“The scale of the movie is big, but it’s intimate,” Martin Scorsese says in this new behind-the-scenes clip of his new mob drama epic “The Irishman.” The film stars Robert De Niro as Frank Sheeran, a truck driver who meets Russell Buffalino (Joe Pesci) in the 1950s. Sheeran gets involved in the mob and the disappearance of union boss Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino).
Aside from bringing together a wealth of names for his cast, Scorsese brings a wealth of detail to his production design. “It goes back and forth in time continuously,” he says.
Production designer Bob Shaw, who previously worked with the director on “Wolf of Wall Street” and “Vinyl,” says of their collaboration, “Research launches everything we do on a film like this.” Scorsese’s instructions for the palette and look of the film were, “This film should look like nothing. It should look like everyday life.
Aside from bringing together a wealth of names for his cast, Scorsese brings a wealth of detail to his production design. “It goes back and forth in time continuously,” he says.
Production designer Bob Shaw, who previously worked with the director on “Wolf of Wall Street” and “Vinyl,” says of their collaboration, “Research launches everything we do on a film like this.” Scorsese’s instructions for the palette and look of the film were, “This film should look like nothing. It should look like everyday life.
- 12/4/2019
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Warner Bros. Pictures has released the final trailer for director Todd Phillips Joker.
The film will be in theaters nationwide October 4.
Phillips “Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone fictional story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck, who is indelibly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, is of a man struggling to find his way in Gotham’s fractured society. A clown-for-hire by day, he aspires to be a stand-up comic at night…but finds the joke always seems to be on him. Caught in a cyclical existence between apathy and cruelty, Arthur makes one bad decision that brings about a chain reaction of escalating events in this gritty character study.
© 2019 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved
Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise
Three-time Oscar nominee Phoenix stars in the titular role alongside Oscar winner Robert De Niro as Franklin. The film...
The film will be in theaters nationwide October 4.
Phillips “Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone fictional story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck, who is indelibly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, is of a man struggling to find his way in Gotham’s fractured society. A clown-for-hire by day, he aspires to be a stand-up comic at night…but finds the joke always seems to be on him. Caught in a cyclical existence between apathy and cruelty, Arthur makes one bad decision that brings about a chain reaction of escalating events in this gritty character study.
© 2019 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved
Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise
Three-time Oscar nominee Phoenix stars in the titular role alongside Oscar winner Robert De Niro as Franklin. The film...
- 8/28/2019
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
"When you bring me out, can you introduce me as Joker?" Before the Clown Prince of Crime returns to the big screen this October, the final trailer for Joker has been unveiled by Warner Bros., offering a deeper look into the unsettling origin of one of Gotham's greatest villains.
"Director Todd Phillips “Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone fictional story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck, who is indelibly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, is of a man struggling to find his way in Gotham’s fractured society. A clown-for-hire by day, he aspires to be a stand-up comic at night…but finds the joke always seems to be on him. Caught in a cyclical existence between apathy and cruelty, Arthur makes one bad decision that brings about a chain reaction of escalating events in this gritty character study.
"Director Todd Phillips “Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone fictional story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck, who is indelibly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, is of a man struggling to find his way in Gotham’s fractured society. A clown-for-hire by day, he aspires to be a stand-up comic at night…but finds the joke always seems to be on him. Caught in a cyclical existence between apathy and cruelty, Arthur makes one bad decision that brings about a chain reaction of escalating events in this gritty character study.
- 8/28/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
The DC Extended Universe (Dceu) has been hitting all the right notes as of late with a string of successful audience pleasing films. Super heroes Wonder Woman, Aquaman and now Shazam! have been box office hits and received positive reviews from critics.
Now comes the villains.
Watch Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker in this first look at the film coming to theaters October 4
https://www.joker.movie/
The Joker has been one of the most iconic villains in comic book lore.
Whether by way of award-winning films like “The Dark Knight,” Emmy-winning animated programs like “Batman: The Animated Series,” video game appearances such as the record-breaking “Batman: Arkham Asylum,” or the countless comics stacking comic book shelves and digital libraries, the Joker stands unquestionably as the most recognizable and popular comic book villain in pop culture history. Unpredictable, violent and incredibly dangerous, he is chaos personified and has taken on...
Now comes the villains.
Watch Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker in this first look at the film coming to theaters October 4
https://www.joker.movie/
The Joker has been one of the most iconic villains in comic book lore.
Whether by way of award-winning films like “The Dark Knight,” Emmy-winning animated programs like “Batman: The Animated Series,” video game appearances such as the record-breaking “Batman: Arkham Asylum,” or the countless comics stacking comic book shelves and digital libraries, the Joker stands unquestionably as the most recognizable and popular comic book villain in pop culture history. Unpredictable, violent and incredibly dangerous, he is chaos personified and has taken on...
- 4/5/2019
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Todd Phillips’ “Joker” origin movie has added two crucial “Batman” characters: Alfred Pennyworth and Bruce Wayne.
Douglas Hodgewill play Pennyworth, Batman’s longtime butler-medic-strategist, and Dante Pereira-Olson will play a very young Bruce Wayne, years before he begins his career as the Caped Crusader.
Hodge and Olson join Brett Cullen as Batman’s father Thomas Wayne. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as the man who will become the clown prince of crime.
Also Read: Shea Whigham Shares Character Details on Joaquin Phoenix ‘Joker’ Movie
While story details are being kept under wraps, TheWrap previously reported that the origin story for Batman’s nemesis will be more of a mid-budget crime thriller than a superhero blockbuster.
The film is being produced by Phillips and Bradley Cooper under their Joint Effort banner, and Emma Tillinger Koskoff. It is executive produced by Richard Baratta, Michael Uslan, Joseph Garner and Bruce Berman.” The film will be released on Oct.
Douglas Hodgewill play Pennyworth, Batman’s longtime butler-medic-strategist, and Dante Pereira-Olson will play a very young Bruce Wayne, years before he begins his career as the Caped Crusader.
Hodge and Olson join Brett Cullen as Batman’s father Thomas Wayne. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as the man who will become the clown prince of crime.
Also Read: Shea Whigham Shares Character Details on Joaquin Phoenix ‘Joker’ Movie
While story details are being kept under wraps, TheWrap previously reported that the origin story for Batman’s nemesis will be more of a mid-budget crime thriller than a superhero blockbuster.
The film is being produced by Phillips and Bradley Cooper under their Joint Effort banner, and Emma Tillinger Koskoff. It is executive produced by Richard Baratta, Michael Uslan, Joseph Garner and Bruce Berman.” The film will be released on Oct.
- 10/23/2018
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Sneak Peek more leaked action footage, plus images from the Brooklyn, New York subway set of the "Joker", starring Joaquin Phoenix written and directed by Todd Philips:
"...principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Joker', starring Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix in the title role...
"...directed, produced and co-written by Oscar nominee Todd Phillips.
"Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen.
