We finally have word on what is next for Ang Lee after his superlative production LIFE OF PI, which won him the Best Director Oscar last year. It's a 3D boxing movie from back when it mattered - the 60's and 70's.
The Universal Studios project is untitled thus far, but here is what we know about it: An epic look at the boxing world of the 1960s and 1970s, as seen through the prism of its biggest rivalries and greatest fights. That will include the showdown between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali that was called the Thrilla In Manila.
Not only is the subject exciting, but what really caught my eye is Lee's continuing passion for 3D. Those of you who saw LIFE OF PI in 3D theaters knows just how well the he nailed it. The 3D, the visuals, the story - all amazingly well done. When I spoke with Lee back in February, he was so tuned into the format that I couldn't stop smiling.
From Deadline:"The idea is to take the exploration of 3D technology and cutting-edge visual effects further, as James Cameron is doing on his Avatar sequels."
That statement has me intrigued! Further, Lee will be working again with James Schamus (also CEO of Focus Features) to produce this project. It's looks like Lee will be a defacto gang member of leading filmmakers championing and excelling in native 3D. Love it!
Check out this interview with PARANORMAN's directors Sam Fell and Chris Butler who tell it like it is. You can tell these guys are so proud of all the work they have obviously put into this movie. If you enjoy true art forms, then you should be lining up for Laika's PARANORMAN.
Says Butler:"There has never been a stop motion movie this big before."
From NBCUniversal Direct: This Friday August 17th, Focus Features releases the comedy thriller ParaNorman in theaters nationwide. Following Focus' Academy Award-nominated Coraline, ParaNorman is the second stop-motion animated feature to be made at LAIKA Studios in 3D, unifying the two stunning art forms to tell an all-new frightfully funny, magically emotional, and hilariously spooky story. We talked to the movie's directors Sam Fell and Chris Butler about balancing comedy and creepy, what it was like directing actors doing voice work, and why you should truly see this movie in 3D!
Here's the movie's storyline:
A small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman (voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee), who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he'll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst, of all, grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul whisperer may find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits.
Check it out:
PARANORMAN opens on August 17 in the US and Canada.
Jim here. Got some great advance video clips for the upcoming 2009 3D stop action movie CORALINE! The movie is based on Neil Gaiman's work and focuses on a girl's adventures in an alternative reality where things are not quite as they should be.
Directing is Henry Selick who you will remember also brought us JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH as well as NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I can only imagine the surprises he has conjured for this latest effort.
Dakota Fanning (Coraline) Teri Hatcher (Coraline's mother) lend voices to the characters.
CORALINE opens wide on February 6th, 2009 with select screenings this December. Check out the awesome clips below as this movie is bound to open a lot of eyes to the power of 3D across all movie formats, including stop action.
AWESOME advance look! The imagery will be out a dream and Gaiman's stories are well, ALWAYS superlative. We are lucking out with this one guys...
