(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)
The Movie: "Small Soldiers"
Where You Can Stream It: HBO Max
The Pitch: Two iterations of toy lines that reigned over the 1980s — G.I. Joe and Masters of the Universe — go head-to-head in a battle for American dominance in "Small Soldiers," Joe Dante's 1998 skewering of an American public obsessed with make-believe fantasies of war. Its Everytown, USA is filled with characters concerned more with might and supremacy than community; Manifest Destiny materializes in neighbors' lopped-off tree limbs that block satellite reception. Leavened with Stan Winston-crafted animatronics and the dark comedy of "Gremlins," Dante's "Small Soldiers" contains one of the most acerbic portraits of gung-ho America to be found in the decade's cinema.
Denis Leary injects his signature cynicism into Gil Mars,...
The Movie: "Small Soldiers"
Where You Can Stream It: HBO Max
The Pitch: Two iterations of toy lines that reigned over the 1980s — G.I. Joe and Masters of the Universe — go head-to-head in a battle for American dominance in "Small Soldiers," Joe Dante's 1998 skewering of an American public obsessed with make-believe fantasies of war. Its Everytown, USA is filled with characters concerned more with might and supremacy than community; Manifest Destiny materializes in neighbors' lopped-off tree limbs that block satellite reception. Leavened with Stan Winston-crafted animatronics and the dark comedy of "Gremlins," Dante's "Small Soldiers" contains one of the most acerbic portraits of gung-ho America to be found in the decade's cinema.
Denis Leary injects his signature cynicism into Gil Mars,...
- 1/2/2023
- by Anya Stanley
- Slash Film
Tony Sokol Jan 22, 2020
Monty Python creator, writer and director Terry Jones threw away punchlines to refresh comedy.
Screenwriter, director, and author Terry Jones, a founding member of Monty Python, died at the age of 77, according to Variety. He had been suffering from frontotemporal dementia, which his son Bill revealed publicly in September 2016. The disease left the comedian unable to speak.
"Over the past few days his wife, children, extended family and many close friends have been constantly with Terry as he gently slipped away at his home in North London," Jones' family said in a statement. "We have all lost a kind, funny, warm, creative and truly loving man whose uncompromising individuality, relentless intellect and extraordinary humour has given pleasure to countless millions across six decades."
Terence Graham Parry Jones was born in North Wales on Feb. 1, 1942. He met his long-term collaborator Michael Palin while studying English at Oxford University.
Monty Python creator, writer and director Terry Jones threw away punchlines to refresh comedy.
Screenwriter, director, and author Terry Jones, a founding member of Monty Python, died at the age of 77, according to Variety. He had been suffering from frontotemporal dementia, which his son Bill revealed publicly in September 2016. The disease left the comedian unable to speak.
"Over the past few days his wife, children, extended family and many close friends have been constantly with Terry as he gently slipped away at his home in North London," Jones' family said in a statement. "We have all lost a kind, funny, warm, creative and truly loving man whose uncompromising individuality, relentless intellect and extraordinary humour has given pleasure to countless millions across six decades."
Terence Graham Parry Jones was born in North Wales on Feb. 1, 1942. He met his long-term collaborator Michael Palin while studying English at Oxford University.
- 1/22/2020
- Den of Geek
Award-winning Icelandic director and cinematographer Eagle Egilsson (Gotham, Hawaii Five-o, The Blacklist, The Wire) has been tapped to direct upcoming supernatural drama series One Bad Apple.
Nordic Entertainment Group has also joined the project — co-produced by Zdf Enterprises and Tuvalu Entertainment — as a broadcast partner. Tuvalu CEO Paul Johnson will serve as showrunner and executive producer.
Created and developed by Tuvalu and getting a budget of 15 million euros ($16.8 million), One Bad Apple is written by father-daughter duo Gavin Scott (The Young Indiana Jones, Small Soldiers) and Rebecca Scott (Discovery's Blood Relative, Murder Among Friends), and is set in and around ...
Nordic Entertainment Group has also joined the project — co-produced by Zdf Enterprises and Tuvalu Entertainment — as a broadcast partner. Tuvalu CEO Paul Johnson will serve as showrunner and executive producer.
Created and developed by Tuvalu and getting a budget of 15 million euros ($16.8 million), One Bad Apple is written by father-daughter duo Gavin Scott (The Young Indiana Jones, Small Soldiers) and Rebecca Scott (Discovery's Blood Relative, Murder Among Friends), and is set in and around ...
- 7/18/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Portuguese film-tv production and services company Cinemate Productions is in negotiations with Germany’s G5 Fiction to co-produce true-life adventure TV series “La Señora: The Woman Who Defied The Inquisition.”
The co-production pact would see Loures-based Cinemate line-producing “La Señora’s” key scenes in Portugal and bringing to the table new cash rebates from the country. Cinemate would also retain rights for Portuguese-language territories.
“La Señora” is executive produced by Uwe Kersken at G5 Fiction, the TV drama house the producer established in 2014 alongside Zdf Enterprises, German pubcaster Zdf’s commercial arm.
England’s Gavin Scott, writer of Emmy-winning mini-series “Mists of Avalon,” penned the script, based on a treatment by Kersken. It is supported by powerful German regional fund Film- und Medienstiftung Nrw.
Described by Kersken as a “Schindler’s List of the Renaissance,” the project portrays the extraordinary life of Gracia Nasi (1510-1569), a Jewish noblewoman, later called La Señora,...
The co-production pact would see Loures-based Cinemate line-producing “La Señora’s” key scenes in Portugal and bringing to the table new cash rebates from the country. Cinemate would also retain rights for Portuguese-language territories.
“La Señora” is executive produced by Uwe Kersken at G5 Fiction, the TV drama house the producer established in 2014 alongside Zdf Enterprises, German pubcaster Zdf’s commercial arm.
England’s Gavin Scott, writer of Emmy-winning mini-series “Mists of Avalon,” penned the script, based on a treatment by Kersken. It is supported by powerful German regional fund Film- und Medienstiftung Nrw.
Described by Kersken as a “Schindler’s List of the Renaissance,” the project portrays the extraordinary life of Gracia Nasi (1510-1569), a Jewish noblewoman, later called La Señora,...
- 6/1/2018
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Madrid — Zdf’s “La Señora: The Woman Who Defied The Inquisition,” Invercine & Wood’s “An Ordinary Soldier” and “Día Cero,” from Spain’s Versus Ent., feature among 10 projects to be presented at the 2nd Pitch Copro Series, the biggest industry event at this year’s Conecta Fiction.
A co-production forum for European, Latin American and Latino U.S. drama series whose project competitions are backed by Spanish TV giants Movistar + and pubcaster Rtve, Conecta Fiction established itself in a vibrant first edition last June as Spain’s premiere drama series event.
Unspooling June 18-21 in Galicia’s Santiago de Compostela, at the end of the St. James Way, 2017’s inaugural edition caught the modern miracle of the international drama series scene where many titles now have a market outside their country of origin and companies team to share IP and divvy up release windows. The 10 projects to be profiled...
A co-production forum for European, Latin American and Latino U.S. drama series whose project competitions are backed by Spanish TV giants Movistar + and pubcaster Rtve, Conecta Fiction established itself in a vibrant first edition last June as Spain’s premiere drama series event.
Unspooling June 18-21 in Galicia’s Santiago de Compostela, at the end of the St. James Way, 2017’s inaugural edition caught the modern miracle of the international drama series scene where many titles now have a market outside their country of origin and companies team to share IP and divvy up release windows. The 10 projects to be profiled...
- 5/29/2018
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Keep up with the wild and wooly world of indie film acquisitions with our weekly Rundown of everything that’s been picked up around the globe. Check out last week’s Rundown here.
