Cloud Atlas

[Electrix]

As far as arthouse cinema goes, Germany has a good reputation. The Stasi thriller The Lives of Others won an Oscar in 2007, The White Ribbon clinched the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2009 and Downfall was the hit that launched a thousand spoofs.

But despite critical plaudits, German productions have rarely managed to infiltrate commercial multiplexes outside their own borders. That might just change with the announcement of what is being heralded in the German media as "the first attempt at a German blockbuster" and "the most expensive German film of all time" – a $100m (£62m) adaptation of David Mitchell's labyrinthine novel Cloud Atlas, which will be filmed on location in Berlin this autumn.

The film is being produced by Munich-born Stefan Arndt (Good Bye Lenin!, The White Ribbon) and directed by his compatriot Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) and the American Wachowski brothers, who made The Matrix series. Arndt's X-Filme – in conjunction with Warner Brothers in the US – fought off competition from Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks powerhouse, among others, to buy the rights to the award-winning book.

Though Arndt insists the production will be a "pure German film – and the most expensive ever", he has decided to keep the dialogue in Mitchell's native English. Halle Berry and Tom Hanks have been lined up as the leads, supported by Susan Sarandon and Jim Broadbent.

Mitchell told the Guardian on Wednesday he had read the "deeply impressive" script nine months ago. "They aren't attempting merely to film the book, which is why many adaptations come to grief – the novel's already there, so why spend all that effort on an audiobook with visuals?" he said via email.

"Rather, the three directors have assembled Cloud Atlas and reassembled it in a form which – fingers crossed – will be a glorious, epic thing. The reincarnation motif in the book is just a hinted-at linking device, but the script gives it centre stage to link the six worlds with characters, causes and effects. A novel can't do multi-role acting: a film can. The directors are playing to the strengths of their medium, just like I try to."

He said he was determined to be on set when filming starts. "Watch a line I wrote come out of the amazing Jim Broadbent's mouth? Wild horses couldn't keep me away."

Asked what he thought about his creation being touted as the most expensive German film of all time, Mitchell said: "I'd be dishonest if I didn't confess to a tinge of pride. Plus a bit of 'blimey' and gratitude that it's not my job to handle the budget."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/jun/22/cloud-atlas-filmed-berlin

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

Bae Doona Joins 'Cloud Atlas'

According to South Korean news site Sports Chosun (via Soompi) actress Bae Doona (The Host) is in talks to join Cloud Atlas, the adaptation of David Mitchell’s novel which will be co-directed by The Wachowskis (The Matrix) and Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run).

The site says “Bae Doo Na had meetings with Hollywood producers recently, and they are believed to have finalized on her casting”.

Source

The actress is said to be taking the role of Somni~451. Although I would like to have Portman (who was originally cast as Somni~451) in the role, I think it's great that the Wachowskis and Tywker cast Bae Doona instead, as both her and the character are South Korean.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

'Cloud Atlas' Set To Film Mid-September With A Smaller Budget

The directing trio will shoot the historic/sci fi epic -- starring Halle Berry and Tom Hanks -- in parallel using two complete teams.

BERLIN - Cloud Atlas, the ambitious literary adaptation being co-written and co-directed by The Matrix siblings Andy and Lana Wachowski and German helmer Tom Tykwer (Run, Lola, Run, The International) is set to begin shooting mid-to-late September at Germany's Studio Babelsberg. The mega project, which stars Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon, Ben Whishaw and Jim Broadbent, has been delayed sightly as Berlin-based producers X Filme close financing and contract negotiations with talent. X Filme topper Stefan Ardnt said the budget for Cloud will be "definitely lower" than then $100 million - $120 million that had been floated as an estimate in the past but he would not be drawn into giving an exact figure. Ardnt did confirm that the bulk of Cloud, "some 80 percent," will be shot in Babelsberg, Berlin and the surrounding area.

The film is based on David Mitchell's epic novel, which follows six story-lines, each set in a different place and era. The novel's timeline and geography stretches from 19th century Australia to a post-apocalyptic Hawaii.
"Many have called the novel unfilmable, but Tom [Tykwer] and the Wachowskis have found a way to tell these stories in an amazing, linear and very cinematic way," Arndt said.
Part of the concept of the film will see the actors play multiple roles in the various storylines. Tykwer and the Wachowski siblings will shoot parallel to each other using two separate film crews. Arndt wouldn't confirm details but it's expected Tykwer, whose credits include the 18th century-set Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, will handle Cloud Atlas' period era plotlines while the Wachowskis apply their Matrix mojo to the novel's sci-fi settings.

