Cool News
Mr. Beaks Interviews The Newest Producer Of Paramount
Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
It’s a strange time here at Ain’t It Cool News. I know I feel blessed each and every day right now, and in the oddest ways possible. David Lynch shot a film at my house last month. I’m getting ready to walk out the door to fly overseas for the first time ever thanks to Knowles. We’re actually upgrading our server right now as we speak to make room for all the traffic from Harry’s new Peter Jackson fansite. And there’s stuff I’ve got planned for the second half of this year that just seems impossible.
How, pray tell, is Harry flying me overseas? And not just me, but a whole fistful of AICNers? Well, seems Knowles has fallen into some filthy lucre. You know that he’s producing a film called GHOST TOWN, and he’s been hard at work on that one with a pretty amazing writer for a while now (and, no, I don’t mean me… Harry won’t let me within a thousand miles of GHOST TOWN). But there’s something that’s been a dream of his for far longer, and today, it’s my privilege to announce that his dream has come true. Mr. Beaks hopped on AOL IM the other night to interview Knowles about this newest, craziest twist in his GUMP-like life, and here’s what they had to say:
Harry Knowles: pioneering webmaster, film-as-cunnilingus-substitute advocate, and, now, producer. Last year, he shook Hollywood to its rotten core with the announcement that he was selling out to Joe Roth’s Revolution Studios in order to develop GHOST TOWN, a project still shrouded in the kind of secrecy reserved for stuff that’s often done in secret. Now, he’s joining Jim Jacks and Sean Daniels as a full-fledged producer on Paramount’s 2006 tentpole, JOHN CARTER: A PRINCESS OF MARS, which has been adapted from the beloved Edgar Rice Burroughs novel by Mark Protosevich, whose I AM LEGEND remains one of the great unproduced scripts in Hollywood, and will be directed by Robert Rodriguez.
I had a chance to chat with Mr. Knowles over AOL IM last night, and, to my surprise, found him full of bonhomie and good humour as we discussed his most recent venture. He had just returned from seeing CONNIE AND CARLA (“Better than sex with Rav!”, he proclaimed effusively), and offered up a few tantalizing details regarding the direction of this massive undertaking.
Mr. Beaks: I'm ready and rarin'! Harry: Helloooooo, Mr Beaks.
Mr. Beaks: How *do* you do, sir? Harry: Well, I'm certainly not knighted yet.
Mr. Beaks: Knowing your luck, that's forthcoming. Harry: Indubitedlidoodily
Mr. Beaks: So, should I just start firing questions? Harry: You are a reporter for that great metropolitan/international rag, AICN, aren't ya?
Mr. Beaks: Allegedly. Harry: Then I'm smoking my last cigarette.
Mr. Beaks: So let me start with the question that's on everyone's mind: how in the hell did you pull this off? Harry: Well - it actually started with AIN'T IT COOL: HOLLYWOOD'S REDHEADED STEPCHILD SPEAKS OUT. Available at AMAZON!
Mr. Beaks: That book was useful for somethin’? Besides serving as my doorstop? Harry: Well, Warner Publishing insisted that I publish a list of the Top Ten Dream Projects of Mine. The films that if I were running Hollywood, I would make. In there was PRINCESS OF MARS/John Carter of Mars Series. Well - Alphaville producer Jim Jacks read the book, got to that list - saw that series listed, remembered reading them as a kid - and thought that was a good idea. He had Paramount secure the rights for Alphaville and began talking to me about the project on a pretty frequent basis.
Mr. Beaks: In other words, you've been essentially doing pre-production on this for several years. Clandestinely. Harry: Feels like I've been talking with Jim about this for 2 years, but actually - it goes back further. When I was in New Zealand that last day of my THERE AND BACK AGAIN reports - I tried to get Peter Jackson interested in PRINCESS OF MARS as his follow-up to LORD OF THE RINGS - about 4 years ago. And I've been talking to Robert Rodriguez about PRINCESS OF MARS for about 7. Essentially - I've been talking to anybody who would listen about Burroughs' books since I was about 10 years old
Mr. Beaks: And finally somebody started to take you seriously. Harry: Well - they seem to. Jim Jacks has a great deal of passion for the material and wanted to do an incredibly faithful adaptation and well - let's just say we both fed off each others' excitement quite a bit.
Mr. Beaks: What about Robert's excitement? It sounds like you've played an integral part in getting him psyched about going to Mars. Harry: Well - after I read Mark Protosevich's 1st Draft, I was rabid about seeing the film done by someone that had a passion for the material, and began talking with a number of folks about the film. Back around Butt-Numb-A-Thon, I started a conversation with Rodriguez that got him very interested in Mark's script - and that began a series of conversations that continue every day. Robert and I both wanted to see it done here in Austin - so we could walk around town thinking, “BARSOOM in our backyards!”
Mr. Beaks: Being done in Austin is the big surprise. Is it all going to be shot down there? Harry: All the details are being worked out right now in those regards... The stuff that takes place on Earth may require us to shoot around the States a bit, but Mars/Barsoom is a little too much out of our location budget, so I imagine it exists in a big empty box of a soundstage that can be a billion years ago on a Mars far away.
