It's a miracle Peter Berg's "Hancock" exists at all.
The revisionist Will Smith superhero flick began life in 1996 as a spec screenplay by Vy Vincent Ngo called "Tonight, He Comes." The tale of a surly, alcoholic antihero was way ahead of its time; it was a refutation of comic book movies that weren't being made in the absurd volume we're seeing today. It was also startlingly original, which prompted no less an A-lister than Tony Scott to acquire it as a potential directing project. It was one of the hottest scripts in Hollywood, and, for six solid years, it went absolutely nowhere.
"Tonight, He Comes" nearly went before cameras in the early 2000s under the direction of Michael Mann, then nearly came to fruition with the likes of Jonathan Mostow and Gabriele Muccino at the helm. Vince Gilligan and John August were brought in to rework the script in...
The revisionist Will Smith superhero flick began life in 1996 as a spec screenplay by Vy Vincent Ngo called "Tonight, He Comes." The tale of a surly, alcoholic antihero was way ahead of its time; it was a refutation of comic book movies that weren't being made in the absurd volume we're seeing today. It was also startlingly original, which prompted no less an A-lister than Tony Scott to acquire it as a potential directing project. It was one of the hottest scripts in Hollywood, and, for six solid years, it went absolutely nowhere.
"Tonight, He Comes" nearly went before cameras in the early 2000s under the direction of Michael Mann, then nearly came to fruition with the likes of Jonathan Mostow and Gabriele Muccino at the helm. Vince Gilligan and John August were brought in to rework the script in...
- 11/4/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Vincent Ngo, top screenwriter and Hollywood script doctor, has set up comedy series “Early Risers” in his native Vietnam. Talent behemoth, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) represents the production company Early Risers Media Group and is handling licensing of the series’ distribution rights.
The show, about the lives of American and European expats living and working in Saigon, is set to begin filming under the direction of Zach Merck at the end of this month.
After a prolonged period of Covid restrictions, “Early Risers” is believed to be the first international television production in Vietnam in over two years. Local production is being run by Ace 1 Pictures.
“Vincent has created a series that’s incredibly smart, funny and daring,” said executive producer Peter Toumasis. “It’s a contemporary comedy set against Saigon’s rarely seen expat community, which is full of lovable first-world rejects who had somehow fallen from grace and...
The show, about the lives of American and European expats living and working in Saigon, is set to begin filming under the direction of Zach Merck at the end of this month.
After a prolonged period of Covid restrictions, “Early Risers” is believed to be the first international television production in Vietnam in over two years. Local production is being run by Ace 1 Pictures.
“Vincent has created a series that’s incredibly smart, funny and daring,” said executive producer Peter Toumasis. “It’s a contemporary comedy set against Saigon’s rarely seen expat community, which is full of lovable first-world rejects who had somehow fallen from grace and...
- 4/6/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Today’s film is the 2002 short Hostage. The film is written by David Carter, Greg Hahn, and Vincent Ngo, and directed by John Woo. It also stars Maury Chaykin, Kathryn Morris, and Clive Owen, and is part of BMW’s series of The Hire short films. BMW recently announced that they would be making a new series of short films, with Gus Van Sant already signed on to do one of the shorts. Clive Owen will soon be seen on the Steven Soderbergh tv series The Knick.
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The post Sunday Shorts: ‘Hostage’, directed by John Woo and starring Clive Owen appeared first on Sound On Sight.
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The post Sunday Shorts: ‘Hostage’, directed by John Woo and starring Clive Owen appeared first on Sound On Sight.
