The long walk to the big screen

A blue character from Avatar

As it was reported by Peter Jackson last week, the next Hobbit movie has been renamed to ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’ we decided to look back at some other films whose development has been ‘difficult’ to say the least.

1. Alien vs Predator

The movie poster for Alien vs Predator featuring two monsters on a white background.

Image via ExplosionsAreRad.wordpress.com

Released in 2004 after more than a decade of different scripts, changes to the cast, false starts, orphaned tie-ins, several series of video games and even promotions of the movie.

2. Dallas Buyers Club

Jared Leto and Matthew McConaughey sitting on a bench in a still from the film Dallas Buyers Club.

Image via slate.com

The screenplay for the oscar winning film was written 1992 by Craig Borten. It took 10 different versions of the script to finally persuade a production company to pick it up. It was then unable to secure financial backing, going through three different directors before Jean-Marc Vallée signed up and eventually released it in 2013.

3. Frozen

Elsa a princess from the movie 'frozen' creates ice and poses in front of a blue background.

Image via Disney.com

Originally planned to be a biography film of the author Hans Christian Anderson (Yawn!!) before it was green lit by Disney to become an adaptation of the ‘Snow Queen’. The film then went into development hell twice, the second time in 2010 due to the difficulty of making the story of the Snow Queen work. It wasn’t until Disney bought in Jennifer Lee, writer of Wreck-It Ralph, as co-director, who decided to make the Snow Queen character of Elsa into one of the film’s protagonists. 

4. Gangs Of New York

A gang, lead by actor Daniel Day Lewis in the movie 'Gangs of New York'

Image via IMDB

Martin Scorsese first started trying to get Gangs of New York made in 1978. He finally did so in 2002.

5. The Hobbit Trilogy

Bilbo the Hobbit walking out of his front door as sun streams in to his house.

Image via Business Insider

The Hobbit went through development hell, before finally being green lit.The film then suffered additional problems involving creative control and the studio’s refusal to allow filming to take place in New Zealand, where the preceding film series The Lord of the Rings had been shot. This was a deal-breaker for director Guillermo del Toro, who left the project. Peter Jackson retook control of the project and split it into three films, the first of which was released in December 2012.

6. Inglorious Basterds

Christoph Waltz playing Colonel Landa in the film Inglorious Basterds

Image via Wikipedia

Quentin Tarantino announced his plans to shoot a World War II movie titled Inglourious Basterds shortly after the 1997 release of Jackie Brown. As of 2007, he was still working on the script. The film began shooting in late 2008 and was released in August 2009. Inglourious Basterds was Tarantino’s most commercially successful film until his spaghetti western homage Django Unchained was released three years later.

7. Iron Man

Iron Man holding out his arm towards the camera.

Image via Marvel

The film had been in development since 1990 at Universal Pictures, 20th Century Fox and New Line Cinema, until the rights were reacquired by Marvel Studios in 2006. The project was Marvel’s first self-financed film, being distributed by Paramount Pictures. The script was originally written by multiple writers and the film and attached to direct were several directors, including Joss Whedon, Quentin Tarantino and Nick Cassavetes. Originally, actor Tom Cruise was in talks to play the role of Tony Stark, before the role went to Robert Downey Jr. after Jon Favreau was finally hired as director.

8. Star Wars Sequel Trilogy

The words 'Star Wars' with a gold outline on a black background

Image via screenrant.com

The Star Wars sequel trilogy remained in development hell beginning in 1983 since the concept was born in 1975. Even though the prequel trilogy was created with the films released in 1999, 2002 and 2005, the sequel trilogy was changed and denied for several years. The trilogy was brought back in 2012 after Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm, starting with Star Wars Episode VII, which is scheduled for a 2015 release.

9. Avatar

A blue character from Avatar

Image via hollywood reporter.com

James Cameron has previously stated that his idea for the story of Avatar was ready before he even began filming Titanic in 1996 but that the technology needed to make the film simply didn’t exist. Production company Fox eventually backed out of the film in 2006 due to budgetary reasons, it wasn’t until Ingenious Media offered to back more than half of the $237 million needed for the film that Fox returned to the project which went on to become the highest grossing film of all time.