Source

What I find interesting is that Tykwer is expected to tackle the period part of the story, while the Wachowskis have the futuristic section, because I wouldn't have it otherwise. That's exactly how I imagine the three filmmakers handling this project.

 

[Electrix]

Can't wait for this

 

[dude stannis]

Cloud Atlas is near the top of my reading pile (Sorry, but Ed Brubaker has priority). Can't wait to see a Wachowski movie again. It's been too damn long.

 

[Rocketman]

Seems just as ambitious (if not more so) than The Matrix.
And considering Tom Hanks is involved, he wouldn't just sign up for crap*

*Ignoring:

Spoiler

The Ladykillers
Larry Crowne
The Polar Express
The Terminal

And totally praising him for:

Spoiler

Forrest Gump
Philadelphia
Cast Away
Saving Private Ryan
The Green Mile
Apollo 13
Road to Perdition
Toy Story 1, 2, 3

I mean, the dude has been in some of American history's finest and most cherished films.

 

[dude stannis]

Lets hope he pees during this film. Hell, it's shot to the top of my reading pile, just incase someone urinates in the film. Sorry Ed Brubaker.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

Jim Sturgess Joins 'Cloud Atlas'

Sturgess had this to say about the project:

“It’s an amazing book,” he told us enthusiastically. “You really gotta stick with it…because when it all starts falling into place it’s pretty amazing.”

”[All the actors] play a few characters, it’s very clever what [the directors are] gonna try and do. I’m really really really excited about it,” Sturgess continued. “I think it’s going to be bonkers, it’s either going to work or it’s not. I’m really excited to see if we can pull it off, because it’s ambitious what they want to do. And it’s nice, you feel like no one’s ever done that in a film before, it’s like rep theater on a sort of giant movie scale.”

Across the Universe is the only movie I've seen from him, but at least it's great that he has read the book, as it shows he has done his research.

Lets hope he pees during this film. Hell, it's shot to the top of my reading pile, just incase someone urinates in the film. Sorry Ed Brubaker.

I may be wrong but I don't remember anyone urinating in the novel, although one character was close to do it.

 

[Rocketman]

This is one of maybe 8 movies that I'm actually genuinely excited for.

Cloud Atlas
Bond 23
The Dark Knight Rises
Man of Steel
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Avengers
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Based on my own taste, the Wachowskis have never let me down. I'm one of 5 people in the world who loved The Matrix sequels, and I thought Revolutions was the best of the three. I personally feel like people hated the third movie because it hardly took place inside the Matrix, and it wasn't spoon-fed or easy. It was a challenging finale, and regardless of its many flaws, the three-film arc was brilliantly ended. But technically, people hated Revolutions because it was really the second half of one movie, and viewing Reloaded and Revolutions as one thing is really satisfying, as opposed to just seeing the finale in the theater as a singular film. Just my opinion, of course. It's one of the greatest and most ambitious trilogies / franchises EVER.

Bound is a brilliant, quirky little film. It's immensely entertaining in its audaciousness.
Speed Racer is highly underrated. A great family film with a kickass, emotional finale.
V For Vendetta had a fantastic script that was loyal to the source material.

I just think the Wachowskis rock, honestly. Everything they've done, I've loved.

 

[Electrix]

New interview with Ben Whishaw

Let’s talk Cloud Atlas for a moment. Are you learning piano now for the movie?
Yes, I am! It’s something I’ve wanted to do for ages, and it was a lovely excuse to fulfill that dream. I’m really enjoying it. I’m not that bad, but all I can play so far are the pieces in the film. And I’m reading the book now; I guess I’m about halfway through.

One of your co-stars, Hugo Weaving, said he was playing six parts. Who are your characters?
Everyone in the cast is playing at least three parts, some big and some small. I’m doing three: Frobisher in the thirties; a female American in the seventies, in the Luisa Rey section; and a smallish role, where I’m basically an extra, in a modern-day nursing home, in the Timothy Cavendish section. Everybody’s swapping race and gender, so it’s very ambitious and quite fun. I’ll really love playing a woman!

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/08/the_hours_ben_whishaw_on_playi.html

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

I think this idea is brilliant for a project like this, as it's very ambitious. I sincerely hope that they can pull it off.

 

[Crockett]

Oh so he's playing Frobisher, cool. Can't wait to know more who the other actors on are playing. It is indeed ambitious for everyone in the cast if they're to swap gender and race, that'll be interesting to see.

 

[dude stannis]

I can't wait to see Tom Hanks as a futuristic Korean.

 

[dark_b]

swapping gender?

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

swapping gender?

