Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some rumblings from the Lab.
Okay... it's Monday morning, and the original report went up late Friday night. Here's the letter from Walter Parkes I found in my mailbox this morning, enititled, "Whoa! Who Said That?" followed by the original article. Made me laugh orange juice out my nose. Way to go, Walter. Someone owes me a new keyboard...
Dear Moriarty --
That's a good one -- since I've never seen an Allan Quatermain movie nor read an Allan Quartermain novel. This sounds like the work of an agent who represents the material.
To be perfectly clear: not a single word of that story is true. But then again, what do you expect from a tabloid?
All the best,
W. Parkes
A certain Webhead dropped me a line today regarding another of those pesky British tabloid reports, this one regarding a pet project of producer/studio chief Walter Parkes. I'll be working on following up on this rumor this week. If it's true, it's mighty innerestin' news. If these make it to screen, and DOC SAVAGE does, and we get CONAN THE KING... man, things are looking pulpy at the movies in the next few years, eh?
There is an interview in the British Tabloid The Express with movie producer Walter F Parkes that I thought might interest you. Parkes says that he has bid for the rights for twelve Allan Quaterman novels by H Rider Haggard, and plans to start a major movie franchise with the help of Steven Spielbergs Dreamworks company. He says: " Allan Quatermain is one of the greatest work of classical fiction, but unfortunately has never been served the right justice on the silver screen. With the help of Mr Spielberg and Dreamworks i will hopefully be able to fullfill a childhood ambition, really, and go on theese great adventures with Mr Quatermain, the way H Rider Haggard had intended for them to be"
The paper goes on: "Apparently Parkes has bid $4million [£2million] for the rights to film the characters exploits, and the first three of the novels will be the first to be filmed. They are King Solomons Mines, Allan Quatermain, in wich the character is killed, and then a prequal Allan Quatermain and the Ice Gods." Parkes goes on, "I have spoken to Steven, who seems very interested in the idea, and also Screenwriter Jeffer Caine, who is preparing a script for King Solomons Mines as we speak, hopefully someone like Martin Campbell will want to direct."
On the subject of actors, Parkes made it clear he wants a big name to play the titular role. "We have tossed around the idea of Harrison Ford, who may find the role too simmilar to Indiana Jones, or who may be reluctant to sign a three picture deal. We have also been considering Pierce Brosnan"
So that is that Harry. I just thought you might find some interest in this. The Express is a genuinely decent Tabloid, and isn't usually wrong. There is also a little piece on The other incarnations of the character including The Cannon movies of the mid 80's. Hope this helps.
