So just how messed up and bonkers will The Wachowskis' and Tom Tykwer's adaptation of David Mitchell's "Cloud Atlas" be? Well, Hugh Grant will apparently be doing a lot of "killing and raping," and as for Susan Sarandon? She tells Postmedia that her small role finds her playing "an Indian man." Huh? We're getting ahead ourselves a bit, because the good news is you'll be seeing this sooner than expected.
While initially tagged for a December release, Warner Bros. has officially announced today that "Cloud Atlas" will hit theaters on October 26th, where the starry cast that also includes Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D’Arcy, Zhou Xun and Keith David should trounce the competition that weekend that includes the Lionsgate comedy "The Big Wedding" with Robert De Niro, Robin Williams and Katherine Heigl, the tween thingy "Fun Size," Curtis Hanson's surfing drama "Of Men And Mavericks" and "Silent Hill: Revelation 3D."
Warner Bros. has been buoyed by early audience response (yes, it has been screening) with honcho Dan Fellman saying: “Audiences who have seen an early screening of ‘Cloud Atlas’ have been elated by its powerful and inspiring story, as well as its breathtaking visuals. An October release in North America is the perfect window to showcase this epic film.” But don't just take his word for it.
Sarandon, who has seen a sizzle reel of the film, couldn't help but gush about what she's seen so far. "I saw a 10- or 15-minute reel at a party I was at in Berlin and it looked like the trailer for an entire season the studio had done – like it had so many different locales and periods, and it was just gorgeous," she said. And yeah, in case you forgot, this thing spans centuries, with the story following a variety of plot threads including: a 19th century notary on a Pacific expedition, a bisexual musician in the 1930s, a female journalist embroiled in a thriller in 1970s California, an aging publisher in London in the present, a clone in a futuristic dystopia, and a Pacific survivor in a post-apocalyptic world.
So, with a release date now firmed up, we should start seeing a marketing campaign begin to roll out and our first guess is that Comic-Con may be a place where Warner Bros. will kick things off in grand fashion. And yeah, a trailer in front of "The Dark Knight Rises" seems like a no-brainer too. But no matter if this is genius or a trainwreck, it will be one to watch.
It's one of most anticipated films of the year.I read a lot of comments from the people who saw Cloud Atlas at the test screening.In a way,I had expected kind of divided opinions because obviously it seems ambitious film.But I was pleasantly surprised at positive comments.I never read the one single negative comment at least on the internet.I'm sure CA has some flaws and need proper marketing because it sounds very unique film.But I'm very encouraged by the comments I read.And from what I read,all three screenings were went well.ï¼LＡ,London and industry screening at Cannes market).I'd like to post some (snips) of these comments.(No spoiler) Sorry for my poor English.
"I have to say that this film totally blew me away! Leave it to the very creative and innovative Wachowski's (The Matrix Trilogy) and Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) to make this complex book into a GREAT film. And the editing of this incredibly complex film could not have been better! After reading the novel, it was hard to imagine how they'd pull it off, but they do so exceptionally well!
*****
According to my watch, the film ran 2hrs. 50min. but you would never know it because time just flew by. Cloud Atlas has it all… action, adventure, romance, humor, and several very touching moments. It captures every emotion imaginable and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. I can honestly say it's one of the best films I've seen in years and definitely like nothing I've ever seen before!The rest of the audience also seemed enamored and impressed with the film as well. There was long and loud applause after the film and lots of positive chatter going on around me."
(To be continued)
Two of my favourite books I read in the last couple of years were "Cloud Atlas" and "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close". I was worried for both of them when I heard movies were being made of each. So much of their power resides in the writing itself. But I thought that "Extremely Loud…" could at least be adapted reasonably well through its plotlines. Hell was I wrong! It was one of the worst adaptations of a book I had seen in a long time — as though the screenwriter completely missed the central themes and focused solely on what he thought would be emotional heartstrings. What a waste. With so much of its wealth tied to the words on the page and the shifting writing styles, I hold even less hope for a film adaptation for "Cloud Atlas." I have more curiosity than anticipation as a result.
Susan Sarandon playing an Indian Man… what's next ? Tom Hanks playing a Black Lesbian ? One of the Wachowski brother becoming a woman ?
Can't wait for this. David Mitchell is one helluva writer and Cloud Atlas is one helluva book!
It's possible they got an early answer from Toronto and/or Venice, and the studio bumped up the release date to benefit off the hopeful buzz of the fall season film festivals.
So psyched for this. Let's hope it makes up for Speed Racer.