But now UMP is having the dust blown off it and a new writer has been given the task of knocking the script into shape. Much as I want Jake in Space, I want Jake in Space with a good script even more. This may explain some of the dillying and dallying that director Doug Liman did during the promotions for his last movie Jumper. He seemed to have little idea what project he was doing next, while being enthusiastic about all of them. So, hopefully, armed with a good script, Jake can be launched into space next year - at which date, he should still be nicely buff from all that Persian parkour and will look even better in a spandex spacesuit.
According to Hollywood Reporter, the new scribe is Dan Mazeau. The original script was by Doug Liman himself and John Hamburg, and this was itself revamped by Black Hawk Down author Mark Bowden. It appears that Doug should stick with directing.
Toby Kebbell joins Prince of Persia
It seems likely that Toby Kebbell is set to join the cast of Prince of Persia. The 25-year-old British actor is starring with PoP Princess Gemma Arterton in Guy Ritchie's forthcoming RockNRolla and may well be joining her - and Jake Gyllenhaal - in POP. Monsters and Critics may have been ruminating on some gossip, but the POP news is far more interesting. Toby has been in a number of films over the last few years, including Control (for which he won a British Independent Film Award) and Alexander. So, another excellent addition to POP!
2013 - the year of the Brokeback opera
I really, really hope that in 2013 Jake stars in more than a couple of films, appears at multiple film festivals and moves to Oxford, England, because that may be the only way that I shall be distracted from Brokeback - The Opera. We heard it was on the cards some months ago and now it looks like it has the go ahead. I didn't like the idea then and, now it's going ahead, I like it even less.
The New York City Opera has commissed 70-year-old 'Maximalist' Charles Wuorinen to compse the work. Here is some more information. Wuorinen's own statement said: 'Ever since encountering Annie Proulx's extraordinary story I have wanted to make an opera on it... It gives me great joy that Gerard Mortier and New York City Opera have given me the opportunity to do so.'
While I am absolutely not surprised that an artist should have been moved to compose by the story of Brokeback Mountain - just as Ang Lee himself was inspired - the thought of other feet stepping into the boots of Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist is not something I wish to see.
Includes pictures from IHJ and Getty.
58 comments:
wow... WDW, you're quick! Nice job!
Good news about the Moon Project! I am actually more interested in this one than the Joe Namath biopic...
risking being politically incorrect, I thionk Toby Kibbell looks quite middle-eastern :P actually he looks like a young Baron Sacha!
Brokeback opera... I dunno... i understand why someone would have to have their attempt on a story that moved them so much, but just the thought of someone else playing Jack and Ennis make me sick, and it feels all kinds of wrong... but in a way, opera is slight better than a stage version, not because I like opera, but I think the format is so different that it might not remind me of the movie at all! :P
Great News!!
For Nicole:
My congratulations, Nicole!
See Jake closely is a dream, imagine working with him.
Hey Winterbird! You're pretty speedy yourself... Actually, as I've had the day off today I've been writing bits and pieces for the post through the day.
I think Toby looks a little scarey - I wonder if he'll be another baddie. Or is he the helper instead of the other guy that was named (forgotten his name now)? Mind you, he's only two years youger than Jake. Love all the Brits in it.
Brokeback Opera is not good. Ennis just isn't the singing type.
I need to move my laptop with a cold beer outside now there's shade :D
Oh yes, one of the articles I linked to in the post today was called 'Panda-monium', so that goes well with the love of pandas here, as expressed by TL and Paul today on the last post, and the idea of which cartoon animal Jake should do the voice for. There are links even within the links :D
Hope everyone's having a good day!
Hi Monica - we were posting at the same time - good to see you :D
Thanks for another informative post WDW, however, its given me severe indigestion. I can't fathom the concept of BBM the Opera, I can't.
Winterbird, you do have a point though. When I first saw the movie I was blown away. I hadn't read the book yet. But in retrospect, reading the book blew me away too but it put a lot into context and at the same time is a completely different Jack and Ennis from the movie version.