"Phillips' exploration of 'Arthur Fleck' (Phoenix), a man disregarded by society...
"...is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
"The film also stars Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais and Shea Whigham.
"Phillips directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver based on characters from DC.
"The film is being produced by Phillips and Bradley Cooper under their Joint Effort banner,...
"...principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Joker', starring Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix in the title role...
"...directed, produced and co-written by Oscar nominee Todd Phillips.
"Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen.
"Phillips' exploration of 'Arthur Fleck' (Phoenix), a man disregarded by society...
"...is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
"The film also stars Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais and Shea Whigham.
"Phillips directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver based on characters from DC.
"The film is being produced by Phillips and Bradley Cooper under their Joint Effort banner,...
- 10/10/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Sneak Peek more leaked set footage, including Joaquin Phoenix as the 'Joker', crying in a phone booth, from the currently shooting "Batman" spin-off feature "Joker", written and directed by Todd Philips:
"...principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Joker', starring Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix in the title role...
"...directed, produced and co-written by Oscar nominee Todd Phillips.
"Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen.
"Phillips' exploration of 'Arthur Fleck' (Phoenix), a man disregarded by society...
"...is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
"The film also stars Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais and Shea Whigham.
"Phillips directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver based on characters from DC.
"The film is being produced...
"...principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Joker', starring Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix in the title role...
"...directed, produced and co-written by Oscar nominee Todd Phillips.
"Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen.
"Phillips' exploration of 'Arthur Fleck' (Phoenix), a man disregarded by society...
"...is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
"The film also stars Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais and Shea Whigham.
"Phillips directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver based on characters from DC.
"The film is being produced...
- 10/2/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Sneak Peek new leaked 'train station' set footage, plus images from the currently shooting "Batman" spin-off feature "Joker", written and directed by Todd Philips, starring Joaquin Phoenix as a struggling comic entertainer, who becomes 'The Clown Prince of Crime':
"...principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Joker', starring Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix in the title role...
"...directed, produced and co-written by Oscar nominee Todd Phillips.
"Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen.
"Phillips' exploration of 'Arthur Fleck' (Phoenix), a man disregarded by society...
"...is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
"The film also stars Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais and Shea Whigham.
"Phillips directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver based on characters from DC.
"...principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Joker', starring Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix in the title role...
"...directed, produced and co-written by Oscar nominee Todd Phillips.
"Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen.
"Phillips' exploration of 'Arthur Fleck' (Phoenix), a man disregarded by society...
"...is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
"The film also stars Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais and Shea Whigham.
"Phillips directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver based on characters from DC.
- 9/25/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
“Joker” director Todd Phillips continues to tease fans with what to expect from Joaquin Phoenix in the upcoming film. On Friday, Phillips posted a screen test video on Instagram that showed Phoenix in full makeup as the Clown Prince.
View this post on Instagram
Camera test (w/ sound). Joker.
A post shared by Todd Phillips (@toddphillips1) on Sep 21, 2018 at 10:00am Pdt
The music accompanying the video is sad, somber, misunderstood and when paired with the Phoenix’s on-camera presence, it points to the character’s mental instability.
The plot for the film is being kept under wraps, but it’s a safe bet that audiences can expect a dark tone. TheWrap previously reported that the origin story for Batman’s nemesis will be more of a mid-budget crime thriller than a superhero blockbuster.
Warner Bros. recently cast veteran actor Brett Cullen as Batman’s father Thomas Wayne, replacing Alec Baldwin...
View this post on Instagram
Camera test (w/ sound). Joker.
A post shared by Todd Phillips (@toddphillips1) on Sep 21, 2018 at 10:00am Pdt
The music accompanying the video is sad, somber, misunderstood and when paired with the Phoenix’s on-camera presence, it points to the character’s mental instability.
The plot for the film is being kept under wraps, but it’s a safe bet that audiences can expect a dark tone. TheWrap previously reported that the origin story for Batman’s nemesis will be more of a mid-budget crime thriller than a superhero blockbuster.
Warner Bros. recently cast veteran actor Brett Cullen as Batman’s father Thomas Wayne, replacing Alec Baldwin...
- 9/21/2018
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment’s Joker movie has started shooting. We’ve already seen some set photos and our first official look at Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role of Arthur Fleck, who will eventually make the transformation into The Joker. The studio has shared a press release that reveals the full cast and crew of the film, and you can check that out below:
Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Joker,” starring Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix in the title role, alongside Oscar winner Robert De Niro, and directed, produced and co-written by Oscar nominee Todd Phillips.
“Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck (Phoenix), a man disregarded by society, is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
The film also stars Zazie Beetz (“Deadpool 2”), Bill Camp,...
Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Joker,” starring Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix in the title role, alongside Oscar winner Robert De Niro, and directed, produced and co-written by Oscar nominee Todd Phillips.
“Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck (Phoenix), a man disregarded by society, is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
The film also stars Zazie Beetz (“Deadpool 2”), Bill Camp,...
- 9/19/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Zazie Beetz refused to spill on her role in Todd Phillip’s “Joker” movie on the Emmys carpet, telling E!: “I can’t. I’ll probably lose my job if I do.”
“I am about to work on a movie with Joaquin Phoenix and I’m just such a huge fan,” Beetz said. “It’s such an honor to work with him and to follow him as his work.”
She did, at least, admit she was talking about the Joker film.
Also Read: Brett Cullen to Replace Alec Baldwin as Thomas Wayne in 'Joker'
Beetz will play a single mother who catches the attention of the Joker prior to his transformation into the nihilistic Gotham City villain.
Warner Bros. Pictures has announced that principal photography has begun on “Joker,” starring Oscar nominee Phoenix in the title role. It is directed, produced and co-written by Phillips, an Oscar nominee.
Also...
“I am about to work on a movie with Joaquin Phoenix and I’m just such a huge fan,” Beetz said. “It’s such an honor to work with him and to follow him as his work.”
She did, at least, admit she was talking about the Joker film.
Also Read: Brett Cullen to Replace Alec Baldwin as Thomas Wayne in 'Joker'
Beetz will play a single mother who catches the attention of the Joker prior to his transformation into the nihilistic Gotham City villain.
Warner Bros. Pictures has announced that principal photography has begun on “Joker,” starring Oscar nominee Phoenix in the title role. It is directed, produced and co-written by Phillips, an Oscar nominee.
Also...
- 9/18/2018
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Veteran actor Brett Cullen has been cast as Batman’s father Thomas Wayne in the upcoming Warner Bros. “Joker” film, an individual with knowledge of the project tells TheWrap.
Cullen replaces Alec Baldwin who had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict.
The film, set to be directed by Todd Phillips, will star Joaquin Phoenix as the clown prince of crime.
