Harry here with Dr Zaius' report on Oliver Stone's next project. The cas so far as I know it comes in as: Al "SERPICO" Pacino, James "VAMPIRES" Woods, Dennis "THE LONG RIDERS" Quaid, Cameron "VERY BAD THINGS" Diaz, Lauren "Picket Fences" Holly, Edward "SAVING PRIVATE RYAN" Burns, Tom "TRUE LIES" Arnold, Elizabeth "SHOWGIRLS" Berkley and Tom "NATURAL BORN KILLERS" Sizemore. Expect the football scenes to be out there. You may love or hate Stone, but I continually find him one of the few directors I am absolutely compelled to watch everything by. I find his films hypnotic, and if anyone can show a visceral side of Football... it's this man. The soundmix alone will kill ya I bet.
I just read the script to "Any Given Sunday" (written by John Logan, directed by and almost surely to rewrite it Oliver Stone). The draft I read is dated 2/4/98 and has the ownership of Illusion Entertainment and Warner Brothers (aka. "This Year's Columbia & Two Years Ago Paramount").
Any Hoo, it is about the sordid world of prof. football. The main characters are: IRA STONE (bandied about in the press as being the Pacino part) as the somewhat conscientious coach. WILLIE BEAMEN (rumored to be played by Sean "Puffy" Combs) as the Rookie QB, a part anybody who has seen "Neccesary Roughness" will relate to. The most cliched aspect of the script.
JACK"CAP"ROONEY (I'm assuming the Dennis Quaid part) The Veteran QB. In fear for his future, more in fear of the pain of the weekly Sunday Pummeling at the hands of the opposing team. Quaids bid at that elusive Oscar.
THE SCRIPT follows the team (the fictional Miami Scorpions) through the last several (IMPORTANT) games of the season.
THE POINT seems to be that Pro Football causes people to abuse their bodies by physical abuse (on the field) and by drugs(in the locker room). Though the script reads well (it might just make a nail-biter movie) it is too familiar ("North Dallas Forty" covered the same ground almost 20 years ago.)
I bought this script from a vendor because of the Oliver Stone Connection. Though the script is conventionally renedered (it all leads up to the Big Game which I won't reveal here) I'm sure the auteur of "JFK" and "Nixon" and "Nat. Born Killers" can turn it into one of the most indicative, exploitative flicks ever.
By the way, the team owner (Character named "Tony Damato") would have been perfect for JT Walsh (R.I.P)
Thank you,
Dr. Zaius.
