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Remembering the late, great Dan O'Bannon
17 hours ago
| The Guardian - Film News
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This unassuming, multitalented film-maker, who has died aged 63, was best known as the brain behind Alien. But he was so much more
Yesterday, following a short battle with an undisclosed illness, Dan O'Bannon sadly passed away aged 63. While his name should be vaguely familiar to cinemagoers as the writer and creator of Alien, to fans of genre films it should be tattooed somewhere on their person. O'Bannon was part of the fabric of genre films, a fixture. Though his star never rose above a certain elevation, in his own unassuming fashion he was a game-changer in more ways than Avatar will ever manage.
I've always had as much an interest in the nuts-and-bolts technical and artistic side of the movie-making process as in the finished films themselves. In the 1980s I wasn't alone: there were plenty of magazines, such as Cinefantastique, Fantastic Films and Starburst that were full of interviews with behind-the-camera workers.
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- Phelim O'Neill
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'Return of the Jedi,' Directed by David Lynch?
12 December 2009 8:02 AM, PST
| Cinematical
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Even the thought of directing Wookies gave him a migraine headache. Still, out of respect, David Lynch met with George Lucas in the early 1980s to talk about directing the second sequel to his landmark blockbuster, eventually titled Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Lynch recalls Lucas telling him about Wookies and "a lot of other animals," having lunch at a restaurant where only salad was served -- "not that I have anything against salad" -- and developing a migraine headache so severe that he snuck off to call his agent and beg not to make the movie. Lynch's conversation at the Hudson Union Society was captured by Fora.tv and is embedded after the jump.
In hindsight, knowing that Lynch would go on to make Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, Lost Highway, and Mulholland Dr., it sounds like an insane idea, as in "What Was George Smoking?
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- Peter Martin
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Reviews From A Parallel Universe: David Lynch’s Return of the Jedi
10 December 2009 10:00 AM, PST
| HeyUGuys.co.uk
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Continuing our pioneering look at movies from reality’s underside, Hug once again connects to her sister site in a parallel universe to bring you the kind of lowdown that would never make it to a hard copy publication on quality control grounds.
It’s a place where Western Culture has evolved to allow women to walk around bare breasted, where each and every human impulse is catered for in safe booths; there are ones for masturbation, suicide and the consumption of Dan Brown’s novels and in which film history reads differently. To our eyes it would look like the inane etchings of a bored and socially dysfunctional film journalist. You’re invented to be more thorough in your analysis.
In our reality the Star Wars series was dealt a fatal blow by its own creator with the interminable photo-chemical faecal matter known to some as The Phantom Menace
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- Ed Whitfield
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David Lynch Talks About Not Directing Return of the Jedi
10 December 2009 5:52 AM, PST
| Slash Film
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Even the most casual Star Wars and/or David Lynch scholar knows that Lynch was offered a gig directing Return of the Jedi and turned it down. Lynch's features at that point were Eraserhead and The Elephant Man -- both incredible examples of storytelling and world building on relatively controlled budgets. One can only surmise that something along those lines is what Lucas put the job in Lynch's path.
The fact of not doing the film isn't something that's ever been a big deal in the director's history. For example, it gets only a couple lines in Lynch on Lynch: "I went to meet George Lucas, who had offered me the third Star Wars to direct, and I've never even really liked science fiction. I like elements of it, but it needs to be combined with other genres. And, obviously, Star Wars was totally George's thing."
Ironically, Lynch went on
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- Russ Fischer
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David Lynch's Funny Tale of Meeting George Lucas and Rejecting Return of the Jedi
10 December 2009 3:15 AM, PST
| Reelzchannel.com
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Fora.tv recently posted an interview with David Lynch at the Hudson Union Society. The 63-year-old creator of Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, and Twin Peaks took time to talk a little about his experience meeting George Lucas, who offered him the chance to direct Return of the Jedi.
Lynch amused the audience by saying he had "next-door to zero interest" in the project, but he thought he should at least meet with Lucas. He then described the elaborate process of simply getting to Lucas.
It was incredible. I had to go to this building in La first and get a special credit card, and I had to get special keys; a letter came, and a map.
Finally, after taking a flight and driving a rental car to some building, he met with Lucas in an office.
Now, right about in this time, I started getting a little bit of a headache.