- 2/23/2014
- by Deepayan Sengupta
- SoundOnSight
As with any Will Smith movie, there has been talk of a Hancock sequel ever since the superhero action/comedy grossed over $600 million worldwide, making it the fourth biggest movie of 2008. Moviegoers may have been divided over the twist in the middle of the movie and critics may have been harsh on it, but that hardly seems to matter at this point. Columbia is now finally getting serious about Hancock 2, having just hired a pair of screenwriters to generate a script. According to The Hollywood Reporter [1], Adam Fierro and Glen Mazzara have been hired to flesh out a story that will "build on the world hinted at in the first movie". Fierro and Mazzara both have a background mainly in television, having written and produced numerous episodes of The Shield. In addition, Fierro has worked as a producer on Dexter and 24, while Mazzara has written for the Crash TV series on Starz,...
- 8/25/2009
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Days after director Peter Berg offered a few ideas for "Hancock 2", news are coming in that two screenwriters have been brought on board the sequel project. The Hollywood Reporter (THR) recently confirmed that Columbia Pictures has hired Adam Fierro and Glen Mazzara to pen the script.
No word has been disclosed on what storyline the duo will tackle, but THR claimed that they will work with Will Smith and Berg "to build on the world hinted at in the first movie". While Fierro and Mazzara join this follow-up movie project, neither of the two original writers, Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan, returns.
Though both Adam Fierro and Glen Mazzara have little experience on big screen projects, they have been quite successful in small screen. Fierro wrote and produced "The Shield", "24" and "Dexter". Mazzara, in the meantime, is known for his writing job for "Life" and "Crash". He has also worked...
No word has been disclosed on what storyline the duo will tackle, but THR claimed that they will work with Will Smith and Berg "to build on the world hinted at in the first movie". While Fierro and Mazzara join this follow-up movie project, neither of the two original writers, Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan, returns.
Though both Adam Fierro and Glen Mazzara have little experience on big screen projects, they have been quite successful in small screen. Fierro wrote and produced "The Shield", "24" and "Dexter". Mazzara, in the meantime, is known for his writing job for "Life" and "Crash". He has also worked...
- 8/25/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Last week when director Peter Berg talked about Hancock 2 here, he didn.t sound as if he knew whether it would happen. Now here we are a few days later, and it definitely is. THR says Columbia Pictures has hired Adam Fierro and Glen Mazzara to write the sequel. Neither of them had anything at all to do with the first film, which from my perspective, is a big point in their favor. From Columbia.s perspective it.s somewhat surprising that they didn.t bring back Vincent Ngo and Vincent Gilligan. They wrote the first movie and even though it didn.t play well in the Tyler household, it did earn them more than $600 million worldwide. Strange move by Sony but maybe good news for us if the new guys can come up with something better. The original movie starred Will Smith as a boozy superhero with a penchant...
- 8/25/2009
- cinemablend.com
A sequel to Hancock is moving forward, with Columbia signing writers Adam Fierro and Glen Mazzara to pen the follow-up to the Will Smith superhero movie, which grossed $624 million worldwide last year. The original producing team is expected to return. Plot details are being kept under wraps, though the scribes will work with Smith and director Peter Berg to build on the world hinted at in the first movie. There’s no word if Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron will be part of the sequel. The original starred Smith as a boozy, irresponsible superhero who undergoes an image makeover by a public relations man. It later is revealed that the hero is part of a line of immortal beings who have been around for more than 3,000 years and begin to lose their powers when in proximity to fellow immortals. Fierro spent several seasons as a writer-producer on FX's The Shield...
- 8/25/2009
- by James Cook
- TheMovingPicture.net
DVD Links: Release Dates | New Dvds | Reviews | RSS Feed Hancock I posted my review of the Blu-ray edition of Hancock right here and it isn't exactly a favorable one. This movie, while having a great concept, just doesn't work and it all has to do with the script as it was presented on screen. I didn't read Vincent Ngo's original script though, and considering what David had to say about it when he asked whether it was too soon to remake Hancock it sounds like there is a potentially great story left on the table in an effort to release a toned down film. I know they are working on a sequel to the film and I have no idea what direction they plan on going, but a satisfying sequel could make this original more tolerable. However, right now, this film isn't worth your time. Criterion Releases
Bottle Rocket...
