Father Geek here with Tamsin and another fun report from the other side of the world on what's happening in the land of tomorrow where they're getting ready for winter. But before we get to her report here is a bit I received late last night here in Austin...
Tenants in my building, Governor Phillip Tower in Sydney, received an email informing us that the "Matrix Reloaded" is filming here on Saturday. Governor Phillip Tower was also the building used in Mission Impossible II. fyi: It's really quite solid, there isn't an atrium in the centre of the building and here's the email:
"For your information ....Subject: Filming on Saturday 11th May Notice to all tenants of GPT / GMT and Phillip Street Terraces
Matrix II Productions will be filming in the building on Saturday 11th May. They will be on site all day and will be filming in the loggia, the lift lobby area of GPT and the courtyard.
Access to the building will not be affected, however, if staff experience any problems on the day they should speak to a Security Officer or the Concierge. There will be an increased security presence on site.
Regards,
Kate
Sooooooo, salty Sydney geeks there you have it ... rush over pronto, there may still be time to catch some of the action... Now here's Tamsin...
DOWNUNDER REPORT #32
DANNY
Principal photography has begun on DANNY, the first feature from producer Andrew Mason's City Productions. Directed and written by Jeff Balsmeyer, DANNY is a romantic comedy starring Welsh actor Rhys Ifans, Miranda Otto (THE THIN RED LINE) and Justin Clarke. The film will shoot in NSW until July.
GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE 2
Currently in pre-production is GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE 2. The synopsis states: "The film follows the antics of the King of the Jungle? George, who is now a married man with a young son. Like any man with a career, George is finding it difficult to juggle his commitment to his job as the Jungle King with his commitment to his family. George's life is turned upside down when he leaves the jungle to help his brother Ape in Las Vegas." Sounds spectacular!!! The film will be directed by David Grossman (TV director: ANGEL and BUFFY) and will be produced by Jordan Kerner (INSPECTOR GADGET, GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE, UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL). Casting hasn't been finalised but it looks like Brendan won't be back. The movie is slated to start shooting in early July on the Gold Coast.
LIQUID BRIDGE
Currently shooting is LIQUID BRIDGE, from producer/director Phil Avalon. LIQUID BRIDGE has been described as "an epic tale of a young man's journey to master the ocean. " Starring Jeremy Sims (IDIOT BOX), Tony Bonner (QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER), Jarrod Dean (THIN RED LINE)and international surfer Damien Stephenson.
RACHEL GRIFFITHS NEWS
Aussie Golden Globe winner, Rachel Griffiths (SIX FEET UNDER), is currently in Melbourne rehearsing the lead role of Catherine in PROOF, opening at the end of this month. PROOF is currently being performed around the world, with Gwyneth Paltrow performing the role in London. It has been reported that Gwyneth will star in the film production currently in development at Miramax. Griffiths has said about working in Melbourne, `I wanted to come back to Melbourne to work,'' Griffiths says. ``This is where my roots are.' She also directed her second short film in Melbourne last year, ROUNDABOUT, about a man's struggle with mental illness.
HUGH JACKMAN - STAR WARS?
Rumours abound that Aussie Hugh Jackman (X-MEN) will be the latest to join the cast of Star Wars: Ep III. According to some people at a "Star Wars: Celebration" convention they overheard producer Rick McCallum discussing the cast and that Jackman is considering a villainous role. We'll see how this one pans out.
LORD OF THE RINGS: TWO TOWERS
I read on a website that 1200 people have signed an online petition to ban Peter Jackson from calling the sequel to FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, TWO TOWERS because they say that he is referring to the attack on the Sept 11 WTC twin towers. WHAT THE..????? This is the craziest thing I've ever heard. Don't those people read!!!! Are they completely moronic??
Some of the statements quoted on the site are hilarious. "The title is clearly meant to refer to the attacks on the World Trade Center." It continues, "When I learned that there apparently was to be a sequel, I was overjoyed. However, Peter Jackson has decided to tastelessly name the sequel The Two Towers. In this post-September 11 world, it is unforgivable that this should be allowed to happen. The idea is both offensive and morally repugnant. Hopefully, when Peter Jackson and, more importantly, New Line Cinema, see the number of signatures on this petition, the title will be changed to something a little more sensitive."
This petition signing is one of the most bizarre acts of ignorance currently in existence. NOT calling it the "TWO TOWERS" would actually be referring to the WTC tragedy. Get a grip people and maybe try visiting a library some time soon!!!
BAISE-MOI banned in Australia
It is finally official. The French sex romp, BAISE-MOI has been banned in Australia. The funny thing is the news of the possible banning a few weeks ago caused just about everyone who wanted to see this film, plus all those who were going purely because it was going to be banned, to rush to see the film already. And most cinemas who were screening the film, still are, and it is screening to sold out sessions.
