This documentary is a must see in my books. Keanu Reeves is going directly to the source with this no holds barred approach to understand what is happening in today's filmmaking community.
Of course 3D, high frame rates, digital vs. film are all going to be huge topics - but to see these titans discuss their bread and butter makes for extremely interesting viewing.
Keanu Reeves of course has his 3D samurai epic 47 RONIN opening in February, 2013.
The videos I have below include outtakes from Reeves' discussions with James Cameron, David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Steven Soderbergh, Wally Pfister, Robert Rodriguez, The Wachowskis and John Malkovich.
And these are just the outtakes! The content in the edited documentary must be totally enthralling.
Oh and I have Soderbergh leading into Wally Pfister's clip by design. I think you will see why.
If you have managed to see it, let me know your thoughts! You can view now on iTunes.
**UPDATE - November 26** For even more behind the scenes shots check out this link - well worth the click!!
**UPDATE - November 25** I just received another photo(right) of another ronin out of the 47 RONIN and it is now the first photo of this post for simplicity sake.
Here is what the new source "furiousrabbit" had to say: Each of the 47 Ronin's had an exquisitely different, unique costume.
Yes, it makes sense that each ronin would have different equipment as these guys would have all had different lords at some point. They are coming together from an individualistic point of view and not with army cloned attire. Cool.
Hey guys - an exclusive and special treat for you as we have gotten some on set and behind the scenes images from Universal's 47 RONIN!
A very cool MarketSaw reader codenamed "HerefordBoathouse" (a homage to DeNiro's RONIN) sent me these shots taken at Shepperton Studios in London. I can confirm that the movie is in fact being shot in native 3D. Further, they are using Red Epics Arri Alexas (Confirmed through this photo).
The movie also had scenes shot in Budapest, Hungary.
Obviously image 1 is of a robed Keenu Reeves and... I believe I can make out a scare under his right eye.
The second and third images are wardrobe shots of an extra in rather splendid battle attire. Note that in the grey robed shot, he is wielding two swords. He seems to have the same pair of bracers on for both characters. LOVE the boots for the footman soldier's outfit.
From all angles, 47 RONIN looks like a pretty special movie: You have Carl Erik Rinsch directing (a Ridley Scott protégé - in fact he was going to direct PROMETHEUS before Scott was convinced to do it); you have a very special story to tell in this ancient Japanese legend and a script by Chris Morgan (WANTED) and Hossein Amini (DRIVE); you have cinematography by John Mathieson (GLADIATOR - I loved how this movie was shot!) and of course Keenu Reeves (NEO!!!)
Here's the official storyline: "Kai (Reeves), an outcast who joins Oishi (Hiroyuki Sanada ), the leader of the 47 Ronin. Together they seek vengeance upon the treacherous overlord who killed their master and banished their kind. To restore honor to their homeland, the warriors embark upon a quest that challenges them with a series of trials that would destroy ordinary warriors. ... Inspired by styles as diverse as Miyazaki and Hokusai, Rinsch will bring to life the stunning landscapes and enormous battles that will display the timeless Ronin story to global audiences in a way that's never been seen before."
Reeves on 47 RONIN (April 2011): "I call it a story of revenge and impossible love. The samurai become outcast and decide to enact revenge on the person who is responsible for the death of their lord." It's kind of a western and Kai is "an outsider, a kind of half-breed with a mysterious past, who's in love with the princess and she's in love with me, but we can't be together."
"(I) just finished a sword fight a couple of weeks ago with a great actor named Hiroyuki Sanada. He's fantastic."
The other cast members joining Reeves are Hiroyuki Sanada, Kou Shibasaki, Tadanobu Asano and Rinko Kikuchi. These actors are at the top of their game and among the best in Japan. Look for 47 RONIN in theaters on November 21, 2012.