Mr. Beaks: Let's talk a bit about the story for PRINCESS OF MARS. Actually, let's start with the title. Isn't that a sissy title? Shouldn't it be, like, MASTER COCKSMAN OF MARS? Harry: Well - Burroughs called it PRINCESS OF MARS and that's good enough for me. I'm sure at some point a question will come up about that title - but Dejah Thoris is the love of John's life, the entire story pivots upon their relationship and John finding his home there on Barsoom with her. It truly is the best title.
Mr. Beaks: Is John still going to be an ex-Confederate soldier? Harry: Damn straight! Personally, that's integral to his character and the story... wouldn't dream of changing that.
Mr. Beaks: And getting him to Mars. How's that handled? Harry: Through the miracle of special effects that have yet to storyboarded
Mr. Beaks: Oh, those things. Actually, that's a good lead-in to my next question. How are you guys going to do Mars? CG with a mix of locations like in LORD OF THE RINGS, or will it be a completely CG environment like, say, the new STAR WARS films, or SKY CAPTAIN? Harry: That's an on-going discussion. With Robert working on SIN CITY - we're just now at the stage of assembling a team of great artists, visual effects folks, the early, early pre-vis... out of that will come the strategy for how to continue.
Mr. Beaks: And how much of this pre-production hiring and developing is going to fall under your supervision? Harry: I have suggestions - a voice in the process. Personally - I find myself being the guy that says, “Woola has 10 legs not 6.” That brings some of the relationships and knowledge that I have about artists and FX technicians that a zillion years of CINEFEX, CQ, STARLOG and AICN reading have afforded me.
Mr. Beaks: Are you going to be hiring out of the established Hollywood pool for your design team, or are you going to look for some new talent? Harry: “New” is a relative term. The names I tend to bring up are the Gods that I've dreamt of working with since I was a child. One of the artists that I'm working with right now is a person (who I'm not naming right now because I'm a prick) that did a watercolor portrait of my mother in 1974 while he was flirting with her at a Detroit Comic Con - and who has a history of Burroughs art and has dreamt of that universe since he was a child - and is someone every living geek that's reading this knows and loves. But he has only sparingly been used by Hollywood.
Mr. Beaks: Sparingly used is good, since too many of these Hollywood sci-fi epics keep going back to the same design well.Harry: A lot of this is similar to what PJ did with LORD OF THE RINGS - it's about bringing the right guys together. John Howe and Alan Lee were not new, they were the right guys.
Mr. Beaks: Gotcha. So, you're going to be busy down in that magical bedroom of yours, huh? Harry: The process so far has been remarkably similar to what I do on AICN - only I get an input into the process. I still get email with insight into the production, only it's a production I'm involved in. And the artwork and letters about things are for my private feedback, not for public feedback. For now, I still get more email about AICN.
Mr. Beaks: For now. Think that might change in the near future? Harry: I haven't a clue what the future holds in those regards.
Mr. Beaks: Let's talk Tharks. Real actors or CG? Harry: What 15 ft tall, 4 armed tusked actors did you have in mind?
Mr. Beaks: Forced perspective? I dunno. Harry: 4 armed actors?
Mr. Beaks: SAG has a wide variety of differently abled actors out there. Really... how can you brush off the notion until you've looked? Harry: Mhmm... I don't want to alienate the green 4 armed tusked actors - I suggest they email me, this is their Wizard of Oz.
Mr. Beaks: Well, I guess Burroughs fans will be happy to hear that you're sticking to the correct height and whatnot for the Tharks. What about Woola? He'll be CG, too, and not practical like Sammael? Harry: Those discussions will begin later today through the weekend and till shooting next year. Sammael was a combination of real and cg - we'll explore that option, but want what looks best and offers the best character and dynamics.
Mr. Beaks: Let's move on to what is, at least to you and your cohorts, a known quantity: Protosevich's script. How faithful is it to Burrough's novel? Harry: Extremely faithful
Mr. Beaks: Minor alterations? Harry: Yeah, that's a fair way to put it. I mean, the book is told via first person journal from John to you the reader. This is told cinematically with John as the central character, but not through his voice-overs... so that's probably the biggest alteration.
Mr. Beaks: Besides our ongoing fascination with the red planet, what is the primary hook for the John Carter saga? How are you going to excite moviegoers who've never heard of this series? Harry: Well - my love for the story is birthed out of the character of John Carter - a man that is transported from everything he knows to this planet and time so alien to anything that a man hunting for gold would or could ever imagine…. he doesn't despair, he accepts his situation and thrives. To me - his relationships with Tars Tarkas and Dejah Thoris are everything. If you don't believe his friendship with a 15 ft 4 armed warrior with tusks and eyes in the wrong place -- and his relationship with Woola (which is just a great dog story sub-plot... but with 10 legs and well much bigger than your average mutt) and then his love for Dejah... That's what I love. I'm sure for some - the second they start seeing Tharks kicking ass they'll get excited, but for me... when I watch all this footage coming back from Mars, and the rover tells us that this is a barren sea that was there on the surface of Mars, how many centuries ago, how many millenias ago? There's a magic to what might've been, what was once there... and there's the dream that perhaps 500 million years ago on Mars - there were sights unlike anything we've ever seen or imagined. That's Barsoom as (Frank) Frazetta painted, and that's the film I want to see.