These creative folk better put a cap on all this creativity and make the UMP already man! I want Jake to take me to the moon and back xx
^BTW, Jake looks almost unreal in that first picture - its so otherworldly beautiful.. if you know what I mean.
Jake looks almost unreal in that first picture - otherworldy beautiful
I second this Sheba... and I think it's the first time I see this pic, though it looks familiar too. could be another one from the same shooting.
O gosh l0l degrees today in South Carolina. Assume the trailers are air conditioned.
Must confess I've always been a fan of the concept Brokeback The Opera - the feelings even when repressed are operatic and the dialogue lends itself to some great lyrics. Not to speak of the power of the story itself.
And like Sheba I have been able to separate the Jack and Ennis of Annie's story from the men in the film, so would expect to do so in operatic version.
Time for lunch - thanks for surprise post in the morning, WDW!
Must confess I've always been a fan of the concept Brokeback The Opera - the feelings even when repressed are operatic and the dialogue lends itself to some great lyrics. Not to speak of the power of the story itself.
Me too, Pia - I remember you discussed this before when we first heard about this, and I was a bit skeptical at first, but now I see what you mean. I think it would be great if done well. :)
Well, its so hot outside I have to shelter inside and its only 77 degrees fahrenheit here. Hows everyone else coping? Tea is helping to keep me cool. Bet Jake needs that damn umbrella now LOL!
Hi Winterbird, same shooting as what?
Toby looks intense. There's gonna be a lot of intense-looking people in this movie LOL, hope they don't over-emote, just smoulder (hehehe).
Pia, I just don't know how this opera will shape up. The only way for it to be paletable (on a personal level) is to completely separate it from book and performance. Much of BBM's appeal is all that is left unsaid and the spaces in between. Putting thought into son would somehow lessen the impact. I have to stand back on this one and let it go :/
^Of course I meant 'song', damn heat (yay,, can blame it for everything now).
Hello there everyone - I've brought you outside to sit in some dappled shade while I drink a bottle of Grolsch and listen to sparrows. As far as cartoon animal voiceovers go - I never want Jake to be a sparrow.
Hi Sheba! It's a tricky one because, as I said in the post, I can totally understand why we are all blown away by the book and/or the movie and so I can empathise with a composer wanting to give the story is own voice. I'm possibly too attached to the characterisation of the movie - but, interesting, when I read the short story, I don't see Heath and Jake.
Oh yes, indeed with UMP! No more hanging about. I want a summer with PoP and then a winter on the moon. Not that I'm greedy, you understand ;D
That first, very beautiful picture of Jake was taken in December 2003 at the Oceana Partners Awards in LA. It's gorgeous. At the moment, I'm going through my Jake Wearing Black Phase :D Must be the contrast to the POP colours.
Hi Winterbird :D It is a gorgeous pic. There are a few more from the same event but I think it's more likely you've seen another pic from around that time because Jake was really in that look then - suits him very much :D
Hey Pia! I hope Jake's got a fully airconditioned trailer too. I wish I had one for that matter. I have no air in my little flat at all - nice under this tree though.
I can see why the emotions of BBM are operatic in their scope. Not for me, though. I have memories of being in Russia and sitting through an extremely modern opera that seemed to last longer than the last Ice Age. I've not been to another since. So I'm biased! I can separate the book from the film but it may be a step too far for me with song.
Have a lovely lunch :D I wish I was off work tomorrow too...
Hi Bertie! I'm glad their are voices here in support of the opera to counteract prejudiced me!
Sheba :D That's so funny abut the smouldering!
I don't like the idea of Brokeback being turned into opera. I don't like it at all.
Today I finally saw The Other Boleyn Girl and I liked it. By the way,Happy 27th Birthday Natalie! I've always wanted you and Jake get together for good but, well...:)Their kids would be SO beautiful *sigh* Can't wait for Brothers.
