article sent to my by my brother "Gilliam Stunned by Lack of Interest in Depp/Williams Film Movie maverick Terry Gilliam is amazed that a planned movie starring Johnny Depp and Robin Williams is still on the shelf - because American investors can't raise $15 million. The former Monty Python member was thrilled when international money men offered him $45 million to make the film Good Omens with Depp as a demon and Williams as an angel. But he was shocked to discover that Americans didn't have the same sort of faith in the project, and they failed to raise the extra cash he needed to start work on the project - an adaptation of fantasy writers Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's book. Gilliam tells US magazine Entertainment Weekly, "I couldn't get 15 with Johnny and Robin... These two guys, who would have been brilliant were not worth $15 million in America. That was the moment where I went, 'I don't understand this game. I don't understand this town (Hollywood). I don't understand any of the rules. All I know is I don't like it.'" Gilliam's last project with Depp, the ill-fated Quixote, became one of the biggest movie-making disasters in history when illness and storm-wrecked sets prompted financiers of the film to pull the plug as costs soared. The film, which was never completed, was turned into hit disaster documentary Lost in La Mancha. Gilliam hopes to complete his Don Quixote epic with Depp next year. "
Hm. ... Robin Williams as Aziraphal (sp?)? I don't know... Not that I want to turn this into a casting thread... I'm rather afraid that the film industry has no faith in Terry Gilliam than in the project as such, seeing what happened to his last film. Still, strange, seeing what kind of films do make it on screen...
I wonder why he is "stunned"? From his Wikipedia entry... Gilliam has acquired the reputation of making extremely expensive movies beset with production problems. After the lengthy quarrelling with Universal Studios over Brazil, Gilliam's next picture, The Adventures of Baron Munchhausen, cost around US$46 million, and then earned only about US$8 million in US ticket sales. A decade later, Gilliam attempted to film The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, budgeted at US$32.1 million, among the highest-budgeted films to only use European financing; but in the first week of shooting, the actor playing Don Quixote (Jean Rochefort) suffered a herniated disc and the entire film was cancelled, resulting in a US$15 million insurance claim. Gilliam's reputation in this regard has been sufficient for the satirical newspaper The Onion to run a news article entitled "Terry Gilliam Barbecue Plagued By Production Delays". Not exactly the most enticing investment prospect I would have thought.... See the "Onion" article here
But then again he's directed some great movies like 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vasas' which was both a cult and boxoffice success. Most of the problems of the 'Don Quixe' movie where accidences that where beyond this control. I think Depp would be a great Crowley. Not sure about Robin Willaims but he could pull it off.
Yes I think artistically, Gilliam could definitely do a great job. I just wouldn't back him financially - but then I do have a "Scottish meanness" myth to keep alive. I don't think Robin Williams could suppress his..umm...Robin Williams-ness" enough to be any good. But this isn's a casting thread so I will shut up!
Been researching (well it's Friday) and one thing starts to become obvious - I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong. Nowhere in any of the press articles does it mention WHICH role Robin Williams is to play (or Depp come to that). assumptions were just made. Speculatively, a lot of the sites have Williams down for Shadwell (which sits [i:79edfbae2d]much[/i:79edfbae2d] better with me) and Depp as Crowley. Even Neil Gaiman hints at that a little. Still not a casting thread though.
I think you underestimate Robin Williams, has anyone seen One Hour Photo? He's very good in that and not a madcap joke in sight.
I agree that Williams is very versatile. Haven't looked much into it yet, but I hope it goes through.
I just want to know how they are going to do the aliens on patrol around the galaxy... One of my all time favourite moments
Depp as Crowley? I cannot supress my hormones at this point, that is a very nice image. Okay, done drooling. Gilliam is definitely known for making expensive movies that get mediocre reviews, but in his defence I would like to say the The Brother's Grimm was actually a really good movie that I found was clever and enjoyable. As for Good Omens as a movie, I say we'd have to wait a while, but it would be worth it. It is among my favorite pTerry books I must say. I would love to see Williams and Depp doing that scene near the beginning where they're getting pissed in the bookshop, talking about the end of the world. That bit makes me nearly die laughing every time. That and all the Queen music. If Gilliam didn't use the Queen music, I would cry. Okay, I'm done now. edit: typo fairy strikes again! *stabs*
I read Depp is Crowley on the 'other' TPBooks board (i think) which makes sense. Surely Williams is too old ? I mean they're immortal, ok, but angels don't usually look 50-odd.. And with Depp being so much younger, I think it will look worse. ~BoB~
I always pictured Aziraphale as making himself look middle-aged, as befits a bookshop owner and an intelligent person. This is opposed to Crowley who wants to look young and cool, like a rowdy troublemaker.
I see Depp as Crowley and Williams as Aziraphale. True William could do a great Shadwell, but the role simply isn't big enough for someone of his status.
I don't doubt Williams is a great actor, but as the counterpart of Depp... I mean, in the book, both are somewhat being portrayed as the two sides of the same coin, so I automatically pictured them looking different, but the same age. And there also is a detailed description of Aziraphales age and look in the book, as far as I remember.
I'm not sure I believe all you people who said that this is not a casting thread! Anyhow, if I had the money I'd back it. I'd back any film with Johnny Depp in it. But then, I am fast descending into a serious obsession with that man!
...then again Terry Gilliam can knock us all out by casting Depp as Aziraphale and Williams as Crawley.
Oh so wrong! ANyway, my concern is that these are both American actors... I'm hoping that this sort of thing (Armegeddon) isn't going to be reset in America because all American's think thats where the end of the world is...(its even mentioned in the book, it can't be in America!
I all for good actors being able to don believable accents! Look at Hugh Laurie as an "American" doctor House! (Do NOT look at Ewan MacGregor as an "American" Southern guy in "Big Fish")
Er, Williams is actually a British expat. Frankly, I don't care how and with whom is done as long as there are no "let's do 'Mort' but without Death, it sends the wrong message" compromises.
:?: ArthurDent, what the hell is that a picture of? Also, may I ask why you really feel the need to reply to threads with pictures? (I'd love an explanation..)
