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After Nearly 40 Years – ‘Prisoner’ May Be Released
After almost 4 decades, the 1967 television classic The Prisoner may finally be making it to the big screen. Universal Studios is reportedly nearing a deal with Christopher Nolan, best known for Memento and Insomnia, to bring the UK cult classic to theaters, perhaps as early as 2007. The studio reports that they plan to have Nolan begin production on a contemporized film version of the show after he completes The Dark Knight the sequel to the hit Batman Begins which is set to begin production at Universal in early 2007.
Zooey is Janis
Penelope Spheeris’ next project has peace, love and harmony written all over it. The rock n’ roll savvy director of Wayne’s World has been set to direct the biopic of hippie songbird Janis Joplin, aptly titled Gospel According to Janis. The film, co-written by Spheeris and Brad Vanderburg, will focus on Joplin’s life in California until her untimely death at the age of 27 eight years later.
SFX Wizard To Helm ‘Halo’
What do you do when you have a multi-million dollar video game franchise, a hero considered by legions of fans to be on the level of rock and movie stars, and the strength of one of the world leader in CGI technology? You find one of the hottest CGI directors to take the whole thing to Hollywood. Microsoft® and Universal Pictures have announced tapping 26 year old Neill Blomkamp to helm the first motion picture adaptation of the hugely popular video game “Halo”.
Grass Roots Tactics For ‘Ground Truth’
Squeaking and grinding, the wheel has begun to turn. The traditional Hollywood production path for profit and success is being turned and manipulated in ways that are at once feared and counted on. The Ground Truth is the first foray into writing and directing for Patricia Foulkrod , primarily known for producing more mainstream films like Crazy Like A Fox (2004). “Truth” will be shown in limited theatrical release, possibly as little as six US cities then will follow up with a nationwide series of screenings in homes, churches, hospitals, libraries and other community centers on October 11, the four-year anniversary of the authorization to use military force in Iraq. This concept of nearly “guerilla distribution” is new, but not unheard of. In early 2006 Steven Soderbergh utilized the concept for his reality appearing Bubble (2006). Focus Features CEO James Schamus said one of the main goals of the brief theatrical run is to drive home video sales. Organizations will be offered bulk rates on the Universal-distributed DVD, and Focus will continue promoting the film after its theatrical release has ended.
