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===Critical reception===
===Critical reception===
''The Incredible Burt Wonderstone'' received mixed reviews. The film garnered 45% approval from 38 critics on [[Rotten Tomatoes]] – an average score of 5 out of 10,<ref name="ReviewTomatoes"/> and it earned a score of 47 out of 100 from 13 critics on review aggregate website [[Metacritic]], indicating "mixed or average" reviews.<ref name="ReviewMC"/> Roger Ebert gave the film 3 out of 4 stars.
''The Incredible Burt Wonderstone'' received mixed reviews. The film garnered 45% approval from 38 critics on [[Rotten Tomatoes]] – an average score of 5 out of 10,<ref name="ReviewTomatoes"/> and it earned a score of 47 out of 100 from 13 critics on review aggregate website [[Metacritic]], indicating "mixed or average" reviews.<ref name="ReviewMC"/>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 18:53, 14 March 2013

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
Theatrical poster
Directed byDon Scardino
Screenplay by
Story by
  • Chad Kultgen
  • Tyler Mitchell
  • John Francis Daley
  • Jonathan Goldstein
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMatthew Clark
Edited byLee Haxall
Music byLyle Workman[2]
Production
companies
Benderspink
Carousel
Distributed byNew Line Cinema
Release dates
  • March 8, 2013 (2013-03-08) (Premiere[1])
  • March 15, 2013 (2013-03-15)
Running time
100 minutes[3]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$30 million[4]

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is a 2013 comedy film directed by Don Scardino and written by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, based on a story by Chad Kultgen & Tyler Mitchell, and Daley & Goldstein. The film follows Las Vegas magician Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) as he attempts to reunite with his former partner Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) to take on dangerous street magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey).

The film began development in 2006, when New Line Cinema bought Kultgen's script, "Burt Dickenson: The Most Powerful Magician on Planet Earth". The development process gained momentum when Charles McDougall was hired as director in 2011, but he eventually left the project and was replaced with Scardino. Daley and Goldstein rewrote Kultgen's script which then saw further rewrites from Jason Reitman in June 2011.

Filming was scheduled to begin in October 2011, in Los Angeles, California but was pushed back to January 2012. On a $30 million budget, filming began on January 10, 2012 in Nevada with filming later moving to Los Angeles. The film is scheduled for release on March 15, 2013.

Premise

Burt Wonderstone (Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Buscemi) are a successful magic act in Las Vegas. Their partnership comes to an end when Anton is injured by Burt during their hotbox trick, and Anton moves to the Far East. When Burt is overshadowed by popular street magician Steve Gray (Carrey), he must convince Anton to return to the act to regain his standing by all means necessary.[5][6]

Cast

Steve Carell and Jim Carrey play Burt Wonderstone and Steve Gray respectively. This is the third film in which Carrey and Carell starred alongside another, after 2003's Bruce Almighty and 2008's Horton Hears a Who!.
A formerly successful magician.[7] The character's design is based partly on famous magicians Siegfried & Roy.[8] Mason Cook, who was eleven years old in 2012, portrays Wonderstone as a child. Cook learned several magic tricks under a magic supervisor to portray Wonderstone as he begins to discover magic.[9]
Wonderstone's former partner.[6][10] Buscemi entered negotiations for a role on October 31, 2011.[4] Luke Vanek, was who was eleven years old in 2012, portrays Marvelton as a child.[11]
Burt and Anton's assistant who dreams of becoming a magician.[12][13] On October 27, 2011, it was reported that Wilde, Michelle Monaghan, Judy Greer, Sarah Silverman and Jessica Biel were in contention for the female lead.[14] This list was reduced to Silverman, Wilde, and Greer,[4] with all making strong impressions on the filmmakers but with Wilde as the front-runner.[4][5][15] It was later reported that the filmmakers were waiting for Biel to audition before making their final decision.[4] Ultimately it was Wilde who secured the role.
An elderly magician who inspired Burt to become a magician.[16]
Billionaire owner of the Aztec Casino where Burt and Anton perform.[6] Gandolfini was reported to be in talks for the role on October 29, 2011.[5] In early December Gandolfini traveled to Las Vegas to research his role, speaking with magicians Criss Angel and Nathan Burton, and The Mirage casino president Felix Rapaport and executive Kenny Epstein, and philanthropist Larry Ruvo. Speaking on their meeting, Rappaport stated that Gandolfini wanted to prepare for the role by "getting insights in Las Vegas, specifically in the entertainment world and the world of magic."[17]
A street-magician with a dangerous act.[5] Carrey entered negotiations for a role in the film in October 2011.[19] The character was described by Scardino as "if David Blaine and Criss Angel had a child", but that Carrey is "such an idiosyncratic performer, he's not quite either of those guys."[8] Carrey undertook a strict diet to lose weight and improve his physique for the role.[20] Adam Pally was considered for the role.[21]