– Focus Features has acquired the North American and select international rights to Jason Reitman’s “Tully.” Written by Diablo Cody, the comedy stars Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass and Ron Livingston.
“Tully” tells the story of Marlo (Theron), a mother of three who is gifted a night nanny by her brother (Duplass). Hesitant to the extravagance at first, Marlo comes to form a unique bond with the thoughtful, surprising, and sometimes challenging young nanny named Tully (Davis). The film will premiere in U.S. theaters on April 20, 2018.
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: Oscilloscope Picks Up ‘November,’ The Orchard Buys ‘Flower’ and More
– Electric Entertainment has acquired the U.S. and Canadian rights to Rob Reiner’s “Lbj,...
– Focus Features has acquired the North American and select international rights to Jason Reitman’s “Tully.” Written by Diablo Cody, the comedy stars Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass and Ron Livingston.
“Tully” tells the story of Marlo (Theron), a mother of three who is gifted a night nanny by her brother (Duplass). Hesitant to the extravagance at first, Marlo comes to form a unique bond with the thoughtful, surprising, and sometimes challenging young nanny named Tully (Davis). The film will premiere in U.S. theaters on April 20, 2018.
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: Oscilloscope Picks Up ‘November,’ The Orchard Buys ‘Flower’ and More
– Electric Entertainment has acquired the U.S. and Canadian rights to Rob Reiner’s “Lbj,...
- 5/5/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
Step aside, Kate McKinnon.
Fans are calling for Patrick Stewart to play Kellyanne Conway on Saturday Night Live after photos of the actor in drag drew comparisons to President Donald Trump‘s adviser.
A Reddit user resurfaced old photos of Stewart dressed as a woman last year to promote his sitcom Blunt Talk, donning a long blonde wig, fake eyelashes and a pink ensemble. “Sir Patrick Stewart in drag looks a lot like Kellyanne Conway,” they observed, to the agreement of thousands.
Others realized that even Google had trouble differentiating between the two: a reverse image search for Stewart’s...
Fans are calling for Patrick Stewart to play Kellyanne Conway on Saturday Night Live after photos of the actor in drag drew comparisons to President Donald Trump‘s adviser.
A Reddit user resurfaced old photos of Stewart dressed as a woman last year to promote his sitcom Blunt Talk, donning a long blonde wig, fake eyelashes and a pink ensemble. “Sir Patrick Stewart in drag looks a lot like Kellyanne Conway,” they observed, to the agreement of thousands.
Others realized that even Google had trouble differentiating between the two: a reverse image search for Stewart’s...
- 3/28/2017
- by Stephanie Petit
- PEOPLE.com
Subjuvenile and offensive, sentimental and ridiculous. Every attempt at a joke falls flat. Every talent here is wasted. Save yourself. I’m “biast” (pro): love Simon Pegg…
I’m “biast” (con): …but he’s been trying my fangirlism for a while now
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
The curse of Simon Pegg — that one that means that each movie he makes without the touch of J.J. Abrams or Edgar Wright is worse than the one before it — has not been broken. Though this is surprising: Monty Python’s Terry Jones (Boom Bust Boom) directed Absolutely Anything. Jones wrote the script, too (with Gavin Scott: Small Soldiers)… though it’s been gathering dust for 20 years, and feels like it. Pegg (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation) is London schoolteacher Neil Clarke, who is given, without warning or explanation, godlike powers by passing aliens who will decide...
I’m “biast” (con): …but he’s been trying my fangirlism for a while now
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
The curse of Simon Pegg — that one that means that each movie he makes without the touch of J.J. Abrams or Edgar Wright is worse than the one before it — has not been broken. Though this is surprising: Monty Python’s Terry Jones (Boom Bust Boom) directed Absolutely Anything. Jones wrote the script, too (with Gavin Scott: Small Soldiers)… though it’s been gathering dust for 20 years, and feels like it. Pegg (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation) is London schoolteacher Neil Clarke, who is given, without warning or explanation, godlike powers by passing aliens who will decide...
- 8/18/2015
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
From Monty Python's Terry Jones comes Absolutely Anything, starring Simon Pegg. The late Robin Williams steals the show, though...
Absolutely Anything has been on comedy fans' radars for a long time. Terry Jones' first directorial effort since 1996's The Wind In The Willows is touted as a zany sci-fi comedy with shades of Douglas Adams and Monty Python's Flying Circus, with a cast that includes Jones' fellow Pythons, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and Michael Palin, alongside other comedy stars like Simon Pegg, Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley and Robin Williams.
Alas, the material doesn't live up to the star calibre, nor the literally limitless potential suggested by the title. Loosely based on H.G. Wells' fantastical comedy short story The Man Who Could Work Miracles, the film begins when a group of power-crazed aliens (voiced by the Pythons) discover a probe with information on Earth's culture and decide...
Absolutely Anything has been on comedy fans' radars for a long time. Terry Jones' first directorial effort since 1996's The Wind In The Willows is touted as a zany sci-fi comedy with shades of Douglas Adams and Monty Python's Flying Circus, with a cast that includes Jones' fellow Pythons, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and Michael Palin, alongside other comedy stars like Simon Pegg, Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley and Robin Williams.
Alas, the material doesn't live up to the star calibre, nor the literally limitless potential suggested by the title. Loosely based on H.G. Wells' fantastical comedy short story The Man Who Could Work Miracles, the film begins when a group of power-crazed aliens (voiced by the Pythons) discover a probe with information on Earth's culture and decide...
- 8/16/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
The last feature film Terry Jones stepped behind the camera for was in 1996 for The Wind in the Willows, and now, after decades of tinkering on the script with co-writer Gavin Scott (Jones has stated he had the idea in his head for over twenty years), we see him in the director’s chair once again for Absolutely Anything, the kind of absurd comedy you would expect from a member of Monty Python that sadly sees its attempts at drawing huge guffaws elicit only minor chuckles instead. Jones reunites with the remaining Pythons as CGI aliens who have slapped a demolition notice on Earth, but according to their laws, our majestic blue orb is given one chance to be saved: a normal human being is given the power to do absolutely anything they desire. If they use this power for good, Earth is saved. Use it for evil, doomed. These...
- 8/15/2015
- by noreply@blogger.com (Tom White)
- www.themoviebit.com
Director: Terry Jones; Screenwriters: Gavin Scott, Terry Jones; Starring: Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, Robin Williams, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Michael Palin; Running time: 86 mins; Certificate: 12A
Legendary studio mogul Jack Warner once described the film Bonnie and Clyde as "a three piss picture", so disengaged was he with what was happening on screen he'd duck out multiple times for a bathroom break. Simon Pegg's latest comedy boasts a bladder-friendly 86-minute running time, but this is very much a "check-your-watch-three-times" kind of affair. You'll want to be absolutely anywhere else but sat in a darkened theatre witnessing this comedic travesty.
On paper, it all sounds much more appealing. Pegg takes the lead as school teacher Neil Clarke, a fortysomething ordinary Joe who's hand-picked by a group of aliens (voiced by the surviving Monty Python cast) to test out Earth's value in the cosmos. Granted infinite power,...
Legendary studio mogul Jack Warner once described the film Bonnie and Clyde as "a three piss picture", so disengaged was he with what was happening on screen he'd duck out multiple times for a bathroom break. Simon Pegg's latest comedy boasts a bladder-friendly 86-minute running time, but this is very much a "check-your-watch-three-times" kind of affair. You'll want to be absolutely anywhere else but sat in a darkened theatre witnessing this comedic travesty.
On paper, it all sounds much more appealing. Pegg takes the lead as school teacher Neil Clarke, a fortysomething ordinary Joe who's hand-picked by a group of aliens (voiced by the surviving Monty Python cast) to test out Earth's value in the cosmos. Granted infinite power,...
