Scott W. Davis
11-19-2003, 04:34 AM
Let's see, there was something I was supposed to do when we came back. Thank JohnShaft for the hard work - check. Catch up on news stories - check. Upload at least one new review - check. Oh, here it is. I haven't talked about CURSED or EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING.
Both films have had their share of problems and both are now scheduled to start extensive reshoots that go waaay beyond the simple touch-ups of most productions.
EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING is a real boggle. Just check out the irony in that old promo to your left. The prequel lost director Paul Schrader after he turned in a print everyone seemed to hate. Whether Schrader's exit was a good or bad thing we may never know. Heeey, did I mention we had an exclusive interview with writer Caleb Carr on this very issue a while back? I did? Okay, wanted to make sure.
Now, EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING is ready to roll again with new director Renny Harlin (DEEP BLUE SEA, THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT) aboard. And the new film is much different from what we had before.
According to the newly renovated Dark Horizons, they are scrapping most of Schrader's footage. Carr's script is going under rewrites by Skip Woods. Whether this is the simple, everyday polish that goes through tons of Hollywood committees, who knows?
Shooting is due to take place at the famed Cinecitta Studios in Rome, Italy. We are happy to report cinematographer Vittorio Storaro is still aboard.
What is unknown is how this new approach to the film, described as "going deep into the mythology surrounding the first and original EXORCIST" differs from the film as it existed before.
DH sez: "The locals are describing it as a character study with very scary under currents. It doesn't rely on gore per se, but it will introduce several never before seen set pieces. The scale of the shoot has grown significantly, and looks now like it'll be at least six weeks with just a very small amount of the original movie ending up being used. Big sets have been erected at Cinecitta in preparation, and casting for new roles is on going in several countries apparently".
How different is it Creature Corner talked to KNB effects man Greg Nicotero and he's smarting from the ordeal. "Production tells me that they're just waiting to see what they're going to do... The next thing I know, Gary Tunnicliffe is prepping new effects for the reshoots. So, I call him up and ask him if he's going to need anything from us?that's when I learned they're redoing practically the whole movie." Damn.
"Evidently they've re-written the movie and re-cast not only the female lead but re-cast the character we've done all the make-ups on. So Che Che (the film's posessee) is no longer an 18-year-old pop singer from Europe but he's gonna be like a nine-year-old native boy." That could be a switch, sure.
"Nevertheless, I'm glad we had an opportunity to work with John Frankenheimer from the very beginning - going over designs and what we could do to make things scarier," Nicotero said. "I mean, this is the guy that did THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE! I'm glad I had that chance before he passed away." Frankenheimer was originally to direct EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING. He left for health reasons and died shortly thereafter. Scrader replaced him only to be fired after he turned in a disasterous final cut. Renny Harlin is now the official third director.
Well, at least Father Merrin will have company. Also beginning reshoots is Wes Craven's CURSED. To say the project is aptly-named doesn't even come close.
The script, which was originally seen as the return of former Miramax wunderkind Kevin Williamson (SCREAM, I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER) has been almost completely re-written. The entire plot of the film has now changed. Portia Di Rossi (TV's ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT and ALLY MCBEAL) has joined the cast for an allegedly SCREAM-esque cameo in the opening.
In addition to the above news, courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter Greg Nicotero of KNB had some things to say to Creature Corner about it. Yes, it's the same interview. They're doing work on both projects. And no, I don't think it's their fault. The KNB boys just get around.
This time, the news is good, something we haven't seen much of in relation to CURSED. Nicotero is praising Williamson's drastically changed screenplay. "I believe the script is much, much better," claims Nicotero. "Kevin really worked his ass off and did a great job."
Well hey, there's a silver lining for you. Wouldn't it be fascinating if the Special Edition DVDs of both these films included both versions of the films, just to put our curiosity to rest? I don't see it happening, but you've got to admit, it would raise the bar on the whole industry.
--------
Comment on EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING, CURSED and the trouble with reshoots in our FORUMS!
Both films have had their share of problems and both are now scheduled to start extensive reshoots that go waaay beyond the simple touch-ups of most productions.
EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING is a real boggle. Just check out the irony in that old promo to your left. The prequel lost director Paul Schrader after he turned in a print everyone seemed to hate. Whether Schrader's exit was a good or bad thing we may never know. Heeey, did I mention we had an exclusive interview with writer Caleb Carr on this very issue a while back? I did? Okay, wanted to make sure.
Now, EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING is ready to roll again with new director Renny Harlin (DEEP BLUE SEA, THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT) aboard. And the new film is much different from what we had before.
According to the newly renovated Dark Horizons, they are scrapping most of Schrader's footage. Carr's script is going under rewrites by Skip Woods. Whether this is the simple, everyday polish that goes through tons of Hollywood committees, who knows?
Shooting is due to take place at the famed Cinecitta Studios in Rome, Italy. We are happy to report cinematographer Vittorio Storaro is still aboard.
What is unknown is how this new approach to the film, described as "going deep into the mythology surrounding the first and original EXORCIST" differs from the film as it existed before.
DH sez: "The locals are describing it as a character study with very scary under currents. It doesn't rely on gore per se, but it will introduce several never before seen set pieces. The scale of the shoot has grown significantly, and looks now like it'll be at least six weeks with just a very small amount of the original movie ending up being used. Big sets have been erected at Cinecitta in preparation, and casting for new roles is on going in several countries apparently".
How different is it Creature Corner talked to KNB effects man Greg Nicotero and he's smarting from the ordeal. "Production tells me that they're just waiting to see what they're going to do... The next thing I know, Gary Tunnicliffe is prepping new effects for the reshoots. So, I call him up and ask him if he's going to need anything from us?that's when I learned they're redoing practically the whole movie." Damn.
"Evidently they've re-written the movie and re-cast not only the female lead but re-cast the character we've done all the make-ups on. So Che Che (the film's posessee) is no longer an 18-year-old pop singer from Europe but he's gonna be like a nine-year-old native boy." That could be a switch, sure.
"Nevertheless, I'm glad we had an opportunity to work with John Frankenheimer from the very beginning - going over designs and what we could do to make things scarier," Nicotero said. "I mean, this is the guy that did THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE! I'm glad I had that chance before he passed away." Frankenheimer was originally to direct EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING. He left for health reasons and died shortly thereafter. Scrader replaced him only to be fired after he turned in a disasterous final cut. Renny Harlin is now the official third director.
Well, at least Father Merrin will have company. Also beginning reshoots is Wes Craven's CURSED. To say the project is aptly-named doesn't even come close.
The script, which was originally seen as the return of former Miramax wunderkind Kevin Williamson (SCREAM, I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER) has been almost completely re-written. The entire plot of the film has now changed. Portia Di Rossi (TV's ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT and ALLY MCBEAL) has joined the cast for an allegedly SCREAM-esque cameo in the opening.
In addition to the above news, courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter Greg Nicotero of KNB had some things to say to Creature Corner about it. Yes, it's the same interview. They're doing work on both projects. And no, I don't think it's their fault. The KNB boys just get around.
This time, the news is good, something we haven't seen much of in relation to CURSED. Nicotero is praising Williamson's drastically changed screenplay. "I believe the script is much, much better," claims Nicotero. "Kevin really worked his ass off and did a great job."
Well hey, there's a silver lining for you. Wouldn't it be fascinating if the Special Edition DVDs of both these films included both versions of the films, just to put our curiosity to rest? I don't see it happening, but you've got to admit, it would raise the bar on the whole industry.
--------
Comment on EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING, CURSED and the trouble with reshoots in our FORUMS!