Mr. Beaks: That's such a huge canvas. The scope is enormous. How much is this going to cost? Harry: It'll cost exactly as much as it needs to be done perfectly.
Mr. Beaks: Is any of this reliant on the success of SIN CITY? Harry: No. That's Robert's current project that is in active production with Miramax. This is with Paramount and Pre-Production is beginning and everyone there is excited about it. However, Paramount hired Robert for who he is before SIN CITY was even really put together.
Mr. Beaks: It's a long way off, but I assume Robert wants to shoot as much of this as he can on digital. Harry: I believe Robert is on record as saying, FILM IS DEAD and that he'll never go back. So, that's a fair assumption on your part.
Mr. Beaks: Heh. So, were you serious when you told me it was LeBron James as John Carter, or bust? Harry: Heh. You know me, I never... ahem, kid
Mr. Beaks: I'm pretending you told me that, at least. Seriously, though, you've had so much time to dream about this project. You've undoubtedly put some faces to John Carter. Care to share any of them? Alive or dead? Harry: Errol Flynn.
Mr. Beaks: Dejah Thoris? Harry: I've only ever seen Dejah through Frazetta's brushstrokes.
Mr. Beaks: So, you've yet to see a Dejah in the flesh? Harry: Robert will do an extensive search to find Dejah. It will be gruelling tough work, but we'll get through it somehow.
Mr. Beaks: You poor guys. If you need help... you know. I'm here. That's all I'm sayin'. Luckily, Moriarty isn't into that kind of thing. Harry: It'd a be a conflict of interest, you're a reporter for AICN! How would it look if you got involved in PRINCESS OF MARS? Think of the scandal, my dear man!
Mr. Beaks: I'm an awful man. I've no scruples. Forgive me. Harry: Sad.
Mr. Beaks: Will your experience thus far on GHOST TOWN be of help as you move forward on JOHN CARTER? Harry: Actually - it's the reverse. I was actually consulting with Jim Jacks on PRINCESS long before I'd even thought of GHOST TOWN - besides - GHOST TOWN is still at the writing stage, PRINCESS is in Pre-Production - what I learn on Barsoom will greatly help me with GHOST TOWN I feel.
Mr. Beaks: How far off is GHOST TOWN from production? Harry: Better question is how far off is the script?
Mr. Beaks: That far? So, you're going to be getting heavily involved with this *massive* production for Paramount. Will you still be able to do Ain't It Cool News? Harry: I believe so. I've been working on both films for the past 3 months and still manage to get stories and my regular DVD column up, unlike some editors on AICN.
Mr. Beaks: What's with that guy anyway? Harry: I think it's rampant drug abuse
Mr. Beaks: Depressing. He could've been one of the greats. I didn't know estrogen could be so addictive. Harry: You ever watch that Channel 4 show SPACED by Edgar Wright?
Mr. Beaks: I have. At said miscreant's lab, actually. Harry: I find Moriarty reminds me often of Jessica Stevenson's character on the show, staring at blank screens for hours on end, constantly looking to put things off. And then there's his menstrual issues.
Mr. Beaks: I never thought of that, but... man, that's pretty damn accurate. Here's one: what happens when, say, "BurroughsFan88" gets his paws on PRINCESS OF MARS and sends you a script review? What do you do, Knowles? What *do* you do? Harry: Well, if he sends it to "Harry@AintItCool.Com" it goes to me and Moriarty. Moriarty has control editorially regarding any of the projects I'm working on creatively... just as I have the ability to post any stories whatsoever about Mortal Kombat 3 and that UNIVERSAL SOLDIER thing of his.
Mr. Beaks: Who're your producing idols? Harry: George Pal, Charles Schneer and Walt Disney.
Mr. Beaks: No Val Lewton? Harry: I was naming my top 3. I have an everlasting love for Val Lewton's work.
Mr. Beaks: Are you comfortable w/ producing, or do you also harbor dreams of directing? Harry: At this point in my life, I don't feel directing is a pursuit I should embark on till I feel that there is nobody on the planet that understands the material I'm working on better than myself. I have yet to hit that ego plateau as of yet.
Mr. Beaks: So, you think Robert understands JOHN CARTER better than you? Harry: I believe Robert is better equipped in innumerable fashions to tell this story than me. I can only help in the process and hope to learn as much as humanly possible. But I feel Robert has more talent for telling this story than anybody out there right now.
Mr. Beaks: But you're going to be *heavily* involved in helping him, correct? Harry: I will be as involved as much as he needs me to be, hopefully I can help the project - and try to be a positive influence on the project.
Mr. Beaks: In other words, it's a real producing gig? This isn't some charity credit? Harry: I brought the project and the script to Robert's attention and we've had innumerable late night back-and-forths about Barsoom, John, Dejah, the artists and the effects people. It has been a wonderful conversation and as we move forward into production of the film. I look forward to working with Elizabeth Avellan, Jim Jacks and Sean Daniels to finally bring Burroughs' tale to life. However, I never lose sight of just how fucking lucky I was to get that call from Jim Jacks 2 years ago; how lucky I was to be forced into bringing up PRINCESS OF MARS in my book. And as I look at the artwork coming in to me right now, I count my blessings. A week after I saw EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, my father handed me PRINCESS OF MARS and said, "Read this and imagine the movie this would make!" That's nearly been 23 years ago. I remember watching the skiffs in Jedi and dreaming of red-hued denizens of Helium upon them. Then, watching ATTACK OF THE CLONES and seeing that arena scene and knowing that 4 armed Warhoons belonged in the seats. I can only imagine that what I'm feeling right now as I see Princess of Mars coming to life is what Phillipa Boyens felt. I mean, this is really truly happening. And I love being a part of it and suggesting the names and then getting to bring some of them aboard the project. It's truly a dream come true for this geek.