- 8/14/2015
- Digital Spy
Monty Python's Terry Jones briefly writes exactly what happens in his new film. Contains Spoilers.
Absolutely Anything is the story about schoolteacher who gets magical powers and can do Absolutely Anything (Simon Pegg). It started out as The Man Who Could Work Miracles by H.G.Wells, but it soon changed it’s spots. I just couldn’t do The Man Who Could Work Miracles so I changed it out of all recognition. It was me and Gavin Scott that wrote the script.
The Aliens (voiced by the Pythons) intercept the Voyager spacecraft when it leaves the solar system (which it has done).
And when the schoolteacher is knocked off his bicycle by an uncaring van driver, the Aliens zap him and give him magical powers.
Catherine is his love-interest (Kate Beckinsale), while Grant (Rob Riggle), who she had a one-night stand with, climbs a drain-pipe and looks on as...
Absolutely Anything is the story about schoolteacher who gets magical powers and can do Absolutely Anything (Simon Pegg). It started out as The Man Who Could Work Miracles by H.G.Wells, but it soon changed it’s spots. I just couldn’t do The Man Who Could Work Miracles so I changed it out of all recognition. It was me and Gavin Scott that wrote the script.
The Aliens (voiced by the Pythons) intercept the Voyager spacecraft when it leaves the solar system (which it has done).
And when the schoolteacher is knocked off his bicycle by an uncaring van driver, the Aliens zap him and give him magical powers.
Catherine is his love-interest (Kate Beckinsale), while Grant (Rob Riggle), who she had a one-night stand with, climbs a drain-pipe and looks on as...
- 8/3/2015
- by Terry Jones
- Pure Movies
UK cinema in 2015 has plenty to recommend it. Here are 36 UK films of all genres to look forward to this year…
Dig past the litterfall of Kray Brothers biopics and tales of nubile teens on camping trips gone wrong, and you’ll unearth plenty for the UK film industry to boast about in 2015. From sci-fi romps and thrillers like Robot Overlords and Ex Machina to dramas like High-Rise, comedies like War On Everyone, spy flicks like Spectre and kids’ films like Bill, there’s no shortage of inventive, highly promising cinema coming from these isles.
We’ve included a few choice co-productions in 2015’s pick of the year’s most interesting-looking pictures, which bolsters our list in both size and breadth (and mostly means we Brits can claim partial credit for ace-sounding dystopian flick The Lobster).
In alphabetical order then, here are the 36 UK (or UK-ish) movies we’re excited about seeing this year…...
Dig past the litterfall of Kray Brothers biopics and tales of nubile teens on camping trips gone wrong, and you’ll unearth plenty for the UK film industry to boast about in 2015. From sci-fi romps and thrillers like Robot Overlords and Ex Machina to dramas like High-Rise, comedies like War On Everyone, spy flicks like Spectre and kids’ films like Bill, there’s no shortage of inventive, highly promising cinema coming from these isles.
We’ve included a few choice co-productions in 2015’s pick of the year’s most interesting-looking pictures, which bolsters our list in both size and breadth (and mostly means we Brits can claim partial credit for ace-sounding dystopian flick The Lobster).
In alphabetical order then, here are the 36 UK (or UK-ish) movies we’re excited about seeing this year…...
- 1/5/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
If you’d been wondering what it would look like if Simon Pegg talked to a dog – no, not Colin from Spaced – and the dog talked back... Now is your chance. The first clip from Terry Jones’ new comedy Absolutely Anything has arrived online.With Jones behind the camera, working from the script he wrote with Gavin Scott, Absolutely Anything finds Pegg as Neil, a secondary school teacher who is the very definition of the everyman.But when a group of aliens voiced by Jones alongside old Python pals John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and Michael Palin decide that it would be a lark to hand him amazing powers, Neil’s life begins to change – not always for the better. And, as you see from the clip, he ends up having his loyal pooch Dennis start talking. Dennis is voiced in the film by the late great Robin Williams,...
- 12/17/2014
- EmpireOnline
Exclusive: In his final film performance, the late Robin Williams lends his voice to sci-fi comedy Absolutely Anything for Monty Python’s Terry Jones. The legendary entertainer was the first to sign onto the long-gestating comedy about a disillusioned teacher (Simon Pegg) granted the power to do “absolutely anything” by scheming aliens, played by the Pythons. In Deadline’s exclusive clip, Pegg gives his devoted dog Dennis the ability to speak – and out comes Williams’ unmistakable voice.
“One thing we’re grateful to Robin for is he was the first to come on and he stuck with the whole thing,” recalled Jones’ co-writer Gavin Scott (The Mists of Avalon, Small Soldiers), who with Jones spoke with me during a recent Adr session in Los Angeles.
Jones and Scott first began writing the film 20 years ago, but it didn’t come together until Jones’ son Bill and producing partner Ben Timlett found financing.
“One thing we’re grateful to Robin for is he was the first to come on and he stuck with the whole thing,” recalled Jones’ co-writer Gavin Scott (The Mists of Avalon, Small Soldiers), who with Jones spoke with me during a recent Adr session in Los Angeles.
Jones and Scott first began writing the film 20 years ago, but it didn’t come together until Jones’ son Bill and producing partner Ben Timlett found financing.
- 12/16/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Monty Python’s Terry Jones arrived during a break in the clouds Friday for an Adr session at West La’s The Village, the storied recording studio where the late Robin Williams lent his voice to Jones’ upcoming sci-fi comedy Absolutely Anything shortly before his death this summer.
“One thing we’re grateful to Robin for is he was the first to come on and he stuck with the whole thing,” recalled Jones’ close collaborator Gavin Scott (The Mists of Avalon, Small Soldiers). “The kind of attitude that led him to stick with the project through all its ups and downs, he totally exhibited here. He wanted to make everybody feel good from the engineer to the lady making the coffee. It was very late in the day for him and we didn’t know that, but he was a real mensch.”
Co-scripted over two decades by Jones and Scott,...
“One thing we’re grateful to Robin for is he was the first to come on and he stuck with the whole thing,” recalled Jones’ close collaborator Gavin Scott (The Mists of Avalon, Small Soldiers). “The kind of attitude that led him to stick with the project through all its ups and downs, he totally exhibited here. He wanted to make everybody feel good from the engineer to the lady making the coffee. It was very late in the day for him and we didn’t know that, but he was a real mensch.”
Co-scripted over two decades by Jones and Scott,...
- 12/15/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
The upcoming fantasy comedy is directed by Monty Python’s Terry Jones.
Gfm Films has sold Terry Jones-directed Absolutely Anything to HuaHua Media and Beijing YueHua Entertainment for China.
The deal was negotiated by Edoardo Bussi for Gfm Films, producer Ben Timlett, Kefei Wang for Huahua Media and Kiki Du for Yuehua Entertainment.
The fantasy comedy stars Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, Rob Riggle, with the Monthy Python troupe voicing the galactic aliens who give Pegg’s character Neil the ability to do “absolutely anything”. The late Robin Williams voices Neil’s dog, Dennis.
The film was written by Jones and Gavin Scott and produced by Ben Timlett and Bill Jones’ Bill and Ben Productions.
Absolutely Anything is currently in post production with visual FX by London-based NVizible and Base in China. The film will be completed and delivered in Feb 2015 and its UK premiere will be through Lionsgate next spring/early summer.
Speaking about the...
Gfm Films has sold Terry Jones-directed Absolutely Anything to HuaHua Media and Beijing YueHua Entertainment for China.
The deal was negotiated by Edoardo Bussi for Gfm Films, producer Ben Timlett, Kefei Wang for Huahua Media and Kiki Du for Yuehua Entertainment.
The fantasy comedy stars Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, Rob Riggle, with the Monthy Python troupe voicing the galactic aliens who give Pegg’s character Neil the ability to do “absolutely anything”. The late Robin Williams voices Neil’s dog, Dennis.