Also Read: 'Joker': Frances Conroy in Talks to Play Mom to Joaquin Phoenix's Joker in 'Batman' Spinoff (Exclusive)
Thomas Wayne first made his appearance in Detective Comics #33 (Nov. 1939) in Batman’s origin story. He is the father of Bruce Wayne — who is Batman — husband of Martha Wayne and was a gifted physician and philanthropist in Gotham City. When Dr. Wayne and his wife are murdered in a street robbery after a screening of Tyrone Power’s “Zorro,” the young Bruce Wayne becomes inspired to fight crime as the vigilante Batman.
Cullen replaces Alec Baldwin who had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict.
The film, set to be directed by Todd Phillips, will star Joaquin Phoenix as the clown prince of crime.
Also Read: 'Joker': Frances Conroy in Talks to Play Mom to Joaquin Phoenix's Joker in 'Batman' Spinoff (Exclusive)
Thomas Wayne first made his appearance in Detective Comics #33 (Nov. 1939) in Batman’s origin story. He is the father of Bruce Wayne — who is Batman — husband of Martha Wayne and was a gifted physician and philanthropist in Gotham City. When Dr. Wayne and his wife are murdered in a street robbery after a screening of Tyrone Power’s “Zorro,” the young Bruce Wayne becomes inspired to fight crime as the vigilante Batman.
- 9/17/2018
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Joaquin Phoenix is ready to dance with the devil in the pale moonlight. Director Todd Phillips took to Instagram to reveal the first look at Phoenix as the Joker in the yet-to-be-titled movie about the Batman archnemesis.
Phillips posted a photo of Phoenix sans Joker makeup with the caption “Arthur”, which is presumably his name before he dons the creepy smile.
Warner Bros has set October 4, 2019, for its Joker origins movie starring Joaquin Phoenix. Todd Phillips co-wrote the backstory tale of Gotham City’s big baddie with The Fighter‘s Scott Silver, which is described as a gritty character study but also a broader cautionary tale of a man disregarded by society who becomes the ultimate supervillain.
Deadline exclusively reported that Robert De Niro is in talks to join Phoenix in Warner Bros. pic. At one point, Alec Baldwin was set to join the cast, but dropped out last minute.
Phillips posted a photo of Phoenix sans Joker makeup with the caption “Arthur”, which is presumably his name before he dons the creepy smile.
Warner Bros has set October 4, 2019, for its Joker origins movie starring Joaquin Phoenix. Todd Phillips co-wrote the backstory tale of Gotham City’s big baddie with The Fighter‘s Scott Silver, which is described as a gritty character study but also a broader cautionary tale of a man disregarded by society who becomes the ultimate supervillain.
Deadline exclusively reported that Robert De Niro is in talks to join Phoenix in Warner Bros. pic. At one point, Alec Baldwin was set to join the cast, but dropped out last minute.
- 9/16/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Alec Baldwin has dropped out of playing the role of Thomas Wayne in Warner Bros. “Joker,” an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
“I’m no longer doing that movie,” Baldwin told USAToday, citing “scheduling.” “I’m sure there are 25 guys who can play that part,” Baldwin added.
The film, set to be directed by Todd Phillips, will star Joaquin Phoenix as the clown prince of crime.
Also Read: 'Joker': Frances Conroy in Talks to Play Mom to Joaquin Phoenix's Joker in 'Batman' Spinoff (Exclusive)
Thomas Wayne first made his appearance in Detective Comics #33 (Nov. 1939) in Batman’s origin story. He is the father of Bruce Wayne, who is Batman, and husband of Martha Wayne. Thomas Wayne was a gifted physician and philanthropist in Gotham City. When Dr. Wayne and his wife are murdered in a street robbery after a screening of Tyrone Power’s “Zorro,...
“I’m no longer doing that movie,” Baldwin told USAToday, citing “scheduling.” “I’m sure there are 25 guys who can play that part,” Baldwin added.
The film, set to be directed by Todd Phillips, will star Joaquin Phoenix as the clown prince of crime.
Also Read: 'Joker': Frances Conroy in Talks to Play Mom to Joaquin Phoenix's Joker in 'Batman' Spinoff (Exclusive)
Thomas Wayne first made his appearance in Detective Comics #33 (Nov. 1939) in Batman’s origin story. He is the father of Bruce Wayne, who is Batman, and husband of Martha Wayne. Thomas Wayne was a gifted physician and philanthropist in Gotham City. When Dr. Wayne and his wife are murdered in a street robbery after a screening of Tyrone Power’s “Zorro,...
- 8/29/2018
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Alec Baldwin has been cast as Batman’s father Thomas Wayne in “Joker,” an individual with knowledge of the project tells TheWrap.
The film, set to be directed by Todd Phillips, will star Joaquin Phoenix as the clown prince of crime.
Thomas Wayne first made his appearance in Detective Comics #33 (Nov. 1939) in Batman’s origin story. He is the father of Bruce Wayne, who is Batman, and husband of Martha Wayne. Thomas Wayne was a gifted physician and philanthropist in Gotham City. When Dr. Wayne and his wife are murdered in a street robbery after a screening of Tyrone Power’s “Zorro,” the young Bruce Wayne becomes inspired to fight crime as the vigilante Batman.
Also Read: 'Joker': Frances Conroy in Talks to Play Mom to Joaquin Phoenix's Joker in 'Batman' Spinoff (Exclusive)
While story details are being kept under wraps, it has been previously reported that the...
The film, set to be directed by Todd Phillips, will star Joaquin Phoenix as the clown prince of crime.
Thomas Wayne first made his appearance in Detective Comics #33 (Nov. 1939) in Batman’s origin story. He is the father of Bruce Wayne, who is Batman, and husband of Martha Wayne. Thomas Wayne was a gifted physician and philanthropist in Gotham City. When Dr. Wayne and his wife are murdered in a street robbery after a screening of Tyrone Power’s “Zorro,” the young Bruce Wayne becomes inspired to fight crime as the vigilante Batman.
Also Read: 'Joker': Frances Conroy in Talks to Play Mom to Joaquin Phoenix's Joker in 'Batman' Spinoff (Exclusive)
While story details are being kept under wraps, it has been previously reported that the...
- 8/27/2018
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Actor, comedian and podcaster Marc Maron is in talks to join Joaquin Phoenix in Todd Phillip’s “Joker” movie, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Joaquin Phoenix is set to play the titular character, while “Deadpool 2” star Zazie Beetz is in talks to join the cast as a single mother who catches the attention of the Joker prior to his transformation into the nihilistic Gotham City villain. Robert De Niro is in talks to play a talk show host and TheWrap exclusively reported that Frances Conroy is in talks to play the Joker’s mother, Penny. Maron would play a booking agent on De Niro’s talk show.
In Alan Moore’s version of the Joker’s origins, the villain was an unnamed failed comedian who struggles to make ends meet for his pregnant wife. When his wife is killed in a freak accident and a...
Joaquin Phoenix is set to play the titular character, while “Deadpool 2” star Zazie Beetz is in talks to join the cast as a single mother who catches the attention of the Joker prior to his transformation into the nihilistic Gotham City villain. Robert De Niro is in talks to play a talk show host and TheWrap exclusively reported that Frances Conroy is in talks to play the Joker’s mother, Penny. Maron would play a booking agent on De Niro’s talk show.
