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waitingmanSome evidence of the wacky world of Hollyweird... Movie maverick Terry Gilliam is amazed that a planned movie starring Johnny Depp and Robin Williams is still on the shelf - because American investors can't raise $15 million. The former Monty Python member was thrilled when international money men offered him $45 million to make the film Good Omens with Depp as a demon and Williams as an angel. But he was shocked to discover that Americans didn't have the same sort of faith in the project, and they failed to raise the extra cash he needed to start work on the project - an adaptation of fantasy writers Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's book. Gilliam tells US magazine Entertainment Weekly, "I couldn't get 15 with Johnny and Robin... These two guys, who would have been brilliant were not worth $15 million in America. That was the moment where I went, 'I don't understand this game. I don't understand this town (Hollywood). I don't understand any of the rules. All I know is I don't like it.'" Gilliam's last project with Depp, the ill-fated Quixote, became one of the biggest movie-making disasters in history when illness and storm-wrecked sets prompted financiers of the film to pull the plug as costs soared. The film, which was never completed, was turned into hit disaster documentary Lost in La Mancha. Gilliam hopes to complete his Don Quixote epic with Depp next year.
Much as I love his movies... I too, would be reluctant to open my purse strings for the guy... talk about a pot-holed & pitfalled body of work!!
Having said that, it's a shame that the movie industry is becoming so 'safe' & strictured... Whatever happened to the more arthouse, but still large(r) market directors like Greenaway, Jarmusch et al..? If indeed they're still working, it must be hard to get anyone to put money behind them, unless they signed on to do a Marvel or DC comics adaptation.
Not being familiar with the Pratchett/Gaiman book I can't comment on the casting decision, but having seen Jim Carrey's over-the-top hatchet job on the character of Count Olaf in the Lemony Snicket film, I somehow doubt that Mr Williams, another comedian-turned-actor not yet noted for subtle characterisation, would be the wisest choice... I'm pretty sure that the Pratchett & Williams styles of humour wouldn't mix. Putting it all in the hands of a Monty Python alumnus smacks of disaster before the ink is dry on the cheques...
That said, it would probably still be more interesting to watch than 'Skeleton Key' was...
Much as I love his movies... I too, would be reluctant to open my purse strings for the guy... talk about a pot-holed & pitfalled body of work!!
Having said that, it's a shame that the movie industry is becoming so 'safe' & strictured... Whatever happened to the more arthouse, but still large(r) market directors like Greenaway, Jarmusch et al..? If indeed they're still working, it must be hard to get anyone to put money behind them, unless they signed on to do a Marvel or DC comics adaptation.
Not being familiar with the Pratchett/Gaiman book I can't comment on the casting decision, but having seen Jim Carrey's over-the-top hatchet job on the character of Count Olaf in the Lemony Snicket film, I somehow doubt that Mr Williams, another comedian-turned-actor not yet noted for subtle characterisation, would be the wisest choice... I'm pretty sure that the Pratchett & Williams styles of humour wouldn't mix. Putting it all in the hands of a Monty Python alumnus smacks of disaster before the ink is dry on the cheques...
That said, it would probably still be more interesting to watch than 'Skeleton Key' was...