The film was written by Jones and Gavin Scott and produced by Ben Timlett and Bill Jones’ Bill and Ben Productions.
Absolutely Anything is currently in post production with visual FX by London-based NVizible and Base in China. The film will be completed and delivered in Feb 2015 and its UK premiere will be through Lionsgate next spring/early summer.
Speaking about the...
- 11/10/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Previously, we'd seen a colorful teaser poster for the comedy Absolutely Anything, a pseudo reunion of the infamous Monty Python comedy troupe with John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Terry Jones voicing aliens who bestow magical powers on a secondary school teacher and watch what happens. Simon Pegg leads the film, and Robin Williams voices his dog Dennis in one of his final film performances. Now we have some first look photos showing Pegg in the film with his talking dog, and we even get a shot of Kate Beckinsale, playing a love interest. Will this pack a hilarious Monty Python punch? Here are the first photos from Terry Jones' Absolutely Anything from Empire: Absolutely Anything is dircted by Terry Jones (Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Life of Brian), who co-wrote the script with Gavin Scott (Small Soldiers). The film follows a disillusioned school teacher (Simon Pegg...
- 10/29/2014
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
It's a little hard not to be excited for the upcoming sci-fi comedy Absolutely Anything. Directed by Terry Jones from a script he wrote with Gavin Scott, the film follows a high school teacher named Neil (Simon Pegg) who suddenly discovers he has the ability to do anything he wants. Monty Python members Jones, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin provide the voices for a group of aliens who gave Neil his powers, and are observing him from space. Absolutely Anything...
- 10/29/2014
- by Jesse Giroux
- JoBlo.com
First image released of Simon Pegg in the comedy that reunites the voices of the Monty Python team on film.
Shooting has wrapped in London on Absolutely Anything, the new comedy starring Simon Pegg from Monty Python’s Terry Jones.
The story follows a disillusioned school teacher (Pegg) who suddenly finds he has the ability to do anything he wants, a challenge bestowed upon him by a group of power-crazed aliens watching him from space.
The aliens will be voiced by Jones himself alongside Monty Python co-stars John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Eric Idle.
The cast also includes Kate Beckinsale, Us comedian Rob Riggle and Robin Williams, who voices Pegg’s canine companion, in Jones’ first film as director in 18 years.
Finishing the shoot, Jones said: “Kate, Simon and Rob breathed such life into the characters. I couldn’t have imagined anyone else playing those parts”
The script was co-written by Jones and Gavin Scott. Gfm are...
Shooting has wrapped in London on Absolutely Anything, the new comedy starring Simon Pegg from Monty Python’s Terry Jones.
The story follows a disillusioned school teacher (Pegg) who suddenly finds he has the ability to do anything he wants, a challenge bestowed upon him by a group of power-crazed aliens watching him from space.
The aliens will be voiced by Jones himself alongside Monty Python co-stars John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Eric Idle.
The cast also includes Kate Beckinsale, Us comedian Rob Riggle and Robin Williams, who voices Pegg’s canine companion, in Jones’ first film as director in 18 years.
Finishing the shoot, Jones said: “Kate, Simon and Rob breathed such life into the characters. I couldn’t have imagined anyone else playing those parts”
The script was co-written by Jones and Gavin Scott. Gfm are...
- 5/12/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Lionsgate has picked up UK rights to Terry Jones’ comedy Absolutely Anything from Gfm Films.
Simon Pegg and Kate Beckinsale lead cast in Monty Python star Jones’ first film (as director) in 18 years, which got underway in the UK on Monday (24).
The deal was struck between Michael Ryan for Gfm Films, producer Ben Timlett and Zygi Kamasa and Nick Manzi for Lionsgate.
Lionsgate will release the film in the UK between April and July 2015.
Interview: Terry Jones
Absolutely Anything follows a disillusioned school teacher (Pegg) who suddenly finds he has the ability to do anything he wants, a challenge bestowed upon him by a group of power-crazed aliens watching him from space.
The Aliens will be voiced by Jones himself alongside Monty Python collaborators John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Eric Idle.
The film’s supporting cast includes Sanjeev Bhaskar, Meera Syal, Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley, Rob Riggle and Robin Williams, who voices...
Simon Pegg and Kate Beckinsale lead cast in Monty Python star Jones’ first film (as director) in 18 years, which got underway in the UK on Monday (24).
The deal was struck between Michael Ryan for Gfm Films, producer Ben Timlett and Zygi Kamasa and Nick Manzi for Lionsgate.
Lionsgate will release the film in the UK between April and July 2015.
Interview: Terry Jones
Absolutely Anything follows a disillusioned school teacher (Pegg) who suddenly finds he has the ability to do anything he wants, a challenge bestowed upon him by a group of power-crazed aliens watching him from space.
The Aliens will be voiced by Jones himself alongside Monty Python collaborators John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Eric Idle.
The film’s supporting cast includes Sanjeev Bhaskar, Meera Syal, Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley, Rob Riggle and Robin Williams, who voices...
- 3/28/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Monty Python’s Terry Jones reveals why he hasn’t made a film in 18 years and whether there will ever be a new Monty Python film.
Shooting begins on Monday (March 24) on Absolutely Anything, a high-concept comedy starring Simon Pegg and Kate Beckinsale.
It marks the first time that Monty Python member Terry Jones has directed a film since The Wind in the Willows in 1996.
“I sort of gave up on the film industry when The Wind in the Willows wasn’t distributed,” Jones told ScreenDaily of the film that was critically well received but only received a limited relase. “It was so appallingly handled.”
While it is clear those wounds have yet to heal, Jones thought “it was about time” he made another film and is “very excited” to be back in the directors chair.
The comedy, co-written by Jones and Gavin Scott, stars Pegg as a disillusioned school teacher who suddenly finds he has the...
Shooting begins on Monday (March 24) on Absolutely Anything, a high-concept comedy starring Simon Pegg and Kate Beckinsale.
It marks the first time that Monty Python member Terry Jones has directed a film since The Wind in the Willows in 1996.
“I sort of gave up on the film industry when The Wind in the Willows wasn’t distributed,” Jones told ScreenDaily of the film that was critically well received but only received a limited relase. “It was so appallingly handled.”
While it is clear those wounds have yet to heal, Jones thought “it was about time” he made another film and is “very excited” to be back in the directors chair.
The comedy, co-written by Jones and Gavin Scott, stars Pegg as a disillusioned school teacher who suddenly finds he has the...
- 3/21/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
21 Jump Street star Rob Riggle has joined the ensemble cast of director Terry Jones' Absolutely Anything , Deadline reports. The film, first announced in 2010 , features nearly all of the surviving members of Monty Python, including John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Jones himself. Unfortunately for Python fans, Eric Idle (the only other member of the troupe outside of the late Graham Chapman) is sitting this one out, but the production is also set to feature Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, Robin Williams, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Eddie Izzard and Joanna Lumley. Jones wrote the screenplay for Absolutely Anything alongside Gavin Scott ( The Borrowers , Small Soldiers ). The plot is said to follow a schoolteacher (Pegg), who is given the incredible power to make his every...
- 3/19/2014
- Comingsoon.net
Kate Beckinsale has signed on to star in "Absolutely Anything," alongside Simon Pegg, Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley and Sanjeev Bhaskar. Filming begins late March in the United Kingdom.
Pegg plays Neil, a school teacher granted supernatural powers by a group of aliens. The powers give him the ability to do anything he desires, as the aliens watch from afar.
He turns to his trusty dog Dennis (voiced by Robin Williams) for help, but after a string of mishaps, Neil is forced to choose between his pooch and the woman he wants, Catherine (Kate Beckinsale).