In Alan Moore’s version of the Joker’s origins, the villain was an unnamed failed comedian who struggles to make ends meet for his pregnant wife. When his wife is killed in a freak accident and a...
- 7/31/2018
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Frances Conroy is in talks to play the Joker’s mother, Penny, in Warner Bros.’ “Joker,” an individual with knowledge of the project exclusively told TheWrap.
Joaquin Phoenix is set to play the titular character, while “Deadpool 2” star Zazie Beetz is in talks to join the cast as a single mother who catches the attention of the Joker prior to his transformation into the nihilistic Gotham City villain. In Alan Moore’s version of the Joker’s origins, the villain was an unnamed failed comedian who struggles to make ends meet for his pregnant wife. When his wife is killed in a freak accident and a robbery he is forced to take part in disfigures his face, the comedian snaps, becoming the infamous Joker.
While story details are being kept under wraps, it has been previously reported that the origin story for Batman’s nemesis will be more of...
Joaquin Phoenix is set to play the titular character, while “Deadpool 2” star Zazie Beetz is in talks to join the cast as a single mother who catches the attention of the Joker prior to his transformation into the nihilistic Gotham City villain. In Alan Moore’s version of the Joker’s origins, the villain was an unnamed failed comedian who struggles to make ends meet for his pregnant wife. When his wife is killed in a freak accident and a robbery he is forced to take part in disfigures his face, the comedian snaps, becoming the infamous Joker.
While story details are being kept under wraps, it has been previously reported that the origin story for Batman’s nemesis will be more of...
- 7/23/2018
- by Umberto Gonzalez and Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Robert De Niro is in talks to join Joaquin Phoenix in Warner Bros’ Joker origins movie starring Joaquin Phoenix. Todd Phillips is directing and co-wrote the backstory tale of Batman’s archnemesis, which is described as a gritty character study but also a broader cautionary tale of a man disregarded by society who becomes the ultimate supervillain.
These talks have been going on for weeks, but a deal is near and they have finally worked out the financials. As opposed to the iconic turn Jack Nicholson took in the Joker role in Tim Burton’s Batman, De Niro will be bringing his iconic status to a different role. Sources said he’ll play a talk show host, a formative figure in the development of the character who eventually becomes The Joker. But De Niro’s character is not a villain, I’m told.
Co-scripted by Scott Silver (The Fighter...
These talks have been going on for weeks, but a deal is near and they have finally worked out the financials. As opposed to the iconic turn Jack Nicholson took in the Joker role in Tim Burton’s Batman, De Niro will be bringing his iconic status to a different role. Sources said he’ll play a talk show host, a formative figure in the development of the character who eventually becomes The Joker. But De Niro’s character is not a villain, I’m told.
Co-scripted by Scott Silver (The Fighter...
- 7/23/2018
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
With a release date now set for Joaquin Phoenix’s “Joker,” the cast is starting to take form as “Deadpool 2” star Zazie Beetz is in talks to join the cast, according to an individual with knowledge of the project.
While story details are being kept under wraps, it has been previously reported that the origin story for Batman’s nemesis will be more of a mid-budget crime thriller than a superhero blockbuster, and that it will be based at least loosely on the origin story for the character depicted in Alan Moore’s “The Killing Joke.”
Also Read: Joaquin Phoenix's 'Joker' Set for October 2019 Release Date
Beetz is said to be in talks to play a single mother who catches the attention of the Joker prior to his transformation into the nihilistic Gotham City villain. In Moore’s version of the Joker’s origins, the villain was an unnamed...
While story details are being kept under wraps, it has been previously reported that the origin story for Batman’s nemesis will be more of a mid-budget crime thriller than a superhero blockbuster, and that it will be based at least loosely on the origin story for the character depicted in Alan Moore’s “The Killing Joke.”
Also Read: Joaquin Phoenix's 'Joker' Set for October 2019 Release Date
Beetz is said to be in talks to play a single mother who catches the attention of the Joker prior to his transformation into the nihilistic Gotham City villain. In Moore’s version of the Joker’s origins, the villain was an unnamed...
- 7/19/2018
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
‘Joker’: Joaquin Phoenix’s Take on the Batman Villain Will Be Released During Oscar Season 2019-2020
Warner Bros. has a pair of standalone Joker films forthcoming, and the one starring Joaquin Phoenix will arrive in theaters first. Phoenix will lead the cast of “Joker,” out October 4, 2019. “The Hangover” trilogy’s Todd Phillips will direct the tentpole, which he co-wrote with “The Fighter” Oscar nominee Scott Silver. This feature is expected to be the debut entry in a new branch of DC Films — more details could come at Warner Bros.’ Saturday morning San Diego Comic-Con presentation.
Drected by Todd Phillips (“The Hangover”), producers are Emma Tillinger Koskoff and Richard Baratta; they were Martin Scorsese’s producers on “The Wolf of Wall Street” and the upcoming “The Irishman.” Baratta also served as the production manager on the three Spider-Man films released between 2002 and 2007.
The Joker’s last on-screen appearance came courtesy of Jared Leto in “Suicide Squad” (2016). Leto will reprise the role in a different film that he...
Drected by Todd Phillips (“The Hangover”), producers are Emma Tillinger Koskoff and Richard Baratta; they were Martin Scorsese’s producers on “The Wolf of Wall Street” and the upcoming “The Irishman.” Baratta also served as the production manager on the three Spider-Man films released between 2002 and 2007.
The Joker’s last on-screen appearance came courtesy of Jared Leto in “Suicide Squad” (2016). Leto will reprise the role in a different film that he...
- 7/19/2018
- by Jenna Marotta
- Indiewire
The Joker will unleash chaos in movie theaters in 2019.
Warner Bros. has set an Oct. 4, 2019, release date for its standalone “Joker” movie starring Joaquin Phoenix.
The studio made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the start of Comic-Con. Warner Bros. is making its presentation in Hall H on Saturday.
Warner Bros. indicated the “Joker” will have a dark tone. It said the film, directed by Todd Phillips, is an “exploration of a man disregarded by society that is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.” Scott Silver co-wrote the script with Phillips.
Warner Bros. gave the greenlight to the origin movie earlier this month. Variety first reported that Phoenix was in talks to play the Clown Prince of Crime. As soon as his deal was finalized, the studio set a September start date with a budget in the moderate $55 million range. Emma Tillinger Koskoff...
Warner Bros. has set an Oct. 4, 2019, release date for its standalone “Joker” movie starring Joaquin Phoenix.
The studio made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the start of Comic-Con. Warner Bros. is making its presentation in Hall H on Saturday.
Warner Bros. indicated the “Joker” will have a dark tone. It said the film, directed by Todd Phillips, is an “exploration of a man disregarded by society that is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.” Scott Silver co-wrote the script with Phillips.
