Emperor

First Images and Posters from EMPEROR Starring Tommy Lee Jones and Matthew Fox

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 18th, 2012 at 2:21 pm

Earlier today we got our first look at a crazy Matthew Fox in the James Patterson adaptation Alex Cross, but now we’ve got some images of Fox being somewhat normal-looking in director Peter Webber’s (Girl with a Pearl Earring) historical drama Emperor.  The film takes place during the days following the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II and stars Tommy Lee Jones as General Douglas MacArthur, the de facto ruler of Japan as Supreme Commander of the occupying forces.  Fox plays a leading Japanese expert on the staff of MacArthur who is tasked with deciding whether or not Emperor Hirohito should be tried and hanged as a war criminal

These first images and sales posters aren’t anything mind blowing, but it’s pretty cool to see Jones sporting McArthur’s ginormous pipe.  Hit the jump to take a look.

Tommy Lee Jones to Play General Douglas MacArthur in EMPEROR

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 17th, 2012 at 2:16 pm

The historical epic Emperor has gained some considerable dramatic weight with the addition of Tommy Lee Jones. Directed by Peter Webber (The Girl with the Pearl Earring), the film takes place during the days following the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II. Jones will play General Douglas MacArthur, the de facto ruler of Japan as Supreme Commander of the occupying forces. Matthew Fox stars as a leading Japanese expert on the staff of MacArthur who is tasked with deciding whether or not Emperor Hirohito should be tried and hanged as a war criminal.

It’s a fascinating story, and one that I’m even more excited to see told with the addition of Jones. Production is set to begin this month in New Zealand and Japan. Jones will next be seen in Men in Black 3 this May, and also stars in Great Hope Springs with Meryl Streep and Steve Carell. Hit the jump to read the full press release.

Matthew Fox to Star in Peter Webber’s EMPEROR

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: January 3rd, 2012 at 6:19 pm

Having taken a cinematic break after his tenure on Lost, Matthew Fox is set to star in two high-profile films in 2012: Rob Cohen’s I, Alex Cross and Marc Forster’s World War Z. Looking even further ahead, Fox is now reported to have landed a role in Emperor, by director Peter Webber (Girl with the Pearl Earring). Emperor spins a love story amidst the turmoil of the final days of World War II, as General Douglas MacArthur rules Japan as supreme commander of the occupying forces after the Japanese surrender. Fox will play General Bonner Fellers, an attaché to MacArthur who is tasked with determining Emperor Hirohito’s fate in defeat. The pic, scripted by David Klass (Walking Tall) and Vera Blasi (Tortilla Soup) is on pace to start filming at the end of January. Hit the jump for more on Fox’s character. [Update: We've been sent the full press release, which is now included after the jump.]

Producer Gianni Nunnari Talks IMMORTALS, RONIN and EMPEROR

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: November 10th, 2011 at 5:20 pm

With director Tarsem Singh’s new film Immortals opening this weekend, Collider has been overrun with exclusive interviews with the filmmakers and cast over the past few days.  For those not familiar with Immortals (watch the trailer and clips), the film centers on Theseus (Henry Cavill), a mortal who teams up with the Greek gods in order to defeat the power-hungry King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke).  The film also stars Freida Pinto, Luke Evans, Isabel Lucas, Joseph Morgan, Kellan Lutz, and Stephen Dorff.

During my interview with producer Gianni Nunnari, we spoke about the challenge of getting the project made, filming in Montreal, the practical sets, how much things changed while filming, and what’s up with Frank Miller‘s Ronin.  In addition, Nunnari talked about the young Julius Caesar film he’s developing with Mark Canton called Emperor that’s based on a four-book series.  Hit the jump to watch.

Producer Mark Canton Talks IMMORTALS, PIRANHA 3DD, EMPEROR and the 300 Sequel

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: November 9th, 2011 at 11:14 am

With director Tarsem Singh’s new film Immortals opening this weekend, Collider has been overrun with exclusive interviews with the filmmakers and cast over the past few days.  For those not familiar with Immortals (watch the trailer and clips), the film centers on Theseus (Henry Cavill), a mortal who teams up with the Greek gods in order to defeat the power-hungry King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke).  The film also stars Freida Pinto, Luke Evans, Isabel Lucas, Joseph Morgan, Kellan Lutz, and Stephen Dorff.

