Mirren is Tempting
Julie Taymor--who is set to direct the film version of Shakespeares
THE TEMPEST--is perhaps one of the most visually gifted directors working in Hollywood today, so the idea of her tackling one of Shakespeares most visually forward works is automatically exciting.
Already, the maverick director has put her own stamp on the piece, changing the main character from Prospero (male), into Prospera (female) so that regal thespian and all around badass Helen Mirren can take the role. Joining the Oscar winner will be a stellar cast that includes Djimon Hounsou as the deformed slave Caliban, Ben Wishaw as the airy spirit Ariel, Russell Brand as Trinculo the jester, Jeremy Irons, as Alonso, the King of Naples, and Alfred Molina as the drunken butler Stephano. Geoffrey is currently in negotiations to play Gonzalo, a royal adviser and old ally of Prospera's.
The film, which centers around Prospera, her daughter Miranda ( Felicity Jones) and a shipwrecked crew full of Prospera's enemies, is set to start shooting Next month in Hawaii. Since we've all grown up with Billy Shakespeare and can all sort of grasp what a standard production of one of his works might look and feel like, I think when adapting his stuff to the big screen, a unique, dynamic visual interpretation becomes paramount--something a la Baz Lurhman circa ROMEO AND JULIET. Franky, I think Taymor's got the goods.
| Extra Tidbit: |
Julie Taymor's previous stab at Shakespeare was TITUS and it was stunning. |
if she offered...
i dont have an old bird fetish but hellen mirren would be the one oldie
good look on the news
i dont have an old bird fetish but hellen mirren would be the one oldie
good look on the news
I may have to go home and watch "The Forbidden Planet" again.
I may have to go home and watch "The Forbidden Planet" again.
Taymor+Bard = messed up exciting!
If it were any but Helen Mirren I might be put off mildly by Prospero changing to a woman, just cuz I felt he was the sort of guy who really couldn't empathize with his daughter's hormonal maturity.
The idea of sticking Russell Brand in a Shakespeare play is what excites me most, though. And
If it were any but Helen Mirren I might be put off mildly by Prospero changing to a woman, just cuz I felt he was the sort of guy who really couldn't empathize with his daughter's hormonal maturity.
The idea of sticking Russell Brand in a Shakespeare play is what excites me most, though. And Hounsou is spot-on casting.
Tempest
Can't expect everyone to be aware of that play though. It isn't his most well known by any means.
But I am excited to see my favorite Shakespeare work on the big screen.
Can't expect everyone to be aware of that play though. It isn't his most well known by any means.
But I am excited to see my favorite Shakespeare work on the big screen.