The cast also includes: Brad Garrett as Burt's accountant;[22] Jay Mohr as magician Rick the Implausible;[23] Gillian Jacobs as a magic fan who has a one-night stand with Wonderstone;[24] Michael Herbig as a magician with a German background and a thing for cats;[25][12] and illusionist David Copperfield cameos as himself.[8]

Production

Development

The film started development in 2006 when New Line Cinema bought Chad Kultgen's script, titled "Burt Dickenson: The Most Powerful Magician on Planet Earth."[7] By September 2010, Carell had joined the film, and the script had been completely rewritten by screenwriting team John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.[26][7][27] The pair extensively researched the lifestyle of Vegas magicians, taking note of the pressure of performing multiple times a day and the consequence of living within the "Vegas bubble where you're not exposed to the outside world [which] can actually make someone stir-crazy or egotistical."[26] In July 2011, the story was described as following Burt Wonderstone, a formerly successful magician who was overshadowed by a younger, edgier magician.[28] However, by the time Carrey had joined the project in October 2011, the younger magician character had become simply a rival magician, and Burt was now part of a formerly successful magic duo.[5] Discussing the script changes which saw the project enter production, producer Chris Bender said: "...it was tone, finding the right tone, because it was originally written more broadly where certain magic things were happening that wouldn’t actually be real magic and also, over time, the references that we were making in terms of the new school of magic and the old school of magic were becoming dated... Once [Carell] came on board, that’s when things really took off... And then finding the right director, too. These kind of comedies scare directors a lot because you’re taking a chance and you’re going for something bold comedy-wise that either could be a big hit or it could really miss."[12]

In February 2011, the film found a director in Charles McDougall,[29] but by April 2011, McDougall had left the project with no reason being cited for the departure.[30] In June 2011, 30 Rock director Don Scardino was confirmed to take the director chair.[28] On June 16, 2011, Jason Reitman was brought aboard the project to perform additional rewrites to the Daley/Goldstein script. Reitman was reportedly paid for several weeks of work, but the extent of his involvement or the script changes was not detailed.[31]

Filming

Filming had been scheduled to begin in October 2011, in Los Angeles, California,[28] but was pushed back to January 2012,[22][23] with casting of the remaining lead roles occurring throughout October.[5] Principal photography began on January 10, 2012,[16][32] lasted approximately 47 days and had a $30 million budget.[33][4] The film was shot on film stock instead of digital because it was decided that the difference in cost between the two was negligible, and the day shooting and color palettes of the magicians' outfits such as black and red were thought to be captured better on the stock.[33] Filming started with four days of shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, with over 400 extras hired to play background pedestrians, tourists and casino workers.[32] Among the locations used during the Las Vegas shooting are interiors and exteriors at the Bally's Las Vegas hotel and casino,[16][32] and exteriors of the Las Vegas Strip, Downtown Las Vegas,[10] Fremont Street, and Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel.[8] Scardino, who had not filmed in Las Vegas since helming an episode of Tracey Takes On... approximately fifteen years earlier, described shooting on location in the city as "an absolute must". Scardino added "We just felt that, to give the movie authenticity, it had to be on the Strip".[8] The first day of shooting saw Carell and Buscemi suspended inside a perspex box, with Wilde and Gandolfini also on set.[32] Carell was filmed on the Strip because Scardino believed his character is "a creature of the Strip," while Carrey was filmed "in and around Fremont Street," where his character felt more at home. Scardino explained the decision to film the characters in these environments, saying the "two different worlds" of Vegas "helps define our talent," with the "ever-changing Strip" providing contrast with "the frozen-in-time aspect of Fremont Street."[8]