During my interview with producer Mark Canton, we spoke about the challenge of getting the project made, the comparisons to 300, the practical sets and the 3D, the violence, and working within the budget.  We also talked about Canton’s other projects such as the 300 sequel (300: Battle for Artemisia), Piranha 3DD, Freelancers, The Tomb and Emperor – which will be directed by Burr Steers.  Hit the jump to watch.

Peter Webber to Direct WWII Love Story EMPEROR; Filming Begins January 2012

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: November 2nd, 2011 at 9:59 pm

Peter Webber (Hannibal Rising) has signed on to direct Emperor, a thriller and love story based on true events following the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II.  The story centers on General Bonner Fellers, who must decide whether to charge Emperor Hirohito as a war criminal.  The script by David Klass (Walking Tall) and Vera Blasi (Woman on Top) interweaves the story of Fellers’ love affair with a Japanese exchange student.  Said Webber, “The fact that all this came wrapped up in a tense political thriller with an epic love story at the heart of it made it irresistible.”

The press release notes that Emperor is a working title.  You may recall from our recent interview with producer Mark Canton that he is also developing a film titled Emperor, about a young Julius Caesar.  The former is further along—producers Yoko Narahashi, Gary Foster, and Eugene Nomara are planning for a January 2012 start date—and may have the right to the title by virtue of the Early Bird rule.  However, I’d like to suggest the title Hirohito as a solid backup plan.  Hit the jump for the full announcement.

Producer Mark Canton Talks 300: BATTLE OF ARTEMISIA, PIRANHA 3DD, and an Epic Julius Caesar Film (EMPEROR) to Be Directed by Burr Steers

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 31st, 2011 at 4:58 pm

Fans have been itching to see a follow-up to Zack Snyder’s 2006 battle epic 300 for quite some time now. After years of wondering if and when we’d ever see a return to the blood-soaked, slow-motion infused world of 300, things are finally coming together for 300: Battle for Artemisia.  Noam Murro (Smart People) is set to direct, and the film is poised to tell the story of Xerxes’ rise to power, punctuated by the epic naval Battle of Artemisium.

Steve recently got the chance to speak with producer Mark Canton for Tarsem Singh’s upcoming Immortals, and Canton gave an update on the 300 follow-up. He commented on the screenplay, the story, and revealed the chances of seeing some of the characters from the original 300 pop up in Battle of Artemisia. Additionally, Canton talked about some of his upcoming projects, including an epic potential franchise-starter project called Emperor that tells the story of young Caesar.  Burr Steers (Charlie St. Cloud) is onboard to direct. Hit the jump for all the details.

Director Burr Steers Exclusive Interview CHARLIE ST. CLOUD; Plus Updates on THIS MEANS WAR and EMPEROR

by Christina Radish    Posted: July 30th, 2010 at 1:00 pm

Burr Steers made his feature film directorial debut with the acclaimed 2002 offbeat dramedy Igby Goes Down, for which he also wrote the screenplay. He then went on to co-wrote the hit romantic comedy Hot to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and, most recently directed 17 Again, which was the first time he worked with actor Zac Efron.

Now, he has re-teamed with the popular young actor on Charlie St. Cloud, which is Efron’s most adult and most emotional role to date. Adapted from the novel “The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud,” the story follows Charlie (Efron), who loses his younger brother (played by Charlie Tahan) in a tragic accident that changes his life forever, and explores the impact that grief can have on one’s life.

While at the press day for the film, Collider was given some time to speak with director Burr Steers about how his earlier work as an actor has affected his filmmaking approach, why he identified so deeply with Charlie St. Cloud, how he put his own stamp on the story and what it is that makes Zac Efron so appealing to audiences of all ages.  He also talked about what initially drew him to storytelling, his thoughts on 3-D, his rewrite of This Means War and his next project as a director, the period epic Emperor. Check out what he had to say after the jump:

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