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| When we last brought word on Roman Polanski's Pompeii, the controversial director was looking to snag some top-notch (read: A-list) talent to star in what ultimately will become one of the most expensive European film projects ever (the budget is said to currently be hanging around the $130 million mark). The speculation as to who would be cast in the lead role began, with rumors suggesting that Polanski wanted "a top Italian thesp" to play our hero's beautiful love interest. Well, according to Coming Soon (who wouldn't report on a rumor unless they were pretty sure it was true), Polanski's wish is about to come true as Orlando Bloom and Scarlett Johansson (hey, when did she become an Italian thesp?) are in talks to star in the pic, which will revolve around events that took place just prior to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79. If this rumor (and, right now, it's only a rumor) turns out to be true, Bloom will play Marcus Attilus Primus; a Roman engineer who is sent to Pompeii to help repair "the greatest aqueduct in the Roman Empire." However, while there, he must deal with all kinds of corrupt government types and a tiny volcanic eruption that, well, wipes out the entire city. Pic is based on Robert Harris' best-selling novel of the same name, and will reportedly begin filming in August. This will most certainly be Polanski's most ambitious film to date; heck, the amount of CGI effects alone opens up a whole new avenue for the director. And while Johansson has a ton of projects lined up, she'll be in Spain (where most of the Pompeii production is said to be taking place) shooting Woody Allen's new film, so I assume she'll be available to stop by Polanski's set to act all, "Oh my God, what's that red stuff coming at me!?" Also, both Bloom and Johansson are no strangers when it comes to historical epics; the former has Troy and Kingdom of Heaven under his belt, while the latter has Girl with a Pearl Earring, as well as upcoming pics like The Other Boleyn Girl and Napoleon and Betsy. Interesting casting choices; not exactly my first choice, but you have to admit -- these two will look real good together on screen. (I smell a potential off-screen romance in the works .... ) Cinematical.com |
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| Bloom and Johansson in Talks for Pompeii Source: The Dane May 11, 2007 ComingSoon.net has learned that Oscar winner Roman Polanski (The Pianist) is in talks with Orlando Bloom ("Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogies) and Scarlett Johansson (The Prestige) to star in his historical tentpole Pompeii. Based on the New York Times best-selling novel by Robert Harris (author of "Archangel" and "Fatherland"), Pompeii tells the story of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79 through the eyes of a young engineer, Marcus Attilius Primus, who is sent to repair the greatest aqueduct in the Roman Empire, which brings water to 250,000 people on the Bay of Naples. Attilius not only has to fight the corrupt forces that control the town of Pompeii, but ultimately the overwhelming power of nature itself. The film has a projected August start with plans for a five month shoot. Polanski co-wrote the script with Harris. |
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| UPDATE: We have delved more into this story and, while Bloom and Johansson were indeed in consideration for the film, they can't do the film because production has been postponed until April 2008, which conflicts with the actors' schedules. The movie is still being sold at the Cannes Film Festival with a promise of A-list actors attached. It should hit theaters 3rd or 4th Quarter 2009. |
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| Director Roman Polanski has pulled out of the $100 million "Pompeii," and preparations on the big-budget epic have been indefinitely halted, due to fears that the looming actors strike could derail the project, producer Robert Benmussa said Tuesday. Benmussa, producer Alain Sarde and Summit Intl., which is repping worldwide sales, noted in a statement that production requires principal photography to take place during the summer in Europe, which could cause lensing to be delayed into the fall. Current contracts for the Screen Actors Guild and the Directors Guild of America both expire June 30. Benmussa said: "Polanski has asked for his liberty, and we've given it to him." If the union dispute is resolved between now and next February, Polanski could return, Benmussa said, but he added: "I've very little hope of that." Polanski has not pulled out so that he could take on an alternative project. The director had been "working nonstop on the project for the past 18 months," Benmussa said. The decision to put "Pompeii" on ice was taken "in the past 48 hours," the producer asserted. "We've been meeting agents and they've all said they can't commit beyond June 30, 2008 because of the strike. Unfortunately, we are scheduled to shoot in Southern Italy in August 2008." The producer went on: "The weather is an actor in this film, because the catastrophe happened Aug. 26, during the sweltering heat of summer, when water supplies had run out. It is a part of the story." Other southern settings for the five month shoot were considered but ruled out. "This isn't a TV film where sand dunes in Morocco are made to pass for some other part of the world. It's a question of credibility," Benmussa said. "Millions" have already been spent since the film went into preparation in March, the producer said, and France's Pathe, Germany's Constantin and RAI Cinema in Italy are among some 35 distributors from around the world who have pre-bought the pic, on the strength of Polanski's association as helmer, as much as the subject matter. Benmussa, Sarde and Summit also said Tuesday that they remain committed to the project, based on Robert Harris' novel set against the backdrop of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. They noted that they're exploring the option of developing the project with another filmmaker with a 2008 production start should a strike not occur. "I don't know what we are going to do yet," Benmussa said. "If Polanski is no longer directing, we'll have to completely remount the project. Distributors will also have their liberty to pull out of the film." He went on: "We still have the book rights, we still have a scenario and a very strong subject that people all over the world are interested in. This is a temporary problem that we have to resolve." Pathe and RAI Cinema both confirmed Tuesday that they were exiting the project. A RAI Cinema rep said: "The contract we had for Pompeii is no longer valid, as it was tied to Polanski being attached to direct. If we are offered another director, then we shall see. But as things stand we are no longer on board." Regarding his decision, Polanski said, "I put a lot of work and energy into the development of 'Pompeii' so it is not without regret that I have to decline my further involvement." |