Must see that film although its had bad reviews. I believe its Jonny Depp's birthday too - do he and Natalie share the same birthday? Natalie is indeed a cool chick. She looks prim and proper but can curse like a sailor when necessary. First time I remember her is from Leon
I'm not purposely thinking about Brothers as I'm keeping it as a nice surprise as well as the DVD (like... oh, when did he make this one?. I hope the director gives us some insight into Jake's performances.
WDW, thanks for bringing us outside under that tree, ahhhhh... much cooler here. I'd bring the icelols but little one has already gone through half a box of 8! And thanks for that info on the picture. I can't believe its 5 years old.
Hi Zodiac! I can't wait to see Jake acting with Natalie in Brothers :D Six months to go...
Mr WDW bought me Juno today so I'm enjoying that along with a lovely bottle of Merlot :D
Hi Sheba! I really didn't like The Other Boleyn Girl but that's probably because I studied the period and I thought Scarlett and Natalie were miscast. I thought Eric Bana was terrible, but then I think he's terrible in everything.
But I do like Natalie. Watching Juno as I am, I think Jennifer Garner is just wonderful.
Moved indoors and it's too hot so time to break open the icecream. You're welcome to a scoop :D
As long as it's rum 'n' raisin or raspbery ripple 'cos if it is the whole box is mine! Thanks for sharing ;D
I know we're going a little off topic here but have you not seen Troy??? A very underrated movie, Eric was superb and Brad was awesome and totally hotttt! No man has ever made a skirt look so good :DDD
I also love Jennifer Garner. I was watching a movie she did recently with Kevin Smith (another favourite - he's hilarious on DD director's cut) she has a likeable quality and an honesty in her performance, like Amanda Peet. Not seen Juno yet but thats another one on the list.
Icelol/popsicle weather, for sure. Juno! a fine film, doncha think WDW?
Well we wont have to deal with Brokeback Mountain The Opera until l013. Sorry you were traumetized from watching a "modern" opera in Russia, WDW - :D :D - (must put Alexander Nevsky on my Netflix)
Large iced coffee, for me. Layin' low and drinking lots of water.
Hey Sheba, I did enjoy Troy - Brad looked good in it and the ships were good. But I think that was about it. Trouble is I kept comparing it to the Iliad which I studied at University. Mind you, the men were more gorgeous in the movie version ;D
Hi Pia :D Juno's wonderful. Another of those films I first saw on a plane and so it's good to enjoy it now on a proper screen.
Stay cool :)
" Kevin Smith (another favourite - he's hilarious on DD director's cut)"
Yes, he's pretty effing funny, alright - :D :D (seriously)
I've only listened to Jake's commentary on DD, Pia - Every time I try and listen to one of the others, I miss Jake's voice and change them over. I on't tend to watch the Director's Cut. I should give it another bash.
Well, WDW, you do get alot of insight into DD the film and the mindset of these two directors - also for me an understanding of why Jake worked so well with Richard - both intuitive artists.
Also realize what sit coms these boys watched, which helps explain certain obsessionos, aberrations of personality, etcetc.
just sayin'
Hey Pia - is all that in the Director's Cut commentary or another one?
Oh, guys you should check this.It's hilarious. WDW, I'm sorry I advertise another blog here, but I love this guy's comments about Jake, always have.
Courtesy of mynewplaidpants
"That "Moon colonization" movie that was going to unite director Doug Liman and hunk-puppy Jake Gyllenhaal, isn't dead, but is being rewritten. Hopefully to include an opening credits sequence exactly like this, only with Jake in Jane Fonda's place"
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7FWVSQqZp90
In the DCut commentary, WDW Of course I have drawn some of my own conclusions from their conversation.
Just found a strange film called The Sirens set in Australia, with Hugh Grant and others, tacked onto the end of a tape of a recommended film, Night on Earth.
Yep, all in the director's cut. Richard and Kevin are a great double act. Additionally, Kevin gets to ask a few (not enough) fan questions of Richard. Richard pretty much confirmed most of my philosophies on DD, others I disagree with. Watched Dogma and I can't wait for the 10 year anniversary DVD.