Monty Python members John Cleese, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin will voice the aliens. Terry Jones is directing from a script he co-wrote with Gavin Scott. Ben Timlett and Bill Jones are producing.
Source: Deadline...
Pegg plays Neil, a school teacher granted supernatural powers by a group of aliens. The powers give him the ability to do anything he desires, as the aliens watch from afar.
He turns to his trusty dog Dennis (voiced by Robin Williams) for help, but after a string of mishaps, Neil is forced to choose between his pooch and the woman he wants, Catherine (Kate Beckinsale).
Monty Python members John Cleese, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin will voice the aliens. Terry Jones is directing from a script he co-wrote with Gavin Scott. Ben Timlett and Bill Jones are producing.
Source: Deadline...
- 2/27/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
With Simon Pegg already aboard to play the lead, Terry Jones is rounding up the rest of the cast he needs for his new comedy Absolutely Anything. With cameras set to roll later next month, he’s rounded up Kate Beckinsale, Eddie Izzard, Sanjeev Bhaskar and Joanna Lumley.Pegg is Neil Clarke, a disillusioned teacher who discovers he has magical powers. Well, not magic per se, more “magic” in the Thor sense, because the abilities come from some alien interlopers who like to have fun with lower species. The extra-terrestrials in question will be voiced by director Terry Jones alongside old pals John Cleese, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin, with Robin Williams stepping into the voice booth to provide vocals for the main man’s dog, Dennis. Neil will ultimately face a choice that comes down to between man’s best friend and the woman (Catherine, played by Beckinsale) our man loves.
- 2/26/2014
- EmpireOnline
Underworld franchise star Kate Beckinsale has joined the ensemble cast of director Terry Jones' Absolutely Anything , Deadline reports. The film, first announced in 2010 , features many of the surviving members of Monty Python, including John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Jones himself. Unfortunately for Python fans, Eric Idle (the only other member of the troupe outside of the late Graham Chapman) is sitting this one out, but the production is also set to feature Simon Pegg, Robin Williams, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Eddie Izzard and Joanna Lumley. Jones wrote the screenplay for Absolutely Anything alongside Gavin Scott ( The Borrowers , Small Soldiers ). The plot is said to follow a schoolteacher (Pegg), who is given the incredible power to make his every wish a reality...
- 2/26/2014
- Comingsoon.net
Terry Jones’ next movie will be “sci-fi farce” Absolutely Anything. This marks his first feature since 1996′s The Wind in the Willows, although he is of course best known for directing Monty Python hits Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life, as well as co-directing Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Hot Fuzz and Star Trek Into Darkness star Simon Pegg will take on the lead role, and as you can see from the new promo poster below, he will be surrounded by a simply incredible assortment of actors.
The screenplay by Jones and Gavin Scott centres on Pegg’s disillusioned teacher Neill Clarke, who is gifted powers to do “absolutely anything” by aliens. With a simple wave of his hand he finds he can wipe out classrooms of badly behaving students, and bring people back to life. But he experiences mishap after mishap while struggling to master his new skills.
Hot Fuzz and Star Trek Into Darkness star Simon Pegg will take on the lead role, and as you can see from the new promo poster below, he will be surrounded by a simply incredible assortment of actors.
The screenplay by Jones and Gavin Scott centres on Pegg’s disillusioned teacher Neill Clarke, who is gifted powers to do “absolutely anything” by aliens. With a simple wave of his hand he finds he can wipe out classrooms of badly behaving students, and bring people back to life. But he experiences mishap after mishap while struggling to master his new skills.
- 2/17/2014
- by Josh Wilding
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Bill & Ben Productions announced that Simon Pegg will lead the Terry Jones directed comedy feature Absolutely Anything.
Pegg will play Neil Clarke, a disillusioned school teacher who suddenly finds he has magical powers, bestowed upon him by some aliens. The aliens will be voiced by the wonderfully familiar line up of John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. Robin Williams will also star as the voice of Clarke’s hilarious & faithful dog. Additional casting is underway.
Pre-Production starts 2 February 2014, with Principal Photography commencing in London on 23rd March.
Commenting on his role, Simon Pegg said ‘As someone whose love of comedy was hugely informed by Monty Python, the chance to work with Terry was a gift. Meeting your heroes is one thing, working with them is something else.’
‘Simon Pegg is the Absolutely Perfect Neil!’ – said Director/Co-Writer – Terry Jones.
The film is being produced by Ben Timlett...
Pegg will play Neil Clarke, a disillusioned school teacher who suddenly finds he has magical powers, bestowed upon him by some aliens. The aliens will be voiced by the wonderfully familiar line up of John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. Robin Williams will also star as the voice of Clarke’s hilarious & faithful dog. Additional casting is underway.
Pre-Production starts 2 February 2014, with Principal Photography commencing in London on 23rd March.
Commenting on his role, Simon Pegg said ‘As someone whose love of comedy was hugely informed by Monty Python, the chance to work with Terry was a gift. Meeting your heroes is one thing, working with them is something else.’
‘Simon Pegg is the Absolutely Perfect Neil!’ – said Director/Co-Writer – Terry Jones.
The film is being produced by Ben Timlett...
- 12/12/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Simon Pegg takes the lead role in Terry Jones's new sci-fi comedy, which will feature four more members of Monty Python
• Simon Pegg's guide to 2013 in film
• News: Pegg slates Star Trek detractors
Simon Pegg will take the lead role of a teacher handed magic powers by aliens in the Monty Python "sci-fi farce" Absolutely Anything, reports Screen Daily.
Pegg takes a role that was once earmarked for Benedict Cumberbatch in the film, which is being directed by Terry Jones. The director will also unite with fellow Pythons John Cleese, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin to play the aforementioned extraterrestrials. Absolutely Anything arrives on the scene amid fresh interest in the Monty Python troupe, who are reuniting for a series of stage shows next July.
"As someone whose love of comedy was hugely informed by Monty Python, the chance to work with Terry was a gift," said Pegg.
• Simon Pegg's guide to 2013 in film
• News: Pegg slates Star Trek detractors
Simon Pegg will take the lead role of a teacher handed magic powers by aliens in the Monty Python "sci-fi farce" Absolutely Anything, reports Screen Daily.
Pegg takes a role that was once earmarked for Benedict Cumberbatch in the film, which is being directed by Terry Jones. The director will also unite with fellow Pythons John Cleese, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin to play the aforementioned extraterrestrials. Absolutely Anything arrives on the scene amid fresh interest in the Monty Python troupe, who are reuniting for a series of stage shows next July.
"As someone whose love of comedy was hugely informed by Monty Python, the chance to work with Terry was a gift," said Pegg.
- 12/12/2013
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Simon Pegg has joined the cast of Absolutely Anything.
The World's End star will play struggling school teacher Neil Clarke in the upcoming comedy project from Terry Jones.
The film follows Neil as he suddenly discovers he has magical powers given to him by a group of aliens.
Monty Python stars Jones, John Cleese, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam will provide the voices of the alien creatures.
Pegg said: "As someone whose love of comedy was hugely informed by Monty Python, the chance to work with Terry was a gift. Meeting your heroes is one thing - working with them is something else."
Jones added: "Simon Pegg is the absolutely perfect Neil."
Jones has written the film with Gavin Scott, and it will be a mixture of live action and CGI.
Robin Williams will also provide the voice of a talking dog named Dennis. Eric Idle has declined to appear in the film.
The World's End star will play struggling school teacher Neil Clarke in the upcoming comedy project from Terry Jones.
The film follows Neil as he suddenly discovers he has magical powers given to him by a group of aliens.
Monty Python stars Jones, John Cleese, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam will provide the voices of the alien creatures.
Pegg said: "As someone whose love of comedy was hugely informed by Monty Python, the chance to work with Terry was a gift. Meeting your heroes is one thing - working with them is something else."