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- Rich Z Zwelling
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Danny Arroyo on new film Repo Chick and his passion for superheroes
23 November 2009 12:47 PM, PST
| The Geek Files
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Among the stars of the upcoming new movie Repo Chick - Alex Cox's so-called "official non-sequel" to his 1984 sci-fi cult classic Repo Man - is Us actor/writer/producer Danny Arroyo.
The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September, is co-produced by David Lynch's production company (Eraserhead, Dune, The Elephant Man, Twin Peaks) and produced by Daren Hicks and Simon Tams (producers of Batman: Dead End, Searchers 2.0, Hunter Prey).
The official synopsis of the project is: "Against the background of the credit crunch and the subprime mortgage crisis in the Us, where repossessions of homes, cars and other forms of property is at a new high, the repo business has expanded to everything from boats, houses, aeroplanes, small nations...children."
Jaclyn Jonet stars as the central character Pixxi de la Chasse, a rich girl disinherited by her family for her antics. She ends up
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- David Bentley
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‘Dune’ Redub
13 November 2009 3:15 PM, PST
| The Flickcast
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As we sometimes say around The Flickcast HQ: “This is some funny stuff.” And sometimes, we’re actually right about that. Case in point is this parody of David Lynch’s sci-fi “masterpiece” Dune, created by YouTube user Devho89 and his pals at Sequential Pictures.
Dune, which is, of course, a big screen adaptation of the Frank Herbert novel of the same name, was met with mixed reviews and somewhat lackluster response at the box office when it hit theaters in 1984. Well, maybe the film didn’t do as well as it could have because it didn’t have these redubbed voices in it? Sure, that’s a possibly.
Judge for yourself and check out the video after the jump. Oh, and don’t forget to put your goddamn hand in the goddamn box of pain.
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- Sebastian Suchecki
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Lionsgate Picks Up ‘Solomon Kane’
13 November 2009 8:00 AM, PST
| The Flickcast
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One of our own Chris Ullrich’s favorite films this year, Solomon Kane, has apparently been acquired for U.S. distribution by Lionsgate, a studio known for supporting genre and independent movies. According to Fangoria, who broke the news, there are rumblings that the film may even get a theatrical run prior to a DVD release.
Horror aficionados might be familiar with director Michael J. Bassett, who previously directed Deathwatch (2002) and Wilderness (2006). Soloman Kane is a character originally created by pulp fiction author Robert E. Howard, of Conan the Barbarian fame. Stories about the character appeared in Weird Tales magazine in the 1920’s.
James Purefoy stars as the title character, who roams the earth trying to wipe out evil after the devil acquires his soul and he has a change of heart about his evil ways. The movie also stars prolific actor Max Von Sydow (Flash Gordon, Dune, The Tudors
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- Joe Gillis
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Catching Up With... Jared Hess
9 November 2009 6:02 AM, PST
| Pastemagazine.com
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Director Jared Hess loves science fiction. If you wanted to talk to him for hours on end about rocket ships, space rangers and David Lynch's Dune, he would happily oblige. The dead-pan visionary behind Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre loves the genre so much, that he projected some 16-odd years of mechanical beasts and galactic intrigue into his quirk masterpiece, Gentlemen Broncos. "I had drawings of Battle Stags in my Trapper Keeper," Hess recalls. "That was the kind of crap that I drew when I was 14. It was fun to be able to bring those bad boys to life."
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Peter Berg Will Not Direct “Dune”
30 October 2009 2:40 PM, PDT
| Filmofilia
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Director Peter Berg (”Friday Night Lights,” “The Kingdom,” “Hancock”) has left Paramount’s “Dune” remake.
According to reports the remake still is in the works, with Josh Zetumer (who is also writing the next “Bourne” movie) writing the script, and Paramount is searching for a new director.
Paramount is reportedly now eying Neill Blomkamp – “District 9” filmmaker and Neil Marshall, writer and director of “The Descent,” to replace him.
No reason has been cited for the Berg’s exit, but some sources suggest that he departed to work on a number of “dream projects” at Universal.
It was also reported that Twilight star Robert Pattinson was in talks in May to play in the update (though there was nothing official) but it is unclear if Pattinson still might join the project now that Berg has moved on.