Bottle Rocket...
- 11/25/2008
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
David Frank knows more than you. Care to disagree? Unlike some who feel every remake amounts to a personal affront on their gentleman's honor, I've gone on record saying remakes rarely irk me.* So I say, why not remake Hancock? How about now? Leave the "too soon" charges for those joking about your recently deceased goldfish. Strike while the passion's hot. My friend, the sex therapist, said that once, and wisdom like that goes for things other than when the Viagra takes hold. I'm not saying a Gus Van Sant frame-by-frame remake. Now that'd be madness. I'm thinking something along the lines of Batman Begins or The Incredible Hulk. So a reboot, reworking, reimagining, or whatever word you want to use with "re" as a prefix.** Just because Hancock didn't spring from the comic pages doesn't mean it isn't a viable candidate for a redoing. The current incarnation of Hancock is a frustrating mess,...
- 7/9/2008
- by David Frank
- Rope of Silicon
Seen on: July 3, 2008
The players: Director: Patricia Rozema, Writers: Ann Peacock, Vincent Ngo, Cast: Abigail Breslin, Stanley Tucci, Glenne Headly, Jane Krakowski, Julia Ormond
Facts of interest: Based on the American Girl doll line.
The plot: The film mainly focuses on the Great Depression as seen through the eyes of a young, aspiring writer named Kit Kittredge.
Our thoughts: “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl” proves that casting Abigail Breslin as the lead character in a kids’ film doesn’t automatically guarantee a masterpiece. Although the film based on the popular doll line isn’t exactly a total bore, it clearly neglects its need for entertainment by overloading its viewers with historical information.
The players: Director: Patricia Rozema, Writers: Ann Peacock, Vincent Ngo, Cast: Abigail Breslin, Stanley Tucci, Glenne Headly, Jane Krakowski, Julia Ormond
Facts of interest: Based on the American Girl doll line.
The plot: The film mainly focuses on the Great Depression as seen through the eyes of a young, aspiring writer named Kit Kittredge.
Our thoughts: “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl” proves that casting Abigail Breslin as the lead character in a kids’ film doesn’t automatically guarantee a masterpiece. Although the film based on the popular doll line isn’t exactly a total bore, it clearly neglects its need for entertainment by overloading its viewers with historical information.
- 7/5/2008
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
Seen on: July 2, 2008
The players: Director: Peter Berg, Writers: Vince Gilligan, Vincent Ngo, Cast: Will Smith, Jason Bateman, Eddie Marsan and Charlize Theron
Facts of interest: The film was formely known as "Tonight, He Comes."
The plot: A drunken superhero meets an optimistic PR guy who offers to help him repair his damaged image in the community.
Our thoughts: Much like the people in “Hancock” who deserve a better hero, we deserve a better movie. Peter Berg’s big-budget Will Smith vehicle kicks off with a promising concept, but a sudden twist and a clear lack of new ideas in the script eventually turn the movie into a nearly indescribable mess. It’s unfortunate really, because with a little more effort from the screenwriting department, the film could have turned out a lot better.
The players: Director: Peter Berg, Writers: Vince Gilligan, Vincent Ngo, Cast: Will Smith, Jason Bateman, Eddie Marsan and Charlize Theron
Facts of interest: The film was formely known as "Tonight, He Comes."
The plot: A drunken superhero meets an optimistic PR guy who offers to help him repair his damaged image in the community.
Our thoughts: Much like the people in “Hancock” who deserve a better hero, we deserve a better movie. Peter Berg’s big-budget Will Smith vehicle kicks off with a promising concept, but a sudden twist and a clear lack of new ideas in the script eventually turn the movie into a nearly indescribable mess. It’s unfortunate really, because with a little more effort from the screenwriting department, the film could have turned out a lot better.
