Cool News
Kerry Conran in talks to direct A PRINCESS OF MARS'!'!'
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with some interesting news. I was awoken by a phone call today telling me that The Hollywood Reporter has reported that Kerry Conran, director of the upcoming ode to geeks sci-fi/fantasy/adventure SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, is in talks to direct A PRINCESS OF MARS, the first book of the John Carter series written by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
It's kind of funny because I recently sat down with Kerry Conran at the San Diego Comic-Con when I was doing a round of one-on-one interviews for SKY CAPTAIN. The interview ran long, so I didn't get to follow it up with asking what's next, but I did ask it off the record as he was signing my limited Comic-Con SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW poster and all I got was a knowing smile in response. I'm supposed to be doing a follow up phoner with Conran. If that happens you better believe I'll dig for info on Barsoom and Dejah Thoris and Tars Tarkas.
So, I called Harry to confirm this being as he's the only person with the film that I have any contact with. I asked him point blank, "Is Kerry Conran directing PRINCESS OF MARS?" He answered, "Where'd you read that?" "The Hollywood Reporter," I told him. "Really? Cool! How is Sky Captain? I haven't seen it yet." I can't tell if the humor in his voice was being playful producer or just Harry being the jolly man he is.
After having seen SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW I could not be happier with this decision. Conran has an eye for period fantastical adventure and can capture the nostalgic feel of what Barsoom really needs to be. I'm curious as to whether or not Conran's going to shoot all green-screen like he did SKY CAPTAIN or if he'll change his style to fit this movie. I'd really hope that he shoots this outside the stage at some point. Look at what Jackson was able to do with LOTR, which was about a half and half of studio and location... But then again, I guess Mars really doesn't offer the chance to film breathtaking Earth-natural beauty. Maybe if he shoots location for Civil War era Virginia at the beginning? That'd be an interesting switch... So, count me curious.
If you want, you can read my SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW review here. I think that when September 17th roles around there are going to be many happy Barsoom fans. Conran understands pulp books and comics from Burroughs' era and I have no doubt he'll understand what Burroughs was striving for in his Barsoom series. When you see SKY CAPTAIN, you'll know this one is right up his alley.
Interesting times, squirts! Interesting times.
-Quint
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CHUD reported yesterday or two days ago that Stephen Sommers was to take over for Rodriguez on the flick.
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Jul 30, 2004 3:37:59 PM CDT
Jesus ANYONE but Sommers.....or McG....or Ratner....or Bay
by industrykiller
Anyone who thinks any of these directors shouldn't be chased out of Hollywood with pitchforks is a cinematic miscreant. By the way what the fuck happened to Rodriguez on this project? Why did he leave?
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Power to Conran!
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I'm optimistic about this movie being made. It should turn out to be a great SF film if it's made with intelligence.
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Anyone else think Spike Jonez needs to do epic fantasy? Anyone see the Wonderboy music video, I realize it's farcical, but my god, if he directed LOTR instead of "Meat's back on the menu boys," Peter Jackson I would of done a fucking back flip.
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Burroughs' Martian tales will only work if they're period pieces and played completely straight. Conran certainly has the sensibilities required to breath life into Barsoom. The John Carter novels were a hugely formative part of my youth and I'm thrilled to death to not only finally get to see this fantastical version of Mars onscreen, but most likely in a way which does justice to the source material. Bring on the airships, tharks, four-armed apes, swordplay and hot Heliumite women in metal bikinis.
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A talented director that's making an absolutely mesmerizing pulp-epic with robots, airships, monsters, dinosaurus, and more for a smaller budget than the LOTR films (which in themselves have a "small" budget), or a director recently jacked up on chocolate and monsters making a rather confusing, overblown movie that ended up costing $170M dollars? Stick with screwing over Flash Gordon and Mummy 3, Mr. Sommers...and here's hoping that you have the best of luck, Conran. I'm really rooting for Sky Captain.
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That was fuckin funny! Industrial sized garbage can full of gummi bears??!! hahahaha comedy gold. Oh and I agree.