10. The Lord Of The Rings

Peter Jackson holding an Oscar statuette at the Academy Awards

Image via nj.com

There is something about either Peter Jackson or J.R.R Tolkien and movies that simply does not work. Throughout all six of the films that Jackson has been responsible for bringing to the big screen there have been major problems throughout the entire production. The rights to a live action adaptation of The Lord of the Rings were sold to United Artists shortly before J.R.R Tolkien’s death in 1973; it wasn’t until 1994 that Peter Jackson was given approval to begin shooting. The first film was not released until 2001.

Events, offers and releases 21/04/14

Johnny Depp holding a microphone in a still from the film, 'Transcendence'.

Releases

This weeks new film releases are a bit thin on the ground, but there are two films that might give you a fun night out after a long week at work.

Leslie Mann, Nicki Minaj, Cameron Diaz and Kate Upton in a still from the file 'The Other Woman'

Image via filmblerg.com

The Other Woman – This rom-com stars Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, and Kate Upton a group of woman who realise that they are all being played by the same guy. They then decide to team up to get revenge on the three-timing husband/lover, Phil, played by Taylor Kinney.

Expect a light-hearted, female empowerment comedy with plenty of laughs. Perfect for night out with the girls.

Johnny Depp holding a microphone in a still from the film, 'Transcendence'.

Image via movpins.com

Transcendence – Imagine if you could relocate your consciousness into a computer so that you could live forever as a machine, creepy right? Well that’s what you’ll see Johnny Depp go through in this science-fiction drama starring Rebecca Hall and Morgan Freeman. Produced by Christopher Nolan, this film is sure to have all the cinematic spectacle you love from the Dark Knight Trilogy.

Offers

We all know going to the cinema can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be, if you know where to go and when to go, you can have a great night out for only £10.

OdeonOrange Wednesdays, if you’re on the EE network, simply text FILM to 241 for your buy one get one free voucher code each and every Wednesday.

CineworldTake 2 offer, if you have missed out on some of the years biggest releases at the cinema, Cineworld, every month, re-release film at a discounted rate of £10 for two tickets plus popcorn.

Location, location, location

A house with a round door built into the side of a hill on the set of The Lord of the Rings

From the picturesque landscape of New Zealand that we affectionately know as ‘Middle Earth’ to the harsh environment in Iceland that forms the planet that is explored by the crew of Prometheus, find out how the perfect filming locations are chosen.

While special effects and computer generated images (CGI) can create worlds and landscapes that go beyond your imagination as seen in Avatar, directors often choose to film in location often in harsh environments.

A long table set with plates cutlery and glasses on a sound stage at Leavesden Studios.

The Great Hall in Harry Potter was all filmed on a sound stage at Leavesden Studios.

Sound stages such as Pinewood Studios offers filmmakers impressive backlots that allow for a variety of scenes to be filmed on either sound stages or in front of a green screen, they are often too artificial and lack the visual spectacle that the English landscape of a Hawaiian beach can offer.

Location Works is Europe’s largest locations company and have scouted the perfect location for hundreds of both film and TV productions including, Philomena, Jupiter Ascending and W.E.

But choosing the perfect location isn’t as simple as selecting a grand country house or an impressive mountain range in Italy.

So what is involved in being a location manager? According to Location Works, ‘Anything and everything that it takes to make a location shoot go smoothly. It’s a job that can require many talents and great patience. There’s no such thing as the “typical” job’.

A location manager takes the clients brief, whether it be a big-budget feature film or a modest photo shoot in London, they find the perfect location to suit all their needs. this means that the location has to work perfectly not just from a visual perspective but also logistically.

In some more harsh terrain the problem of safety and accessibility is something that needs to be thought about. After all, there is no point in finding the ‘perfect’ landscape if it is impossible to get a camera there to film any shots.

For example for the 2013 release, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, most of the filming was done in Atlanta, Georgia. The reason behind this was due to the tax breaks the state offers to film makers in that area and less with the natural landscape in the surrounding area.

Sam Claflin diving into the ocean while filming a scene with Jennifer Lawrence in Hawaii for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Filming the scenes for the ‘Arena’ in Hawaii, stars Jennifer Lawrence and Sam Claflin of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

The film then moved to Hawaii, with a much smaller crew, due to budgetary reasons, to film on location instead of in Georgia where they were using mainly back lots and sets.

So what Atlanta offered the filmmakers in a practical sense was something that while very useful, could not be matched by Hawaii’s golden beaches and lush jungles.