Mr. Beaks: Well, with all of the money you're bound to make off this thing, I hope that means I'm this much closer to getting my labor of love, LITTLER WOMEN, made. Harry: Well, given your penchant for Elementary School Bus Stops, I'm afraid to ask about that one.
Mr. Beaks: Research. It's all research. Why won't the police leave me alone to my research? Harry: Because you're sick
Mr. Beaks: I cannot help what I do. Harry: I know, but this is what you get for hanging out with Smilin' Jack.
Mr. Beaks: You're probably right. I learned it all from him. So, do you have anything else you need to add? Any other tidbits that I failed to draw out through my abrasive interrogation? Harry: Can I go potty now? Please?
Mr. Beaks: Okay. Harry: It's been good, I think. Make sure that hack of an editor doesn't fuck it all up.
Mr. Beaks: That’s out of my hands. In any event, you've been more than forthcoming, Mr. Knowles. A grateful nation thanks you for your testimony.
Faithfully submitted,
Mr. BeaksWhen I asked Robert Rodriguez to comment on Harry’s participation in the film, he had this to say:
”Harry's enthusiasm was what got me on board Princess of Mars. He passed me the Protosevich script back in November, and it felt like the kind of production we should be making in Austin. I wanted to utilize all the resources Austin has to offer for a movie like this, and that includes Harry. I was glad to know that Jim Jacks had already brought him onboard as a producer before I signed on. Harry knows the material backwards and forwards, knows a lot of the artists we'll be bringing on board to bring BARSOOM to life, and is a great springboard for ideas of all things cool. We've talked about working together on a movie before, neither one of us thinking it'd end up being something this big. But ain't it cool?”
Can’t wait for the trades to try to figure out which leg we’re pulling thanks to today’s date, but it’ll be even better when they figure out we’re not kidding. This is one of the biggest films Paramount is making, and somehow, the Ginger Goon hisself ended up involved, and he has a great goddamn script he's working with. We’re taking the town over. Ain’t it cool, indeed.
"Moriarty" out.
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Indeed...
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I'm no fool. And f' first posters.
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Huh. Well, that's cool that Harry's producing A PRINCESS OF MARS. Best of luck to ya with that, Harry... just don't put in any giant spiders at the behest of former hairdressers-turned-film producers...
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how pathetic is this stuff,anyways?imagine,an 'employee' interviewing his bossi'm sure i'll get banned fer this shite
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...craft services.
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I see movie companies really wanting to give Harry a 100M dollar movie....his track record is awesome......um he had a cameo in that horrible Robert Rodiguez movie...and he um went on Ebert's how and made an ass of himself. Sure, I see them giving him this project.
Happy April First AICN. -
Dont make it a stinker.
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Title of an excellent song by Electric Wizard, the best band ever.
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after years of criticizing it's happening Harry's involved in making movies, make all of us geeks proud and stay true to things you're adapting to the big screen..........here's hoping
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Well if this thing takes a beating from NRG spies and industry insiders, won't that be a 'come full circle' kind of thing?
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That's right, Austin!
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HAPPY HALLOWEEN! .... oops wrong day .... KZJ could maybe be Dejah Thoris. .... I can picture her in that fluffy butt floss thos Martian wenches wear :p .... She may be a bit aged tho...
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You're the fan that got to be a producer! It's awesome that one of us geeks has a voice in the construction of a huge film! Just don't let Rodriguez shoot the thing in three days, score the it himself, edit it so it ends up being 90 minutes long, and make it as cheap as possible - this must be handled right! Good luck!
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Apr 01, 2004 5:28:56 AM CST
Joke or not, I hope Robert has contacted William Stout for produ
by declan_swartz
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Can you suck your own cock as well as Harry's?
This comment is available from our friends at Amazon -
Hugh is also TARZAN, for that matter. Yeah I'm a Wolvie-bitch, hell yeah!
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Ouch!
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as soon as Harry said that someone read his book.
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You want to do Mars for real though. The locations are not in America though!
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Apr 01, 2004 8:23:03 AM CST
Can't Wait For John Carter 2: Harry Sucks More Hollywood Dick
by badmofo
That must be in the pipeline...
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then how far up their own asses are these guys? making people read PAGES of self-worshipping crap
of course that's what they normally do:) but still... -
Instead of just shaking when you move!! HAHAHA!! No, seriously, if this is true then congratulations.
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I'm only half way through the article right now--I'll have to finish it later as I'm standing at the computer in my ginch waiting for my laundry in the dryer, and I gotta go to school now--but I just want to say, Harry and Mr. Beaks are AOL users??...All right, to each his own. Maybe I'm just prejudiced by all of the rubes the commercials. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt though; I've never heard anyone on AICN say, "Instant Messaging is like having a verbal chat, electronically."
