It seems that Ewan is no longer attatched the Terry Gilliam’s much-fabled The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, as the director himself commented whilst attending the Marrakech Film Festival a few days ago:
As Gilliam says, funding continues to be the issue on the project. “Well, we’re always waiting for money. Everything is about money, and until you get the money…That’s the problem with films, the things that I’m trying to do cost $20 million dollars, maybe more. And if they’re made in Hollywood they would cost $80 million dollars. Big visions cost money, you have to create them and they cost money. So I’m in that very difficult financial slot. If you make a film for $10 million you get the money like that [snaps], or even 15. $20 million starts getting to a dangerous point.”
Nevertheless, Gilliam did update us on ‘Don Quixote,’ saying that, sadly, Ewan McGregor is no longer involved in the project. “But Robert Duvall is! But we’ve got to hurry, because he’s 82,” Gilliam joked.
A few days ago, we brought the news that Ryan Gosling, Alexander Skarsgård, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were of interest to Warner Bros. when it comes to Steven Soderbergh‘s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. It seems as if the casting process has gone an extra step, with word now coming in on actors that might replace the departed George Clooney, as well as more contenders for the Russian spy Illya Kuryakin.
ThePlaylist managed to snag some details on who’s catching the attention of the studio and the director — and, boy, it’s a pretty wide-ranging list. (Granted, most of them are white men between 30 and 40, but they’re from all over the map.) One big name is Michael Fassbender, who recently worked with Soderbergh on the forthcoming Haywire; he’s in contention for the lead role of Napoleon Solo. Another actor from that film, Ewan McGregor, is also in the mix, but as Kuryakin — the same part the three previously mentioned thespians are being considered for. The Killing star Joel Kinnaman might have a leg up on Obi-Wan, since he and the director met at Comic-Con this year to discuss a starring part.
Some other, expected names include Ocean’s stars Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. However, not only may schedules get in the way, but those feel like options more than anything else. Similarly, Jude Law was listed; anyone actually think he’ll get the role? I don’t. Whoever they end up nabbing will have to make a dedication, as screenwriter Scott Z. Burns and Soderbergh have mapped out an entire trilogy here. He isn’t likely to direct (for reasons that you probably already know about), but there is a full intent for this to be the start of a new franchise. Shooting is set to begin on February 14th of next year, so an announcement should be coming soon.
By Celyn • September 24, 2011 • Rumours • Comments: 0
Ewan McGregor Circling Robbery Films
Last year there was some decent bank robbing going on in theaters with the crime drama The Town from Ben Affleck, but now two of Britain’s biggest stars are each circling their own robbery films. 24 Frames has word on two different projects in development with Andrew Garfield and Ewan McGregor circling. The first film is called The Robber, a remake of the German film that would see Garfield as a marathon runner who robs banks for sport. The second project, Electric Slide, would see McGregor as “gentlemen bank robber” Eddie Dodson who robbed banks all over Southern California but without actually using a gun.
With The Robber, producer Laura Ziskin, the woman behind The Amazing Spider-Man, is also behind the project so Garfield’s involvement could certainly be official sooner than later. Apparently the original film from Benjamin Heisenberg has been described as being an existential inquiry as much as an action movie. Based on the true story of bank robber Johann Rettenberger, the film doesn’t so much develop the character in great detail, but rather keeps him shrouded in mystery. The project is currently out to writers, so it might be awhile before we hear about this one.
As for Electric Slide, the producer of Blue Valentine is behind the newest iteration of Eddie Dodson’s story which has been attempted several times before. McGregor sounds like the perfect guy to take on this role of a kind but desperate thief. The LA Times writes about Dodson, “He had turned to bank robbery, holding up tellers in West L.A., Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley with a polite smile and a fake gun. He was smooth, unflappable. On his best day, in November 1983, Dodson pulled off six robberies in four hours, collecting more than $13,000.” Yeah, I could definitely be into this story. A new draft of the script is due soon, so hopefully this one gets off the ground sooner than later.
Ewan McGregor In Talks For “Jack the Giant Killer”
Ewan McGregor is in negotiations to join the cast of Jack the Giant Killer, New Line and Legendary’s tentpole being directed by Bryan Singer.
The project, shaping up to be one of New Line’s biggest to date, is a retelling of the Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale centering on a farm boy who leads an expedition to free a princess taken hostage by a giant, a situation which threatens the uneasy peace between humans and giants.
The movie is in casting mode and already sees Nicholas Hoult playing the peasant while Stanley Tucci is playing the villain, an advisor to the king with designs on usurping power. Additionally, Bill Nighy and John Kassir will play the two-headed leader of the giants;
McGregor would play the leader of the king’s elite guard, who helps fight giants.
One major role still to be cast is that of the princess. Among those in contention are Adelaide Kane, an Australian actress who starred in Power Rangers RPM, and Eleanor Tomlinson, who appeared in last year’s Alice in Wonderland.
The movie begins shooting late March in London.
McGregor, repped by UTA and United Agents, last starred in I Love You Phillip Morris with Jim Carrey.
It appears that Paramount has found their Paul Watson.
The 60-year-old anti-whaling captain, currently tangling with the Japanese whaling fleet in the Antarctic, recently let slip that Ewan McGregor has been cast to play him in an upcoming film about his early days — from Greenpeace to the founding of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
“The making of this movie has been a project in Hollywood since 1981 when Tony Bill first bought the rights from me for Warner Brothers,” writes Watson. “The option rights have been purchased every year but now finally it looks promising, with a written script and serious pre-production work. Over the years a number of actors have requested to play my part including Sean Penn, Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aiden Quinn, Rutger Hauer, Clive Owens etc. As of now it looks like Ewan McGregor. I think he will do a good job, although I would love to see long time Sea Shepherd supporter Christian Bale take the part. As for a leading lady my favourite actress has always been Sophie Marceau, but the choice is not mine unfortunately.”
Personally, I believe the 39-year-old is a great pick; especially since he has the proven talent to really tackle a role and sell the character. Let’s hope the script being penned by Keith Ross Leckie (“To Walk With Lions”) and Julie Allan (“The Prince of Cool”) is solid — since we all know from the Star Wars prequels that even McGregor’s acting chops can be wasted on crap writing.
According to Watson, filming for “Ocean Warrior” is slated to begin in Australia sometime this year.
Beginners (2010)
Perfect Sense (2011)
Haywire (2011)
The Impossible (2011)
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011)
Jack the Giant Killer (2012)
