Father Geek here with more coolness. This, sent in to Geek Headquarters from the offices of Director/Writer Timothy Hines... I'll step aside and let you get right to it...
In response to overwhelming requests for comment about director Timothy Hines' possible involvement in the planned Tom Cruise version of WAR OF THE WORLDS, Hines took time away from the set of his new science fiction fantasy movie CHROME, to comment.
"We approached Paramount with a version of WAR OF THE WORLDS nearly a year before September 11th. At that time we learned that Tom Cruise was interested in becoming involved in a WAR OF THE WORLDS project. Nothing came of it then as we were mostly focused on copyright issues with Paramount," stated Hines.
The principals of Pendragon Pictures are not allowed to comment on the complicated copyright issues of the WAR OF THE WORLDS property, but CHROME producer Susan Goforth confirmed, "Paramount has acknowledged in writing that Pendragon Pictures has certain rights to produce a version of WAR OF THE WORLDS. They certainly know everything about our WAR OF THE WORLDS project and how we were forced to push the project back due to the World Trade Center attack. News of our project has been published all over the world and in virtually every language."
Timothy Hines adds, "Tom Cruise has not approached me or my company concerning a version of WAR OF THE WORLDS, but I'm open to talking with him," stated Hines between takes of an action scene on an elaborate floating transport set at Pendragon Pictures studio in the Seattle area.
Hines went on to say, "I am now convinced that the only way to make WAR OF THE WORLDS is to be one hundred percent true to the book. In the light of current world events, Wells' vision is more timely than ever and it needs to be translated to the big screen intact. If that's the kind of production Tom Cruise is interested in doing, then we may have common ground to talk."
In any case, Timothy Hines and Pendragon Pictures are going forward with the production planning and script polishing of WAR OF THE WORLDS.
"We've endured too much and fought to hard not to follow through. We will make WAR OF THE WORLDS. But right now I've got another movie to shoot," Timothy Hines reflected as he moved into the center of the action on the CHROME set.
"CHROME is a very exciting movie. It's a great story that moves at breathtaking speed from its opening moments," says executive producer Reina Windrum. "The enthusiasm and the adrenaline on the set are running very high. Timothy and his cast and crew are truly inspired. The FX team, headed by Karl Cottle, are creating stunning images."
CHROME is coming in the Summer of 2003. WAR OF THE WORLDS will be ready for release in 2004.
Pendragon Pictures; 800 Fifth Avenue Suite 101-144; Seattle, WA 98104