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He kicks ass in Deadwood. I still think this is an April Fool's Joke.
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Harry, if you are indeed a part of the "Princess of Mars" producing team, I feel giddy with excitement because I know you will speak for the sensibilities of our generation. To me, it is a promise that the movie will not be watered down and PG`ed to death. If it is April Fool's Day, I will still be content with the hope that "Princess of Mars" the movie will be the living representation of the Frazetta paintings and Edgar Rice Burroughs` great stories. I will not be content until Harry is running Hollywood!
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Is that they're upgrading the servers... Good one, Mori!
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Apr 01, 2004 10:19:07 AM CST
fuck, at least Harry's disgustingly fat ass could have died for
by zombiejesus666
this was a lame ass april fools joke. i mean shit, this was just fucking dumb. princess of mars shouldn't even be talked about by a sick fat fuck like harry...stick to what you know, shitheads...blowing quentin and kevin...
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Apr 01, 2004 10:55:46 AM CST
John Carter: A Princess of Mars sounds like a sci-fi drag queen
by drath
I don't know if that's part of the April Fool's Joke or what, but I hope the actual title phrases it differently. It'll probably be some really long moniker like "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," or "Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl." Actually, compared to those, "John Carter of Mars: A Princess of Mars" doesn't sound so long.
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I don't like to toot my own horn (well, not publically anyway), but that IS genius casting.
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Apr 01, 2004 11:07:49 AM CST
Star Wars IS called Creeping fear!! Go to the official site!!
by theginger twit
Hello William shatner... if that is your real name. I love you dude!
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I have to suggest it. He would be perfect.
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Harry's assertion that this needs to look and feel like The Searchers [a while back] is exactly the kind of guidance someone like RR needs. If only Rodriguez had talent comparable to his passion. DON'T DO A SOUNDSTAGE MOVIE! JORDAN! THE SUDAN! TUNISIA! ANYWHERE!@!
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Apr 01, 2004 12:02:30 PM CST
Mark Dacascos as John Carter....Lucia Tovar as Dejah Thoris
by stonemonkey
Yum yum eat'em up.
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What the hell is this???????
"We -
now i need to go and read the book so i can start posting things like "no, no, you're doing it all wrong!" ;)
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Seriously, who's more qualified to travel through space and nail hot martians?
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http://www.thrillfactory.com/SAN
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Those were the headlines, now for the rumors behind the news: http://tbhl.theonering.net/ Wotta buncha bastards!
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Or the rumors of Ben Affleck campaigning to play Quint?
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Harry listed "Song of the South" as his favorite animated film and one he'd like to see released on video... or something to that effect the memory gets hazy. I think they were doing some sort of most wanted lists for home video, when Ebert had rotating guests as reviewer's right after Siskels death. It looked like someone had just crapped in Ebert's cereal to hear that nice racist little Uncle Tom cartoon brought up as being worthy of re-release by Disney. Hence Harry ain't getting back on. That was also the first time I ever saw the actual Harry, and I realized his cartoons don't do him justice....
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This geek-girl started grinning at the start of this piece and hasn't stopped yet. Never thought I'd see this stuff in the same sentence as 'pre-production', baby. Life is good. Harry, guys, thanks again.
'Nuff said. -
Congratuations to H'wood's red-headed stepchild. He's got a job that every fuckin' fanboy in the USA would give his virgin nuts to have. However, now that he's fully crossed over to the system, his ass has just become free game. Harry, you've got a target on your head just like the former hairdresser now. Your flicks better be good, or the net's gonna leave you in pink mist.
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Is it 1) Harry as a first time producer (Ghost Town doesn't count as it's not even made yet) handling a huge A-list movie like "John Carter" ? Is it 2) That they're updating the server (like yeah...THAT'll happen)Or is it 3) The talkbacker who called "Song of the South" racist ? (SOTS was available in the UK for years, even after Disney disowned it despite the film being the template for one of the best loved rides at Walt Disney World. For those who don't know, or don't remember - the animated stories of Bre'r Rabbit are told by a kindly old man who happens to be of African origin. His tales are morality fables that he uses to teach a young white kid. It's as harmless and inoccuous as that. Of course it could be that 4) The joke's on me - I woke up in Bizarro World.
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Hey big guy, when the money starts rolling in with all those back-end and front-end deals, you should take it and do something about your own back-end... and front-end. Every end. Seriously, this surgery works for morbidly obese peole like urself, so when that dough starts rolling in and you're a regular with heidi fleiss's old stable, you wanna look good, doncha? Sometimes, if you look decent and are nice, they'll let you kiss them, so I'd get down to the doctor for a pre-operative exam. Seriously... gastric bypass. Obviously you haven't tried Atkins or it didn't work. Last resort, fella...
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? If this is not a joke, congratulations
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...it was a waste of typing. Who actually reads those lame "interview"-style articles anyway? They're always boring and never funny.
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Moriarty, if your gonna name drop, go all the way. WTF was Lynch shooting at your house and why?