- 7/2/2008
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
Opens: Wednesday, July 2 (Columbia)
Will Smith's powers are even more extraordinary than those of a caped crusader who can leap way beyond the tallest buildings in a single bound. Smith has salvaged many vehicles more threadbare than "Hancock", and though his latest venture is decidedly uneven, he seems poised to score yet another supervictory at the boxoffice. The movie is a good showcase for him -- and for co-stars Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman. Imagine the heights they all could have scaled if the picture had been really good.
Article Templatehttp://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1119669402http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=769341148 var config = new Array();config["videoId"] = 1487044577;config["lineupId"] = null;config["videoRef"] = null;config["playerTag"] = null;config["autoStart"] = false;config["preloadBackColor"] = "#FFFFFF";config["width"] = 286; config["height"] = 277; config["playerId"] = 1119669402; createExperience(config, 8);One suspects that the movie's problems stem from the multitude of cooks who toiled on the project during the several years it took to reach the screen. Although the script is credited to Vy Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan, several others worked on it, including producers Akiva Goldsman and Michael Mann. Jonathan Mostow and Gabriele Muccino were among the directors attached to the project before Peter Berg signed on. Somewhere along the way, a sharp black comedy lost its bite.
The movie's sly premise is established in its opening scenes, which reflect the tart sensibility of Gilligan, the creator of AMC's bracingly cynical series "Breaking Bad". Hancock is a crime-fighter going through what appears to be a midlife crisis. He's a foulmouthed drunk who springs into action when Los Angeles is in trouble, but he behaves with such wanton disregard for people and property that he often alienates the citizens whose lives he saves.
When Hancock rescues an idealistic PR man (now there's an oxymoron), the grateful Ray Bateman) embarks on a campaign to burnish Hancock's bad-boy image. The benevolent publicist -- the antithesis of Tony Curtis' sleazy Sidney Falco in "Sweet Smell of Success" -- is another choice comic character. The movie introduces a third when Hancock meets Ray's wife, Mary (Theron). There are immediate sparks between the loutish superhero and the pert suburban housewife, and it's clear that Mary has some connection to Hancock's mysterious past. But this is where the movie starts to unravel. It veers from comedy to romantic tragedy and introduces an elaborate backstory that never makes much sense.
The best comic book movies develop a rigorous and logical mythology. As "Hancock" races toward its spectacular but muddled finale, it keeps rewriting its own rules in an effort to pander to the audience. The storytelling lapses are not helped by Berg's frenetic direction. As he showed in his most recent film, "The Kingdom", Berg is addicted to intense close-ups and kinetic hand-held camera movement. He seems to be worshiping at the altar of Michael Bay.
Berg's strength lies in his appreciation for actors and keen eye for casting. Bateman has brightened many recent movies, including "Juno" and "The Promotion", but No One has given him such a juicy part in years. The actor rips into it lustily. British actor Eddie Marsan (a member of Mike Leigh's stock company) also makes a strong impression as a genuinely creepy villain.
Special effects supervised by veteran John Dykstra are at once witty and eye-popping. In keeping with the concept of the surly superhero, Hancock makes his entrances and exits spewing mounds of concrete in his hazardous wake. The visual effects are stellar, but the true star is Smith, who again demonstrates acting chops as well as effortless charisma in a vehicle that's only occasionally worthy of his superhuman skills.
Production: Relativity Media, Blue Light, Weed Road Pictures, Overbrook Entertainment. Cast: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Jae Head, Eddie Marsan, Gregg Daniel. Director: Peter Berg. Screenwriters: Vy Vincent Ngo, Vince Gilligan. Producers: Akiva Goldsman, Michael Mann, Will Smith, James Lassiter. Executive producers: Ian Bryce, Jonathan Mostow, Richard Saperstein. Director of photography: Tobias Schliessler. Production designer: Neil Spisak. Music: John Powell. Costume designer: Louise Mingenbach. Editors: Paul Rubell, Colby Parker Jr.
