JJ Abrams to Produce Adaptation of Apartment Featured in New York Times
Paramount has purchased the rights to an article which ran in the New York Times on June 12th called Mystery on Fifth Avenue. JJ Abrams will produce a feature film based on the article which describes a 14th-floor apartment on upper Fifth Avenue which contains a Rube Goldberg maze of systems and contraptions conceived by a young architectural designer named Eric Clough. Apparently the apartment comes with its own soundtrack and a book, featuring a fictional narrative which will help their four pre-teen children uncover some the secrets, messages, games and treasures hidden inside the furniture and walls.
Screenwriters Maya Forbes and Wally Wolodarsky (The Rocker) have been hired to weave the idea into a feature film. I can definitely see a movie in the same vein as Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events or Spiderwick Chronicles (but without the fantasy elements), where a group of children must uncover the secrets of their New York City apartment, possibly in an attempt to save their parents or grandparents. You can read the entire article on NYTimes.com, or better yet, check out 15 photos from the real life Fifth Avenue apartment at this link.
source: THR
Neil Gaiman to write for Doctor Who?
According to Rich Johnston at Comic Book Resources, new Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has put forth a request to legendary writer Neil Gaiman to pen an episode for the 2010 season. I will step back while you shriek with excitement.
Neil Gaiman first garnered fame for his comic book of the 80’s and 90’s, The Sandman, which endeared him to all sorts of people who are now influential in the entertainment industry. He has written novels (one of which, Stardust, was recently adapted into a movie). He has written movies (most recently Beowulf). He has written for television before as well (the Babylon 5 episode “Day of the Dead”).
I hope this rumor is true. Gaiman is well-versed in the fantasy genre and would add a great deal of knowledge and depth to the program. Given how the Doctor is portrayed more or less as a wizard with his sonic screwdriver doubling as a magic wand, perhaps Gaiman could add some more fantasy elements to it. Perhaps the Doctor could even meet Death.
The Golden Compass Trailer At World’s End
The first movie trailer for The Golden Compass will be released on Friday Thursday Night with Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. From what we hear, it’s more of a teaser trailer than anything else. We posted a sizzle reel from the film a few months back which basically consisted of some unfinished effects shots. So if you haven’t already, check that out.
The story follows the coming of age of Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry, as they “wander through a multiverse and a backdrop of epic events.” The books were marketed to children, but it has garnered a large adult readership. The story features fantasy elements such as gypsies, witches, and armoured bears.
Written and directed by Chris Weitz, His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass stars Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, Ian McShane and Dakota Blue Richards. The movie and book are the first in a trilogy. The film opens on December 7th 2007.
The Golden Compass Sizzle Reel Revealed
A “sizzle reel” for New Line Cinema’s new epic fantasy adaptation The Golden Compass was discovered online this weekend. The footage is still available, so we’re guessing that the movie studio isn’t too concerned. Basically, the footage was put together for exhibitors and merchandisers to see at ShoWest. The featurette proclaims that the film is “the next evolution of fantasy filmmaking.” And the first footage looks very promising (at least more so than Narnia). Check the video clip out after the jump.
Based on Philip Pullman’s bestselling and award-winning novel, His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass has a reported $150 million pricetag, making it the studio’s biggest-budget project since The Lord of the Rings.
The story follows the coming of age of Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry, as they “wander through a multiverse and a backdrop of epic events.” The books were marketed to children, but it has garnered a large adult readership. The story features fantasy elements such as gypsies, witches, and armoured bears.
Written and directed by Chris Weitz, His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass stars Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, Ian McShane and Dakota Blue Richards. The movie and book are the first in a trilogy. The film opens on December 7th 2007.