'Married with Children' that was hilarious and my first insight into the 'other side' of American comedy. Christina was like the Pamela Anderson of her time for pre-pubescent American boys everywhere.
I got a bit distracted when I found 'the' Jake photo ... oh momma mia... He dispays every single emotion you can think of with just a look in his photos - he can't take a bad photo even when he's mugging it for the cameras. Damn, he's hot! I miss him...... but am happy for him :D
I love mynewplaidpants too :)
Pleased about the Moon, but in keeping with my always being one post behind (at least), I'd like to hear Jake voice a baby bear. Not a cartoon, a real one.
Hey lovelies,
OMG, can't stand the heat. It is brutally hot out there. Keep cool all those affected by the heat wave.
And that new (old) pic of Jake looking beautiful in the black shirt isn't helping. ;p
PoP keeps shaping up! Good to hear UMP is still going ahead.
BBM the Opera...hmm. Not sure how I feel about that. I am sure they will do their best, it is the New York City Opera, but I am not sure if I can see this working.
Count me as one who adores and loves My New Plaid Pants blog! He is adorable and has a great love for Jake. :)
xoxo
Hi Anon :D I do remember the first time I watched Barbarella :) What a movie!
I remember seeing Sirens, Pia. Blimey that's a long time ago. A very odd film.
Thanks Sheba :) Oh, I did like Dogma. I've not seen Married with Children.
Hey Nouskie :D Like the sound of the baby bear - but not a panda ;D How about a meerkat?
Please tell me we're not going to have months of endless on/off speculation about The Moon Film. it's bad enough with Nailed, my nerves can't take any more!
Although the topless pic helped, so thanks for that;D
Must admit I've never heard of Toby Kibbell, but I've meaning to watch Control for ages, so I might check him out soon.
Oh, btw, I got my INT DVD today.Yay! Of course, having whinged for ages about not having it,now that I have I can't bring myself to watch it yet :(
Trying to look for positives about the BBM opera thing but it's not working atm. Mind you, they've got 5 years to bring us all round to the idea.
Hi Get Real! Posting at the same time. We need aircon over here. If I sit with my head out of the window I get a little gust of breeze once every 15 minutes. Going to be a long night.
I'm so glad you liked that picture. It is gorgeous. And good film news today. I like mynewplaidpants too - despite my dislike for plaid :D Stay cool :)
Hey TL! Great news that INT arrived at long last - do enjoy it, as I know you will.
I'd only heard of Kebbell with Control, not that I've seen the film myself. But he sounds like he knows what he's doing.
I just like that there is news on the UMP at long last but I reckon it'll go quiet again on that for a good few months. I just hope it goes ahead when all is ready. At least with PoP it's been pretty well organised so far (apparently) :D
No AC WDW?!?! Don't think I could manage. Take care and stay cool!
Control was a really good movie. I highly recommend it. Seeing pics at IMDb now I recognize him from that movie.
^^ I mean I recognize Toby Kebbell from Control. :p
TL, think of staging this scene, and Alma's aria - "I have seen what I have seen. . . "
"Behind her in the room lightning hit the window like a white sheet waving and the baby cried"
Oh well, five years, the composer's seventy, god bless. . .
A bit delirious from the heat, am I.
O TL you will love INT - weep away and enjoy - and dont forget the tribute to Heath among the extras. I really like Todd Haynes.
Hi Get Real :D It's not as hot here as where you are - we're just not teared up for it. But it's supposed to be cooler in a couple of days. But I love the heat in the daytime :D
I do want to see Control. I hear it's very good. I have so many things to see.
Hey singing Pia :D I just can't see scenes like that set to song - it's the silence and the lack of words which stand out. But it's so hard to say.
I'm feeling delirious with the heat too, so off to bed. See you all tomorrow :D
Sleep well, WDW. :)
INT is great, TL you will really enjoy it. I saw it in the theatre so I will have to rent it to see the Heath tribute. Pia, I like TH too.
