Beowulf (2007 film)
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Beowulf is the film adaptation of the epic Old English poem of the same name. The script was written by Roger Avary and Neil Gaiman during a short sojourn in Mexico in 1998. Though originally intended to be directed by Avary, direction was eventually given to Robert Zemeckis. The film will be made using the same performance capture techniques pioneered by Zemeckis and first used in The Polar Express, instead of live action as intended by Avary.
Starring: Ray Winstone, Angelina Jolie, Crispin Glover, Brendan Gleeson, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich.
Contents
Principal cast and characters
- Ray Winstone as Beowulf
- Angelina Jolie as Grendel's Mother
- Crispin Glover as Grendel
- Brendan Gleeson as Wiglaf
- Anthony Hopkins as Hrothgar
- John Malkovich as Unferth
- Robin Wright Penn as Wealtheow
- Alison Lohman
- Dominic Keating as Old Cain
Synopsis
See Beowulf for a basic plot synopsis, on which this film is based. As with all film adaptations of classical material, expect a number of creative liberties to be taken with the story and the characters. It is rumored that these will include some kind of romantic entanglement between Beowulf and Grendel's mother.Further film background and buzz
- Roger Avary had originally intended to direct. Zemeckis' friend and partner Steve Bing, who produced The Polar Express, purchased the script for a whopping $2 million so Zemeckis could direct. Avary and Gaiman have stayed on as producers.
- In October 2005 it was rumored that filming had been stopped due to a conflict that developed between Ray Winstone and Angelina Jolie. Ray Winstone supposedly revealed to a newspaper that Jolie and Brad Pitt were engaged, and Jolie was rumored to be "feuding" with Winstone for revealing the engagement without Jolie's consent. However, writer Neil Gaiman wrote on his [blog] that this rumor was unfounded, that filming had not been shut down, and pointed out that Jolie had not yet started and was in no scenes with the people the article claimed she was in. Actor Dominic Keating, who worked alongside Jolie in the film, has also denied any sort of shut down caused by Jolie.
- According to rumors on Ain't It Cool News, the visual style of the movie will near photo-realistic as live action.
- Film composer Alan Silvestri, who often scores Zemeckis' films, will be doing the soundtrack for this movie.
- 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 be the first film to be released under two ratings. 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 the actors' eyes.
External links
- [AICN] set visit report.
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