“Dune” remake is in the works since 2007 and is still being developed – there
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- Fiona
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Directors of the Decade: David Lynch
29 October 2009 11:50 AM, PDT
| FilmExperience
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Robert here, continuing my series of the directors that shaped the past 10 years (Enjoy the first two installments on Scorsese and Bahrani) . The most important directors of the past 10 years aren’t always the most prolific, though this series will require a director to have released at least 2 films. Not to mention some of those featured here may be love ‘em or hate ‘em choices. Something tells me, this weeks entry is one such man: David Lynch.
Number of Films: Two.
Modern Masterpieces: I’m going to go ahead and suggest that both Mulholland Dr. and Inland Empire qualify.
Total Disasters: Though you may feel that both Mulholland Drive and Inland Empire fall here.
Better than you remember: And if you do think that, may I suggest you place them here.
Awards: Nominated for a Best Director Oscar for Mulholland Drive. Won Best Director in Cannes for that same film.
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- Robert
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Peter Berg No Longer Attached To Dune Remake
29 October 2009 8:46 AM, PDT
| Beyond Hollywood
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The idea of a “Dune” remake bothers me, mostly because I’m a huge, salivating fan of David Lynch’s ambitious 1984 adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic novel. It’s certainly a flawed film, and I completely understand that it does not adequately capture the overall feel of the book. Be that as it may, Lynch’s version really strikes a chord with me. However, if someone were to once again tackle this sprawling tale for the big screen, my first choice would not be Peter Berg. Not that I have anything against the guy, mind you, but his slick Hollywood action films do not indicate to me that he’s capable of something as epic in scale as “Dune.” I could be wrong, and I’d love to see him prove it.
Unfortunately, that opportunity may never come to pass. According to trade resource Pajiba, Berg and his production company,
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- Todd
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Dune loses a director, gains possibilities
29 October 2009 7:39 AM, PDT
| Corona's Coming Attractions
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Director Peter Berg has exited the Dune remake happening with Paramount Pictures. Now the studio is looking for someone to replace the $175 million dollar-budgeted film and they've got two possible candidates: District 9's Neill Blomkamp and The Descent's Neil Marshall.
Berg's departure takes away considerable momentum with the project as now the studio has to find someone who knows Frank Herbert's novel and remains true to the source material but also will infuse their own brand of filmmaking to give the sci-fi story elements of action and political drama. The Dune novel is set 10,000 years into our future and takes place almost entirely on a sand-swept planet where giant sandworms reign. Two great houses are fighting over who controls the spice melange, a highly coveted item that extends life, turns your eyes blue and will awaken a prophecized leader of humanity that everyone in the universe wants to control.
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- Patrick Sauriol
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Dune – Who’s directing the remake?
29 October 2009 5:02 AM, PDT
| SoundOnSight
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Some people don't like the first Dune by David Lynch, but of course, they're crazy. With a stunning cast like the effortless Kyle MacLachlan, badass Sting, the mysterious Jürgen Prochnow, the black-goop-dripping Kenneth McMillan, the incomparable Linda Hunt as Shadout Mapes…coupled with the as-cool-and-strange-as-it-gets-for-1984 effects, not to mention the storyline itself… come on, it rocks!
So when we all heard that Paramount was making another Dune, the two camps thought either "let's get it right this time" or "don't screw it up again!". According to Film Junk, [1] Peter Berg (Hancock, Friday Night Lights) was the first director linked to the project back in 2008. Now it seems he's walked away and in his place is rumoured to be either Neill Blomkamp (District 9) or Neil Marshall (The Descent). District 9 was fresh, tense, funny and tragic with acting by Sharlto Copley that blew my socks off so securing Blomkamp would be sweet.
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- Melanie
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Peter Berg Out of Dune
29 October 2009 2:53 AM, PDT
| Reelzchannel.com
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In September, actor-director Peter Berg revealed to MTV that Josh Zetumer's script for Dune was "a massive epic" with "franchise potential" and that all Berg had to do next was "figure out how we can beat [the script] into something manageable without offending the purists." It certainly didn't sound like Berg was about to leave project, but a few weeks ago, he did. Apparently, his time will be occupied instead by the Hancock sequel and Battleship, Berg's upcoming adaptation of the popular board game.