Rated PG-13, 92 minutes.
Will Smith's powers are even more extraordinary than those of a caped crusader who can leap way beyond the tallest buildings in a single bound. Smith has salvaged many vehicles more threadbare than "Hancock", and though his latest venture is decidedly uneven, he seems poised to score yet another supervictory at the boxoffice. The movie is a good showcase for him -- and for co-stars Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman. Imagine the heights they all could have scaled if the picture had been really good.
Article Templatehttp://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1119669402http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=769341148 var config = new Array();config["videoId"] = 1487044577;config["lineupId"] = null;config["videoRef"] = null;config["playerTag"] = null;config["autoStart"] = false;config["preloadBackColor"] = "#FFFFFF";config["width"] = 286; config["height"] = 277; config["playerId"] = 1119669402; createExperience(config, 8);One suspects that the movie's problems stem from the multitude of cooks who toiled on the project during the several years it took to reach the screen. Although the script is credited to Vy Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan, several others worked on it, including producers Akiva Goldsman and Michael Mann. Jonathan Mostow and Gabriele Muccino were among the directors attached to the project before Peter Berg signed on. Somewhere along the way, a sharp black comedy lost its bite.
The movie's sly premise is established in its opening scenes, which reflect the tart sensibility of Gilligan, the creator of AMC's bracingly cynical series "Breaking Bad". Hancock is a crime-fighter going through what appears to be a midlife crisis. He's a foulmouthed drunk who springs into action when Los Angeles is in trouble, but he behaves with such wanton disregard for people and property that he often alienates the citizens whose lives he saves.
When Hancock rescues an idealistic PR man (now there's an oxymoron), the grateful Ray Bateman) embarks on a campaign to burnish Hancock's bad-boy image. The benevolent publicist -- the antithesis of Tony Curtis' sleazy Sidney Falco in "Sweet Smell of Success" -- is another choice comic character. The movie introduces a third when Hancock meets Ray's wife, Mary (Theron). There are immediate sparks between the loutish superhero and the pert suburban housewife, and it's clear that Mary has some connection to Hancock's mysterious past. But this is where the movie starts to unravel. It veers from comedy to romantic tragedy and introduces an elaborate backstory that never makes much sense.
The best comic book movies develop a rigorous and logical mythology. As "Hancock" races toward its spectacular but muddled finale, it keeps rewriting its own rules in an effort to pander to the audience. The storytelling lapses are not helped by Berg's frenetic direction. As he showed in his most recent film, "The Kingdom", Berg is addicted to intense close-ups and kinetic hand-held camera movement. He seems to be worshiping at the altar of Michael Bay.
Berg's strength lies in his appreciation for actors and keen eye for casting. Bateman has brightened many recent movies, including "Juno" and "The Promotion", but No One has given him such a juicy part in years. The actor rips into it lustily. British actor Eddie Marsan (a member of Mike Leigh's stock company) also makes a strong impression as a genuinely creepy villain.
Special effects supervised by veteran John Dykstra are at once witty and eye-popping. In keeping with the concept of the surly superhero, Hancock makes his entrances and exits spewing mounds of concrete in his hazardous wake. The visual effects are stellar, but the true star is Smith, who again demonstrates acting chops as well as effortless charisma in a vehicle that's only occasionally worthy of his superhuman skills.
Production: Relativity Media, Blue Light, Weed Road Pictures, Overbrook Entertainment. Cast: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Jae Head, Eddie Marsan, Gregg Daniel. Director: Peter Berg. Screenwriters: Vy Vincent Ngo, Vince Gilligan. Producers: Akiva Goldsman, Michael Mann, Will Smith, James Lassiter. Executive producers: Ian Bryce, Jonathan Mostow, Richard Saperstein. Director of photography: Tobias Schliessler. Production designer: Neil Spisak. Music: John Powell. Costume designer: Louise Mingenbach. Editors: Paul Rubell, Colby Parker Jr.
