I admit that I've been wondering about our workaholic being well into working on Constantine and not having his next project lined up yet.
Or maybe he does.
Coming Soon (via Club-Keanu) reports....
Keanu Reeves Replaces Russell Crowe in Tripoli
Keanu Reeves has replaced Russell Crowe in director Ridley Scott's Tripoli. However, 20th Century Fox has put the film into turnaround, and now co-financing companies are kicking the tires. The movie could have been Reeves' first big role after the "Matrix" trilogy.
Reeves is now attached to the story of how U.S. soldier William Eaton joined forces with an exiled king to overthrow the corrupt ruler of what is now Libya.
Screenwriter William Monahan wrote the script.
I'm not a fan of the period war epic, but this looks to be a meaty role, and working with Ridley Scott? Bonus.
update: Here's a moviebus.com page on Tripoli (thx Rhonda!)
cinema | from inside the mind of krix at November 17, 2003 01:53 PM .I know nothing about Hollywood but am wondering about 'turnaround'...still, Ridley Scott is good. I think. Don't know about the screenwriter or the story. Period war epic would be an interesting change, since according to the Biography he turned down the Charlie Sheen role in Platoon...back in the day.
Posted by: bakednudel on November 17, 2003 02:41 PMOK, I read the link to the biographical dictionary on William Eaton. I can just hear the pitch "Black Hawk Down in Libya! the young nation's first go at empire-building!"
Still, if Keanu takes it, it probably will be much better than that. ;)
Posted by: bakednudel on November 17, 2003 02:45 PMActually, I don't know how much of a "war" story it is, so I crossed that part out. The page that I linked Eaton's name to is from a Russell Crowe site that has a little background on him (Eaton).
The powdered wig thing turns me right off.
I read on one site that this thing isn't supposed to be out until 2007! And since the financing isn't in place, I suspect it won't start shooting any time soon. I wonder if Keanu is/would look for another movie (big role/small role) before this one begins shooting.
Not so crazy about the powdered wig either.
Posted by: Weezie on November 17, 2003 03:47 PMFYI
For those of you who have RealOne Player, if you click your RealOne Player desktop icon, they have movie trailers to view, one of which is a 3 minute trailer for "Something's Got To Give". Lots of Keanu. I have Road Runner, and even with that the first time throught was a little bit blurry here and there toward the end, but when running it again, it was clear.
Posted by: anne on November 17, 2003 05:36 PMi don't know about Tripoli, but *damn* it's sweet to hear that keanu is replacing Russell Crowe... for some reason i just can't abide that man!
Posted by: lori on November 17, 2003 07:28 PMa script review and more info can be found here at IGN
Posted by: krix on November 17, 2003 09:27 PMThanks, krix, interesting script review. I'm having trouble imagining Keanu in this role, which is good! stretching the mind is always good ... I tend to imagine that an actor in Keanu's position can pick and choose any role they like, even produce their own vanity projects. It was quite an eye-opener to read in several interviews (including Details) that Keanu has typical 'actor insecurities' and always wonders if he'll work again...
Posted by: bakednudel on November 18, 2003 04:12 AMThanks Anne! This movie looks like it's gonna be good :)
Posted by: Keanu_Soul on November 18, 2003 05:04 AMSpeaking of the Details magazine - I saw tons of them at Barnes & Noble in case anyone is still looking for a copy.
Posted by: Weezie on November 18, 2003 06:37 AMHi all!
There´s another positive script review at http://www.filmjerk.com/nuke/article656.html
I saw in movies.yahoo.com that the preview for Tripoli project was brought up to date with Keanu as lead (Ben Kingley still attached). They say that 20th Century Fox put the project in turnaround because of the growing budget ($100+), but that they were looking into the possibilities of splitting distribution and production with another major studio. Warner Bros. and Columbia Pictures were mentioned as two strong candidates. Now, with Keanu on board, is likely that one of them have some participation, so the project can be put in production early... I hope so, seems that it will be a challenge role for Keanu, and we know that he likes it. I still have trouble imagining Keanu in that, but this description of the movie is very interesting: "the story of a young man's growth from a diplomat to a soldier to a statesman, and it has all those things that Ridley does so well."
I mentioned this to a friend who is very movie-savvy and she had this to say:
"I'm not so sure about what's going on with that movie, but according to that link, yes, the money people are pulling out. Also, however, I know Scott is charging full-steam ahead into Kingdom of Heaven, with Orlando Bloom, which is also set in the Middle East and is also written by William Monahan. It starts shooting in mid-January. I'd say that would effectively put the final nail in the coffin of Tripoli, unless Scott wants to spend the rest of his life filming in Morocco. I guess after three consecutive films there-- Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, and then Kingdom of Heaven-- a fourth isn't so strange. But another period Middle Eastern epic? Seems unlikely. "
Posted by: MC from RD on November 18, 2003 09:04 AM"Turnaround" is Hollywood Speak for "We ain't gonna make this movie". When a film goes into turnaround, it gets put on a shelf and, if the filmmakers are INCREDIBLY lucky, somebody else might come along and say, "That looks interesting". Otherwise, everyone cuts their losses. If Tripoli has gone into turnaround, we might as well kiss it goodbye. Sure, there's a chance it'll get made, but it's not a good one.
Too bad too. I've never liked Keanu in period flicks - his particular charm doesn't transfer out of the modern era well at all. But it would have been interesting to see what Ridley Scott could do with him.
Oh well, them's the breaks. I'm still seething at the lost opportunity to see him and Elijah Wood onscreen together. *sob*
Posted by: Sparrowhawk on November 18, 2003 10:21 AMThanks, Sparrowhawk (another fan of Ged?), that's what I thought about 'turnaround'... and I agree about our beloved Keanu and period roles. His unearthly beauty is, I find, very 'modern'. (He's not the only one, there are plenty of actors I don't think are believable in period roles because of the way they look and speak). I'm sure he would relish the opportunity to work with Ridley Scott, though!
But would I watch Keanu in a period role? Hell, yeah...!
Posted by: bakednudel on November 18, 2003 11:50 AMSince this was compared to Lawrence of Arabia, I hope for Keanu's sake it materializes sometime in the future. Will probably be years down the road if at all.
Posted by: Chianti on November 18, 2003 12:30 PMI think it could be interesting, as Tripoli was one of the defining moments in the history of the U.S. Marines. There isn't a film about it to my knowledge.
While vaguely related, Galipoli with that other Aussie, Gibson, was rather amazing. Most recent war epics have been quite lavish.
Posted by: V. on November 18, 2003 12:32 PMIt will be interesting to see what happens with this project, especially if Ridley Scott leaves. I believe that Erwin Stoff has quite a bit of influence now, and with Warner Brothers around, Keanu ripe, and war epics (and historical sagas) the thing these days, someone may pick it up - especially if it's packaged correctly.
Posted by: MC from RD on November 18, 2003 01:25 PMRemember, this is a fan site.
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Please do not make a comment thinking he will read it.
Comments are for discussion with other fans.
Thank you.