Thursday, May 1, 2008

Today's Film News: Javier's Out


By Katey Rich

Javier_bardem_2000Sad news for fans of both musicals and No Country for Old Men (yes, I realize we're a small group): Javier Bardem has dropped out of the lead role in Nine, an adaptation of the Broadway musical to be directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago). Variety says the man formerly known as Anton Chigurh was worn out from other projects and awards season, and needed "as long as a year" to recharge his batteries. I'll ignore my resentment of someone who gets to take a whole year off from work with no consequences and congratulate the lucky guy who steps into this role, whoever he may be.



National Association of Theatre Owners President John Fithian has struck back at DreamWorks head Jeffrey Katzenberg, who insinuated yesterday that it is the fault of national theatre circuits that digital projection has taken so long to roll out. Variety says Fithian, who is speaking at ShowCanada today about digital cinema, accused the studios of being unable to agree on virtual print fees paid to exhibitors, which he says is the main factor slowing down the advance of digital projection.



Jimcarreygay1Jim Carrey's comedy I Love You Phillip Morris has already begun filming (the first set image is what you see at right), but The Hollywood Reporter announced today that Rodrigo Santoro (300) is officially joining the cast. Carrey plays a married man who is sent to jail and falls in love with his cellmate, the titular Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). When Morris is released, the man attempts to break out. Somewhere in all of that, he also falls in love with Santoro's character. Doesn't this seem awfully complicated for your average run-of-the-mill gay prison escape comedy?



And finally, a two-sentence Reporter story is still worth reporting on. James Gandolfini will team up with the child actress that time forgot, Anna Chlumsky, for a BBC Films project called In The Loop. There are no other details, but as a child who grew up on Chlumsky's My Girl, this is welcome news. Anna, you've been missed!



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