Andy Wachowski

Keanu Reeves Documentary SIDE BY SIDE Tackles Film vs. Digital Debate; Includes Interviews with Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, and David Fincher

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 9th, 2012 at 11:10 am

A curious little website has popped up announcing a new documentary produced by Keanu Reeves that tackles one of the foremost issues facing filmmakers today: the advent of digital filmmaking. Entitled Side by Side, the documentary takes an in-depth look at the issue of film vs. digital, and “examines all aspects of filmmaking – from capture, to edit, to visual effects, to color correction, to distribution to archive.” Through interviews with numerous well-respected masters of the medium, Side by Side “explores what has been gained, what is lost and what the future might bring.” Take this sample quote from Christopher Nolan:

“No credible source really has been claiming to have invented something that is aesthetically superior to film at this point.”

The documentary will feature Reeves interviewing filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, Lana and Andy Wachowski, George Lucas, James Cameron, Steven Soderbergh, and many more. Hit the jump for more details.

First Official Behind the Scenes Image from The Wachowskis’ CLOUD ATLAS

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: December 21st, 2011 at 7:36 pm

The Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer are currently working on an adaptation of Cloud Atlas starring Halle Barry, Hugh Grant, Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon, Hugo Weaving, Ben Whishaw, James D’Arcy, and Jim Sturgess.  As someone who has not read the David Mitchell‘s book, it sounds very exciting.  Mitchell tells six stories that span multiple continents and centuries.  All the actors all playing multiple roles.  The Wachowskis are directing one unit, Tykwer is directing a second unit in parallel.  It’s all very ambitious stuff, and I am glad the Wachowskis still have the power to get this made after Speed Racer flopped.

The first official image from production on Cloud Atlas has surfaced.  I do not understand what’s going on within, but it has readers of the book excited.  Hit the jump to check it out.

New Details on The Wachowskis’ CLOUD ATLAS; Halle Berry Says She Plays a Jewish Woman in 1930s and an “Old Tribal Woman”

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 6th, 2011 at 11:34 am

The ambitious adaptation of David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas is more than a little peculiar. Most of the actors in the star-studded ensemble are playing multiple roles, production is split between three directors and two separate units with two different crews (Andy and Lana Wachowski directing one unit, Tom Twyker directing the other), and the film is being financed by a hodgepodge of investors. It’s a smart business move that gives the famously secretive filmmakers an incredible amount of creative freedom for the epic undertaking. Today new details on the film have been revealed, with star Halle Berry saying two of the characters she plays include a Jewish woman in the 1930s and “an old tribal woman.” Hit the jump for much more.

The Wachowski Siblings Return to Action Sci-Fi with JUPITER ASCENDING; Filming Begins Spring 2012

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 20th, 2011 at 9:55 am

Andy and Lana Wachowski are currently at work adaptation David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas plus they’ve got their mysterious Cobalt Neural 9, an uninspiring new take on Robin Hood, and now it looks like they’re going back to the action-sci realm.  According to Deadline, Warner Bros. has picked up the siblings’ original script Jupiter Ascending and put it on the fast track for a spring start date.  The studios is reportedly looking for an A-list star to lead the film and, to the surprise of no one, the script and logline are being kept under tight wraps.  It will be another (most likely expensive) film in the pipeline for Warner Bros., which is also putting adaptations of Akira and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. in front of cameras next Spring.

Deadline also reports that Cobalt Neural 9, a hard-R drama that centered on a homosexual relationship between an American soldier and Iraqi citizen, has had trouble picking up funding.  I’m excited to hear what Jupiter Ascending is about, and will try to block The Matrix Revolutions from my memory.

Hugh Grant Joins Ever-Growing Cast of CLOUD ATLAS

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: September 13th, 2011 at 8:41 am

The cast of the ambitious adaptation of David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas is apparently just not big enough. THR reports that Hugh Grant is the latest actor to join the film, which is being directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski and Tom Twyker. The three co-wrote the screenplay, which centers on six different interlocking storylines that take place across different locations and time periods. The cast now includes Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent, Susan Sarandon, Hugo Weaving, and Jim Sturgess.

The pic is being produced independently, but boasts a large budget for an indie. Last month Whishaw revealed that all the actors in the film will be playing multiple characters, swapping both gender and race. The production is definitely ambitious, and I’m really interested to see what the Wachowskis have up their sleeve as they haven’t directed a film since 2008’s Speed Racer. Shooting is set to get underway in Glasgow, Scotland.

