Based on titles alone, Robot & Frank was the most intriguing film out of Sundance. I was thrilled to hear the movie is great, and star Frank Langella unsurprisingly kills it. Coming out of the festival buzz, Deadline reports Langella has signed on to his next project, The Time Being. Wes Bentley co-stars as Daniel, a struggling artist who accepts a series of bizarre commissions from a dying, eccentric millionaire (Langella): "Daniel canât quite ascertain whether his new 'mentor' is a monster who is intent on destroying Danielâs life and marriage, or a savior who will teach him the true meaning of art." The Time Being will be the directorial debut of Nenad Cicin-Sain. Cicin-Sain co-wrote the script with Richard Gladstein (Paper Man), who is also producing.Hit the jump for details on Josh Peck and James Ransone's starring roles in The Timber.Billed as an "independent apocalyptic Western-thriller," The Timber is an exciting prospect. Peck and Ransone star as two brothers who "face harsh elements, crazed men, and death at every corner in pursuit of their violent and commanding father, a twisted man who has turned the Yukon Territory into his own personal hell." I'm wary of the indie budget, but this sounds very cool.Julian Glover, William Gaunt, David Bailie, and Maria Doyle Kennedy also star. Writer/director Anthony O'Brien will shoot in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania to recreate the setting of the 1898 Yukon Gold Rush. Here's more info on the project by way of press release:
JANUARY 29, 2012 LOS ANGELES, CA â Josh Peck (âThe Wacknessâ) and James Ransone (âGeneration Kill,â âThe Wireâ) are starring in the independent apocalyptic Western-thriller âThe Timberâ for ANA Media. Anthony OâBrien (âPerfect Sportâ) directs his original story from a screenplay he co-wrote with Colin Ossiander and Steve Allrich. ANA Mediaâs Scott Einbinder is producing with Patrick Newall.
Set during the 1898 Yukon Gold Rush, two brothers, balanced on the knife's edge between a cold, grisly death and riches beyond their dreams, embark on a quest for vengeance. Torn from their family, they face harsh elements, crazed men, and death at every corner in pursuit of their violent and commanding father, a twisted man who has turned the Yukon Territory into his own personal hell. âThe Timberâ captures the mania, starvation, swindles, hardships, and dangers that were part of the late 19th century's historic rush for gold, a time of intense greed, betrayal and redemption in a place where bloodshed was common and graves were carved in ice.
Peck is currently starring in the remake of âRed Dawnâ opposite Chris Hemsworth, âPlanet B-Boyâ for Screen Gems and âATMâ for IFC, all due for release in 2012. Ransone is currently starring in âBroken Cityâ opposite Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe, Spike Leeâs 2012 Sundance film âRed Hook Summerâ and the upcoming âSinisterâ with Ethan Hawke for Summit Entertainment. Veteran British actors Julian Glover (âIndiana Jonesâ), William Gaunt (2011 Clarence Derwent Award at Shakespeareâs Globe Theatre) and David Bailie (âPirates of the Caribbeanâ), along with Irish actress Maria Doyle Kennedy (âThe Tudorsâ), round out the principal cast.
Shooting is taking place in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania and at Media Pro Studios in Bucharest.
Stated Einbinder: âAnthony and his writing partners have created a riveting, genre-bending Western about how far two brothers will go to save their family and achieve redemption during a wintery hell in late 1800âs Alaska. Josh Peck and James Ransone are the perfect actors to bring Anthonyâs exciting and original vision to life. Their journey is brutal, pushing the physical and emotional limits of the strongest of men.â
OâBrienâs first film, âPerfect Sport,â which he self-financed, won the award for Best Drama at the 2008 Houston Worldfest.