Rated PG-13, 92 minutes.
- 6/24/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Veteran agent David Styne has joined ICM as a motion picture literary agent.
Styne left CAA this month after 17 years with the agency. He declined comment on the reasons for his departure.
"I came to ICM because ICM has been a brand in the business for over 20 years and I met with a group of executives who conveyed an enthusiasm for rebuilding the company and also expressed a great desire for me to be a big part of it," Styne said.
Styne begins immediately and plans to "get to work right way with some longtime clients I've been working with who are coming with me to ICM."
It is unclear, however, which of those clients officially are coming with him.
Styne has been a longtime representative of a cache of writers, including John Logan ("Gladiator"), Russell Gewirtz ("Inside Man"), David McKenna ("Blow"), Caspian Tredwell-Owen ("Behind Enemy Lines"), Chris Kyle ("K-19: The Widowmaker"), Vincent Ngo and Jason Hall, as well as director Gil Kenan ("Monster House") and producer Andrew Lazar.
Styne left CAA this month after 17 years with the agency. He declined comment on the reasons for his departure.
"I came to ICM because ICM has been a brand in the business for over 20 years and I met with a group of executives who conveyed an enthusiasm for rebuilding the company and also expressed a great desire for me to be a big part of it," Styne said.
Styne begins immediately and plans to "get to work right way with some longtime clients I've been working with who are coming with me to ICM."
It is unclear, however, which of those clients officially are coming with him.
Styne has been a longtime representative of a cache of writers, including John Logan ("Gladiator"), Russell Gewirtz ("Inside Man"), David McKenna ("Blow"), Caspian Tredwell-Owen ("Behind Enemy Lines"), Chris Kyle ("K-19: The Widowmaker"), Vincent Ngo and Jason Hall, as well as director Gil Kenan ("Monster House") and producer Andrew Lazar.
- 10/23/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Helmer Gabriele Muccino is reteaming with Will Smith for Columbia Pictures' action drama Tonight, He Comes. The two recently wrapped the drama The Pursuit of Happyness for the studio. Penned by Vince Gilligan and Vincent Ngo, Tonight centers on a tortured superhero who crash-lands in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and tries to transform himself by romancing an alluring housewife, causing chaos in the city. Akiva Goldsman and Michael Mann are producing alongside Smith and his Overbrook Entertainment partner, James Lassiter.
- 4/30/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Helmer Gabriele Muccino is reteaming with Will Smith for Columbia Pictures' action drama Tonight, He Comes. The two recently wrapped the drama The Pursuit of Happyness for the studio. Penned by Vince Gilligan and Vincent Ngo, Tonight centers on a tortured superhero who crash-lands in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and tries to transform himself by romancing an alluring housewife, causing chaos in the city. Akiva Goldsman and Michael Mann are producing alongside Smith and his Overbrook Entertainment partner, James Lassiter. Jonathan Mostow, who previously was attached to helm the film, and Richard Saperstein are executive producing. Sony's Jonathan Kadin and DeVon Franklin are overseeing for the studio. Muccino will begin prepping Tonight after he finishes postproduction on Happyness, which is scheduled for a Dec. 15 release. The studio is eyeing an early 2007 start date for Tonight. Muccino is repped by CAA.
- 4/29/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Will Smith and director Jonathan Mostow are teaming up to bring the superhero drama Tonight He Comes to the screen and are in early negotiations with Columbia Pictures. Akiva Goldsman and Michael Mann are producing. Written by Vince Gilligan, Tonight is a script that has fallen on many execs' "best unproduced scripts" lists and has attracted many A-listers. But its dark, adult tone made it difficult to set up. The story tells the tale of a depressed, bored superhero who drinks, smokes and has one-night stands. He develops a newfound purpose in life when he is drawn to a married woman. Vincent Ngo wrote the original draft.
- 2/17/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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