Spike Jonze

Amy Adams, Carey Mulligan and Samantha Morton Eyeing Spike Jonze Film

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: February 1st, 2012 at 7:27 pm

Back in October, we reported that Carey Mulligan (Shame) was circling a new, untitled Spike Jonze project starring Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator) and written by Charlie Kaufman (Adaptation). Now, however, it looks as if two other actresses are eyeing the role. Samantha Morton (The Messenger) and Amy Adams (The Fighter) are both reportedly in discussions to star opposite Phoenix in a film financed by Annapurna Pictures’ Megan Ellison. Details are few and far between but past synopses suggested the satirical film was about a gathering of world leaders meeting to discuss global events from the changing price of oil to the timing of wars. Hit the jump for info on the upcoming film schedule for each actress.

Carey Mulligan Talks THE GREAT GATSBY; Geeks Out Over Working with Coen Brothers, Spike Jonze, and Charlie Kaufman

by Christina Radish    Posted: October 26th, 2011 at 7:21 pm

British actress Carey Mulligan is certainly on an enviable role. Fresh off of critical acclaim for Drive, she has the haunting NC-17 drama Shame out in December, and she’s currently filming Baz Luhrmann’s 3D adaptation of The Great Gatsby in Australia. Once done there, she’s not slowing down any, as she will start shooting Inside Llewyn Davis (a musician trying to make it in the 1960′s New York folk scene) for the Coen brothers, and then do the new untitled Spike Jonze project from a Charlie Kaufman screenplay that reportedly centers on world leaders who unite to discuss cataclysmic events such as oil prices and wars.

While she was in L.A. recently, Collider got the opportunity to speak with Mulligan about her current and upcoming projects, how outrageously lucky she feels about working with such incredible talent, in front of and behind the camera, how extraordinary it is to be in a Baz Luhrmann film, her audition with Gatsby star Leonardo DiCaprio, how the Coen brothers are her favorite filmmakers and that she can’t believe she gets to be one of their characters, and that she couldn’t refuse the opportunity to work with Spike Jonze. Check out what she had to say after the jump:

Carey Mulligan to Star in Coen Bros.’ INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS and Spike Jonze’s Next Film

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 20th, 2011 at 5:46 pm

The immensely talented Carey Mulligan has just landed herself two pretty great roles. Variety reports that Mulligan will star in the Coen Bros.’ next project Inside Llewyn Davis as well as Spike Jonze’s next pic. Oscar Isaac was recently announced as the lead in Inside Llewyn Davis. The film centers on a musician trying to make it in the 1960s New York folk scene. No other details are known at this time, but their True Grit and No Country for Old Men producer Scott Rudin is onboard to produce once again, and the Brothers Coen expertly infused O Brother, Where Art Thou? with bluegrass so it’s safe to say that this one looks pretty fantastic. Mulligan’s involvement makes the project that much sweeter.

Hit the jump for the details on Spike Jonze’s new untitled project written by Charlie Kaufman.

Warner Bros. Picks up Untitled Spike Jonze/Charlie Kaufman Project; Joaquin Phoenix Attached to Star

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 13th, 2011 at 12:16 pm

Back in March, we reported that Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures would back an untitled project from director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (the duo behind Being John Malkovich and Adaptation.).  The film would reportedly be a satire “about how world leaders gather to figure out all the seismic events that will take place in the worlds, from oil prices to wars that will be waged.”  Twitch now reports that Warner Bros. has picked up the film, which means they will most likely distribute it as well.  The project is reportedly eyeing a March 2012 start date.

Twitch also reports that Joaquin Phoenix is attached to star, which is a smart career move on his part.  Phoenix needs to reestablish his credibility with audiences after the I’m Still Here debacle and working with directors like Jonze and Paul Thomas Anderson is a good way to do that.

Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures Picks up Untitled Spike Jonze-Charlie Kaufman Project

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 1st, 2011 at 2:37 pm

Producer Megan Ellison has recently been proving herself to be the patron saint of film nerds.  In addition to backing Paul Thomas Anderson‘s adaptation of Inherent Vice and his untitled Scientology movie, as well as a movie about WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange, it now looks like Ellison and her Annapurna Pictures are acquiring an untitled satire that would re-team director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman.

We reported back in December that the Being John Malkovich and Adaptation duo were pitching a new film, so presumably this is it.  Deadline reports that the untitled satire is “about how world leaders gather to figure out all the seismic events that will take place in the worlds, from oil prices to wars that will be waged.”  I have a feeling that the project will be a tough sell, but I’m glad that Ellison is clearly up to the challenge.

