. Playing British of course. But let's hope for Tilda.
Ewan McGregor could be too young to match the 'ghost' from the book, but I can imagine him playing green in politics, but hard-boiled and insisting on the subject as a 'ghost' at the same time, and when they'd leave out the mental "connection" of the leads and the not-so-distant college backround, the age difference wouldn't matter that much at the end.
|
|