Warner Bros. gave the greenlight to the origin movie earlier this month. Variety first reported that Phoenix was in talks to play the Clown Prince of Crime. As soon as his deal was finalized, the studio set a September start date with a budget in the moderate $55 million range. Emma Tillinger Koskoff...
- 7/18/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Warner Bros has set October 4, 2019, for its Joker origins movie starring Joaquin Phoenix. Todd Phillips is directing and co-wrote the backstory tale of Batman’s archnemesis, which is described as a gritty character study but also a broader cautionary tale of a man disregarded by society who becomes the ultimate supervillain.
Co-scripted by Scott Silver (The Fighter), the untitled DC Universe film will do battle against Paramount’s sci-fi pic Gemini Man and Fox’s Amy Adams thriller The Woman in the Window.
Emma Tillinger Koskoff is producing the WB/Village Roadshow Joker movie, which Richard Baratta is exec producing. Filming begins in the fall on the pic, which is expected to be released under a new DC banner.
Co-scripted by Scott Silver (The Fighter), the untitled DC Universe film will do battle against Paramount’s sci-fi pic Gemini Man and Fox’s Amy Adams thriller The Woman in the Window.
Emma Tillinger Koskoff is producing the WB/Village Roadshow Joker movie, which Richard Baratta is exec producing. Filming begins in the fall on the pic, which is expected to be released under a new DC banner.
- 7/18/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Well, well. It seems that after much speculation that the rumored standalone joker film starring Joaquin Phoenix has been given the green light! Even though there has been no official announcement for the film, THR is reporting that the standalone film is now officially happening. The film was first rumored back in August of last year, but since then we haven’t heard much but rumblings. Although Warner Brothers was initially eyeing Leonardo DiCaprio for the lead role, Phoenix entered talks in february of this year. Now, it seems that Phoenix’s deal has been finalized with ‘War Dogs‘ director Todd Phillips taking the helm, along with co-writing the picture.
The untitled Joker movie been described as “an exploration of a man disregarded by society [that] is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.” Indeed it seems that the film will be more of a self-contained...
The untitled Joker movie been described as “an exploration of a man disregarded by society [that] is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.” Indeed it seems that the film will be more of a self-contained...
- 7/12/2018
- by Taylor Salan
- Age of the Nerd
With Todd Phillips’ “Joker” origin movie getting the official green light from Warner Bros. this week, star Joaquin Phoenix said in an interview with Collider that the decision to play the supervillain wasn’t made lightly — and that is scares the “s–t” out of him.
“I take a lot of time and consideration when making decisions and what I’m gonna work on … always,” Phoenix said. “He seems to have a very interesting understanding of this world and what he’s trying to say. And so there is something very appealing about that and working with him on this particular project,” said of working with the “War Dogs” and “The Hangover Trilogy” filmmaker.
“It feels unique, it is its own world in some ways, and maybe, mostly, it scares the f—ing s–t out of me or something. It might as well be the thing that scares you the most.
“I take a lot of time and consideration when making decisions and what I’m gonna work on … always,” Phoenix said. “He seems to have a very interesting understanding of this world and what he’s trying to say. And so there is something very appealing about that and working with him on this particular project,” said of working with the “War Dogs” and “The Hangover Trilogy” filmmaker.
“It feels unique, it is its own world in some ways, and maybe, mostly, it scares the f—ing s–t out of me or something. It might as well be the thing that scares you the most.
- 7/12/2018
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Joaquin Phoenix will star in an origin story of one of DC’s most notorious Super-Villains, the Joker.
Under the direction of Todd Phillips, the film centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of a man disregarded by society is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
Phillips will direct from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver (“The Fighter”). The film will be produced by Emma Tillinger Koskoff and executive produced by Richard Baratta. The film begins production later this year.
One of today’s most versatile actors, Phoenix has been honored with three Oscar nominations, for his work in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master,” James Mangold’s “Walk the Line,” in which he starred as Johnny Cash, and Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator.
Under the direction of Todd Phillips, the film centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of a man disregarded by society is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
Phillips will direct from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver (“The Fighter”). The film will be produced by Emma Tillinger Koskoff and executive produced by Richard Baratta. The film begins production later this year.
One of today’s most versatile actors, Phoenix has been honored with three Oscar nominations, for his work in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master,” James Mangold’s “Walk the Line,” in which he starred as Johnny Cash, and Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator.
- 7/11/2018
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Warner Bros. Pictures announced Tuesday that Joaquin Phoenix will star in an origin story of one of DC’s most notorious supervillains, the Joker.
Under the direction of Todd Phillips, the film centers around the iconic Batman arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of a man disregarded by society is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
Phillips will direct from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver (“The Fighter”). The film will be produced by Emma Tillinger Koskoff and executive produced by Richard Baratta. It begins production later this year.
Also Read: 'Joker' Origin Film to Portray Batman Villain as Failed '80s Comedian (Exclusive)
The project is expected to be part of a yet-to-be-announced new banner under Warner Bros.’ DC Films that will expand the comic-book canon beyond such familiar DC Extended Universe characters as Batman,...
Under the direction of Todd Phillips, the film centers around the iconic Batman arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of a man disregarded by society is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
Phillips will direct from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver (“The Fighter”). The film will be produced by Emma Tillinger Koskoff and executive produced by Richard Baratta. It begins production later this year.
Also Read: 'Joker' Origin Film to Portray Batman Villain as Failed '80s Comedian (Exclusive)
The project is expected to be part of a yet-to-be-announced new banner under Warner Bros.’ DC Films that will expand the comic-book canon beyond such familiar DC Extended Universe characters as Batman,...
- 7/10/2018
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Todd Phillips’ Joker origins feature has been officially greenlit by Warner Bros. and will go before the cameras in September. Deadline broke the exclusive news on this project back in August 2017. The plan is for the pic to be released under a new DC banner. Release still Tbd.
Warner Bros’ DC label, outside of Wonder Woman and Suicide Squad, hit a wall with Justice League last fall which significantly under-performed making $657.9M. The hope is that the brand will be revived with the upcoming James Wan-directed Aquaman as well as Phillips’ gritty reported $55M production which is set in the ’80s.
In addition, there’s New Line’s Shazam! on April 5, and Wonder Woman 1984 on Nov. 1, 2019. Even though this Joker pic is happening, Warner Bros. is still developing another one with Jared Leto in the role.
Martin Scorsese is no longer producing this version of the Joker as his dance card is full.
Warner Bros’ DC label, outside of Wonder Woman and Suicide Squad, hit a wall with Justice League last fall which significantly under-performed making $657.9M. The hope is that the brand will be revived with the upcoming James Wan-directed Aquaman as well as Phillips’ gritty reported $55M production which is set in the ’80s.
In addition, there’s New Line’s Shazam! on April 5, and Wonder Woman 1984 on Nov. 1, 2019. Even though this Joker pic is happening, Warner Bros. is still developing another one with Jared Leto in the role.