Whether it be a luxurious Spanish villa located in London for an independent movie or an active volcano, it is the job of the location manager to find that perfect location to be the perfect backdrop to the biggest cinematic moments.

This week in history: 12th April – 18th April

Audrey Hepburn in a black and white still from Breakfast at Tiffany's.

 

A black and white image of Barbara Streisand

Image via IMDB

Katharine Hepburn and Barbara Streisand tie for Best Actress Oscar. At the 41st annual academy awards in 1969 were televised live for the first time worldwide, Ingrid Bergman proclaimed “It’s a tie!” upon opening the envelope for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The award went to both Katharine Hepburn, for her turn as Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter, and Barbra Streisand, for her debut performance in Funny Girl.

New sound process for films was announced this week in 1926. Western Electric, the manufacturing arm of the American Telephone and Telegraph company (AT&T), and the Warner Brothers film studio officially introduce Vitaphone, a new process that will enable the addition of sound to film. Vitaphone debuted in August 1926 with the costume drama Don Juan, starring John Barrymore and featuring an orchestral score by the New York Philharmonic.

On April 12th 1914 the first movie ‘Palace’, (cinema) opened in New York City. Before 1914 movie makers would often showcase their creations behind storefronts, known as ‘nickelodeons’. This palace, known as ‘The Strand’ seated an impressive 3,000 people and featured a second storey viewing area. Another ‘first’ seen at The Strand was a two-storey rotunda where movie-goers would socialise before and after the presentation and during the intermission.

 

Empire Awards

Tom Cruise standing in front of a large print of his Empire front cover

Jameson Empire Awards 2014

The awards show with the most booze, the least rules and the most diverse guest list, the Empire Awards.

With the likes of Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger and The Inbetweeners all on the red carpet, it signalled the way for what will be an incredible finish to the awards season.

The biggest winner of the night was (unsurprisingly) Alfonso Cuaron he won for Best Director and Best Film. While he wasn’t at the event he did appear via video link to accept his awards.

Host, and star of The Hobbit trilogy James Nesbitt welcomed in the audience with less of the polished auto-cue script that you might hear from Stephen Fry, but with all the humour and wit you would expect from a drunk Irishman.

Opening with a song sang to the tune of ‘That’s Why The Lady Is A Tramp’ he impressed with a decent Sinatra-style singing voice.

James Nesbitt on stage presenting the Empire Awards 2014.

Image via Empire Online

He finished off the opener with the not so subtle jab at the Academy Awards, “We don’t need Oscars – they’re just for phonies and scamps / That is why Empire is for champs.”

Other awards that were presented were Best Male and Female newcomers that were collected by Aidan Turner (The Hobbit: The Desolations Of Smaug) and Margot Robbie (The Wolf Of Wall Street).

All the awards of the night were voted for by readers of Empire magazine, which this year celebrates it’s 25th Anniversary.

To commemorate this milestone there were two special awards that were created just for this years ceremony.

Collecting the first ‘Empire 25th Award: The Legend of Our Lifetime’ was Tom Cruise, who also conveniently appears on the front cover of this months Empire magazine.

Tom Cruise on the cover of Empire magazine

Image via Empire Online

Tom Cruise holding his Empire Award in front of a white background with the Empire logo printed on it.

Image vie Empire Online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger collected the second of the anniversary awards The Action Hero Of Our Lifetime.

Arnold Schwarzenegger collecting his award at the Empire Awards on stage.

Image via Empire Online

The Empire Awards, while they are an international awards ceremony, there is considerable favour given to British film, and rightly so. 12 Years a Slave, Filth and Saving Mr Banks all picked awards in various acting categories.

Emma Thompson posing with her Empire Award in front of a white background with the Empire Logo printed on it.

Image via Empire Online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James McAvoy posing with his Empire award and Kate Beckinsale

Image via Empire Online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hugh Jackman also managed to take home an award, Empire Icon.

Hugh Jackman posing with his Empire Award in front of photographers.

image via Empire Online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jackman, who will reprise his role as Wolverine in May in X-Men: Days Of Future Past for the eighth time is very popular with Empire and their readers.

The full list of winners, back stage interviews, and the live stream are all available to catch up on. as well photo galleries and red carpet arrivals there is plenty to keep you distracted from work for at least the next 20 minutes.