Latest EntryDec 30, 2008 News, Projects Leave a comment
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee will have it’s world premiere on Berlinale, the 59th Berlin International Film Festival. The festival will run from February 5th to the 15th. More informationon the festival aswell as the screenings can be found at www.berlinale.de.
Dec 19, 2008 News, Projects 1 Comment
Source: MTV
It’s no secret that Keanu Reeves loves anime – a main influence on the “Matrix” series. It’s also common knowledge that the actor holds a place in his heart for sci-fi, as evidenced by films like “A Scanner Darkly,” “Johnny Mnemonic” and the currently-tops-in-theaters “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” It’s no surprise, then, that Reeves’ latest passion project revolves around his desire to make a live-action “Cowboy Bebop.”
“Oh yeah, cool,” he said when I asked him about the flick recently. “We’re trying to do that.”
As fans of the Japanese classic TV series know, “Bebop” follows a crew of bounty hunters traveling around the universe in the year 2071. Reeves hopes to play Spike Spiegel, one of these futuristic cowboys forced to pick up the slack after a population crash and hyperspace gateways have left law-enforcement unable to capture many of the galaxy’s most ruthless criminals.
“It’s got a Western quality, a Western film noir aspect to it,” Reeves said of why he’s such a big fan of Shinichiro Watanabe and Keiko Nobumoto’s groundbreaking series. “It’s got so much style to it, and that’s part of its appeal. That kind of Old West, bordertown, low-tech science fiction aspect.”
Take a look at this clip and you’ll get an idea of why Reeves is not only a perfect-looking fit for Spiegel, but also why he thinks the most important person on the set will be the one trying to translate the series’ unique look. “I think that would be a production designer’s dream,” Reeves said of the flick. “I think you just need a good production designer.”
The flick is currently being put together by Erwin Stoff, a producer who has spent the last two decades working almost exclusively on Reeves projects, and recently set the film up at 20th Century Fox. “We’ve got the rights, we’ve got a writer,” Keanu explained. “He’s putting together a scene outline.”
Reeves revealed that this outline for the flick is currently focusing on the origins of the fictional “Bebop” drug developed by the military, which provides its users with a brief surge of superhuman reflexes and awareness. “We’re taking the Red Eye [story], the beginning part of the series,” he explained, “and then we’ll deal with the end of the series. We’re trying to figure out [the time frame]. We’re looking at the story right now.”
Since the beloved 26-episode show (as well as the feature film) didn’t necessarily maintain a linear style of storytelling, Reeves said that somewhere between the Red Eye origins and the “Bebop” conclusion, they’ll be picking out various highlights for their own use.
“Yeah, it’s so episodic and so disconnected. We’re trying to figure out what pieces to put together to tell one story,” he explained. “Because it’s such a short form, to make a 2 hour version [will be tough]. And it’s got so much of an origin-story obligation; you’ve got to get people up to speed, but you don’t want to do much of that. There are a lot of things to take into consideration, but we think we can do something good.”
With devoted fans all over the world, and a complex universe to depict on screen, Reeves knows that it won’t be easy to make a “Cowboy Bebop” movie. “Yeah,” he grinned when reminded of these facts. “But that’s why you want to do it.”
Dec 16, 2008 Projects 4 Comments
Source: Reuters
Keanu Reeves, an actor known for his offbeat movie choices, added another unlikely box office hit to his collection on Sunday with “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” a chart-topping remake of a 1951 sci-fi movie.
The film, largely ridiculed by critics, sold an estimated $31 million worth of tickets in the United States and Canada since opening on Friday, distributor 20th Century Fox said.
It was also the top pick internationally, raking in $39 million from 90 markets. Fox, a unit of News Corp, said the film was No. 1 in 53 of those markets, with Russia ($5.6 million) and Britain ($4.1 million) leading the way.
The film cost about $80 million to make, said Fox.
The North American tally was in line with expectations. It marks Reeves’ biggest opening since 2003’s “The Matrix Revolutions,” the third film in the blockbuster “Matrix” franchise, kicked off with $48 million on its way to $139 million. Since then, he has starred in a series of art-house pictures (2005’s “Thumbsucker”) and middling studio pictures (2006’s “The Lake House”).
Reeves, 44, plays the alien Klaatu, who comes to save Earth from itself. The film co-stars Jennifer Connelly. Scott Derrickson (”The Exorcism of Emily Rose”) directed.
“It’s an environmental as well as a political statement,” said Chris Aronson, Fox’s senior vice president of domestic distribution.
