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Post by pothos on Sept 17, 2012 12:23:24 GMT -5
I read recently that about 8 years ago Gerard was on board for a movie version of the Shakespearean play The Merchant Of Venice".
Does anyone know if this was just rumour or had some truth behind it.
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Post by elenoire on Sept 17, 2012 12:45:34 GMT -5
I heard about it for the first time a few days ago when I found this article... uncouthreflections.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/venice-and-lawyers-in-las-vegas/While there, I heard a great story about this place. The director Michael Almereyda, after visiting, had a genius idea: film the entirety of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice here, in the Venetian/Palazzo Canal Shoppes. When the wife of owner Sheldon Adelson heard about his plans, she nixed the idea, saying the play is antisemitic. But guess what? A different corporation was leasing the retail space and they were happy to have someone use it as a film set. Almereyda got John Logan to write a script and Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Zooey Deschanel, Gerard Butler, Thomas Jane, Q’orianka Kilcher, Sam Shepard, Elliott Gould, and Thora Birch were all cast. Unfortunately for us, the financing fell through a few weeks before shooting was to begin, dammit. Maybe they should put it up on Kickstarter? And the author took the info from this site... www.filmlinc.com/index.php/film-comment-2012/article/unproduced-and-unfinished-films-l-through-z-a-ongoing-film-comment-projectThe Merchant of Venice (Michael Almereyda, 2006) Set in Las Vegas, this screen adaptation was by John Logan. The cast included Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Zooey Deschanel, Gerard Butler, Thomas Jane, Q’orianka Kilcher, Sam Shepard, Elliott Gould, and Thora Birch. Financing fell through weeks before the picture’s start date. Maybe some members have some more info on this interesting news... |
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Post by norwigi on Sept 17, 2012 15:18:56 GMT -5
That one of my favorite scenes too.Gerry really shines when he play against great actors like Ralph Finnes. I sure he would have done an amazing job if i play with/aginst Ian McKellen and the others. Another movie that Gerrys talked about was the Robert Burns movie. I would loved to so either or both of the movies being made.
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Post by pothos on Sept 17, 2012 16:59:51 GMT -5
The Burns project is so frustrating. About 4 years ago, the BBC showed a wonderful documentary on Burns and what a life he led. I wonder if financial worries and the age old concern about people not understanding 18th century Scottish language have stopped the project altogether. Absolute shame if that is the case.
All the buildings that were contemporary to Burns (the farm where he grew up, the Church where he and Jean had to answer the elders, the small cottage where he died are all there and would really be such a magical backdrop to the movie.
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Post by jhawk on Sept 17, 2012 17:34:53 GMT -5
I really wish he would do the Burns movie before its too late. MOV would have been great -- too bad.
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Post by dawne27 on Sept 17, 2012 18:39:16 GMT -5
this is a good new thread. hmmmm, lets see. old projects? i'd like to see 'motor city' revitalized.....Oops.  Ooooh, you mean really 'old' ....'pro-jects'... hmmm, lets see. 'september in shiraz'  no. what about 'burns'...YES. that is an excellent old project in need of ampage! haven't heard of 'merchants' but whatever drama and/or action film plated should be served with a chilled appertif' .....soon.  where's the fantasy thread...just getting snoopey.....((purse lips))....  its okay dawne27, we understand (pet her head....) |
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Post by pothos on Sept 18, 2012 16:54:39 GMT -5
Oddly enough the movie I still cannot beleive was completed after all the utter chaos was Beowulf. Interesting project and Wrath of Gods really showed how dangerous being an actor can be at times. To me Gerard looked genuinely scared.
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Post by dawne27 on Sept 19, 2012 22:04:33 GMT -5
unbelievable. and, apparently there were bloody boulders flying every where...toppled tents, upsetting neighbors, knocking people out....what a mess. super fierce storms & high winds. this was the film where i flipped out for gerard butler. never been the same since. really. the director and cast were phenomenal. a classic story told so beautifully in spite of the obstacles...poetical seascapes crashing against black beaches, an epical tale of fur clad warriors after a lone troll, panoramic views of rolling hills and marsh....and then....there was the gerster
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