Jones added: "Simon Pegg is the absolutely perfect Neil."
Jones has written the film with Gavin Scott, and it will be a mixture of live action and CGI.
Robin Williams will also provide the voice of a talking dog named Dennis. Eric Idle has declined to appear in the film.
- 12/11/2013
- Digital Spy
Directed by Monty Python’s Terry Jones, Absolutely Anything features the voices of John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Robin Williams.
As the Monty Python revival continues apace, it has been confirmed that Simon Pegg is to star in sci-fi comedy Absolutely Anything, directed by Python alumnus Terry Jones and featuring the voices of fellow Python’s John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin along with Jones himself and Robin Williams.
Bill & Ben Productions today confirmed that Pegg, seen recently in Star Trek Into Darkness, The World’s End and Mission Impossible 4, is aboard the movie.
Pegg said: “As someone whose love of comedy was hugely informed by Monty Python, the chance to work with Terry was a gift. Meeting your heroes is one thing - working with them is something else.”
He will play Neil Clarke, a disillusioned school teacher who suddenly finds he has magical powers, bestowed upon him by aliens.
The aliens...
As the Monty Python revival continues apace, it has been confirmed that Simon Pegg is to star in sci-fi comedy Absolutely Anything, directed by Python alumnus Terry Jones and featuring the voices of fellow Python’s John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin along with Jones himself and Robin Williams.
Bill & Ben Productions today confirmed that Pegg, seen recently in Star Trek Into Darkness, The World’s End and Mission Impossible 4, is aboard the movie.
Pegg said: “As someone whose love of comedy was hugely informed by Monty Python, the chance to work with Terry was a gift. Meeting your heroes is one thing - working with them is something else.”
He will play Neil Clarke, a disillusioned school teacher who suddenly finds he has magical powers, bestowed upon him by aliens.
The aliens...
- 12/11/2013
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
New Tricks
Kieran Kinsella
Costume drama lovers are in for a treat as Acorn Media are set to release the 2007 multi-national production of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace on DVD on 24 September. Originally broadcast in France and Belguim, the production has never aired in the U.S. although it was available on Acorn’s streaming service earlier this summer. While there have been many adaptations of this Russian classic, few if any can boast a cast that includes such luminaries as Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange), Clemence Poesy (Birdsong) and Brenda Blethyn (Vera). The director, Austrian film-maker Robert Dornhelm is no slouch either, having been been behind the lens for hits including the Oscar nominated The Children of Theatre Street.
War and Peace is so long and so impressive that it makes “epics” such as Dr Zhivago look like short children’s stories. It features a colorful cast of...
Kieran Kinsella
Costume drama lovers are in for a treat as Acorn Media are set to release the 2007 multi-national production of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace on DVD on 24 September. Originally broadcast in France and Belguim, the production has never aired in the U.S. although it was available on Acorn’s streaming service earlier this summer. While there have been many adaptations of this Russian classic, few if any can boast a cast that includes such luminaries as Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange), Clemence Poesy (Birdsong) and Brenda Blethyn (Vera). The director, Austrian film-maker Robert Dornhelm is no slouch either, having been been behind the lens for hits including the Oscar nominated The Children of Theatre Street.
War and Peace is so long and so impressive that it makes “epics” such as Dr Zhivago look like short children’s stories. It features a colorful cast of...
- 9/24/2013
- by Edited by K Kinsella
By Darren Allison, Soundtrack Editor
Perseverance Records to attend huge soundtrack signing event
Our friend Robin Esterhammer of Perseverance Records will be hosting a signing event at Dark Delicacies of Burbank at 2pm on July 28th. The list of composers is certainly looking impressive and names are still being added.
Confirmed already are: John Debney, Richard M. Sherman (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Elia Cmiral (The Deaths of Ian Stone, Journey to the End of the Night), Edwin Wendler (Escape), John Massari (The Puppet Master Soundtracks Box, 5 CD box), Brian Ralston (Crooked Arrows), Dennis Dreith (The Punisher, Gag, Creep Van), Craig Safan (Remo Williams, Fade to Black, Circus, Lesser Known Favorites), Donald Rubinstein (Martin, Pollock, Knightriders), Romina Arena (Morricone Uncovered), Peter Bernstein (The Puppet Master Soundtracks Box), Mader (The Wedding Banquet, Cinemusica), Phillip Lambro (Chinatown - The Rejected Score, Crypt of the Living Dead, Murph the Surf, The Film Music of Phillip Lambro), Richard Band (Mutant,...
Perseverance Records to attend huge soundtrack signing event
Our friend Robin Esterhammer of Perseverance Records will be hosting a signing event at Dark Delicacies of Burbank at 2pm on July 28th. The list of composers is certainly looking impressive and names are still being added.
Confirmed already are: John Debney, Richard M. Sherman (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Elia Cmiral (The Deaths of Ian Stone, Journey to the End of the Night), Edwin Wendler (Escape), John Massari (The Puppet Master Soundtracks Box, 5 CD box), Brian Ralston (Crooked Arrows), Dennis Dreith (The Punisher, Gag, Creep Van), Craig Safan (Remo Williams, Fade to Black, Circus, Lesser Known Favorites), Donald Rubinstein (Martin, Pollock, Knightriders), Romina Arena (Morricone Uncovered), Peter Bernstein (The Puppet Master Soundtracks Box), Mader (The Wedding Banquet, Cinemusica), Phillip Lambro (Chinatown - The Rejected Score, Crypt of the Living Dead, Murph the Surf, The Film Music of Phillip Lambro), Richard Band (Mutant,...
- 6/14/2013
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
After bringing back the bumbling British spy to the big screen in Johnny English Reborn (the character was more popular in the UK), director Oliver Parker is getting back to period drama. With films like Dorian Gray in his past as well, Deadline reports Parker is heading to World War II with Dunkirk, a film based on the battle of the same name. As part of the Battle of France, the story takes place during the defense, evacuation and rescue of 200,000 British troops and 140,000 French troops as the Germans advanced. What makes this all the morning interesting is the civilians who used small boats to carry all the troops across the English Channel in this battle that is said to be one of the turning points in the war. More below! Deadline says the script comes from an unlikely source as Gavin Scott, the man behind family films like Small Soldiers...
- 2/14/2013
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
The Dunkirk evacuation, one of the biggest course changing moments of World War II, is set to be brought to the big screen in a new movie from Working Title UK.
Deadline say Oliver Parker is attached to direct Dunkirk, a spec script from Gavin Scott that will re-tell the story of courage from those British civilians who over nine days in May 1940 used hundreds of small boats to cross the English Channel to rescue 200,000 British and 140,000 French troops from the advancing Germans. In British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s immortal We shall fight them on the beaches speech on June 4th, he hailed the rescue mission as a “miracle of deliverance”.
For Parker, this will be his most mature film for a while having previously shot the oddball adaptation of Dorian Gray and the two farcical comedies St. Trinian’s and most recently Johnny English Reborn, the latter which...
Deadline say Oliver Parker is attached to direct Dunkirk, a spec script from Gavin Scott that will re-tell the story of courage from those British civilians who over nine days in May 1940 used hundreds of small boats to cross the English Channel to rescue 200,000 British and 140,000 French troops from the advancing Germans. In British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s immortal We shall fight them on the beaches speech on June 4th, he hailed the rescue mission as a “miracle of deliverance”.
For Parker, this will be his most mature film for a while having previously shot the oddball adaptation of Dorian Gray and the two farcical comedies St. Trinian’s and most recently Johnny English Reborn, the latter which...
- 2/14/2013
- by Matt Holmes
- Obsessed with Film
Spy Hunter
Carter Blanchard ("Glimmer") has come on to pen the script for the film adaptation of the videogame series "Spy Hunter" at Warner Bros. Pictures.