Critics were less impressed. The Wall Street Journal said the movie was “insufferably full of itself,” while the Houston Chronicle described it as “a stunningly misconceived folly.” On the other hand, the Los Angeles Times said the film was “enjoyable.”
After two weeks at No. 1 in North America, the holiday comedy “Four Christmases” slipped to No. 2 with $13.3 million, taking its total to $88 million. The film, starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, was released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a unit of Time Warner Inc.
The only other new entry in the top 10 was also a Christmas tale. The Latin-themed ensemble piece “Nothing Like the Holidays” opened at No. 7 with $3.5 million. Industry analysts had expected an opening in the $5 million-$6 million range. It was released by Overture Films, a unit of Liberty Media Corp.
Rounding out the top five were the vampire romance “Twilight” at No. 3 with $8.0 million (total: $150 million); the canine cartoon “Bolt” at No. 4 with $7.5 million (total: $89 million); and the period drama “Australia” with $4.3 million (total: $38 million).
“Twilight” was released by Summit Entertainment LLC, which is privately held. “Bolt” was released by Walt Disney Pictures, a unit of Walt Disney Co. “Australia” was also released by Fox.
Dec 10, 2008 Gallery Leave a comment
There are currently 37 photos at the album but more will be added later on. Just click on the images to view the current collection.
I have added photos of the tDtESS Rome photocall to the gallery, just click on the images below to view the whole set.
Dec 5, 2008 Projects 1 Comment
Source: AHN
Keanu Reeves is not doing any more “Speed.” The actor has denied online rumors that he will be reprising his role as Jack Traven in a possible 3rd installment of the film.
Ongoing rumors say that the 44-year-old actor, who passed up the opportunity to reprise his role on “Speed 2,” will be on board on the 3rd film. According to AintItCool.com, a new “Speed” project is on its way, and the studios are hoping to get him back.
However, IGN.com asked Reeves about his reported involvement, and here’s what he had to say:
“I honestly don’t know anything about it. I don’t know if they are going to make another one, and if they are it won’t be with me… honestly!”
Suffice it to say that the actor - who will next be seen in sci-fi thriller “The Day The Earth Stood Still” - will not be in any “Speed” movie in the near future.
While, Reeves looks set on saying no to the rumored project, he is open to the idea of another “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”
He said, “Well, you know, never say never…”
He even has an idea of a possible storyline for the comedy, saying, “Maybe we could do it with them both grown up - they haven’t saved the world and they’re just living their lives as middle-aged men. That sounds quite funny.”
Dec 2, 2008 Gallery 2 Comments
I have finlly added scans of the Total Film (some contributed by Sandy, thank you!) and Details to the gallery. Just click on the images below for the full set of scans. I also noticed that not all of the magazine scans were not transferred from the old server to the new one and I just wanted to let you know that I am working on getting the scans back. If you have any of the old magazine scans saved I would love to have them (credit given to of course).
Nov 28, 2008 Gallery 2 Comments
I have added 41 photos of Keanu at the Bambi Awards 2008, held November 27th at Offenburg, Germany. Just click on the images below for the full set of photos.
Nov 26, 2008 News 2 Comments
Source: THR
Keanu Reeves will soon add a Bambi, one of Germany’s top media honors, to his trophy case.
The “Matrix” star will be honored in the best international actor category at the Bambi ceremony Nov. 27 in the German town of Offenburg near the French border.
Among the honorees will be Meg Ryan and local action hero Til Schweiger who, ironically, turned down a supporting role in the original “Matrix.”
Reeves’s latest, “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” opens in Germany on Dec. 11.
Nov 26, 2008 Projects 4 Comments
Source: IGN
Production Weekly reports that Fight Club director David Fincher is set to team up with Keanu Reeves in a film enigmatically entitled Chef.
At present the only other thing we know about the project is that Sony has picked up the rights. We therefore have no plot details, although we assume the film is not a big-screen adaptation of the Lenny Henry sitcom of the same name or a biopic of the South Park character.
Reeves latest effort — sci-fi remake The Day the Earth Stood Still — is set for release early next month, whilst David Fincher’s new film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button will also hit screens around Christmas.
Neither has much else on their slate, with Fincher signed up to direct a segment of the animated short film collection Heavy Metal, and Reeves having already finished shooting drama The Private Lives of Pippa Lee.
2008 The Day the Earth Stood Still Klaatu
A remake of the 1951 classic sci-fi film about an alien visitor and his giant robot counterpart who visit Earth.
2009 The Private Lives of Pippa Lee Chris
After her much older husband forces a move to a suburban retirement community, Pippa Lee engages in a period of reflection and finds herself heading toward a quiet nervous breakdown.