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Keep living the dream my brother! Do us proud! M
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I don't think this is a joke, re-read the original AICN story about Princess of Mars, Moriarty mentions something about "another producing partner on the film that should be announced soon that is apparently in top secret negotiations, someone who has been close to this project for a while now". This has to be Harry, this is no joke.
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Congrats on Princess of Mars, Harry.
The PJ site...well, methinks it April 1st after all.
Hey, and I am still trying to figure out what is up with that Hobbit press release! (www.thehobbitfilm.com)
Everything seems slightly askew and now I'm having trouble finding what to believe.... HOWEVER...
The Princess of Mars thing is legit, though, so congratulations to our Harry! -
....as the other talkbacker said.Do whatever it takes to get him onto this production!If you go and get Baker or Winston(God love 'em) then what is the point!Hell,even Steve Johnson would be a great second choice.Mr.Bottin,where the fuck are you these days?!!?We hardly knew thee......
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Logrolling.
Class act fellas - because god knows you don't get enough columns here already. -
Apr 01, 2004 6:16:13 PM CST
HARRY KNOWLES IS PLAYING THE TITLE ROLE IN "PRINCESS OF MARS"???
by rev_skarekroe
I just skimmed the article, but I think that was it. sk
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April 1st...This news heh heh.
Anyways done right, A Princess of Mars will kick ass - done wrong it will suck all kinds of ass. My biggest concern at this point is Rodriguez himself- all CG and goofy cut and past style action- he deos not seem at all a good fit here. Hopefully he'll prove me wrong. This book has waited just shy of a century to be put to screen- and it deserves to be done what no other Burroughs adaptation has gotten- a screen version that does the book JUSTICE (Shit the closest we have this feat being accomplished is Disney's Tarzan- how fucking sad is THAT?)
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"Austin"..."BNAT" ."Austin"..."BNAT""Austin"..."BNAT""Austin"..."BNAT""Austin"..."BNAT""Austin"..."BNAT"
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Even if this is true, no matter how good this movie turns out to be. We all know it'll never be good enough for the AICN crowd. But I have always wanted to see popular critics make movies themselves so they too realize that its not that easy....either way, after the movie comes out, I hope Harry never reads the talk backs about it.
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Harry is no longer an outsider. He's in, and therefore can't be trusted. Sure, others may spew the truth. But how can Harry tell all without pissing off his new Hollywood buddies. Sin City is a perfect example. Harry knows everything but can't us.
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I saw Sean Daniel at the Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony forJohn Belushi today and he confirmed that Harry is a producer and that they are doing this movie.
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Robert may be building one the most incredible and exciting ensemble casts ever with "Sin City" but it's the possibilities for Mars that has my mouth watering. I wouldn't be surprised if the studio had a wish-list that included The Rock and Jessica Alba as Carter and the Princess.
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PREDICTION: PRINCESS OF MARS AND GHOST TOWN WILL >>>BOMB!!!<<<
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April Fools...
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Congrat's Harry. Something like this was only a matter of time after all the press and attention you got. I have no problem with anyone using any means to break into this business. Because no matter how you got in, if you don't have the talent and disposition to pull it off, you won't stay for too long. Cheers on your success!
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You know, a few years back i would've congradulated you and wished you luck, but with the shit you've been spewing out lately in your reviews, take a hike Knowles. You are an industry pawn right now, in my book. However, your website is a great outlet for film fans and a great film news site, so I respect you a great deal for that. But as far as you personally, PFFFHHH..
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How will Hollywood treat you if they ever realise you can't pay tribute to a true great of cinema and a humanitarian that died this week, but produce glowing tributes for a Nazi bitch.
http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=16042 -
Next up Harry plugs the Quentin fansite run by... none other than Harry. It sure as hell makes his review of all the LOTR movies seem 'very' credible. I mean shit...you're running the director's website, are you really going to say something bad about the movie. Not like it matters though, everyone will forget about LOTR in under five yrs. The real classics will rise to the top, and people will understand the best trilogy of all time stars Clint Eastwood. Give me Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly over anything that Hollywood shits out now. Back to the fansite though, when's the last time you heard of a 'journalist' running someone's fansite...someone he's supposed to be critical of?? Conflict of interest perhaps?? That being said, I do think Harry and Peter would make the cutest couple. They both don't shave, both don't ever get haircuts, both seem to have about a 34 C breast size, and they both dress really sloppily. They are so perfect for each other it's not even funny. Harry probably takes numerous trips to the "land down under" each month..and when I say 'land down under', no it's not a place where you need your passport, and no, it's not australia...to get to this land you will first hear the sound of a zipper, later followed by "yeah Harry, that's the spot"
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I'm not familiar with any of this stuff, so someone fill me in!
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Apr 02, 2004 3:01:56 AM CST
I actually believe this, but I also believe Harry's influence wi
by tall_boy
ie. not much. Fucking agents get producer credits just to make cash. He's buddies with the director, probably threw the book at Robert himself. But at most he's just going to show up say "doing a great job" and then fuck off and collect money. I mean, good for him for getting cash for sure. But it ain't cool. Not cool at all.
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You people are so jealeous its damn pathetic. The more I read your whining the happier I'm starting to feel for Harry.