Chad Troutwine Interview – The FREAKONOMICS Producer On How He Picked The Dream Team Of Documentarians & a Few Huge Names That Fell Out

by Ron Messer    Posted: January 1st, 2011 at 7:34 am

Freakonomics makes its way to DVD on January 18^th after a run in theaters and various On Demand outlets ranging from cable TV to iTunes. The big-screen adaptation of the runaway 2005 bestseller features the work of six of the highest-profile directors working in documentary film.  They include: Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady (2007 Oscar nominees for Jesus Camp), Alex Gibney (2008 Oscar winner for Taxi To The Dark Side & a 2011 Oscar short-lister for Best Documentary with Client 9: The Rise And Fall Of Eliot Spitzer), Seth Gordon (The King Of Kong), Eugene Jarecki (2005 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner for Why We Fight) and Morgan Spurlock (2005 Oscar Nominee for Super Size Me which is, as of today, still the most popular rental for any documentary on iTunes).

Collider caught up with the film’s producer Chad Troutwine.  Hit the jump for the audio and transcription of our interview, including great stories about how the idea came about and which high-profile directors almost took part.

Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze Pitching New Film; Plus New Details on Kaufman’s Script, FRANK OR FRANCIS

by Jake Horowitz    Posted: December 16th, 2010 at 2:36 pm

Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze, writer and director, respectively, of Being John Malkovich and Adaptation., are pitching a new movie around Hollywood. While the script hasn’t yet been written, one can be assured that it will incorporate some sort of meta or mind-meltingly incredible premise.

The plot is being kept under wraps, but seems to be separate from Kaufman’s script Frank or Francis, which he has been working on since finishing Synecdoche, New York in 2008. According to the LA Times, two people familiar with the project say that in recent weeks it has been making rounds to independent financiers. Hit the jump for more info on both projects.

Spike Jonze Urges People to Check Out David O. Russell’s THE FIGHTER

by Jeff Ames    Posted: December 1st, 2010 at 6:20 pm

Apparently I’m not the only one attempting to draw moviegoer’s attention to David O. Russell’s upcoming flick The Fighter. Actor/writer/director Spike Jonze recently sent an e-mail to Slashfilm’s Peter Sciretta promoting Russell’s upcoming true-life story of boxer “Irish” Micky Ward. Jonze also asked the site to feature the film’s second trailer, titled “Pressure” (first released back in October), whilst giving a shout out to co-star Christian Bale’s performance. Here is part of the e-mail:

Spike here. I’m writing on behalf of my friend David Russell, regarding his new movie The Fighter. Did you get a chance to see it yet? How insanely great is Christian Bale?  Can you do me a favor and post this 2 minute trailer called “Pressure” on your site?  The trailer that they put out originally makes the film feel a little generic and I just want to help David get the word out. I got to see it a few weeks ago, and I loved it, and if all you saw is the trailer that’s out, you might not know that it’s as interesting and strong as it is.

Jonze, director of last year’s Where the Wild Things Are, may be a biased source, having starred in Russell’s terrific war dramedy Three Kings (he also documented the filmmaking experience of Russell’s I Heart Huckabees), but I’m inclined to take his word vehemently. Especially considering the amount of praise the film has garnished in recent weeks upon its first screening. The Fighter stars Mark Wahlberg and Amy Adams and will hit theaters December 10. Hit the jump for a few more thoughts on the film

Watch the Spike Jonze-Directed Music Video for “The Suburbs” by the Arcade Fire

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: November 18th, 2010 at 7:41 pm

The Arcade Fire have released a new music video for “The Suburbs,” directed by Spike Jonze (Where the Wild Things Are).  Those familiar with the Jonze lore know he made his name as a music video director, crafting for the likes of Weezer, Björk, Fatboy Slim, Kanye West, and LCD Soundsystem over the last two decades.

It was announced earlier this year that Jonze was working with a short film about “friends growing apart” with the Arcade Fire.  “The Suburbs” isn’t that (probably), but it doesn’t take too much imagination to see the connection.  Check out the video, plus a look at how it may relate to the Jonze/Fire short film, after the jump.

