The Hollywood Reporter reports:
Oliver Stone is in talks to direct "The Night Watchman." The feature film is an adaptation of James Ellroy's script about a disgraced police officer who sets out to rid the police force of corruption. The project, which has been in the works for some time, is being refinanced, with Avi Lerner in talks to finance through his Millenium Films' banner. Spike Lee was set to direct Keanu Reeves in the long-gestating project but has since dropped off to helm "Inside Man" for Universal Pictures. Alexandra Milchan, Lucas Foster and Erwin Stoff are producing. The producers are awaiting a new draft of the script from John Ridley and will then move toward closing deals with Stone and Reeves. "Night Watchman" has been through several incarnations. At one point, David Fincher was in talks to direct for Regency Enterprises and Bruce Berman for Warner Bros. Pictures. Stone most recently directed "Alexander," which has grossed $167.6 million worldwide. Stone and Reeves are repped by CAA."
I'm happy for Reeves to be able to work with a director of note but this is so far off, I really don't have any enthusiasm about it. The story sounds played and dull to me. It did with Spike Lee attached, and it still does with Stone. I suppose that if "get rid of corruption" meant "get in lots of fistfights while not wearing a shirt", I could muster up some glee.
At least there's a good chance he'll be wet and shirtless in Sinbad.
cinema | from inside the mind of krix at April 28, 2005 01:31 PM .OMG, krix, you crack me up!
I've always liked Ellroy's books, and therefore must say
I'm looking forward to having both projects screened
some time in the future in a cinema near me ;-)
Hope V. is still spoiling you rotten every single day! Get better!
*hugs* *smooch*
LMAO! with Sinbad.. at least we have a chance LOL HELL YES!!! BRING ON THE WETNESS AND SHIRTLESS BABY I"m all ready I think :)
Hugs and God bless your friend
Janice
Thanks for the update, Krix, though I have to say I'm not as amped about this as I would have been 10 years or so ago. Stone hasn't made a watchable movie since Natural Born Killers, IMHO. And, althought I love Ellroy's books he's notorious for being exceedingly pedantic and perfectionist and almost impossible to work with. The film version of his autobiography has been in a similar state of turnaround for a few years now.
I would have loved Fincher or Lee to take it, but maybe the buck won't stop with Stone.
Also, I know how much we love new Reeves movies but at the same time I wish the dude would take a vacation, you know?
Mwah, krix, just mwah. XXX
Posted by: bea_herenow on April 29, 2005 02:02 AMForgot to say - that conversely there is SO MUCH GREAT STUFF to say about Sinbad that I don't know where to begin. Totally, totally cool.
Forget everything I said about a vacation - get them to bring the shooting start-date forward, goshdarnit.
Posted by: bea_herenow on April 29, 2005 02:06 AMDo you really think they'll convince Keanu to take off his shirt in Sinbad? In which case, I'll stop worrying about the lousy director and the ever-changing screenwriters and look forward to it. As far as Stone--I hate his films but the combo of Stone and Ellroy could just be released as Oscar bait. And if the film works--it would be great.
Posted by: filiz on April 29, 2005 06:50 AMWas that Wanda that was an extra on Ill Mare the other day. They were shooting the 4th of July scene.
Posted by: Rachel on April 29, 2005 02:35 PMkrix, I'm glad you are better. Sadly, I think Sinbad is an animation. Interestingly, it looks very similar in concept to another script we (you and I) know about. Wonder if *that* was what inspired him to take on Sinbad? ;)
Posted by: amphora on April 29, 2005 05:49 PMI thought Keanu's Sinbad would be live action with lots of special effects. Didn't Dreamworks release an animated Sinbad a year or two ago?
Posted by: filiz on April 29, 2005 08:32 PMYes filiz, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas was animated and came out in 2003. Brad Pitt was the voice of Sinbad and Michelle Pfeiffer and Catherine Zeta Jones voiced characters too.
I read that too, that the "new" Sinbad (the one K is reported to be signed on for) will have special effects, but I seriously doubt it will be animated. Now "A Scanner DArkly", that's another story. :)
Posted by: Judee on April 30, 2005 12:31 PMI personally am disappointed Lee is not involved. I think it would have been nice to see the two work together.
I wonder if there was a personality conflict. They meet a few months ago.
Posted by: kay on May 4, 2005 09:23 AMRemember, this is a fan site.
Keanu Reeves is in no way connnected to this website.
Please do not make a comment thinking he will read it.
Comments are for discussion with other fans.
Thank you.