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Almost two years ago I met you at Scarecrow Video in Seattle. On that day you signed your book for me. It was a pleasant day made better by your gregarious personality. I was nervous when i met you and tongue tied. That was my fault. I did listen to you speak. As a result I purchased a copy of Vidoq. To this day it is a gem in my collection.
I wanted to thank you for that and more. Your love and passion for film is infectious. It has helped me morph into a more thoughtful film lover. Now when I view a film I am not affraid to exhort and support my opinions.
I, too, loved Edgar Rice Burroughs. He was all I read for about three years. I could'nt get enough. What a brilliant imagination.
So, congrats on your role as producer of The Princess of Mars. I am confident you have enough savvy and experience and love to pull it off.
P.S.: Father geek rocks -
I know exactly what you mean, that title John Carter: A Princess of Mars sounds like he's a princess. It'd be clearer to say John Carter AND A Princess of Mars or John Carter of Mars Chapter One: A Princess of Mars, or anything but the way Harry says it in this story. Next they should do Tarzan and Jane: Lord of the Apes. Which one is the lord of the apes again?
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What about Hellboy?
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Give 'em hell Harry!
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I remember saying this nearly a year ago; either there would be a parallel universe solution, or a billion-year B.C. solution. And Harry has chosen the second. You can't go wrong if you demand and receive the Martian Passion of Frazetta. Have you written up the scene yet where John Carter wakes up in the nursery? Great cinematic and special events possibilities.
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Getting William Stout on board as a concept artist would be grand.
But Kaluta would be *awesome* :) -
To see some truly drool-worthy sketches and inkwork of Ms. Thoris by the incredible Frank Cho, go to: http://www.libertymeadows.com/gallery/index.htm. One can only hope the producers take the hint...
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So if this whole thing goes down, hows about getting Liberty Meadows creator Frank Cho to do some of the production art??? That guy has a seriouse hard on for Warlord Of Mars stuff and is a killer artist....
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I know I've talked smack about you but I love this site and if I were a faggot (And this ain't just the booze talkin) I'd have my way wioth you and shoot my load all over your big fat head! You are a beautiful, beautiful fuckin man Knowles! You and Mori! I'd bang the both of you@
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He didn't get in trouble for bringing up Song of the South on Eberts show. I'm pretty sure that Ebert has gone on record as saying he'd also like Disney to rerelease it. Most people would. What got him in trouble with Ebert was when he posted an "official" list of Oscar contenders that was supposed to have come from the computer of someone involved with the awards. Then when the final 5 nominees in each category were officially announced there were a number of people and films nominated that did no appear on the list. Everyone made a big stink about it an attacked Harry's journalistic credibility as if he had actually developed any because the studios were starting to kiss his ass.
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Apr 03, 2004 2:57:40 PM CST
I had to read this story in the chicago sun times this morning t
by terry_1978
Even though i still kinda think it is. But what do I know, I have no discernable talent.
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Apr 03, 2004 3:41:15 PM CST
So now we're gonna see biased reviews for both Revolution AND Pa
by serious black
HA! Seriously, congratulations, Harry. Go and show 'em how it's done. I actually think the Rock would make a great John Carter. But wouldn't it be funny if you guys got Noah Wyle? I can just picture the entire audience being totally confused. "Dude, where's his stethoscope?" As long as I'm babbling about casting, I saw Chris Klein (from American Pie 1 and 2) on some talk show the other night. He'd be perfect for the next Superman.
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He ISN'T fucking kidding, The Chicago Sun Times just reported it today as well.
I was waiting for "We were just fuckin' with ya on April 2 or 3". Instead 3 days later the Sun Times confirmmed it!
- And also confirmed was that the idea came from Harry's book- Congratu-fucking-lations Harry!
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You da man! I have dreamed of this book being put on film since I was 14- Now Harry, just one piece of advice, don't fuck it up... You don't want to see an Angry Gorilla who weighs almost half a ton...they can cause a lot of damage (We eat those pussy Barsoom apes for lunch).
- My guess on the famous art guy - Michael Wheelan (Who actually was much more accurate than Frazetta in his Barsoonm drawings, and who said he'd have done those book covers for free- and would LOVE to do them again- he was sketching versions of these when he was in High School)
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Speaking of which this project needs more play. This is one of the greatest action books ever written- guess its too old for most here to have ever read it- This will make an awesome movie if its done right.
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What was the point? Harry just fantasy wanking over his own site about stuff that'll never happen? I don't even care actually. What a waste of bandwidth. OMG, I'm just wasting more...
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Don't you goofs have something better to do than tell fat jokes about 2 guys you never met?
- Shit, far be it from me to avoid ripping someone, but WTF- why don't you at least find a target that gives you a reason to do the ripping.
- The Subject is A Princess of Mars. And Indrid, if you bothered reading 5 fucking lines back you'd notice that The Chicago Sun Times confirmed this report. Paying an iota of attention could have saved you from wasting some of that band width you were so concerned about saving.
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What's this about a David Lynch movie? April fool's joke or something to actually look forward to? If you bastards know something SPILL IT!!!! just a simple confirmation that lynch will in fact come out with a new movie sometime before 2010 would be enough...
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I've read the article. I'll just shut my mouth.
