Pompeii

[Galactus]

Polanski Will Erupt Pompeii
Source: Variety February 2, 2007


Roman Polanski (The Pianist) will next direct Pompeii, a dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of Mt. Vesuvius just before and during its eruption, says Variety. The budget is projected to be $130 million.

The film is based on the bestseller of the same name by "Fatherland" novelist Robert Harris, who is writing the script. Filming will begin in Italy this summer.

The story's protagonist is a young engineer who has to repair an enormous aqueduct whose destruction threatens the Roman Empire. He finds himself enmeshed in politics and romance.

The film takes place over three days and the final act is the volcanic eruption and the destruction of the aqueduct, which stretched 60 miles and served hundreds of thousands of people

 

[Jennifer Walters]

This has potential to be an epic masterpiece of a disaster movie.

 

[Hunter Rider]

while the film might be good that's a hell of a lot of money to risk on this

 

[Speedball]

I remember riding "Escape from Pompeii" at Busch Gardens when I was a kid.
Such strong memories t:
I'll be first in line for this.

 

[green]

This could be fantastic.

 

[CyberFaust]

It could...or it might have a ancient roman scientist that warned everyone fo years....and a kid who solves the "problem"....but it probably won't be the case, it might work, it could be a masterpiece of apocaliptic proportions...apocaliptic...i'm funny

 

[Galactus]

This has potential to be an epic masterpiece of a disaster movie.

From what I read about the novel it seems to be more of a political thriller than a traditional disaster story.

 

[BT18]

They NEED to include atleast cameos of Lucius Caecilius Iucundus and his family. If they were smart they'd make'em supporting characters.

Anyone who took Latin in Junior High with the "Cambridge Latin Course" will agree with me on this one. His fame may belong to just that niche but what other ancient Pompeian has a niche of fame among Americas geek nostalgia loving youth.

 

[green]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=19882

Polanski Moving Pomeii Forward
Source: Variety
April 13, 2007


Variety reports that Italy's RAI Cinema has acquired all Italian rights to Roman Polanski's historical tentpole Pompei set against the backdrop of the Mt. Vesuvius eruption, and Spain's new Ciudad de la Luz studios is signed as the Roman-era thriller's main production hub.

Following a fierce bidding war with Medusa, RAI plunked down a handsome sum — said to be in $10-15 million range — for Pompeii, which has a projected $130 million budget.

Summit Entertainment has also recently come on board to handle worldwide sales, excluding one or two European territories, besides Italy. Pathe Distribution is in negotiations to take French rights.

The film has a projected August start with plans for a five month shoot.

Polanski, Benmussa and Sarde in March dispatched set designer Allan Starski to scout the real Pompeii archeological site in Italy and view Roman artifacts in the nearby Naples Archeological Museum. Starski and his assistants on their visit drew sketches and measured columns and mosaics.

But while Italy's Campania region film commission is proposing incentives to lure the "Pompeii" production to lens on site, 90% of the shoot is expected to be done on Spanish soundstages, backlots and locations. Plus, Polanski has said this film will be big on CGI effects.

Screenwriter Robert Harris and Polanski are putting the final touches to the screenplay draft of Pompeii, which adapts Harris' eponymous period tale of the famously catastrophic volcanic eruption.

"Pompeii" will tap an A-list Hollywood star to play the lead role of Marco Attilio Primo, a young Roman engineer sent to Pompeii in A.D.79, just days before the devastating eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.

Several European actresses, including a top Italian actress, are under consideration for the lead female role.

 

[tzarinna]

Sounds interesting,I'm on board.

 

[xwolverine2]

roman polanski is a great director.. this should be pretty interesting.

 

[Galactus]

Polanski Moving Pomeii Forward
Source: Variety April 13, 2007


Variety reports that Italy's RAI Cinema has acquired all Italian rights to Roman Polanski's historical tentpole Pompei set against the backdrop of the Mt. Vesuvius eruption, and Spain's new Ciudad de la Luz studios is signed as the Roman-era thriller's main production hub.

Following a fierce bidding war with Medusa, RAI plunked down a handsome sum — said to be in $10-15 million range — for Pompeii, which has a projected $130 million budget.

Summit Entertainment has also recently come on board to handle worldwide sales, excluding one or two European territories, besides Italy. Pathe Distribution is in negotiations to take French rights.

The film has a projected August start with plans for a five month shoot.

Polanski, Benmussa and Sarde in March dispatched set designer Allan Starski to scout the real Pompeii archeological site in Italy and view Roman artifacts in the nearby Naples Archeological Museum. Starski and his assistants on their visit drew sketches and measured columns and mosaics.

But while Italy's Campania region film commission is proposing incentives to lure the "Pompeii" production to lens on site, 90% of the shoot is expected to be done on Spanish soundstages, backlots and locations. Plus, Polanski has said this film will be big on CGI effects.

Screenwriter Robert Harris and Polanski are putting the final touches to the screenplay draft of Pompeii, which adapts Harris' eponymous period tale of the famously catastrophic volcanic eruption.

"Pompeii" will tap an A-list Hollywood star to play the lead role of Marco Attilio Primo, a young Roman engineer sent to Pompeii in A.D.79, just days before the devastating eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.

Several European actresses, including a top Italian actress, are under consideration for the lead female role.

Pomeii, Pompei... the guy who wrote this article did have some problems with the name Pompeii.

 

[buddha182]

Am I the only one who is actually excited for this? Just something about a period piece as epic as Polanski will make it with the eruption and everything... This has kind of been the story I've wanted to see made into a movie since I was a little kid and first heard about it in elementary school...

 

[Electrix]

I'm looking forward to this...

Sounds interesting and epic.

 

[Carmine Falcone]

It's quite a gripping story and so far only really bad TV movies have been made about it. So this could be good.

But it also smells a bit like Poseidon...

 

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20320

Bloom and Johansson in Talks for Pompeii
Source: The Dane
May 10, 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.

 

[Steelsheen]

oh no! Orlando Bloom

and just when things looked promising...

 

[BT18]

Orlando Bloom has never not sucked in any of the period/sword epics he's bombarded the world with.

 

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20320

UPDATE: We have delved more into this story and, while Bloom and Johansson were indeed in talks 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.

 

[Darth Elektra]

Sounds interesting but I guess we'll have to wait awhile.

 

[Hobgoblin]

Too bad its so far away. It sounds like a great film.

 

[Steelsheen]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20320

UPDATE: We have delved more into this story and, while Bloom and Johansson were indeed in talks 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.

man you dont know how greatful i am for that. thanks Hunter!

 

[Steelsheen]

Orlando Bloom has never not sucked in any of the period/sword epics he's bombarded the world with.

doesnt change the fact that his performance was wooden in ALL of the period/sword epics he's bombarded the world with.

 

[Hunter Rider]

t:

 

[liesse00]

There's a big billboard for it at Cannes

http://www.joblo.com/cannes-the-pics