Denzel Washington Attached to Matarese Circle

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=43683

Source: The Hollywood Reporter
April 4, 2008


Denzel Washington is attached to star in an adaptation of Robert Ludlum's (the Bourne books) best-selling novel, "The Matarese Circle."

The project revolves around two secret agents -- an American and a Russian -- who must work together to fight a mysterious group of killers known as the Matarese. The twist: The agents, Bradley Scofield and Vasili Taleniekov, have been nemeses for years, with each responsible for killing someone close to the other.

The Hollywood Reporter says Washington would play Scofield.

Michael Brandt and Derek Haas (the 3:10 to Yuma and Wanted duo) are attached as writers. Veteran producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Nick Wechsler are on board as producers.

Oh yes! This is my kind of story, Viggo for Vasili Taleniekov.

 

[Gotham]

Washington and possibly another great actor? I'm on board. It'll be interesting to see Washington play a secret agent.

 

[Dark Donnie]

My vote goes for Liev Schreiber, he has that Russian look.....Project sounds interesting.

 

[Carmine Falcone]

Gotta love those Ludlum titles. They ALL sound identical.

 

[FaT_tONle]

Hmm... who would make the perfect combo next to Denzel... I thought Crowe would be it... it didn't live up to the hype for me... I don't know if Viggo can hold his own with Denzel but he might be a the best choice out there... he's not a bad choice but he has already treaded the Russian undercover agent role and may not want to be type casted... maybe a guy like Jackman if he can pull off the Russian accent... someone that can rival the testosterone levels.

 

[Venomfan]

Viggo > Denzel

 

[TNC9852002]

The story doesn't seem interesting, but the crew looks good. I wonder who could play a Russian that hasn't been known for playing one already...

I bet Javier Bardem could do it.

-TNC

 

[tzarinna]

Hmmm, why can't Denzel play the Russian?

 

[Gotham]

The story doesn't seem interesting, but the crew looks good. I wonder who could play a Russian that hasn't been known for playing one already...

I bet Javier Bardem could do it.

-TNC

Javier Bardem as a Russian? Uh, well.. maybe.

 

[Hunter Rider]

The story doesn't seem interesting, but the crew looks good. I wonder who could play a Russian that hasn't been known for playing one already...

I bet Javier Bardem could do it.

-TNC

I disagree, i think the story sounds great, a circle of mysterious Assassins and two agents who are enemies from different countries teaming up, good spy stuff IMO.

 

[TNC9852002]

It just sounds similar to something I've seen or read before, that's all.

-TNC

 

[mastermindjcg]

Gotta love those Ludlum titles. They ALL sound identical.

It's a very simple formula that anyone can copy. All you gotta do is start with the word "the", follow it up with an exotic/cool sounding name, then cap it off with a nice, ten-dollar word like covenant or ultimatum. As for Washington, he seems to be comfortable in the political thriller genre at this point after Pelican Brief and the remake of Manchurian Candidate.

 

[Gotham]

From a new Creative Screenwriting Podcast with Michael Brandt about this film:

"Derek and I almost never get together in a room, y'know? It's not our style... I mean, we'll usually see one another through our wives at parties, but no--we're writing over e-mails. For instance, we are adapting a Robert Ludlum novel--The Matarese Circle--and honestly, the first draft is a little weak, but this draft is still a work in progress."

Thought that was interesting. I did a horrible translation, though.

Source: http://creativescreenwritingmagazine.blogspot.com/

 

[Gotham]

David Cronenberg is now attached as the director:

David Cronenberg is in negotiations to direct the political thriller "The Matarese Circle" for MGM.

Denzel Washington is attached to star in the film, which is based on a Robert Ludlum novel.


Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, book revolves around two men -- one American, one Soviet -- who must cooperate in order to foil a sinister plot to topple the world's governments.


Writing partners Michael Brandt and Derek Haas will adapt the screenplay.
Lorenzo di Bonaventura is producing alongside Nick Wechsler and Jeffrey Weiner.


MGM began fast-tracking the project after beating out rival studios for the source material in April. The studio is eyeing a spring 2009 start date.
Project marks the second MGM film to attach a top director since Mary Parent took the reins of the studio. Darren Aronofsky is onboard to helm a "RoboCop" reboot.


Cronenberg, who most recently directed "Eastern Promises," is repped by Endeavor and Artist Talent Management.

Source: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117993581.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

I have to say, I'm very happy with the decision.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm interesting development, so they are keeping the cold war setting...

 

[Dark Donnie]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm interesting development, so they are keeping the cold war setting...

Maybe Viggo for the russian now?

 

[Movies205]

Tom Cruise is in talks to star with Denzel Washington in The Matarese Circle, the David Cronenberg-directed adaptation of the Robert Ludlum thriller that MGM will put into production this year, reports Variety.

Cruise will go mano a mano with Washington as two bitter enemy spies who, after spending two decades trying to kill one another, find themselves in the crosshairs of the Matarese, a powerful group at the root of a conspiracy.

The trade says that the script by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas (Wanted) contemporizes Ludlum's original Cold War premise.

Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Nick Wechsler will produce with Jeffrey Weiner and Ben Smith's newly formed Captivate Entertainment. Henry Morrison is executive producer.

The film is expected to be released in 2010.

Cruise is expected next to star with Charlize Theron in The Tourist for Spyglass.

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=52810

Wow, I love Cronenberg, but what a wierd movie for him to be doing but at the same time Cruise directed by Cronenberg should be awesome, maybe Cronenberg will get his Box Office King movie finally.

 

[terry78]

Cruise vs. Washington? Awwww, ****, mother****a, it's on now.

 

[Lord Blackbolt]

Actually wanted Viggo instead of Cruise as the Russian....I Don't think I've even seen Cruise pull off qa good accent before

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Is Cruise going to be one of those russians with american accents?

 

[Hunter Rider]

Cruise and Denzel! We didn't get it in 'The 28th Amendment' but this may be even better.

 

[Carmine Falcone]

Oh wait....Cronenberg? This has become slightly interesting. A History of Violence and Eastern Promises might not have blown me away, but I liked both those movies. They are in some way very compelling.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Oh hell yes. Love the plot, and the actors they chose.

I have a feeling this will be a success for everyone.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I dig Croneberg so I will totally be seeing this movie but I seriously hope that this is better than Eastern Promises because I didn't like that movie.

 

[batman44]

This sounds intriguing.