Ruben Fleischer remains attached to direct the film which follows ex-fighter pilot who rids the world of spies, assassins, and other bad guys with his souped-up Interceptor car. [Source: Variety]
Dunkirk
Gavin Scott ("Small Soldiers") has sold his spec script "Dunkirk" to Working Title UK. Oliver Parker ("Dorian Gray," "Johnny English Reborn") is attached to direct.
The story deals with the famed WWII battle in which British civilians used small boats to cross the English Channel and rescue 200,000 British troops and 140,000 French troops from the advancing Germans. [Source: Deadline]
Equinox
Paramount’s low-budget genre label Insurge has picked up Adam Mason and Simon Boyes' sci-fi spec script "Equinox". Stefan Sonnenfeld is producing.
The story is being described as "'Dead Calm' in space", though the action...
Carter Blanchard ("Glimmer") has come on to pen the script for the film adaptation of the videogame series "Spy Hunter" at Warner Bros. Pictures.
Ruben Fleischer remains attached to direct the film which follows ex-fighter pilot who rids the world of spies, assassins, and other bad guys with his souped-up Interceptor car. [Source: Variety]
Dunkirk
Gavin Scott ("Small Soldiers") has sold his spec script "Dunkirk" to Working Title UK. Oliver Parker ("Dorian Gray," "Johnny English Reborn") is attached to direct.
The story deals with the famed WWII battle in which British civilians used small boats to cross the English Channel and rescue 200,000 British troops and 140,000 French troops from the advancing Germans. [Source: Deadline]
Equinox
Paramount’s low-budget genre label Insurge has picked up Adam Mason and Simon Boyes' sci-fi spec script "Equinox". Stefan Sonnenfeld is producing.
The story is being described as "'Dead Calm' in space", though the action...
- 2/14/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Exclusive: Working Title UK has acquired Dunkirk, a spec script by Gavin Scott that has Oliver Parker attached to direct. The script chronicles the courage of British civilians, men and women who used small boats to cross the English Channel and rescue 200,000 British troops and 140,000 French troops from the advancing Germans. Dunkirk was one of the battles that changed the course of WWII. Scott wrote the script and brought to Parker, whose credits include Dorian Gray, and Johnny English Reborn. Scott’s script work includes Small Soldiers and The Borrowers and series that include Young Indiana Jones. He’s currently teamed with Terry Jones on an adaptation of Good Omens, the Neil Gaiman/Terry Pratchett comic novel. He and Jones also scripted Absolutely Anything, which Jones is directing with his Monty Python mates and Robin Williams. Scott is repped by Original Artists in the Us and Linda Seifert Management in the UK,...
- 2/14/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
World War II is clearly on filmmakers and studios’ minds today (just in time for Valentine’s Day! How romantic!), as in addition to David Ayer selling a Us army tank thriller, Working Title has snapped up Gavin Scott’s script about the dramatic and chaotic Dunkirk evacuation of 1940.Oliver Parker, who last made Johnny English Reborn, is attached to direct Dunkirk, which is set during the operation.With Germany on a rampage across Europe and English, French and other Allied forces were on the retreat and backed up against the coast with the Germans approaching. Threatened with disaster, the UK launched a daring rescue mission consisting of every ship they could spare, down to small river boats, crossing the English Channel to get as many troops as possible to safety.In the end, almost 200,000 British soldiers and nearly 140,000 French fighters were evacuated, and the battle proved to be a...
- 2/13/2013
- EmpireOnline
Oliver Parker has signed on to direct Dunkirk with Working Title UK, Deadline reports. The film, based on the historic World War II battle, was written by Gavin Scott. Parker's previous directing credits include St. Trinian's , Dorian Gray and, most recently, Johnny English Reborn . Although the latter film performed modestly at the domestic box office with just over $8.3 million, it was a major success internationally, grossing $160 million. Scott, meanwhile, was the screenwriter on family-friendly features like Small Soldiers and The Borrowers . He also scripted several episodes of "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles." (Photo Credit: WENN.com)...
- 2/13/2013
- Comingsoon.net
• Tim Robbins will star in and direct the dramedy Man Under, with Michelle Pfeiffer and Chloe Moretz on board to play members of a family who deal with the repercussions of a photograph of them getting displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Though he recently directed a couple episodes of HBO’s Treme, this will be Robbins’ first time helming a feature film since 1999′s Cradle Will Rock. Ann Cherkis penned the script. [Variety]
• Gemma Arterton (Clash of the Titans) has joined, and Benedict Cumberbatch (i.e. Benny Batch) is in talks to join, Absolutely Anything,...
• Gemma Arterton (Clash of the Titans) has joined, and Benedict Cumberbatch (i.e. Benny Batch) is in talks to join, Absolutely Anything,...
- 11/8/2012
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW - Inside Movies
We brought you the news back in January that the remaining members of legendary comedy troupe Monty Python were set to reunite for another big screen project, tentatively titled Absolutely Anything.
As if the prospect of a new Python project wasn’t enough to get us excited, it turns out they've got their eye on two of our fave rising Brit stars to team up in the upcoming movie. Gemma Arterton is confirmed to participate in the Terry Jones-directed flick, while Benedict Cumberbatch (who looks to be after the busiest actor in showbiz crown) is in talks to join the comedy.
Set to begin filming in the spring, the film -- co-written by Jones and Gavin Scott -- revolves around a teacher who discovers he has magical powers and can rid himself of troublesome students and even bring the dead back to life. Find out more about the project after the cut!
As if the prospect of a new Python project wasn’t enough to get us excited, it turns out they've got their eye on two of our fave rising Brit stars to team up in the upcoming movie. Gemma Arterton is confirmed to participate in the Terry Jones-directed flick, while Benedict Cumberbatch (who looks to be after the busiest actor in showbiz crown) is in talks to join the comedy.
Set to begin filming in the spring, the film -- co-written by Jones and Gavin Scott -- revolves around a teacher who discovers he has magical powers and can rid himself of troublesome students and even bring the dead back to life. Find out more about the project after the cut!
- 11/7/2012
- by Emma Badame
- Cineplex
Benedict Cumberbatch and Gemma Arterton are being reportedly lined up for roles in Absolutely Anything, a long-gestating sci-fi comedy that reunites the several of the Monty Python’s Flying Circus gang.
In the works since 2010, Absolutely Anything had John Oliver attached, but at the start of this year he wasn’t mentioned.
‘Sci-fi farce’ will feature Pythons Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and John Cleese voicing aliens who are able to give humans the power to do ‘absolutely anything.’
The story revolves around a teacher who benefits from the extra terrestrials’ aid: he soon discovers he has magical powers and can make things happen with the wave of his hand such as wiping out classrooms of badly behaving students and bringing people back to life. However, he experiences mishap after mishap as he tries to learn how to use these powers.
Jones is finally gearing up to get rolling...
In the works since 2010, Absolutely Anything had John Oliver attached, but at the start of this year he wasn’t mentioned.
‘Sci-fi farce’ will feature Pythons Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and John Cleese voicing aliens who are able to give humans the power to do ‘absolutely anything.’
The story revolves around a teacher who benefits from the extra terrestrials’ aid: he soon discovers he has magical powers and can make things happen with the wave of his hand such as wiping out classrooms of badly behaving students and bringing people back to life. However, he experiences mishap after mishap as he tries to learn how to use these powers.
Jones is finally gearing up to get rolling...
- 11/7/2012
- by Nick Martin
- Filmofilia
Gemma Arterton is confirmed and Benedict Cumberbatch in talks to join the comedy "Absolutely Anything".
The story follows a teacher who discovers he has magical powers that allow him to wipe out classrooms of badly behaving students and bring people back to life. As he tries to learn how to use these powers, things just keep going wrong.