Martin Scorsese is no longer producing this version of the Joker as his dance card is full.
- 7/10/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
In a solid year full of great movies, many directors are bound to be snubbed for award nominations by the Directors Guild of America. And so for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for 2013 award noms, many were left in the dust such as Joel & Ethan Coen ("Inside Llewyn Davis"), Alexander Payne ("Nebraska"), and Spike Jonze ("Her").
The Guild revealed the nominations today for the DGA Awards (full nomination list below) and it's interesting to point out that Alfonso Cuaron, Steve McQueen, and Paul Greengrass are all first time nominees.
But will these nominations shape up the Oscar race? And will the Academy favor the Coen Brothers, or Payne, or Jonze instead of some of the DGA nominees?
We'll find out the winner of the 66th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, January 25.
Here's the full list of nominations:
Alfonso CUARÓN
Gravity
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
Mr. Cuarón.s Directorial Team:
· Unit...
The Guild revealed the nominations today for the DGA Awards (full nomination list below) and it's interesting to point out that Alfonso Cuaron, Steve McQueen, and Paul Greengrass are all first time nominees.
But will these nominations shape up the Oscar race? And will the Academy favor the Coen Brothers, or Payne, or Jonze instead of some of the DGA nominees?
We'll find out the winner of the 66th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, January 25.
Here's the full list of nominations:
Alfonso CUARÓN
Gravity
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
Mr. Cuarón.s Directorial Team:
· Unit...
- 1/7/2014
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Directors Guild of America President Paris Barclay today (January 7) announced the five nominees for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for 2013.
“To be chosen by your peers in a year full of incredibly well-crafted films is the true marker of outstanding directorial achievement,” said Barclay. “The passion and vision of each of the nominees resulted in tremendously diverse films that kept audiences mesmerized. Congratulations to each of the nominees on a job very well done.”
With no big shocks or omissions, the nominees are (in alphabetical order):
Alfonso CUARÓN
Gravity
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
Mr. Cuarón’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: David Siegel (Arizona Unit)
First Assistant Directors: Josh Robertson, Stephen Hagen (Arizona Unit)
Second Assistant Director: Ben Howard
This is Mr. Cuarón’s first DGA Feature Film Award nomination.
Paul Greengrass
Captain Phillips
(Columbia Pictures)
Mr. Greengrass’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Todd Lewis,...
“To be chosen by your peers in a year full of incredibly well-crafted films is the true marker of outstanding directorial achievement,” said Barclay. “The passion and vision of each of the nominees resulted in tremendously diverse films that kept audiences mesmerized. Congratulations to each of the nominees on a job very well done.”
With no big shocks or omissions, the nominees are (in alphabetical order):
Alfonso CUARÓN
Gravity
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
Mr. Cuarón’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: David Siegel (Arizona Unit)
First Assistant Directors: Josh Robertson, Stephen Hagen (Arizona Unit)
Second Assistant Director: Ben Howard
This is Mr. Cuarón’s first DGA Feature Film Award nomination.
Paul Greengrass
Captain Phillips
(Columbia Pictures)
Mr. Greengrass’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Todd Lewis,...
- 1/7/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Directors Guild of America has just announced their nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for 2013. The nominees are hardly a surprise (these are actually the five I predicted) and include some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street) and David O. Russell (American Hustle).
Other highly predictable nominees include Alfonso Cuaron for his brilliant work on Gravity (the best film of the year) and Steve McQueen for 12 Years a Slave. It’s interesting to note that this is where most of the competition has centered throughout awards season, with these two taking a vast majority of the awards. However, while favor started out in McQueen’s corner, the awards over the past month have shown that Cuaron is the clear favorite, making this award his to lose.
The nominations were somewhat interesting to predict this year. Cuaron, McQueen,...
Other highly predictable nominees include Alfonso Cuaron for his brilliant work on Gravity (the best film of the year) and Steve McQueen for 12 Years a Slave. It’s interesting to note that this is where most of the competition has centered throughout awards season, with these two taking a vast majority of the awards. However, while favor started out in McQueen’s corner, the awards over the past month have shown that Cuaron is the clear favorite, making this award his to lose.
The nominations were somewhat interesting to predict this year. Cuaron, McQueen,...
- 1/7/2014
- by Jeff Beck
- We Got This Covered
This review was written for the festival review of "Across the Universe".Julie Taymor's visual gifts are very much in evidence in "Across the Universe", an ambitious, only partly successful attempt to reinvigorate the musical genre.
Taymor previously worked her magic onstage with "The Lion King" and onscreen with "Frida". As a re-creation of the tumultuous '60s era, her new film is another triumph of design. Imaginatively shot and choreographed, it also presents a frequently exciting interpretation of more than 30 Beatles songs, performed by an attractive cast of young actors.
Yet this lavish production, which also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, is finally unsatisfying because it somehow misses the essence of the Beatles and of the most memorable movie musicals.
Director Stanley Donen once said that the best reason for characters to burst into song and dance was to express joy. Of course, not all musicals are joyous affairs; there have been tragedies like "West Side Story" and sentimental melodramas like "The Sound of Music". Still, it could be argued that many of the greatest moments in movie musical history -- like Gene Kelly's performance of the title number in Donen and Kelly's "Singin' in the Rain" -- convey pure exuberance. And of course what made the Beatles' own movies "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help!" so captivating was their spirit of playfulness and joy.
That's the crucial quality absent from "Universe". Taymor, working with veteran screenwriters Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais ("The Commitments"), has invented a simple story that allows her to utilize many of the best-known Beatles songs. She follows two main characters -- a well-bred girl named Lucy Evan Rachel Wood) and a working-class kid from Liverpool, Jude (newcomer Jim Sturgess) -- who fall in love against a backdrop of counterculture shenanigans and anti-war protests.
The Beatles acknowledged the tensions of the period in some of their music, and Taymor has highlighted the grim mood of songs like "Revolution" as well as the more surreal, psychedelically flavored songs such as "I Am the Walrus" and "Strawberry Fields Forever". But she has completely ignored the sly wit found in such songs as "Penny Lane", "Paperback Writer" or "When I'm 64."
The cast is engaging. Wood brings tenderness and fire to her performance, and Sturgess demonstrates unmistakable charisma. Some of the secondary characters aren't terribly well developed, but they are skillfully played by Joe Anderson, Dana Fuchs and Martin Luther McCoy. Fuchs is doing a variation on Janis Joplin, and she has the powerful voice to justify the comparison.
Bigger musical stars turn up in cameos. Joe Cocker plays three characters in a brilliant rendition of "Come Together", and he momentarily supplies the gleeful wit that the film desperately needs. Bono's performance of "I Am the Walrus" is another high point.