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Don't ask for autographs. It makes you seem less professional and in some cases can just get you plain fired. I admit since AICN isn't paying the line is a little blurry, but it is an interesting choice.
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Nothing personal with Rodriguez, but for the scope and characters this film will involve, alot of cgi I would imagine, Im glad they are gonna choose someone who has recent experience with it. This could finally be a science fiction epic to get excited about, now that green lantern is going to helllll.
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Jul 30, 2004 6:07:01 PM CDT
He's the only person besides Rodriguez that's qualified to shoot
by 007-11
What with all the digital work required.
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Then again, Harry did like his Van Hellstink, so he probably would just shrug. It would probably result in a funnier situation if they gave the project to W. S. Andershit. :)
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Jul 30, 2004 6:24:06 PM CDT
Harry, please get Rob Bottin involved with the film. TheTARDIS,
by declan_swartz
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Jul 31, 2004 6:20:45 AM CDT
is harry still producing this? or did he drop out when rodrigue
by windowlicker74
and why don t we hear shit about GHOST TOWN?? does it even exist?? i guess it died a quiet death..
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It must be! And I am going to suggest this everytime I can!
Also, remember to go VERY red for the martian skin color(especially Dejah Thoris)! -
That's a TERRIBLE idea, UnGod! Someone like Billy Crudup is what we need.
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One question you might ask is whether the script George R. R. Martin wrote for Disney years ago will enter into the production.
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"Do it", "Do it".
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A very peculiar story from empireonline.co.uk. linked via rottentomatoes. The Police Academy reference at the end strikes me as a very weird non-sequitor. "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow director Kerry Conran must have enjoyed his time fiddling around with greenscreen because he looks set to sign on for the potentially huge franchise A Princess of Mars. Princess is based on the first book of Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs
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Usually it's someone with an interest in the property or someone with big bucks to invest in the production...I had no idea Harry was that rich. Oh well, good luck anyway.
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Whatever real news there is, you'll hear. Harry doesn't chronicle what's going on himself either because he's contractually obligated not to or he feels like it's an abuse of his power to peddle his own product. Either way, people will find out the 411 if this project starts to move.
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Great so we'll get a lot of blurry carppy blue screen shots with a guy over-interested in "Period pieces"
Barsoom was supposed to be advanced compared to us in the early 20th century, the last thing we need is Flash Gordon stylings on Blue screen - that'll ensure 1 movie and out formula.
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>>AINT IT COOL NEWS<<...THE FIRST SCHIZOPHRENIC WEBSITE EVER
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You totally do not get it, do you?
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Aug 01, 2004 6:50:39 PM CDT
I have to agree about your comments about those Hacks...
by jiggamanspence
except for Michael Bay. I think some of his films can be quite fun. And I don't want to stand up for Sommers, Van Helsing was atrocious, but i did really enjoy the first Mummy. Other than that, I agree completely. Especially about Ratner! And get Conran on this sumbitch right now!
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Sounds like a good choice, just from the Sky Captain trailers I can tell he's a better fit than Rodriguez. The swashbuckling pulp romance and innocence we keep hearing about on Sky Captain is vital to these stories. There is no room for modern cynicism on Barsoom, not an ounce. Two concerns with this attachment though: 1) SC looks brilliant and fun, but can Conran give us a deeply believable and potent love story? This is at the core of what this film needs. This is an epic love story that just happens to exist on an incredible world and contain the most badass fantasy/action that a movie theater can hold. 2) I love the look SC, but that just isnt right for MARS---Please shoot this on location!!! (anyone who endured that terrible DUNE miniseries knows how lame desert films shot indoors can be---even Luca$ still goes to Tunisia).
September 17th can't come soon enough. Not the first time I've said so, but please do this right and with reverence!!!! -
Well, both Doc and BladeRunnerUnit have me on this. I think Bruce would be better even at his age than most young "talent" but then Doc mentioned one of the few that could pull it off: Billy Crudup.
What I don't want is some "hot" young actor that is simply wrong or too hollywood for the part because somebody thinks that Tom Cruise or Jude Law will draw a target/action audience.
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