Ben Whishaw Reveals Actors Will Swap Gender and Race for CLOUD ATLAS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 31st, 2011 at 8:42 am

We knew that the Wachowski Siblings/Tom Tykwer’s adaptation of David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas would be a little crazy.  We knew that the actors would be playing multiple characters.  But in a recent interview with Vulture, cast member Ben Whishaw reveals how crazy it’s going to get.  Whishaw tells Vulture, “Everyone in the cast is playing at least three parts, some big and some small… Everybody’s swapping race and gender, so it’s very ambitious and quite fun.”  For his parts, Whishaw is playing “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.”  For those unfamiliar with the book, it takes six nested stories across different locales and eras.  Folks who have read the novel say that it’s going to be a tough adaptation but that this approach may be the best way to do it.

However it turns out, I like the ambition although it’s tough to swap genders in a movie and not have it come off as comedic or to swap race and not have it come off as offensive.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel.  Cloud Atlas also stars Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, Jim Broadbent, and Susan Sarandon.

Wachowskis and Tykwer to Shoot CLOUD ATLAS Next Month but with a Reduced Budget

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 22nd, 2011 at 7:21 am

The Wachowski Siblings and Tom Tykwer’s audacious adaptation of David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas has been long in development but it will finally go before cameras in mid-to-late September.  Mitchell’s novel spans six different lifetimes across six different eras.  The film stars Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon, Ben Whishaw, and Jim Broadbent.  If you’re wondering about the ambition of the project, Weaving said back in May that he was playing six different characters, which sounds like each actor won’t be playing just one character in one time period.

However, the project will also be working with less money.  Producer Stefan Ardnt tells THR that the budget for Cloud will be “definitely lower” than then rumored $100 – $120 million, which isn’t too surprising.  Speed Racer was a flop and Tykwer has never worked with $100+ budget.  However, the production has gotten significant tax breaks by shooting about 80% of the movie in Babelsberg, Berlin and the surrounding area.  The film is also getting made due to a unique financing arrangement from Berlin bank IFB and German regional film funding body, the Medienboard.  Hit the jump for more details on Cloud Atlas.

Hugo Weaving Says He’s Playing Six Different Characters in CLOUD ATLAS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 30th, 2011 at 8:52 am

Speaking to folks who have read David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas, there seems to be a shared agreement that they don’t know how it can be adapted into a movie.  The novel spans across different eras and different lifetimes: “A reluctant voyager crossing the Pacific in 1850; a disinherited composer blagging a precarious livelihood in between-the-wars Belgium; a high-minded journalist in Governor Reagan’s California; a vanity publisher fleeing his gangland creditors; a genetically modified “dinery server” on death-row; and Zachry, a young Pacific Islander witnessing the nightfall of science and civilization”.  The film stars Tom Hanks, Hugo Weaving, Ben Whishaw, Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon, and Jim Broadbent, and all of the actors are playing multiple roles with Weaving revealing he gets to play six different characters.  Weaving explained to the Herald Sun [via The Playlist]:

“That’s a project that’s really exciting because all the actors will be playing more than one role I actually have six characters in the same film and they are all different people in six different stories.”

The Wachowski Siblings will be co-directing with Tom Tykwer and the ambition of the project makes this a movie to keep on your radar.  Filming is set to begin in September for a likely 2013 release.  Hit the jump for the synopsis of the novel.

Hugo Weaving and Ben Whishaw Join the Wachowskis’ CLOUD ATLAS, Halle Berry Confirmed to Star

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 11th, 2011 at 11:53 am

As production nears closer for the big-budget adaptation of Cloud Atlas, the cast is starting to come together. Last month, Tom Hanks was confirmed to star in the adaptation that will be directed by the Wachowski siblings and Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run). Now, THR reports that Hugo Weaving and Ben Whishaw (I’m Not There) have joined the cast. The report also confirms earlier rumors that Halle Berry will indeed appear in the film.

No word on which roles the actors will take on at the moment, but production is set to begin this fall. Warner Bros. is releasing the film in North America and Focus Features International is currently looking for buyers at Cannes. The Wachowskis and Twyker are writing the film as well as directing. Hit the jump to read the synopsis for David Mitchell’s novel.

Tom Hanks Confirmed to Star in CLOUD ATLAS; Wachowski Siblings and Tom Tykwer to Co-Write and Direct

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 12th, 2011 at 2:47 pm

As early as last summer, we heard that Tom Hanks would star in an adaptation of David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas.  Then there was confusion over who would be writing and directing: The Wachowski Siblings and/or Tom Tykwer.  In January, Natalie Portman—who was also rumored to co-star—said that the Wachowskis and Tykwer were directing together.  Today, we have confirmation on both facts with Deadline reporting that Hanks will star and that the Wachowskis and Tykwer will write and direct the movie.