KING KONG (1933) and THREE KINGS Blu-ray Reviews

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: October 21st, 2010 at 12:30 pm

Warners has done a sturdy – if uneventful – job in upgrading their catalog titles to Blu-ray. In comparison to Fox, it’s great to see them include all the previous supplements from their earlier DVD special editions, but they also haven’t offered much more than a new transfer to hook those who want to upgrade. To be fair, the quality of the upgrade in both Three Kings and King Kong is noticeable, but not so extreme that someone who doesn’t have an HDTV would notice. That may be the point. It’s great to have these films on Blu-ray, but it’s the transfer you’re buying. King Kong stars Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong in the story of a monkey who dared to dream, while Three Kings stars George Clooney, Ice Cube, Mark Wahlberg and Spike Jonze as soldiers in the first Iraq war who’ve got a plan to steal some Iraqi gold. My review of both King Kong and Three Kings after the jump.

First Trailer for JACKASS 3D

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: August 5th, 2010 at 8:13 pm

Assuming you have the stomach for that kind of entertainment, Jackass: The Movie and Jackass Number Two were about the most fun you could have in a crowded theater.  In case you haven’t heard, the Jackass decided to up the ante for the new sequel by shooting upwards of 80% of the stunts in 3D.  Steve saw eight minutes of footage from Jackass 3D at Comic-Con, and loved it.  Though Paramount could only post the trailer online in 2D, I can see why it caught his eye — so very funny.  Check it out for yourself after the jump.

Spike Jonze Co-Directed “Drunk Girls” Music Video for LCD Soundsystem

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: April 19th, 2010 at 10:27 am

Sure, Spike Jonze is now the acclaimed Oscar-nominated director of Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, and Where the Wild Things Are.  But he built his rep directing innovative music videos for the likes of Weezer, Björk, Fatboy Slim, and Kanye West over the last two decades.  Recently, a video for LCD Soundsystem’s “Drunk Girls” was posted to Youtube with the tags “spike” and “jonze”.  Today, Pitchfork got confirmation from the band’s UK label that the video was indeed co-directed by Jonze and LCD frontman James Murphy.

You can check out the mostly one-take low budget video–which features dozens of men in panda suits torturing the band that they’ve seemingly kidnapped–after the jump.

Spike Jonze & Arcade Fire Working on Unknown New Film Project

by Andrew Robinson    Posted: April 11th, 2010 at 8:56 am

Spike Jonze (Where the Wild Things Are) has been casting for a new project in Austin, Texas.  According to /Film, the Oscar nominated director has been looking mainly for actors in their late teens.  The film is apparently about “friends growing apart“.  Spike plans to collaborate with the indie rock band Arcade Fire, whose music he used in the trailer for his last film Where the Wild Things Are.

It’s also been speculated that the project that he’s working on is another short film.  Spike Jonze, who started out as a music video director, isn’t new to short filmmaking.  He just premiered his newest short film I’m Here at the Sundance Film Festival 2010.  The film has been released online for all to view here.  As a fan of Jonze I’m always interested in seeing more and the same applies here.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE DVD Review

by Jackson    Posted: March 25th, 2010 at 6:56 am

Take a classic work of children’s fiction, as famous for its art as it is it’s story.  Add an idiosyncratic director with a distinct visual style.  Recipe for success, right?  Wrong.  Unfortunately, Spike Jonze’s highly-anticipated adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s Caldecott Medal award-winning Where the Wild Things Are falls strangely flat.  Why after the jump…

See David Cross and Will Arnett in First Episode of Spike Jonze’s THE INCREASINGLY POOR DECISIONS OF TODD MARGARET

by Keith Demko    Posted: February 23rd, 2010 at 8:13 am

Though we may never actually get an Arrested Development movie (keep those fingers crossed), mini-AD reunions are thankfully popping up all around now.

First came word that Arrested Development co-creators Mitch Hurwitz and Jim Vallely are developing a new pilot for Fox to star Will Arnett – aka Gob Bluth – and now comes something even better. Spike Jonze has apparently teamed up with Arrested Development veteran David Cross to create The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, a new series coming to the UK’s Channel 4 sometime soon. As you’ll see from the first episode, Cross stars as an American executive who is way out his depth after he gets a lot more responsibility at the firm’s London arm, and in at least the pilot episode, the show definitely brings the funny (and keep your eyes out for a Jonze cameo on the pilot, too.)

If you’re watching this at work, be warned: Arnett is almost as profane as Peter Capaldi’s Malcolm Tucker in In the Loop, so definitely watch these clips with headphones if you’re at work. Hit the jump to watch the first episode of The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret in its entirety.

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