If the government had really wanted to stop people seeing this film they wouldn't have said a word. The majority of the population wouldn't see a subtitled French film called BAISE-MOI (RAPE ME). According to most people who've seen the film, it isn't really very good, but people just want to see what all the fuss is about. See what a little bit of marketing can do!!
CROWE HELPING OUT DANNI
New Zealander, Russell Crowe was in Brisbane this week, directing his girlfriend, Danielle Spencer's new music video for her song "Tickle Me". Starring Olympic gold medallist, Steven Bradbury, the video has him wearing nothing but stick-on nipple shields and hotpants.
AND NOW SOME NEWS FROM MOVIE-HOLE
NED KELLY...
The herald sun here in Melbourne has a great feature on the making of the new NED KELLY movie, so here's a rough transcription for you.
It's filming in the hills near Lara, The You Yangs to be exact, about an hour from Melbourne. These locations will stand in for the places Kelly actually frolicked, Glenrowan and Beechworth. Scales Models of the entire towns are there. The shoot finishes around July.
Geoffrey Rush, as the police superintendent, has only 3 weeks on the film due to other commitments. For this reason, the film is being shot out of chronological order. "It's not ideal, but it's quite normal", Gregor Jordan says.
The Old Melbourne Jail, in central Melbourne, has been booked for use for one scene. "We're basically all over the place", Jordan says. "We're basically making an 1870s road movie". Tim Bevan, Working Title's co-chairman says it's more than a road movie. "In the western genre in the US there is definitely an awareness of the character, but that's definitely the most difficult market to crack". For this reason, Australia and the UK will see the movie first, and America will see it midst all the hype.
Ned Kelly, stars Heath Ledger as Kelly, Geoffrey Rush as the superintendent, Peter Phelps as the rogue cop, Orlando Bloom as Kelly's offsider and Naomi Watts as Kelly's lover. "With Gregor, with the cast, with all the proper budget and all the rest of it, I think we stand a chance of cracking that U.S Market", says Bevan.
RUSSELL WANTS OUT OF 'THE LONG GREEN SHORE'
According to Movie Mafia, Russell Crowe may be having second thoughts about making his directorial debut with the Aussie-themed World War 2 saga The Long Green Shore in the wake of the less than predicted box-office for Aussie "brother" Mel Gibson's Vietnam actioner We Were Soldiers. Confidants of the Oscar-winning actor say he has been digesting and worrying over the box-office results from the much-hyped We Were Soldiers, which had been expected to emulate the solid success of the recently-released Somali war drama Blackhawk Down. Although Francis Ford Coppola last year re-released his 1979 Vietnam epic Apocalypse Now with added new features on DVD, the last major Vietnam war films to do well worldwide were Platoon (1986) and Hamburger Hill (1987), although there were major sequences on Vietnam battlefields in Tom Hanks' mega hit Forrest Gump (1994). Also, the disappointing coin worldwide from We Were Soldiers will probably temper the Hollywood enthusiasm previously backing Crowe's ambitious project. Saving Private Ryan (1998), directed by Steven Spielberg, is the last World War 2 flick to make big bucks for its producers. Don't look for Russell to be sticking with the project - he will probably concentrate on the Hogan's Heroes gig.
INSPECTOR GADGET 2
Some details on Inspector Gadget 2 from one the stars, Remi Broadway, which appear on Moviehole of course and in today's issue of Beat, from yours truly. He also talks about his stint in Scooby Doo.
I believe you just did a role in "Inspector Gadget 2" as well. How was that?
As usual, I had an absolute ball. I wasn't actually "acting" in this one, I was employed as a statue artist. Without revealing too much, the film requires people in the town to be "frozen" so they sent out a search for people who had experience with statue work. With a small group of talented mime artists, I would pose on camera and give the effect of being frozen. The effect is great on film, and looks just like you've stopped time. We also got to play with effects like those used on the Matrix to freeze time. Just awesome!
Lots of special effects in this one - and does French Stewart look good?
I was pleasantly surprised. I'm a Matthew Broderick fan, which makes it extremely difficult for anyone to step into his shoes (in my opinion). French Stewart does a really good job of Gadget though, he has the voice and style down, with a little of his own character thrown in to make it unique. And of course, he has brilliant comic timing that makes it all work.
Is the original Gadget Don Adams involved?
Yes I believe he recently recorded the voice for Brain.
Tell me about your role in Scooby Doo and what we can expect from it?
Scooby was an absolute blast! My first experience with a big-time Hollywood director, and the nature of the film allowed me to be larger than life. Like any fan of a cartoon series or comic book, it is always difficult to see the big screen adaptation without being overly critical. Having said that, all the major cast did a superb job of developing their characters, and the costume & make-up was all fabulous. It will be interesting to see if the computer animated Scooby lives up to the original. everything about the movie has been kept extremely secret. Even to keep my script after the filming I had to promise not to show it to anyone! Alright, I can tell you my character is part of a training video seen in the movie, and he helps teach the viewers about manners. He has been known to have slight anger-management issues!
Clint Morris - CEO Moviehole.net