Nice one, Harry - I guess I'm glad it's true then! -
This is lost somewhere it doesn't belong on this thread, so I'm reposting it:---
Don't you goofs have something better to do than tell fat jokes about 2 guys you never met? - Shit, far be it from me to avoid ripping someone, but WTF- why don't you at least find a target that gives you a reason to do the ripping.
- The Subject is A Princess of Mars. And Indrid, if you bothered reading 5 fucking lines back you'd notice that The Chicago Sun Times confirmed this report. Paying an iota of attention could have saved you from wasting some of that band width you were so concerned about saving.
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I agree! Bruce Campbell HAS to be in this movie! He would kick Shatner's butt in a second!
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came screaming into my mind as I read this bullshit. Jesus fucking Christ, how fucking stupid can you all be?
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Thats the best thing, I get really freakin frustrated trying to get in this place.
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will do anything to win over fanboys
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Thank God you're involved in this project. I'm a huge John Carter fan and having a total Barsoom geek as a producer on this thing is the best movie news I've heard this year so far. I know you'll work hard to do this amazing property justice! Just don't skimp on the skimpily clad women, mmmm'kay?
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Apr 05, 2004 11:44:18 AM CDT
Congratulations, Harry! FINALLY Hollywood picks someone WHO CARE
by wardog
Perhaps Paramount can have this as its new tentpole SF series, since it fucked over _Star Trek_ with the last two movies and _Enterprise_. At least I trust you and your fellow fans-who-care who are on this project will prevent the suits from fucking this up as well. I agree with DyslexicHeart that Jessica Alba would be an excellent choice for Dejah Thoris. She's not only drop-dead gorgeous, she's kinda exotic in her beauty. I hope you'll keep in mind the need for a noticeable exotic aspect in Thoris's beauty. John Carter, on the other hand, would probably be better played by Matthew McConaughey. He's a suave, Southern, handsome, well-built hunk that would draw the femme-fans, plus he knows how to play a manly but sensitive man as Carter needs to be played. Good lucky, Harry! We'll be waiting for more news!
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Please someone fix these- hard to have conversations like that and this is a great subject
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Dude are you freaking kidding?
Matthew McConaughey? He would be AWEFUL.
And Jessica Alba would suck too- She's not NEARLY hot enough. The Perfect Actress would have been a younger Sofie Marceau - Dejah Thoris is the "elegant" type beauty not a "dime a dozen I work with hotter chicks than" Jesssica Alba (Who also seems more trailer than regal).
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I can't even THINK of a guy who "looks" like John Carter in my mind- hopefully they'll go with an unknown (hmm 100 million dollar movie, hollywood studio... unknown... YEAH RIGHT. Probably end up being Tom Cruise).
Actually the closest guy "looks wise" (although he'd have to get jacked up and work the accent) would be Billy Zane...
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I can already Hear a Paramount Ass-zek though. Can't John Carter be BLONDE? And why does he have to be tall? , and... can't he be a Vietnam Verteran? and Why does he have to be from Virginia- How about Alaska!? (woops the last one was done).
- A word to all the dipshit bean counters, executives and wanna be writer-directors: let the people who love (and understand)the property make the movie- if you want to make something that is NOT "A Pricess of Mars" go WRITE SOME THING THAT IS NOT A PRINCESS OF MARS, AND DON"T CALL IT "A PRINCESS OF MARS".
I never get these dipshits. its like you have books that sell millions of copies in many cases for decades, and by the time it hits the screen, its like, I don't know what THAT was, bit it was NOT (Name the book). And the movie bonmbs. Its like helloooo- the author is/was WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more talented than you mr. exec/pollster/ director I wanna be a writer (see John Mctiernan), THATS why the book/story is so good- so don't clusterfuck it with your moronic and simplistic ideas- cause no one gives a shit what YOU think. The book is popular for a REASON.
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Sorry, did I just say something? What happened? I'm back... just the thought of the probable scerewing of this story gets me going- I don't know how good/bad Harry will be at this producer thing, but at least he should be the right kind of influence.
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Apr 05, 2004 9:32:02 PM CDT
A Princess of Mars sounds interesting. I look forward to readin
by islander
http://www.thenostalgialeague.com/fsfh/text/pmars.html -
Forgot to ask - HARRY: what's your production company name going to be?
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could i get david lynch to shoot at my house? could i get david lynch to just come to my house...for anything? for dinner? to use my bathroom? to watch tv with me? a slumber party? anything...c'mon.
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breaking news!!! He is not going to direct this movie!!! Thats the price u pay for abandoning the Directors Guild for SIN CITY!!! http://www.cinescape.com/0/editorial.asp?aff_id=0&this_cat=Movies&action=page&type_id=&cat_id=270338&obj_id=41235
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Apr 08, 2004 2:16:25 PM CDT
One director, one film? What kind of bullshit is that?
by felatiohornblowr
I know nothing about the DGA. When did this stupid rule go into effect? And how does it not apply to The Wachowski Brothers? I think Paramount is so hard up for a hit film they should just say screw the DGA and use Rodriguez regardless.
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Harry came to talk at UT today about the site, and POM among otehr things. He said RR is definately doing POM. The IGN source reported in that story is just responding to something the dumbass DGA said about RR. RR is still on for POM which will be shooting in Austin, Texas. Peace.
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