Tuesday, January 27, 2009

No... (Part Three)


No...

Ok, now it was never my intention to turn my worry about Disney screwing up classics into a mini-series, but that's what appears to be happening...

And again, this doesn't mean I'm against a remake/prequel/sequel or anything else. In fact, I understand the concept that their working from and can see how it could be a great film if done right. That's the key...

If. Done. Right.

And I'm not dead set against McG, even if I've never been a fan of anything he's done. The guy clearly has an eye for visuals, I just don't think he's had a script worth using as toilette paper so far. And from the sounds of IESB's review of the script by Bill Marsilli, this isn't exactly a sterling example of how to do it right. And I'm not trying to rag on Marsilli, I happened to have really liked Deja Vu. It doesn't sound totally bad, in fact, several parts of it sound like they could be interesting. I really do "get" what they're trying to do with this project. I do.

They're trying for a grand adventure and that's something I love. My favorite kind of films are those(Raiders of the Lost Ark). My favorite parts of Disneyland are those(Adventureland, NOS, Frontierland). They want something that is epic and can continue in a series of films. From the review of this script they've gotten a lot of it right and wrong. And I agree with the reviewer that you can go oh so wrong with too many montages. He's correct when he says that if you have to have so many flashback/montages to explain what's going on then there's a problem. A couple are fine. Three would be pushing it. But something like ten? Do the Suits know how confusing that will be for an audience? Actually, I think so... At least I hope so. I've heard that the project is out to other writers. It sounds like they have some interesting ideas, but the script needs another pass. How about John Logan, David Benioff or Mark Protosevich? Better yet, go with Disney's gold team when it comes to remaking something: Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio.

But Will Smith? Come on...

I believe that since Captain Nemo is an Indian, how about go with a dynamic lesser known actor? Someone like Sendhil Ramamurthy, Adrian Grenier or some other actor that fits the part? I know Hollywood Suits want as much risk aversion as possible when ponying up millions of dollars for a film, which is why a name like Smith's is being mentioned. But, "The Fresh Prince" doesn't look Indian and his persona will distract from the character, not add to it. How about some of that global marketing that Iger was talking about when it comes to Disney in markets like China and India? You know, India? Where Nemo is from... how about attaching an actor that would appeal to them? Just another thought from someone who Suits don't have to listen to and don't want to... but that's my two cents.

I really do want this project to succeed and not be another sterling example of Hollywood's ability to take something with potential and send it crashing to the ground in a blazing ball of fire. Let's hope that whoever does the rewrite does it right this time... oh, and then let's suggest someone give McG a nice smack across the face to knock some sense into him regarding casting...

4 comments:

Michael said...

I mainly had to comment because that poster is awesome. I've never seen that one before. Now I want one.

Anyway, I nearly fell over when I heard this the other day. It sounds like an abomination - sort of like one of those fake spoof trailers attached to the front of "Tropic Thunder". It's kind of the hilarious "worst-case-scenario" combination of factors considering the source material.

This could be soooo good, too. My dream team for the production staff would be the team that made "Master and Commander". That would be a movie I'd go see. Call Peter Weir...

Anonymous said...

How about some classic Disney synergy...Navin Andrews from LOST?

Anonymous said...

Sounds ridiculous, who would ever want to watch that?

Thomas Phillip said...

Tarsem Singh should direct this. Not McG.