Was In Contention To Direct ‘The Wolverine’
You had us at “civil war heist film.”
Variety reports that “Sin Nombre” and “Jane Eyre” helmer Cary Fukunaga will write and direct the awesomely titled, “No Blood, No Guts, No Glory.” Fukunaga will be penning a new draft of the script alongside Chase Palmer, whose original draft landed on the 2009 Black List. And it sounds awesome. With comparisons being drawn to “The Dirty Dozen,” the “story follows a spy and 20 Union soldiers in disguise who board a train in Georgia in order to pull off a heist that could bring a quick end to the Civil War.” The film is based on the true account of the Great Locomotive Chase in which the Union soliders took over a train, and proceeded run it ragged on the Western & Atlantic Railroad tracks doing extensive damage and cutting Confederate communication down by clipping telegraph wires. This story also served as the inspiration for Buster Keaton‘s landmark “The General.”
We have to admit, we were a bit worried about Fukunaga when his excellent and unfairly ignored “Jane Eyre” with Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska was more or less met with a collective shrug from critics and audiences alike. But the director clearly still has a lot of heat on him and was reportedly being considered to take over “The Wolverine” from Darren Aronofsky. And while that’s certainly an inspired choice, we’re kind of glad he didn’t get it. What makes Fukunaga such an exciting new filmmaker is that he seems to eager to continue to try new genres and isn’t content with simply sticking with a rote role in the indie fimmaking world. From the the gritty “Sin Nombre,” to the lush, horrifying romance of “Jane Eyre” and now to what sounds like a balls out Civil War pic, Fukunaga reminds us of the ambitious spirit of filmmakers like Richard Linklater or Steven Soderbergh.
The project is set up over at Focus Features though no word yet on when it will roll, but we can’t wait to see how this one comes together.
Here is the award-winning 2006 book the film is based on – voted by Civil War Interactive as one of the top 50 Civil War books of all time . . . http://www.amazon.com/Stealing-General-Great-Locomotive-Chase/dp/1594160783/ref=ed_oe_p
\”Jane Eyre\” just finished a two-month run out here in S.F. Most big-budget films don\’t stay in megaplexes that long.
Oh \”the blogger world\” is your basis for critical judgment. Wow.
I don\’t agree that JANE EYRE has been ignored or dissed by critics; it\’s gotten plenty of rave reviews. It\’s been playing for over a month at our local arthouse in Albany, NY.
Jane Eyre was a respectable arthouse hit that would have made more money if it had expanded. It very much succeeded in expanding the director\’s capabilities in the minds of studios and audiences alike.
With time, it will be considered the go-to adaptation for smart young people. I\’ve noticed this site continues to place low blow remarks off the main page while salivating over rotten tripe like Green Lantern. A true disservice to your readers. Write more carefully.
Actually, \”Midnight In Paris\” has the biggest arthouse per screen opening this year.
As for \”critically shrugged\” I guess that\’s my own perception in terms of chatter about the film. Seems to have died off at least among the blogosphere world. But yeah, $10 million isn\’t too bad.
\”[Fukunaga\’s] excellent and unfairly ignored “Jane Eyre” with Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska was more or less met with a collective shrug from critics and audiences alike.\”
Um, what?
\”Jane Eyre\” is currently the biggest art-house hit of the year so far. It had the highest opening per-theater average of 2011, has grossed $10 million and counting, and owns an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (88% alone from the Top Critics) as of 5/11. All with a limited release.
Surely you guys can\’t be that naive to (seemingly) be unaware of this information.
\”more or less met with a collective shrug from critics and audiences alike\” Really? Speaking for myself, I live in a large metropolitan area where it\’s still playing, so I\’m spoiled when it comes to smaller, independent films, but I know it\’s still being rolled out in the hinterlands. The reviews I\’ve read, however, have all been very good.
Oh \”the blogger world\” is your basis for critical judgment. Wow.
Oh “the blogger world” is your basis for critical judgment. Wow.