Changing gender isn't that difficult to pull off actually, it's the racial part which I think it's a bit more tricky to accomplish, and without it not looking laughable. But I'm pretty sure that when a few actors will change either gender or race, they'll be more of a background character and not the centerpiece of the scene.

The result can be terrible, but there's no way that it won't be interesting to see.

 

[dude stannis]

Lana Wachowski jokes in 5...4...3...2...

I'm reading Cloud Atlas atm, Finished the first section of The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing, it think that will translate really well to a film, I'm currently part way though Letters from Zedelghem, not sure how well that'll translate though.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

Lana Wachowski jokes in 5...4...3...2...

I'm reading Cloud Atlas atm, Finished the first section of The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing, it think that will translate really well to a film, I'm currently part way though Letters from Zedelghem, not sure how well that'll translate though.

It's great that you've started reading Cloud Atlas. My favorite story is An Orison of Sonmi~451, and that's the one I'm curious to see how it will translate on the silver screen.

 

[dude stannis]

I crashed through the first halves of Letters from Zedelghem and Half Lives: The First Luisa Rey Mystery really quickly last night. It's such an engrossing novel and completely different from the norm.

 

[Ultra Lantern]

When this movie comes out,I'll see it.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

I crashed through the first halves of Letters from Zedelghem and Half Lives: The First Luisa Rey Mystery really quickly last night. It's such an engrossing novel and completely different from the norm.

Tell me about it. The book kept me up long after I should have been in bed, but it was fine as it was a damn good book.

 

[dude stannis]

Tell me about it. The book kept me up long after I should have been in bed, but it was fine as it was a damn good book.

FINISHED!

A true masterpiece, recommended to everyone. I love that each story plays a variation of 'an inherently good person stands up to a force of corruption far greater than them', over each story, the evil grows in size, yet the individual remains just that. Oddly my favourite tale was The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish, he was just such an endearing grumpy old bastard. I read the whole section with Brian Cox's voice in my head!

I also really enjoyed An Orison of Sonmi 451, I totally see why you dig it, because I really miss the of hard sci-fi novels that came out of the 1970's. Given these boards, everyone here is likely to be sci-fi/fantasy fan, so I'd recommend the book to everyone here for that section alone.

The only section I didn't enjoy was Sloosha's crossin'. The pidgin English was a total strain for me to get through.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

FINISHED!

A true masterpiece, recommended to everyone. I love that each story plays a variation of 'an inherently good person stands up to a force of corruption far greater than them', over each story, the evil grows in size, yet the individual remains just that. Oddly my favourite tale was The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish, he was just such an endearing grumpy old bastard. I read the whole section with Brian Cox's voice in my head!

I also really enjoyed An Orison of Sonmi 451, I totally see why you dig it, because I really miss the of hard sci-fi novels that came out of the 1970's. Given these boards, everyone here is likely to be sci-fi/fantasy fan, so I'd recommend the book to everyone here for that section alone.

The only section I didn't enjoy was Sloosha's crossin'. The pidgin English was a total strain for me to get through.

Delighted to know that you liked the book. t:

The Cavendish sections are the ones that I also greatly enjoyed, his witticisms were just entertaining to read. I don't like the Sloosha segment as well, it's great on its own, but it pales in comparison to the other sections.

If you're interested to read more of Mitchell's books, I can recommend The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet and Ghostwritten (where the book are connected with each another like Cloud Atlas, plus Cavendish is a minor character in it).

 

[Dr. Evil]

Hugh Grant joins the film:

http://collider.com/cloud-atlas-hugh-grant/114569/

 

[xwolverine2]

i still dont see what its about...?

id watch anything by the wachowskys though so im sold... and the cast is pretty amazing

 

[dude stannis]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118042710

Keith David?!?!?!

Lord have mercy!

List of characters I could see him as;

Bill Smoke or Joe Napier from Half Lives.
Zachry's father or the leader of the Kona's from Slooshas.

Hugh Grant I could see as Adam Ewing and a young Rufus Sixsmith from Letters from Zedelghem?

Delighted to know that you liked the book. t:

The Cavendish sections are the ones that I also greatly enjoyed, his witticisms were just entertaining to read. I don't like the Sloosha segment as well, it's great on its own, but it pales in comparison to the other sections.

The final passage of The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing was one of the most inspiring things I've ever read.

If you're interested to read more of Mitchell's books, I can recommend The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet and Ghostwritten (where the book are connected with each another like Cloud Atlas, plus Cavendish is a minor character in it).

Ghostwritten is a must for me if Canvendish is in it even for a small amount!