Beowulf (2007 film)
| Beowulf | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Robert Zemeckis |
| Written by | Neil Gaiman Roger Avary (screenplay based on Beowulf) Caitlín R. Kiernan (novelization) |
| Produced by | Steve Bing Robert Zemeckis |
| Starring | Ray Winstone Crispin Glover Angelina Jolie Anthony Hopkins |
| Cinematography | Robert Presley |
| Edited by | Jeremiah O'Driscoll |
| Music by | Alan Silvestri |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures (US) Warner Bros. Pictures (non-US) |
Release dates | November 21, 2007 (USA) |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $150 million |
Beowulf is a 2007 fantasy film directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film is an adaptation of the Old English epic poem Beowulf. The film will use motion capture techniques similar to Zemeckis' The Polar Express. Beowulf will be released on November 21, 2007.
Production
In July 1997, writer Neil Gaiman wrote a screen adaptation of Beowulf with screenwriter Roger Avary.[1] The script had been optioned by ImageMovers in the same year and set up at DreamWorks with Avary slated to direct. The project eventually went into turnaround after the option expired, the rights returned to the Avary who began assembling the financing through his Killing Zoe producer, Samuel Hadida. In January 2005, producer Steve Bing, at the behest of Zemekis who was desperate to direct the film himself, paid the writers an undisclosed sum for rights to the Beowulf script. Avary accepted the deal, which included increased creative involvement for the writers as producers on the film, and relinquished the directing reigns to Robert Zemeckis to direct the film. Beowulf, estimated to have a preliminary budget of $70 million, was announced to be a motion capture film similar to Zemeckis' The Polar Express.[2] The following June, Columbia Pictures entered talks with actors Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Brendan Gleeson, and Robin Wright Penn to be cast in Beowulf. With the film having a motion capture approach, the actors would be committing to performing in a regular film rather than a computer-animated film.[3] In August 2005, actress Angelina Jolie joined the rest in the cast, taking on the role of Grendel's Mother. Producer Bing, who did not finalize a distribution deal with Columbia Pictures, arranged new deals with Paramount Pictures for U.S. distribution and Warner Bros. Pictures for international distribution.[4]
At Comic-Con International in July 2006, Neil Gaiman said Beowulf would use the voices of actors Angelina Jolie, Crispin Glover, and Ray Winstone. Calling the film as a "cheerfully violent and strange take on the Beowulf legend", Gaiman said Beowulf would be released on November 22, 2007.[5] The following October, Beowulf was announced to be projected in 3-D in over a thousand theaters for its release date in November 2007. The studios planned to use 3-D projection technology that had been used by Monster House, Chicken Little, and 3-D re-release of The Nightmare Before Christmas, but on a larger scale than previous films. Beowulf would additionally be released in 35mm alongside the 3-D projections.[6]
Cast
| Cast | Character |
|---|---|
| Ray Winstone | Beowulf |
| Anthony Hopkins | King Hrothgar |
| John Malkovich | Unferth |
| Robin Wright Penn | Queen Wealtheow |
| Brendan Gleeson | Wiglaf |
| Crispin Glover | Grendel |
| Alison Lohman | Ursula |
| Angelina Jolie | Grendel's Mother |
| Greg Ellis | Garmund |
| Dominic Keating | Old Cain |
| Rik Young | Eofor |
| Charlotte Salt | Estrith |
Further film background and buzz
 |
- The filmmakers are considering releasing two versions of the film. One would be rated PG-13 for wide release and the other, rated NC-17 for limited release on IMAX. If passed by the MPAA, Beowulf would not only be the first film since Saturday Night Fever (also released by Paramount Pictures) to be released simultaneously under two ratings, but also Paramount's first NC-17 rated film since the uncut version of 1900 was released to theaters in 1992 (this is not counting films that were edited for R ratings like Team America: World Police). Also under consideration is an unrated cut released only on DVD.
- The film will employ a technique called electrooculography (EOG). This is to check dead-eye syndrome, the most common criticism of The Polar Express. The dead-eye syndrome caused characters to have a deadened 'soulless' look as a result of inanimate eyes. EOG corrects this defect by mapping the movements of the actors' eyes and eyelids using sensors placed around their eyes.
- Visual Effects for the film will be realized by Sony Pictures Imageworks, in Culver City, California.
References
- ^ Colin Covert (1997-07-09). "The Dream King". Star Tribune.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Nicole Laporte (2005-01-20). "Sony, Bing get Anglo on 'Beowulf'". Variety. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Michael Fleming (2005-06-14). "Thesp pack howling for 'Beowulf'". Variety. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Michael Fleming (2005-08-17). "Par, WB cry 'Beowulf'". Variety. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Hilary Goldstein (2006-07-21). "Comic-Con 2006: Neil Gaiman's Future Movies". IGN. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Ben Fritz (2006-10-24). "'Beowulf' gets 3-D bigscreen bow". Variety. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)