Bet it's on UTube - its brief, but lovely.
Thanks, Pia, didn't think of that. I will check YouTube out.
Stay cool...
Hi WDW,
I couldn't agree more.... tell me it's not true! A Brokeback opera...noooooooooo, no-no-no! So much of what made Brokeback great was all that WASN'T spoken (not to mention sung)! Can you imagine Jack and Ennis proclaiming their love in a duet? No. way. Also there is no way anybody else could be Jack and Ennis.
Still a faithful reader of your blog although I haven't had time to post in a while!
Take care
Libby
No one is ever going to do justice to the characters of Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar the way Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger did. Every time someone adapts the story for stage or opera house, people will come back to Jake and Heath. It's that simple .Do not worry. The first was best, just as no one is going to top Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh's take on Rhett and Scarlett, or Judy Garland's take on Dorothy. Let Wuorinen do his best. I've heard of him, and I'm glad someone of some stature is going to try.
Hi, Paul, I'll stop being johnny one note on this matter in a minute or two (before I faint and wonder if I should get an AC even though it's fairly cool in the Berkshire Mountains most of the summer. . . ) but opera is such a different form - how could it be compared in any way with BBMt the film?
take the story of Mallerme's Carmen: does Jean-Luc Goddard's film or the ballet or the film with Vivienne Romance and Jean Mareau (one of my very favorite films!) or Carmen Jones or other renderings of this classic story detract from or compete with one another?
As Ang said at Academy Awards, AnnieP has given us two great chracters. Ain't no reins on this one. In my humble opinion haha and goodnight!
(Last night was tolerable dont know about tonight, though)
correction: Jean Marais
I agree, the film version is one thing, but the opera could be an entirely different interpretation, based on the short story of course. You're right, Pia, shouldn't be no reins on it. The concept, and the story of those two men, is exquisite. It should be told in many ways. :)
Good morning everyone! What a hot, sleepless night. Back tow rok to sleep at the desk.
Thanks so much to you all for the interesting conversation last night with pros and cons for the opera. It certainly helps me to look at the subject with a lot more objectivity rather than my usual shoot from the hip. So thanks Pia, Paul, Libby and Anon.
Glad to here you're still about, Libby :D Thanks for commenting.
I hope you get hold of the tribute, Get Real :)
Have a lovely day everyone - icecream, popsicles and Pimms all round I think. We're cooling off a bit tomorrow I believe. (Have to do some more Jaking to keep the temperature up...)
Morning!
I enjoyed the discussion on the opera as well :)
One thing for sure, if classily done, the opera is way better than those lame Brokeback parodies of the movie. And like someone said (Anouska?), we have 5 years to warm up to the idea! :P
Glad to see that The Untitled Moon Project is not vanished after all...:)
And yes, I'd like to see Jake stripping like Jane Fonda's Barbarella too! :D
Great post as always WDW, have a great day everyone!
Hello there everyone - what a gorgeous day. Let's just all close the office and go and watch the cricket with some cheese sandwiches and a crate of beer...
Hi there Winterbird - hope London's not too steamy today :D
Hey Xenia! I'm really pleased about UMP too. Have a good day over there in lovely Italy.
Hi WDW! At last a chance to catch up, I've been having time and stamina issues (a euphemism for when I've not been busy I've been utterly knackered! ;-) ).
Going back to the previous couple of posts,belated congrats to Nicole for her exploits as an extra on the set of "Nailed". Thanks Nicole for such a great insight into the filming process,the generally bonkers tone of the screenplay and Jake's on set antics. You lucky girl! :-)
Thanks too,WDW, for including the Jake and Peter video in the "voting" post. Not that I need any persuasion to vote,because I think it's a hard won privelege and a duty,but Jake and Peter are at their delicious best in that clip and could persuade me to do anything (well,almost! ;-) ).