Portman also said she had a small role in the film, but there’s currently no confirmation that she’s on board at this point.  We’re also awaiting confirmation on whether or not James McAvoy and Halle Berry will be in the film, which is scheduled to begin shooting in September.  Hit the jump for more on the project including a synopsis of the novel.

Are Two More MATRIX Films in the Works? And in 3D? [Updated]

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 23rd, 2011 at 4:01 pm

While there is a decent chance you’ll one day be able to file this under “Internet movie rumors that never amounted to anything,” we’d be remiss not to at least pass this along.  A report has filed in from a “Q & A” at the London International School of Performing Arts which claims that star Keanu Reeves spoke at moderate length about returning to The Matrix for two more sequels.  Per the account, Reeves claims to have had lunch with The Wachowski Brothers over Christmas during which they briefed him on a two-film treatment they had finished for the Matrix franchise.

Obviously, keep in mind that the purported eye-witness account of the “Q & A” is, as of yet, unconfirmed.  Nevertheless, if you’d like to here more about what Reeves purportedly had to say about reprising his role as Neo, hit the jump. [Update: It looks as if the lead in the write-up has been proven true as sources from both the Reeves camp and the London International School of Performing Arts claim the "Q & A" never even happened.]

The Wachowskis Will Write and Direct the Modern Robin Hood Tale HOOD; In Talks With Will Smith

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: December 7th, 2010 at 10:01 pm

Here’s a strong early contender for “Coolest News of December”: Andy and Lana Wachowski will write and direct Hood, a “modern, urban take” on the Robin Hood legend.  Naturally, the details of their approach is under tight lock and key at this early stage, though I know instantly I want to see the flight of the arrow through the Wachowski lens.  Heat Vision reports the siblings have begun the recruiting process, with Will Smith near the top of their wishlist.  (You may recall that Smith was offered the role of Neo in The Matrix, but turned it down to star in Wild Wild West.  This is you chance to rectify that unfortunate choice, Mr. Smith.)

After a few years removed from the public eye following my beloved Speed Racer, The Wachowskis now have a series of projects lined up.  As the siblings develop Hood, they will continue to assemble their Iraqi War Film CN-9.  Likewise, they will produce and perhaps direct Cloud Atlas — starring Tom Hanks, Natalie Portman, and Halle Berry — this summer.

Halle Berry Says the Wachowskis’ Adaptation of CLOUD ATLAS Will Shoot Next Summer

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 29th, 2010 at 3:12 pm

Back in September, we reported that the Wachowski Siblings were working on a mysterious project called Cobalt Neural but were also eyeing the director’s chair for an adaptation of David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas with Tom Hanks, Natalie Portman, and Halle Berry attached to star.  At a Q&A following a screening of Berry’s new film Frankie & Alice for the 42nd NAACP Image Awards, the actress said that she’s planning to shoot Cloud Atlas in the summer.  Hit the jump for Berry’s quote and more on Cloud Atlas.

New Details on The Wachowski Siblings COBALT NEURAL 9; also Working on CLOUD ATLAS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: September 22nd, 2010 at 9:04 am

After their cult-hit Speed Racer, there’s been much speculation about what the Wachowskis would be doing as their next project.  It looked like they were moving ahead with an independent film called “CN9“ or “Cobalt Neural 9“.  Not much was known about the project other than it involved a distant future but also had a homosexual love story set during the Iraq War.  Vulture has now uncovered new details about the project.

First up, the title Cobalt Neural 9 is meaningless and will likely be changed again in the interest of secrecy.  Secondly, we now know that while part of the story will take place a hundred years in the future, but the “main story is told in Cloverfield-esque flashbacks by digital archeologists sorting through “found footage” from CNN and chips from old digital cameras from the US occupation of Iraq.”  Hit the jump for more details as well as the Wachowskis possibly going to work on an adaptation of David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas.

Casting Has Begun on Wachowski’s Mystery Iraq War Film; Now Titled CN9

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 13th, 2010 at 3:08 pm

The Wachowski Siblings now have a title for their mystery Hard-R homosexual love story set against the backdrop of the Iraq War but told from the future: CN9.  It’s an acronym for “9th Cranial Nerve” and according to Wikipedia* “is mostly sensory.”  Of course, it could mean something completely different within the context of the film.  Production Weekly also tweets that casting has begun on the film. That’s interesting because we may know two of the “actors” who have already shot scenes for the film.  Hit the jump for what we think we know about this movie.

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