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- Cate Projects
- Mr. Ripley's Many Talents
- The Talented Mr. Kapur
- Oliver!
- LOTR & All that Jazz
- Late News Bulletin
THE TALENTED MR. KAPUR
In our ongoing attempt to chronicle the careers of directors made famous by working with our own divine Ms. Blanchett, we are happy to announce the following as originally reported in Variety:
A deal is imminent for director Shekhar Kapur ("Elizabeth," "Bandit Queen") to helm Jaffilms' "The Four Feathers." The picture is based on the A. E. Mason novel of the same name; it was originally adapted as a film by Zoltan Korda in 1939.
This go-round, the picture will be distributed by Paramount Pictures and Miramax Films. "Feathers" will be re-adapted for the screen by writers Michael Schiffer and Hossein Amini. Kapur had previously been considering helming "Steinbeck's Point of View," but he is understood to have broken off talks.
The story of "Feathers" centers on a British Army officer who resigns his commission prior to going to battle in the Sudan. Accused by his comrades and fiancee of cowardice, he attempts to redeem himself by rescuing them. The film is being fast-tracked for production and will begin shooting in Morocco by late spring. Casting is expected to begin immediately, with insiders saying the cast will be culled largely from British actors.
OLIVER!
Staying with this focus, we now take a look at what's next for Oliver Parker, director of "An Ideal Husband".
Entertainment trades recently reported that Kenneth Branagh could be the next to play Orson Welles on screen (after Angus MacFayden in Cradle Will Rock and Liev Schreiber in RKO 281).
The film's called FADE TO BLACK, based on Davide Perrario's novel about a murder investigation at Cinecitta film studios in post-war Rome. It's being written and directed by Oliver Parker (An Ideal Husband). So, that certainly sounds intriguing, and we're sure with Oliver in control, it will be a quality production.
LOTR AND ALL THAT JAZZ
On our way out the door, just wanted to offer a quick reminder to check out our companion news page LOTR News for all the up-to-date news regarding the film shoot of Peter Jackson's trilogy, starring our very own Cate as Galadriel.
And, it might be worth your while to wander through the Cate Library to check out the numerous new additions there...many new articles and reviews have been posted. And, although the Image Gallery is by far our most visited chamber, it is worth noting that we have recently added a number of new "Parklands" video captures courtesy of our very own "Talented Miss Lillie", so do check them out when you have time.
LATE NEWS BULLETIN
There will NOT, apparently, be a "Minority Report" in Cate's immediate future. The London Times and Variety are both now reporting that famed director Steven Spielberg has chosen J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" as his next project.
As previously cited in Variety, Spielberg was given an exclusive peek at the 138-page first draft of the "Harry Potter" script adaptation by Warner Bros. late last year. The London Times reports that the powerful director has decided to direct and produce "Potter," the popular tale of a schoolboy wizard. The decision put to rest speculation about which project the DreamWorks exec would choose next.
Spielberg was known to have been considering two other projects, "Minority Report" with Tom Cruise and a possible Cate Blanchett, and a Stanley Kubrick story outline entitled "A.I." The filmmaker is already in development with DreamWorks projects "Memoirs of a Geisha" and the biopic "Lindbergh." So, that settles one question for the time being.
Until then, Blanchetteers, here's our first opportunity of the new century to remind you not to forget, that when all else fails, "PLAY A VOLTA!!". Cheers, until next time.