By January 16, 2012, filming moved to Los Angeles[34] and south California,[8][35] including the Wadsworth Theatre.[18] Filming had concluded by March 13, 2012,[36] after forty-nine days.[37] When Scardino boarded the project, the script contained several magic tricks that could not realistically occur on stage such as lasers decapitating two individuals and the heads then switching bodies, which would have required the use of computer visual effects to accomplish. Scardino insisted that most of the magic tricks should be credible feats to make the magicians seem more believable, but some tricks still required the use of visual effects. Copperfield served as a technical advisor on the film and developed a live stage illusion for the film's climax, featuring a body switch between Carrel's and Buscemi's characters..[37][8][33] Scardino insisted that the illusion should not depend on camera tricks, stating "I wanted one big stage illusion where you go, 'Oh, wow, how'd they do that?'" Copperfield provided instructions on how the trick worked and was present on set during its filming.[37] The production also used other magic advisors who ensured that hand movements during tricks were correct, and also served as hand-doubles.[33] Producer Chris Bender said that the film is meant to be set in a fictional history of the world of magic, and so the filmmakers avoided casting many real magicians, so that it would not seem that the film was intended to be set in reality.[12]

Release

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone premiered as the opening film of the SXSW festival on March 8, 2013; it was introduced by Carrell, Carrey and Wilde.[1][26] The film is scheduled for wide release in North America and the United Kingdom on March 15, 2013.[38][39]

Critical reception

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone received mixed reviews. The film garnered 45% approval from 38 critics on Rotten Tomatoes – an average score of 5 out of 10,[40] and it earned a score of 47 out of 100 from 13 critics on review aggregate website Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[41]