Mark Friedberg's production design and Albert Wolsky's costumes should be remembered during awards season. Francoise Bonnot's editing also deserves high praise. The intercutting during "Hold Me Tight", "With a Little Help From My Friends" and "Let It Be" gives these numbers a breathless cinematic rhythm. The arrangement of the songs also is top-notch. But the romantic finale seems pat rather than emotionally devastating.
Despite all the inventive work, the film never achieves the soaring sense of bliss that would place it in the pantheon of movie musicals.
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
Columbia Pictures
Revolution Studios, A Matthew Gross/Team Todd production
Credits:
Director: Julie Taymor
Screenwriters: Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Story: Julie Taymor, Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Producers: Suzanne Todd, Jennifer Todd, Matthew Gross
Director of photography: Bruno Delbonnel
Production designer: Mark Friedberg
Music: Elliot Goldenthal
Songs produced by: T Bone Burnett, Elliot Goldenthal, Teese Gohl
Co-producers: Richard Baratta, Ben Haber
Costume designer: Albert Wolsky
Editor: Francoise Bonnot
Choreographer: Daniel Ezralow
Cast:
Lucy: Evan Rachel Wood
Jude: Jim Sturgess
Max Carrigan: Joe Anderson
Sadie: Dana Fuchs
Jo-Jo: Martin Luther McCoy
Prudence: T.V. Carpio
Jude’s Mother: Angela Mounsey
Jude’s Father: Robert Clohessy
Lucy’s Father: Dylan Baker
Lucy’s Mother: Linda Emond
Uncle Teddy: Bill Irwin
Bum/Pimp/Mad Hippie: Joe Cocker
Dr. Robert: Bono
Mr. Kite: Eddie Izzard
Singing Nurse: Salma Hayek
Running time -- 133 minutes
MPAA rating PG-13...
Taymor previously worked her magic onstage with "The Lion King" and onscreen with "Frida". As a re-creation of the tumultuous '60s era, her new film is another triumph of design. Imaginatively shot and choreographed, it also presents a frequently exciting interpretation of more than 30 Beatles songs, performed by an attractive cast of young actors.
Yet this lavish production, which also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, is finally unsatisfying because it somehow misses the essence of the Beatles and of the most memorable movie musicals.
Director Stanley Donen once said that the best reason for characters to burst into song and dance was to express joy. Of course, not all musicals are joyous affairs; there have been tragedies like "West Side Story" and sentimental melodramas like "The Sound of Music". Still, it could be argued that many of the greatest moments in movie musical history -- like Gene Kelly's performance of the title number in Donen and Kelly's "Singin' in the Rain" -- convey pure exuberance. And of course what made the Beatles' own movies "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help!" so captivating was their spirit of playfulness and joy.
That's the crucial quality absent from "Universe". Taymor, working with veteran screenwriters Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais ("The Commitments"), has invented a simple story that allows her to utilize many of the best-known Beatles songs. She follows two main characters -- a well-bred girl named Lucy Evan Rachel Wood) and a working-class kid from Liverpool, Jude (newcomer Jim Sturgess) -- who fall in love against a backdrop of counterculture shenanigans and anti-war protests.
The Beatles acknowledged the tensions of the period in some of their music, and Taymor has highlighted the grim mood of songs like "Revolution" as well as the more surreal, psychedelically flavored songs such as "I Am the Walrus" and "Strawberry Fields Forever". But she has completely ignored the sly wit found in such songs as "Penny Lane", "Paperback Writer" or "When I'm 64."
The cast is engaging. Wood brings tenderness and fire to her performance, and Sturgess demonstrates unmistakable charisma. Some of the secondary characters aren't terribly well developed, but they are skillfully played by Joe Anderson, Dana Fuchs and Martin Luther McCoy. Fuchs is doing a variation on Janis Joplin, and she has the powerful voice to justify the comparison.
Bigger musical stars turn up in cameos. Joe Cocker plays three characters in a brilliant rendition of "Come Together", and he momentarily supplies the gleeful wit that the film desperately needs. Bono's performance of "I Am the Walrus" is another high point.
Mark Friedberg's production design and Albert Wolsky's costumes should be remembered during awards season. Francoise Bonnot's editing also deserves high praise. The intercutting during "Hold Me Tight", "With a Little Help From My Friends" and "Let It Be" gives these numbers a breathless cinematic rhythm. The arrangement of the songs also is top-notch. But the romantic finale seems pat rather than emotionally devastating.
Despite all the inventive work, the film never achieves the soaring sense of bliss that would place it in the pantheon of movie musicals.
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
Columbia Pictures
Revolution Studios, A Matthew Gross/Team Todd production
Credits:
Director: Julie Taymor
Screenwriters: Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Story: Julie Taymor, Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Producers: Suzanne Todd, Jennifer Todd, Matthew Gross
Director of photography: Bruno Delbonnel
Production designer: Mark Friedberg
Music: Elliot Goldenthal
Songs produced by: T Bone Burnett, Elliot Goldenthal, Teese Gohl
Co-producers: Richard Baratta, Ben Haber
Costume designer: Albert Wolsky
Editor: Francoise Bonnot
Choreographer: Daniel Ezralow
Cast:
Lucy: Evan Rachel Wood
Jude: Jim Sturgess
Max Carrigan: Joe Anderson
Sadie: Dana Fuchs
Jo-Jo: Martin Luther McCoy
Prudence: T.V. Carpio
Jude’s Mother: Angela Mounsey
Jude’s Father: Robert Clohessy
Lucy’s Father: Dylan Baker
Lucy’s Mother: Linda Emond
Uncle Teddy: Bill Irwin
Bum/Pimp/Mad Hippie: Joe Cocker
Dr. Robert: Bono
Mr. Kite: Eddie Izzard
Singing Nurse: Salma Hayek
Running time -- 133 minutes
MPAA rating PG-13...
- 9/12/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Julie Taymor's visual gifts are very much in evidence in Across the Universe, an ambitious, only partly successful attempt to reinvigorate the musical genre.
Taymor previously worked her magic onstage with The Lion King and onscreen with Frida. As a re-creation of the tumultuous '60s era, her new film is another triumph of design. Imaginatively shot and choreographed, it also presents a frequently exciting interpretation of more than 30 Beatles songs, performed by an attractive cast of young actors.
Yet this lavish production, which also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, is finally unsatisfying because it somehow misses the essence of the Beatles and of the most memorable movie musicals.
Director Stanley Donen once said that the best reason for characters to burst into song and dance was to express joy. Of course, not all musicals are joyous affairs; there have been tragedies like West Side Story and sentimental melodramas like The Sound of Music. Still, it could be argued that many of the greatest moments in movie musical history -- like Gene Kelly's performance of the title number in Donen and Kelly's "Singin' in the Rain" -- convey pure exuberance. And of course what made the Beatles' own movies "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help!" so captivating was their spirit of playfulness and joy.
That's the crucial quality absent from Universe. Taymor, working with veteran screenwriters Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais (The Commitments), has invented a simple story that allows her to utilize many of the best-known Beatles songs. She follows two main characters -- a well-bred girl named Lucy Evan Rachel Wood) and a working-class kid from Liverpool, Jude (newcomer Jim Sturgess) -- who fall in love against a backdrop of counterculture shenanigans and anti-war protests.
