Robert Zemeckis Back in 3D With TO REACH THE CLOUDS Starring Joseph Gordon Levitt

Now this is VERY interesting indeed! The project has me very excited with the return of Robert Zemeckis to 3D, the use of cutting edge technology to push the bounds of the cinematic experience (like GRAVITY, where Tom Rothman got the idea for this project) and seeing star Joseph Gordon Levitt in an Oscar worthy role.

That role is Philippe Petit who walked for 45 minutes across a 450 pound tightrope suspended between the two World Trade Center towers in 1974 using a 26 foot long balancing pole. The whole thing is treated as a crime thriller as of course what he was doing was illegal. Expect amazing 3D visuals as the camera whirls up and around Levitt walking across the chasm.

If it sounds familiar, it is. There is also a critically acclaimed, Oscar winning documentary out there called MAN ON WIRE which is definitely worthwhile watching. Clearly the content is strong. With Zemeckis and Levitt involved with cutting edge 3D? I'm definitely in! Should be too hard to suspend our disbelief with this tension inducing high wire act. :-)

More when I get it...

Sources: Deadline | Twitch

Worried About The Rating For PROMETHEUS? Don't Be, Says Fox CEO Tom Rothman!

Music to my ears! Much has been said lately on the pending decision on just what rating will be assigned to Ridley Scott's PROMETHEUS simply because of it's pedigree, ALIEN and ALIENS in particular live in a very dark and horrific universe. What sort of prequel would it be if PROMETHEUS was relegated to a PG-13?

Tom Rothman (Fox CEO) has set the record straight recently at CinemaCon in Las Vegas:
"I can assure the fans—I’m very aware of their concern—absolutely they can take it that the film will not be compromised either way. So if that means that the film is R, then it’ll be an R. If it’s PG-13, then it’ll be a PG-13, but it will not be compromised"

And Tom continues:
"[For] Prometheus, it would have been very easy—in fact probably in Chapter One of the Executive Handbook, if I ever read such a thing, it would say, ‘Go ahead, make a straightforward prequel to Alien.’ That would have been the easy thing to do. Prometheus is the more challenging thing to do. It’s bolder, it’s original, it’s in the universe, but it’s not a literal story-based prequel to [Alien], it’s a wholly new science-fiction entry from Ridley Scott, who hasn’t made a science-fiction film in 30 years."

Personally I believe that we are going to be in for a rated R experience with PROMETHEUS. With the comments that Ridley Scott has made and now Tom Rothman, along with the content that is meant to marry up with ALIEN, it HAS to be. What do you think?

PROMETHEUS opens on June 1.

Source: Collider

Ridley Scott To Shoot ALIEN Prequel in 3D? AVATAR At Comicon?

Jim here. Coming straight from the guy who should know, Tom Rothman (Co-chairman, Fox) IESB caught him confirming that Ridley Scott is looking at returning to the ALIEN franchise with a prequel to the original movie that started it all.

Here is what Rothman had to say about Scott and an ALIEN prequel: "There's been some talk. Ridley Scott, Ridley is right now working on Robin Hood, but I think he's toying with the idea and that would be great for us. I mean, it's always been a matter of, really, if you can get the originator to do it that would be the greatest thing, so I've got my fingers crossed, all of them."

I think I would only entertain an ALIEN prequel using either Scott or Cameron - but preferably Scott as he started the whole ball rolling and it has to led into the first movie effectively.

Rothman was not asked directly if it would be shot in 3D, but we know that Ridley was NOT interested in ever doing another SciFi until he saw Cameron's AVATAR in action. Then he signed up for THE FOREVER WAR in 3D. If everything stays the way things are lined up, I GUARAN-FREAKIN'TEE YOU that ALIEN will be in stereoscopic 3D.

I don't know about all of you, but I am estatic that such great quality directors are coming on board 3D and embracing it. Let's hope a Ridley Scott ALIEN 3D Prequel comes to be! Who, I say, who is up for that?

ALSO - Rothman was ADAMANT that if you want to see what he hinted strongly was AVATAR soon, than you have to be at Comicon. Guess what? San Diego is about to be inundated with rapid Cameron fans this August. I guaran-freakin'tee that too. :-)

Fox Co-Chairman Tom Rothman Talks AVATAR: "Coolest Shit I've Ever Seen"

Not that we need anything more 'verbally' to get excited about AVATAR, but this is a very frank discussion with Tom Rothman, the co-chairman of Fox and IESB that I thought you should be made aware of. Special thanks to MarketSaw reader "Darkoo" who alerted me. The emphasis below is mine:

IESB: You mentioned Avatar, everything that we are hearing about it, it sounds great but it also sounds SO expensive, and a lot has to do with the investment in the technology to make the film. At the same time, is it because you hope to use the technology on other stuff too?
TR: Yes, but I guess I should say that I won't comment on the exact budget except to say that as always with Jim [Cameron] everything is misreported, everything is exaggerated, because he is larger than life and so everything surrounding him tends to be larger than life. While it's obviously an expensive movie, it's not an unprecedented expensive movie and it's not even the most expensive movie we've made at the company and certainly not close to the most expensive movie that's been made in the business recently. But, it is in absolute terms a costly undertaking, is because it's an entirely revolutionary technology. It will be a movie unlike anything audiences have ever seen. And, genuinely brand new, genuinely unlike anything that has ever been seen and that's hard to do and that isn't cheap.

IESB: And it's an original film, it's not based on a comic book or other material...
TR: It's an entirely original film, it's not a television show, it's not a comic book, it's a thing that all of the punditocracy, all of the media and the audience cry out for, true originality. And yes, you never know and I wouldn't presume now, but the idea is, Jim Cameron tends to make hits and if the movie is a hit then this is the beginning, certainly for both the use of the technology and the work, it's not going to stop here. So, there's long term value to it as well.

IESB: So, potentially, this is a franchise?
TR: If it does well, yes, absolutely, in terms of an arena a whole new world. But for us, it isn't any of that, it isn't even the technology, it isn't even the look and the world all of which is the coolest shit I've ever seen, it isn't even any of that, it's that it's a great story. It's just a great story. You read the story and you are gripped by every page, it's just a great, original story with tremendously, classic emotional value. So, at the end of the day, that's really what we're here for, to try and make great stories when you can find them.

So, very potential sequels and as we all knew - a great story! IESB may have more to read about AVATAR in the coming days - I will keep you posted.


Source: IESB