Paramount is now hunting for a new director who can make the movie for a modest budget of a mere $175 million and two of their potential candidates are Neill Blomkamp (District 9) and Neil Marshall (The Descent). Zetumer's script is based on author Frank Herbert's popular sci-fi novel series, which has been adapted twice already — David Lynch's 1984 movie and a 2000 mini-series on the SciFi Channel.
Next
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- Ryan Gowland
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Peter Berg is off Dune
29 October 2009 1:41 AM, PDT
| TotalFilm
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Peter Berg's Dune adventure looks like it's being cut prematurely short as the director has left the new adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel.
According to Pajiba, Berg, who has been developing the project for a while, dropped out recently and the producers are now faced with looking for a replacement.
The top names at the moment? Apparently, it might be down to two men with similar names.
Paramount has sent the script to Neil Marshall and District 9's Neill Blomkamp, though neither has been in negotiations about the film yet....
.
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- James White
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Peter Berg Leaves Dune Remake
28 October 2009 9:37 PM, PDT
| newsinfilm.com
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Peter Berg has officially left the Dune remake currently in early development at Paramount. The director has been tentatively attached for quite some time, and commented last year “if it weren’t for the writer’s strike, we’d be in it right now.”
The good people at Pajiba came through with the exclusive, confirming Berg is done with the re-imagining and will likely make the board game adaptation Battleship his next film instead.
The site also learned Berg had an informal discussion with brooding heartthrob Robert Pattinson for the lead, but nothing was official. Whew, looks like we dodged that bullet now that Berg is out.
Paramount is now searching for Berg’s replacement, a director that can handle a $175 million special effects movie and shows a passion for the Hugo Award-winning novel. They’ll probably also need to be able to pare down Josh Zetumer’s nearly 200-page script.
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- Jeff Leins
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Dune Update: Who’s Replacing Peter Berg?
28 October 2009 6:36 PM, PDT
| ScreenRant.com
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Two months ago, director/producer/writer Peter Berg assured folks that his Dune project was still a go and that they were trying to hammer down a story from the complex book that would work for fans and non-fans alike. Now, we’re being assured that Berg isn’t even involved any more…
So, with him out of the picture, who will step in to take on the remake? Well, apparently it’s down to Neil Marshall (The Descent, Doomsday) and the recently popular geek icon Neill Blomkamp (District 9).
A feature film remake for Frank Herbert’s Dune has been in the works for quite some time. With Berg and his Film 44 production company backing out of the project, Paramount is on the hunt for a director to take over.
According to Pajiba, the director has to be able to do a few things:
Be able to make
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- Rob Keyes
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Peter Berg No Longer Directing 'Dune'
28 October 2009 3:49 PM, PDT
| GetTheBigPicture.net
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There is a great movie to be made from Dune. Some say the mini-series from several years ago got pretty close. One thing's for sure: David Lynch shouldn't direct it. And now one other thing is for sure: Peter Berg won't be directing it.
Berg, one of the busiest director-producers in Hollywood right now, has walked away from the remake of Frank Herbert's epochal science fiction novel, according to Pajiba (and then confirmed by Chud). Herbert, it turns out, kind of liked the 1984 Lynch film, which was tough sledding for just about everyone else. It's a daunting task to whittle it down to two hours (or even three) because unlike most novels, there's not a great deal of waste in Dune that you can easily discard.
Where does the project go next? Pajiba says Paramount has reached out to Neil Marshall and Neill Blomkamp. Personally, I believe the studio
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- Colin Boyd
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Peter Berg Dropped from Dune, Replaced by Neil Marshall?
28 October 2009 3:39 PM, PDT
| Atomic Popcorn
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I can’t say I’m entirely surprised by the new rumor that actor/writer/director Peter Berg (Hancock, The Kingdom, the upcoming Battleship movie) is leaving the new film version of Frank Herbert’s Dune by the wayside. It’s a huge property that has not only been done before (twice), but it also doesn’t seem to lend itself to Berg’s knack for modern day urban action. It’d be really tough to shift from properties like Hancock and Friday Night Lights to this behemoth.
That said, it’s sort of sad to see the guy not stretching his wings a little bit. In the running, however, are two big names that roll off the tongue a little bit better when attached to the title.
Neill Blomkamp’s Dune.
Neil Marshall’s Dune.
Actually, neither of those run off the tongue very well, but their careers are
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- John Cooper
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