The Beatles acknowledged the tensions of the period in some of their music, and Taymor has highlighted the grim mood of songs like "Revolution" as well as the more surreal, psychedelically flavored songs such as "I Am the Walrus" and "Strawberry Fields Forever". But she has completely ignored the sly wit found in such songs as "Penny Lane", "Paperback Writer" or "When I'm 64."
The cast is engaging. Wood brings tenderness and fire to her performance, and Sturgess demonstrates unmistakable charisma. Some of the secondary characters aren't terribly well developed, but they are skillfully played by Joe Anderson, Dana Fuchs and Martin Luther McCoy. Fuchs is doing a variation on Janis Joplin, and she has the powerful voice to justify the comparison.
Bigger musical stars turn up in cameos. Joe Cocker plays three characters in a brilliant rendition of "Come Together", and he momentarily supplies the gleeful wit that the film desperately needs. Bono's performance of "I Am the Walrus" is another high point.
Mark Friedberg's production design and Albert Wolsky's costumes should be remembered during awards season. Francoise Bonnot's editing also deserves high praise. The intercutting during "Hold Me Tight", "With a Little Help From My Friends" and "Let It Be" gives these numbers a breathless cinematic rhythm. The arrangement of the songs also is top-notch. But the romantic finale seems pat rather than emotionally devastating.
Despite all the inventive work, the film never achieves the soaring sense of bliss that would place it in the pantheon of movie musicals.
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
Columbia Pictures
Revolution Studios, A Matthew Gross/Team Todd production
Credits:
Director: Julie Taymor
Screenwriters: Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Story: Julie Taymor, Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Producers: Suzanne Todd, Jennifer Todd, Matthew Gross
Director of photography: Bruno Delbonnel
Production designer: Mark Friedberg
Music: Elliot Goldenthal
Songs produced by: T Bone Burnett, Elliot Goldenthal, Teese Gohl
Co-producers: Richard Baratta, Ben Haber
Costume designer: Albert Wolsky
Editor: Francoise Bonnot
Choreographer: Daniel Ezralow
Cast:
Lucy: Evan Rachel Wood
Jude: Jim Sturgess
Max Carrigan: Joe Anderson
Sadie: Dana Fuchs
Jo-Jo: Martin Luther McCoy
Prudence: T.V. Carpio
Jude's Mother: Angela Mounsey
Jude's Father: Robert Clohessy
Lucy's Father: Dylan Baker
Lucy's Mother: Linda Emond
Uncle Teddy: Bill Irwin
Bum/Pimp/Mad Hippie: Joe Cocker
Dr. Robert: Bono
Mr. Kite: Eddie Izzard
Singing Nurse: Salma Hayek
Running time -- 133 minutes
MPAA rating PG-13...
Taymor previously worked her magic onstage with The Lion King and onscreen with Frida. As a re-creation of the tumultuous '60s era, her new film is another triumph of design. Imaginatively shot and choreographed, it also presents a frequently exciting interpretation of more than 30 Beatles songs, performed by an attractive cast of young actors.
Yet this lavish production, which also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, is finally unsatisfying because it somehow misses the essence of the Beatles and of the most memorable movie musicals.
Director Stanley Donen once said that the best reason for characters to burst into song and dance was to express joy. Of course, not all musicals are joyous affairs; there have been tragedies like West Side Story and sentimental melodramas like The Sound of Music. Still, it could be argued that many of the greatest moments in movie musical history -- like Gene Kelly's performance of the title number in Donen and Kelly's "Singin' in the Rain" -- convey pure exuberance. And of course what made the Beatles' own movies "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help!" so captivating was their spirit of playfulness and joy.
That's the crucial quality absent from Universe. Taymor, working with veteran screenwriters Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais (The Commitments), has invented a simple story that allows her to utilize many of the best-known Beatles songs. She follows two main characters -- a well-bred girl named Lucy Evan Rachel Wood) and a working-class kid from Liverpool, Jude (newcomer Jim Sturgess) -- who fall in love against a backdrop of counterculture shenanigans and anti-war protests.
The Beatles acknowledged the tensions of the period in some of their music, and Taymor has highlighted the grim mood of songs like "Revolution" as well as the more surreal, psychedelically flavored songs such as "I Am the Walrus" and "Strawberry Fields Forever". But she has completely ignored the sly wit found in such songs as "Penny Lane", "Paperback Writer" or "When I'm 64."
The cast is engaging. Wood brings tenderness and fire to her performance, and Sturgess demonstrates unmistakable charisma. Some of the secondary characters aren't terribly well developed, but they are skillfully played by Joe Anderson, Dana Fuchs and Martin Luther McCoy. Fuchs is doing a variation on Janis Joplin, and she has the powerful voice to justify the comparison.
Bigger musical stars turn up in cameos. Joe Cocker plays three characters in a brilliant rendition of "Come Together", and he momentarily supplies the gleeful wit that the film desperately needs. Bono's performance of "I Am the Walrus" is another high point.
Mark Friedberg's production design and Albert Wolsky's costumes should be remembered during awards season. Francoise Bonnot's editing also deserves high praise. The intercutting during "Hold Me Tight", "With a Little Help From My Friends" and "Let It Be" gives these numbers a breathless cinematic rhythm. The arrangement of the songs also is top-notch. But the romantic finale seems pat rather than emotionally devastating.
Despite all the inventive work, the film never achieves the soaring sense of bliss that would place it in the pantheon of movie musicals.
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
Columbia Pictures
Revolution Studios, A Matthew Gross/Team Todd production
Credits:
Director: Julie Taymor
Screenwriters: Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Story: Julie Taymor, Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Producers: Suzanne Todd, Jennifer Todd, Matthew Gross
Director of photography: Bruno Delbonnel
Production designer: Mark Friedberg
Music: Elliot Goldenthal
Songs produced by: T Bone Burnett, Elliot Goldenthal, Teese Gohl
Co-producers: Richard Baratta, Ben Haber
Costume designer: Albert Wolsky
Editor: Francoise Bonnot
Choreographer: Daniel Ezralow
Cast:
Lucy: Evan Rachel Wood
Jude: Jim Sturgess
Max Carrigan: Joe Anderson
Sadie: Dana Fuchs
Jo-Jo: Martin Luther McCoy
Prudence: T.V. Carpio
Jude's Mother: Angela Mounsey
Jude's Father: Robert Clohessy
Lucy's Father: Dylan Baker
Lucy's Mother: Linda Emond
Uncle Teddy: Bill Irwin
Bum/Pimp/Mad Hippie: Joe Cocker
Dr. Robert: Bono
Mr. Kite: Eddie Izzard
Singing Nurse: Salma Hayek
Running time -- 133 minutes
MPAA rating PG-13...
- 9/12/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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