References

  1. ^ a b "'Burt Wonderstone' To Open SXSW Film Festival". Deadline.com. PMC. January 15, 2013. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Lyle Workman to Score 'The Incredible Burt Wonderstone'". Film Music Reporter. May 16, 2012. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone". British Board of Film Classification work=bbfc.co.uk. March 5, 2013. Archived from the original on March 5, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e f Fleming, Mike (October 31, 2011). "Steve Buscemi: From Jersey Boardwalk To Vegas For 'Burt Wonderstone'?". Deadline.com. PMC. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e f Sneider, Jeff (October 29, 2011). "Gandolfini in talks for 'Wonderstone'". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved October 30, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b c Sneider, Jeff (October 31, 2011). "Steve Buscemi in talks for 'Burt Wonderstone'". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved October 31, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b c McNary, Dave (June 2, 2011). "Scardino to direct Steve Carell in 'Burt'". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved June 3, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Cling, Carol (January 16, 2012). "'American Idol' visiting 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Bob Brown. Archived from the original on January 16, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ Price, Matthew (March 8, 2012). "Oklahoma's Mason Cook joins cast of movies "Lone Ranger" and "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone"". The Oklahoman. OPUBCO Communications Group. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b Cling, Carol (January 9, 2012). "Extras wanted for 'Burt Wonderstone' comedy". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Bob Brown. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Elfman, Doug (March 5, 2013). "Las Vegas sixth-grader hits big screen". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Bob Brown. Archived from the original on March 6, 2013. Retrieved March 6, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b c d Weintraub, Steve (February 27, 2013). "Producer Chris Bender Talks the Competitive World of Professional Magic, Filming in Las Vegas, and More On the Set of The Incredible Burt Wonderstone". Collider. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Chitwood, Adam (March 11, 2013). "Steve Carell, Jim Carrey, Olivia Wilde, Steve Buscemi, John Francis Daley, and Jonathan Goldstein Talk The Incredible Burt Wonderstone". Collider. Retrieved March 13, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Fleming, Mike (October 27, 2011). "New Line Looking To Conjure 'Burt Wonderstone' Female Lead". Deadline.com. PMC. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ Borys, Kit (October 31, 2011). "Olivia Wilde, Steve Buscemi in Talks for Steve Carell's 'Burt Wonderstone' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ a b c "Steve Carell, Olivia Wilde and Steve Buscemi on the Burt Wonderstone Set". ComingSoon.net. CraveOnline. January 11, 2012. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Clarke, Norm (December 4, 2011). "Gandolfini checks out comedy role". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Bob Brown. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ a b Weintraub, Steve (December 20, 2012). "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Set Visit Preview". Collider. Archived from the original on December 20, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ Fleming, Mike (October 11, 2011). "Jim Carrey Goes Mano A Mano Opposite Steve Carell In 'Burt Wonderstone'". Deadline.com. PMC. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Rawden, Jessica (March 4, 2013). "Jim Carrey Talks Crazy Weight Loss". Cinema Blend. Archived from the original on March 5, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Holbrook, Damian (April 4, 2012). "Adam Pally On Happy Endings' Season Finale and Other Messed-Up Stuff". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Hearst Corporation. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved April 4, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dearurl= ignored (help)
  22. ^ a b Kit, Borys (December 12, 2011). "Brad Garrett In Talks to Join Steve Carell in 'Burt Wonderstone' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ a b L. Weinstein, Joshua (December 20, 2011). "Jay Mohr Joins Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey and Steve Carell in 'Burt Wonderstone' (Exclusive)". The Wrap. The Wrap News Inc. Archived from the original on December 20, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dearurl= ignored (help)
  24. ^ Borys, Kit (February 15, 2012). "'Community' Star Gillian Jacobs Joins Steve Carell in 'Burt Wonderstone' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on February 15, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ Pauli, Harald (January 23, 2012). "Michael Bully Herbig dreht in Hollywood". Focus (in German). Hubert Burda Media. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved March 16, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ a b c Abramovitch, Steve (March 9, 2013). "SXSW: Ta-Da! Steve Carell, Jim Carrey and Olivia Wilde Reveal 'Burt Wonderstone'". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ McNary, Dave (September 24, 2010). "Steve Carell eyes 'Wonderstone'". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved October 31, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ a b c Fleming, Mike (June 2, 2011). "New Line Sets Don Scardino To Direct Steve Carell In 'Burt Wonderstone". Deadline.com. PMC. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ Williams, Owen (February 25, 2011). "Burt Wonderstone Has A Director". Empire. Bauer. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Vieira, Anthony (April 6, 2011). "Stallone's 'Headshot' & Carell's 'Burt Wonderstone' Lose Directors". The Film Stage. Banquet Media. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ Kit, Borys (June 16, 2011). "Steve Carell's Surprise Script Doctor: Jason Reitman (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ a b c d Larkin, Mike (January 11, 2012). "Crazy stupid stunt! Steve Carell apes magician David Blaine... as he hangs from the air in a perspex cage... for new film". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ a b c d Weintraub, Steve (February 27, 2013). "Director Don Scardino Talks THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE, Jim Carrey's Perfectionism, and Film vs. Digital". Collider. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ McNary, Dave (January 25, 2012). "Commercials, TV offset L.A. shooting dip". Variety. Reed Business Information. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ "Jim Carrey & 'Idol' Daughter Jane Enjoy Idle Time On Wonderstone Set". RadarOnline. American Media, Inc. January 25, 2012. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ Fleming, Mike (March 13, 2012). "Olivia Wilde And Jason Sudeikis Star In Agoraphobe Meets Anxiety-Prone Hottie In 'Relanxious'". Deadline.com. PMC. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ a b c Sperling, Nicole (January 12, 2013). "The real magic in 'The Incredible Burt Wonderstone' is the comedy". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Archived from the original on January 12, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ "Warner Bros Fills Out 2013 Slate, Dates 'Burt Wonderstone', 'Millers', 'Prisoners'". Deadline.com. PMC. October 10, 2012. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ Wales, George (February 20, 2013). "New TV spot for The Incredible Burt Wonderstone: watch now". Total Film. Future plc. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  40. ^ "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved March 13, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 13, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Incredible_Burt_Wonderstone&oldid=544163386"