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Transcendence (2014 film)

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Transcendence
Teaser poster
Directed byWally Pfister
Written byJack Paglen
Produced byBroderick Johnson
Andrew A. Kosove
Kate Cohen
Marisa Polvino
Annie Marter
David Valdes
Aaron Ryder
StarringJohnny Depp
Morgan Freeman
Rebecca Hall
Kate Mara
Cillian Murphy
Cole Hauser
Paul Bettany
CinematographyJess Hall
Edited byDavid Rosenbloom
Music byMychael Danna[1]
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
DMG Entertainment (China)
Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate (International)
Release date
  • April 18, 2014 (2014-04-18) (United States)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$100 million

Transcendence is an upcoming 2014 American science fiction thriller film that will mark the directorial debut of long-time cinematographer Wally Pfister. The film stars Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman, Rebecca Hall, Kate Mara, Cillian Murphy, and Paul Bettany. Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas are executive producers of the film. It is set to be released in theaters on April 18, 2014.

Synopsis

Dr. Will Caster is an artificial intelligence researcher who strives to create a machine that possesses sentience and collective intelligence. Extremists who oppose technological advancement target him, but their actions drive him toward his goal. Caster also wants to become part of the new technology, and his wife Evelyn and his best friend Max Waters, also researchers, question the wisdom of this drive. Caster's goal to acquire knowledge becomes one to acquire power, and he seems to be unstoppable.[2]

Cast

Production

Transcendence is directed by cinematographer Wally Pfister in his directorial debut. Jack Paglen wrote the initial screenplay for Pfister to direct,[nb 1] and producer Annie Marter pitched the film to Straight Up Films.[9] The pitch was sold to Straight Up. By March 2012, Alcon Entertainment acquired the project.[10] Alcon financed and produced the film; producers from Straight Up and Alcon joined together for the film. In the following June, director Christopher Nolan, for whom Pfister has worked as cinematographer, and Nolan's producing partner Emma Thomas joined the film as executive producers.[9] By October 2012, actor Johnny Depp entered negotiations to star in Transcendence.[11] The Hollywood Reporter said Depp would have "a mammoth payday" with a salary of $20 million versus 15 percent of the film's gross. Pfister met with Noomi Rapace for the film's female lead role and also met with James McAvoy and Tobey Maguire for the other male lead role. The director offered a supporting role to Christoph Waltz.[12] In March 2013, Rebecca Hall was cast as the female lead.[4] By the following April, actors Paul Bettany, Kate Mara, and Morgan Freeman joined the main cast.[3]

Continuing his advocacy for the use of film stock over digital cinematography, Wally Pfister chose to shoot the film in the anamorphic format on 35mm film.[13] The film is going through a traditional photochemical finish instead of a digital intermediate.[14]

The Chinese company DMG Entertainment entered a partnership with Alcon Entertainment to finance and produce the film. While DMG contributed Chinese elements to Looper and Iron Man 3, it did not do so for Transcendence.[15] Filming officially began in June 2013.[16]

Release

Transcendence is scheduled to be released in theaters on April 18, 2014. It was originally scheduled for April 25, 2014.[17] Warner Bros. will distribute the film in the United States, and Summit Entertainment (through Lionsgate) will distribute it in other territories, except for China, Germany and the United Kingdom.[18] DMG Entertainment, who collaborated with Alcon Entertainment to finance and develop Transcendence, will distribute the film in China.[15]

Notes

  1. ^ Jack Paglen's screenplay was featured in the 2012 survey of Hollywood's The Black List, a list of most-liked unproduced screenplays.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Mychael Danna to Score Wally Pfister's 'Transcendence'". Film Music Reporter. December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  2. ^ Schaefer, Sandy (December 10, 2013). "'Transcendence' Official Synopsis Teases Johnny Depp's Megalomaniac Scientist". ScreenRant. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d Ng, Philiana (April 11, 2013). "Morgan Freeman Joins Johnny Depp in 'Transcendence'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  4. ^ a b Kit, Borys (March 4, 2013). "Rebecca Hall Joins Johnny Depp in 'Transcendence'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  5. ^ a b Kit, Borys (May 17, 2013). "Casting Call: 'Tomorrowland,' 'Transcendence' Add Actors". The Hollywood Reporter.
  6. ^ Kroll, Justin (April 17, 2013). "Clifton Collins boards Johnny Depp pic 'Transcendence'". Variety.
  7. ^ Kit, Borys (April 24, 2013). "Cole Hauser Joins Johnny Depp in 'Transcendence'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  8. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (December 17, 2012). "Black List 2012 Features Biopics On Hillary Clinton & Dr. Seuss, 'Transcendence' & More". indieWire. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  9. ^ a b McNary, Dave (June 13, 2012). "Nolan, Thomas to produce Pfister's debut". Variety.
  10. ^ Kit, Borys (June 13, 2012). "Christopher Nolan to Exec Produce Wally Pfister's Directorial Debut". The Hollywood Reporter.
  11. ^ Kroll, Justin (October 24, 2012). "Johnny Depp in talks for Pfister's 'Transcendence'". Variety.
  12. ^ Siegel, Tatiana; Kit, Borys (October 24, 2012). "Johnny Depp in Negotiations to Star in 'Transcendence' for Alcon". The Hollywood Reporter.
  13. ^ "Wally Pfister slams digital; will shoot TRANSCENDENCE on 35mm film with mystery DP". ADNAN XKHAN. November 16, 2012.
  14. ^ "OnFilm Interview: Jess Hall, BSC". Kodak. December 11, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  15. ^ a b Makenin, Julie (July 11, 2013). "Johnny Depp's 'Transcendence' gets China boost". Los Angeles Times.
  16. ^ Coonan, Clifford (July 11, 2013). "China's DMG Boards Johnny Depp's 'Transcendence'". Variety.
  17. ^ Staff (April 24, 2013). "Warner Bros Dates Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymore Pic 'Blended', Shifts 'Transcendence'". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  18. ^ Foreman, Liza (December 12, 2012). "'Transcendence' Revealed: Johnny Depp to Play Supercomputer". The Wrap. Yahoo!. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
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