Most of the Monty Python alumni are involved in the film which is being directed by Terry Jones and features voiceovers from the likes of Jones, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and John Cleese.
Jones co-wrote the film with Gavin Scott, while Ben Timlett and Bill Jones are producing. Shooting kicks off early next year.
Source: The Wrap...
The story follows a teacher who discovers he has magical powers that allow him to wipe out classrooms of badly behaving students and bring people back to life. As he tries to learn how to use these powers, things just keep going wrong.
Most of the Monty Python alumni are involved in the film which is being directed by Terry Jones and features voiceovers from the likes of Jones, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and John Cleese.
Jones co-wrote the film with Gavin Scott, while Ben Timlett and Bill Jones are producing. Shooting kicks off early next year.
Source: The Wrap...
- 11/7/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Benedict Cumberbatch and Gemma Arterton look set to join the cast of the 'sci-fi farce', which is scheduled to begin filming in 2013
Benedict Cumberbatch and Gemma Arterton look set to join the cast of the Monty Python troupe's long-awaited return to cinema, Absolutely Anything, reports The Wrap.
Sherlock star Cumberbatch is said to be in talks for the project, which will be directed by Python Terry Jones from a script he co-wrote with Gavin Scott. Arterton has already signed on the dotted line, with filming set to begin in the first quarter of 2013.
Previously described as a "sci-fi farce", Absolutely Anything will feature Pythons Jones, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and John Cleese voicing aliens who are able to give humans the power to do "absolutely anything." According to The Wrap, the film centres on a teacher who benefits from the extra terrestrials' aid: he soon discovers he has magical powers...
Benedict Cumberbatch and Gemma Arterton look set to join the cast of the Monty Python troupe's long-awaited return to cinema, Absolutely Anything, reports The Wrap.
Sherlock star Cumberbatch is said to be in talks for the project, which will be directed by Python Terry Jones from a script he co-wrote with Gavin Scott. Arterton has already signed on the dotted line, with filming set to begin in the first quarter of 2013.
Previously described as a "sci-fi farce", Absolutely Anything will feature Pythons Jones, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and John Cleese voicing aliens who are able to give humans the power to do "absolutely anything." According to The Wrap, the film centres on a teacher who benefits from the extra terrestrials' aid: he soon discovers he has magical powers...
- 11/7/2012
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Monty Python Feature 'Absolutely Anything' Attracts Gemma Arterton, Benedict Cumberbatch (Exclusive)
The long-gestating Monty Python project "Absolutely Anything" is moving full steam ahead, with Gemma Arterton confirmed for the project and Benedict Cumberbatch in talks to join the comedy, TheWrap has learned. To be directed by Terry Jones, "Absolutely Anything" will include voiceovers from Monty Python alumni, including Jones, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and John Cleese. Robin Williams will also do a voiceover. Filming is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2013, with Jones directing from a script he co-wrote with Gavin Scott. Ben Timlett and Bill Jones are producing. The story...
- 11/7/2012
- by Liza Foreman
- The Wrap
If you want a film that boasts Python power (Monty, not the actual snake), then you can always watch A Liar’s Autobiography. But if you’re still craving the comic confections of the resurgent team, you’re probably also anticipating Absolutely Anything, which several of the gang have been working on since at least 2010 (and longer for Terry Jones). But good news! They have Gemma Arterton locked in and Benedict Cumberbatch in talks for the film.As though sponsored by one of the Upper Class Twits, the comedy has been bumbling along in development for a couple of years. John Oliver was attached back in 2010, but when word of it popped back up again at the start of this year, he wasn’t mentioned.Terry Jones is directing the film, which will be based on a script he developed with Gavin Scott across the last 20 years. It finds a...
- 11/7/2012
- EmpireOnline
Yesterday I got to meet ad interview new upcoming talent, Aneurin Banard for his new movie, Elfie Hopkins where he plays a geek opposite non-geek Jamie Winstone (it’ll go live next week). I then get home only to find that the man who I tipped for great things has been cast in this brand new movie opposite the likes of Michael Sheen, Lena Headey, Sam Neill, Ioan Gruffudd and Keeley Hawes. Aneurin will play the lead in this latest film called Mariah Mundi and the Midas Box which is based on the teen adventure series by G.P. Taylor.
Exciting news for him and we look forward to seeing more info from it when it’s released. In the meantime though, here’s the press release with all the ins and outs that you need to know!
Aneurin Barnard Joins A Stellar Cast In The Highly Anticipated Film Adaptation Of...
Exciting news for him and we look forward to seeing more info from it when it’s released. In the meantime though, here’s the press release with all the ins and outs that you need to know!
Aneurin Barnard Joins A Stellar Cast In The Highly Anticipated Film Adaptation Of...
- 4/13/2012
- by David Sztypuljak
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Across the pond the Ya adaption craze continues with London's Entertainment Motion Pictures' plan to produce a teen thriller based on G.P. Taylor's Victorian-set fantasy-thriller Mariah Mundi and The Midas Box. Jonathan Newman, who wrote and directed the Mandy Moore/Martin Freeman rom-com Swinging with the Finkels will helm the adventure, which follows the journey of a teen boy who discovers a mysterious box in the basement of the opulent Prince Regent, where he's employed. Writing team Rob Sprackling and John Smith (Gnomeo & Juliet) and Gavin Scott (Small Soldiers) have been tasked with translating the first book in Taylor's optioned trilogy into a family-friendly romp, which Newman's described as a mix of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Sherlock Holmes and Harry Potter. While that is a preposterous amount of hype to level on Mariah Mundi and The Midas Box, the project is at least...
- 2/9/2012
- cinemablend.com
We can’t yet determine how these two endeavors will turn out, but Michael Sheen is moving away from Twilight and Jesus Henry Christ. For that alone, this is an improvement.
Anyway, Variety informs us that the Welsh actor is in talks for Mariah Mundi & the Midas Box, a film version of G.P. Taylor‘s children’s novel that Jonathan Newman has been tapped to direct. Sam Neill, Lena Headey, and Ioan Gruffud are also being eyed for the Victorian London-set story that tell of “a 15-year-old boy, Mariah Mundi, whose world is torn apart by the disappearance of his parents, then the kidnapping of younger brother by unknown assailants.”
Sheen will play an “Indiana Jones-ish adventurer, Captain Charity, [with whom] he sets off in pursuit, arriving at the Prince Regent, a hotel hiding a fantastical underworld.” Dr. Grant will appear as “an arch villain,” Sarah Connor “his witch-seductress,” the main...
Anyway, Variety informs us that the Welsh actor is in talks for Mariah Mundi & the Midas Box, a film version of G.P. Taylor‘s children’s novel that Jonathan Newman has been tapped to direct. Sam Neill, Lena Headey, and Ioan Gruffud are also being eyed for the Victorian London-set story that tell of “a 15-year-old boy, Mariah Mundi, whose world is torn apart by the disappearance of his parents, then the kidnapping of younger brother by unknown assailants.”
Sheen will play an “Indiana Jones-ish adventurer, Captain Charity, [with whom] he sets off in pursuit, arriving at the Prince Regent, a hotel hiding a fantastical underworld.” Dr. Grant will appear as “an arch villain,” Sarah Connor “his witch-seductress,” the main...
- 2/9/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
What made this time right for the cinematic coming-together of the Monty Python comedy troupe for the first time in 16 years? “I just like having friends around,” says Terry Jones, the Python vet who is directing John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, and presumably Eric Idle (though that deal has not been inked yet) for the upcoming Absolutely Anything. EW spoke with Jones and producer Chris Chesser about the film, which centers on a pack of aliens who grant absolute power to an unwitting Englishman then sit back and watch what havoc he wreaks.
The Python guys will lend their...
The Python guys will lend their...
- 1/27/2012
- by Lanford Beard
- EW - Inside Movies
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