Aronofsky's "The General" (George Washington Pic)

[kvz5]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118052785?refCatId=13

Par eyes Aronofsky's Washington pic
Studio negotiating for 'The General' with 'Black Swan' helmer attached
By JOSH L. DICKEY, JEFF SNEIDER

Paramount Pictures is in negotiations to acquire "The General," a George Washington pic with Darren Aronofsky attached to produce and direct from a script by Adam Cooper and Bill Collage.

Par is exclusively eyeing the project under its first-look deal with Aronofsky's Protozoa Pictures banner. If the studio doesn't close a deal in the next couple of days, others get a shot -- and interest is expected to be high, with Aronofsky coming off the $329 million worldwide gross and awards success of "Black Swan."

Plot details are being kept under wraps, but sources tell Variety that the script is more of an "Unforgiven"-like tale rather than a straight historical drama.

Paramount had no comment on the negotiations.

Helmer is currently casting his Biblical epic "Noah," which has Russell Crowe set to star as the title character. Aronofsky is also eyeing The Weinstein Co.'s Judy Garland biopic "Get Happy," which has Anne Hathaway attached to play the "Wizard of Oz" star. It's unclear whether "The General" or "Get Happy" would serve as the helmer's follow-up to "Noah."

Aronofsky, repped by CAA, is involved with several other long-gestating projects including Fox Searchlight's "Jackie" and Warner Bros.' sci-fi/drama "Human Nature," but "The General" is a film that Aronofsky is eager to make.

The WME-repped Cooper and Collage, who share a screenplay credit for the 2006 slacker comedy "Accepted," also share story credits on "Tower Heist" and have a handful of projects in development, including a "Moby Dick" adaptation and an untitled Moses project.

Contact Josh L. Dickey at [email protected]

 

[cherokeesam]

Aronofsky doing a biopic of GW fills me with teh awesome.

Script being penned by the dweebs who wrote Accepted and Tower Heist fills me with teh awwwww.

 

[Duke]

I actually hope this comes to fruition & they make an excellent movie on Washington. I think he's been long overdue a proper movie based on his life.

 

[Boom]

I got really excited, until I saw who is writing the script.

I am in desperate need of a quality GW biopic.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Just because he can write comedy doesn't mean he can't write a serious drama. It's not like he's not going to take it seriously.

This is definitely interesting. I've never even thought of the idea of a GW biopic. Aronofsky directing it makes it even more interesting.

 

[Bim]

This sounds interesting. Keeping my eye on it for sure

 

[Nightmare]

Sounds awesome. Any word on an abe lincoln movie?

 

[bunk]

Could be interesting. If it craps all over the historical record, I probably won't enjoy it though.

 

[craigdbfan]

I've always wanted a "definitive" George Washington picture. I find it interesting how there still hasn't been a big budget film with an A-list director and stars made for him yet.

Washington was a total boss. Through and through and he deserves a great film.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Will they skimp over the massive number of slaves Washington owned, beat, and raped?

 

[Venomfan]

Will they skimp over the massive number of slaves Washington owned, beat, and raped?

everytime they make a historical movie someone asks a variation of this question

 

[craigdbfan]

I knew someone was going to bring that up.

Didn't take long at all in fact. Plus he would never beat slaves himself he'd have the overseer for that and no they shouldn't skip that. All facets of the man should be explored.

Another important fact is that slavery was commonplace. Obviously that doesn't make it right but singling him out when most European colonies in the Americas enacted in slavery seems kind of silly.

 

[Drz]

Lol why bump a 2 year old topic?

 

[craigdbfan]

Because I was seeing if any big name director had ever attempted to produce a George Washington pic and I found out Aronofsky wanted to make a film thus me posting how I want him to make this picture, I had no idea he had an interest in G.W. Hopefully it will be his next film.

Have we reached a state of political correctness that even mentioning George Washington is sacrilege?

 

[Venomfan]

was just looking at the james brown movie thread, and yup same thing there lol

Will the movie depict him as being the wife beater and suspected rapist?

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brown

 

[craigdbfan]

Like clockwork man, like clockwork.

 

[redhawk23]

I knew someone was going to bring that up.

Didn't take long at all in fact. Plus he would never beat slaves himself he'd have the overseer for that and no they shouldn't skip that. All facets of the man should be explored.

Another important fact is that slavery was commonplace. Obviously that doesn't make it right but singling him out when most European colonies in the Americas enacted in slavery seems kind of silly.

Well you know, most of those Europeans didn't become some of the most famous individuals of the 18th century by leading successful rebellions based on ideas of individual freedom.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Anyone remember the miniseries with Barry Bostwick?

 

[Apollo]

Aronofsky??? Ugh.. I hope they pick someone else.

 

[Octoberist]

"Apollo: Canned User"
A film by Darren Aronofsky.

 

[kedrell]

Aronofsky??? Ugh.. I hope they pick someone else.

I completely agree. While Noah wasn't bad(I was as surprised as anyone) that's the only film of his that didn't put me to sleep or make me change the channel within 20 minutes of watching it. Considering this is a subject matter that could actually be interesting I'd wish for a different hand to be at the helm. Spielberg, perhaps?

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Aronofsky is a fantastic director, easily one of the best working today. You all must be crazy.

 

[kedrell]

I don't jump on bandwagons. The guy is severely lackluster to me. Between him, Nolan and Del Toro I find the conventional wisdom purveyors to be not so wise after all.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Aronofsky has no bandwagon. He simply has talent.

 

[kedrell]

The people who keep trying to tell me how good he is constitute the bandwagon. I don't see it. One ok film in several isn't the greatest track record to me.