PARADISE LOST Indeed. Canned By Legendary!

Sad news today: Legendary Pictures has canned the Alex Proyas directed adaptation of the John Milton poem of good vs. evil, PARADISE LOST.

As recently as a couple of weeks ago, Bradley Cooper (who would have played Lucifer) was saying that all is well and that production will move ahead in June.

Certainly the talent and creative crew was in place for this epic movie to get made - so just what happened? Rather, what didn't happen: The visual effects requirements for this film were just too out of reach to be considered for a self imposed $120m budget. This despite Legendary already spending low 8 figures to get the project to the 11th hour.

This has to be a tough pill to swallow for Legendary. And it certainly is for fans of Proyas and Cooper. I was really looking forward to this movie getting made - how they were going to get this done was as interesting as the final product. Like James Cameron films. Cameron has often had to wait for technology to catch up.

There is always a chance that this beast gets picked up at a later date, perhaps when said VFX technology is in place. Here's hoping.

Source: Deadline

Bradley Cooper: PARADISE LOST To Start Production In June?

Well finally some good news coming out of the PARADISE LOST news stream!

Bradley Cooper, who has been attached to director Alex Proyas' performance capture project for some time now (to play Lucifer himself), was quoted recently about the movie and he said it was delayed and not killed.

Says Cooper: "We’re going to hopefully start in June. Everything’s going great. I mean, nothing’s done until we’re up and shooting."

Here's the movie's storyline:
Lucifer and Michael, God's greatest archangels, share the bond of extraordinary friendship until God produces his greatest creation: Man. Unable to remain subservient to God if it means bowing down to humanity, Lucifer begins his dark descent and is cast out — only to plot his revenge.

If Proyas and Cooper get the greenlight from Warner Bros. to shoot this summer, look for a 2014 release for PARADISE LOST.

I get a sneaking suspicion that Cooper may have flexed his nearly acquired Hollywood influence to get this movie finally made. He has been an avid supporter for some time now and perhaps he made the deal for THE HANGOVER 3 with consideration given to this production. Just a hunch.

Source: The Playlist

PARADISE LOST Finds Its Archangel Michael: Benjamin Walker

Apparently Benjamin Walker (Pictured on far left) (ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER) is in negotiations to play the archangel Michael in Alex Proyas' PARADISE LOST. The classic story of good vs. evil will pit Walker against Bradley Cooper's Lucifer.

Says Proyas: "I've sometimes thought that only an insane person would want to make this movie, because it's visually audacious and has to live up to a classic poem that is so beloved. I don't think the visuals could have been done justice until now, which is the great fun of being a film director in this modern age of visual effects. Despite all those possibilities, the characters are what's most important. His deal isn't closed yet, but I think there's a wonderful duality about Ben's persona, this combination of great strength and perfect innocence that works so well for Michael. And Bradley is the most charming guy you'll ever meet, with this extraordinary charisma. Lucifer was the brightest and smartest of the archangels, and even as he descended into evil and evolved into Satan, he's not just some black-and-white villain. Bradley brings extraordinary depth to that journey."

Shooting starts in Sydney this January. Look for PARADISE LOST in theaters in Q4 of 2013.

Source: Deadline

All About Temptation: Shooting The Garden Of Eden In 3D ("Paradise Lost")

Jim here. Should Scott Derrickson shoot his upcoming epic PARADISE LOST in stereoscopic 3D? OF COURSE. Rotten Tomatoes has obtained a great interview with Derrickson in which he discloses his passion for 3D.

Derrickson said: "I'm already a believer in the 3D technology after seeing U2-3D; I was blown away by it," Derrickson told us. "I was really struck by the cinematic possibilities of it for storytelling. It's a change of the basic nature of the experience of cinema because the best way to see it is to view it large screen, IMAX, where there is no frame. It's not something you watch, it's something you're in, and that fundamental difference, and the impact it can have on storytelling, it's unfathomable. The story of Paradise Lost really lends itself to that experience."

As you may know, Milton's PARADISE LOST (1667) is the poem of the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by Lucifer and their eventual exile from Paradise. You can imagine how grand a scale this movie event could be, especially since Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures are also involved.

Not only has Derrickson expressed interest in 3D after seeing U2 3D, he has gone straight to the top of the modern 3D industry by conversing with the best: James Cameron...

"I went to the set and visited Cameron there and he was really generous with his time with me. It's James Cameron and he's making Avatar, I was just privileged to walk through the door, but he really took time to talk to me about "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and took time to walk me through the technology and I really saw how it works in production.

"Now that I'm doing "Paradise Lost" I emailed his producer, Jon Landau, and asked if I could see a few minutes, so I'm going to see a few minutes of finished film. I'm really looking forward to seeing how it turns out."

Now Scott, you might have to sign a little piece of paper before seeing those few AVATAR minutes, but don't bother reading it as you probably want to get right into that screening room and slap on those glasses... would you mind giving me a call right after? I am gonna have a FEW questions for you... :-)