I do like the idea of Jake doing the voice-over for a majestic animal,such as an Arab stallion or a lion or tiger,but favour yet more the thought of him giving voice to something cute and cuddly! Any type of bear would have me turned to mush and your Meerkat option is a delight,WDW - fabulous little kweechers!
Must own up to a very closed mind on the "Brokeback - The Opera" front :-O :-( Although there are several opera arias which I absolutely love,I'm not over-enamoured of the genre as a whole and the potential for melodrama and bombast fill me with dread at the thought of an operatic adaptation of "Brokeback" - based on Annie's book or our beloved film.
I may be proved wrong but to me it teems with horrendous possibilities. And of course,for me,Jake and Heath will forever be the true and genuine Jack and Ennis, and Ang's masterpiece the backdrop for their definitive incarnation.
Just one final thought for now. As the Lunar colonisation screenplay is to be re-written and the project is in a state of flux, perhaps we should refer to it as the Hypothetical Untitled Moon Project - then we could all look forward to a HUMP with Jake?!
Apologies - I did say I was over-tired! ;-)
Hey Nadine - good to see you and I hope you're feeling a bit better :) I'm so glad you enjoyed the Jake and Peter voting video - very persuasive... I think the animal needs to be cute and cuddly too, although the majestic option does hold sway on occasion. Or cute and cheeky. I tend to feel the same as you about the opera and, ahem, HUMP sounds fine to me!
Nadine and WDW when you guys are stressed your funny bone gets activated. Tee Hee to Hump the Moon -
And before the Brokeback Opera convo shuts down, I feel very supportive of an opportunity to normalize same sex relationships in the highbrow "media" - modern opera isnt bombastic - see Philip Glass' "Satyagraha" about Gandhi.
etcetcetc.
But then, I really loved the Starz Brokeback Bunnies. :D :D :D
Hi Pia :D I do agree that it is a great thing that such relationships can be made the subject of so-called highbrow media, but I think I have my own prejudices to overcome when it comes to the treatment of Brokeback in the future. Opera also isn't to my taste at all (except for Mozart's Don Giovanni but that was a stretch), but that says more about me than it does about opera. It also brings me back to my Russian modern opera experience - not the best induction into a new artform.
I'm more of a rock opera kinda person, not that I'm saying I want a BBM rock opera either...
Waffling on - time to go and find a pub garden for a bit and to cool my brain :D
"Ghosts of Versailles" was the last major new opera to hit the stage. At the time, it was said that the last nine new operas had all been written by gay men. I think that an opera based on "Brokeback Mountain" could be very gay-friendly. That said, it ain't easy for new operas to become mainstays of the repertoire. To mention a few recent operas: does "Holy Bllod, Holy Grail" get performed much since its premier? Or "Billy Budd?" or Philip Glass's operas? I agree with Pia that movies and operas are really very comparable, though I have a deep abiding affection for the film version of Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess," which had some preeminent operatic voices (Leontine Price, William Warfield) dubbed in, with great non-operatic performers like Pearl Bailey and Sammy David Junior.
Sorry, I meant that operas and movies are *not* very comparable. At least usually. The staginess of an opera detracts from the movie format.
I have a deep abiding affection for the film version of Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess," which had some preeminent operatic voices.
Gah, I adore Porgy and Bess. I think George Gershwin was pure musical genius anyway, but this entire concept was magnificent. I know it wasn't understood in its day, and has been fraught with controversy over the years, but I just think it is a beautiful, and uniquely American, opera. Pure genius. Is there anything more beautiful or full of mystery as the key and chords of Summertime? :)
Hey, Paul, I think Billy Budd and Glass's operas are opera staples - nice BB by Pittsburgh Opera Co last year and this spring Glass's Satyagraha rocked the Met.
Hi Paul - I do like a spot of Gershwin myself :D
Hey Bertie! Ooh, I love Summertime. I'd love to see Jake in this kind of production.
Hi Pia :D
I've been out having fish and chips sitting in the sunshine - love this time of year :)
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