Ethical Entertainment?

So director George Lucas apparently thinks he has the power to raise the dead. He’s certainly a high and mighty presence in Hollywood, but he ain’t no God. Here’s the deal: A bizarre rumor began floating around the internet back in December that the Star Wars creator has been buying up the rights to dead movie stars, so he can “bring them back” with the use of new technology. Imagine James Dean and Marilyn Monroe co-starring in a new film together. Weird, right? And kind of creepy.

A Lucasfilm spokesperson quickly shot down the story, but according to ABC News, it might not be as far-fetched as we think (or hope). CMG agency, which has represented the estates of such late movie legends as Ingrid Bergman, James Dean, Errol Flynn and Bette Davis, said they have indeed reached out to Lucasfilm. No word on whether any definitive deals have been made, though.

Up until now, dead stars have appeared only as digital cameos in films - like Laurence Olivier in 2004’s Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, or Marlon Brando in 2006's Superman Returns. Could a digitally rendered likeness of one of these films greats carry an entire movie? Or, more importantly, would anyone even see a movie like this? It’s almost like cloning or cryogenics - it prompts ethical debate. Shouldn’t we preserve the memories of these stars and just leave well enough alone? Computers can capture their likeness, but not their essence. It’s like when Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in Inception realizes his dream wife will never be the real thing. “I can't imagine you with all your complexity, all your perfection, all your imperfection,” he says. Yup, these digital characters would be just a shade, and therefore just not good enough.

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Valentine With Heart

Michelle Williams is my idol. There, I said it. We’re both September 9th Virgos, so maybe that has something to do with it, but mostly I admire her for her exceedingly brave and interesting screen work. And her adorable pixie haircut. And quirky-cute fashion sense. You get the idea.

In her latest film Blue Valentine, which opened Dec. 30th, she gives perhaps the rawest performance of her career opposite Ryan Gosling. They play a couple whose relationship is on the brink of collapse, and we see their love story play out in both the past and present. I had the privilege of covering the press junket for the film, and got to ask Williams about a project I’ve mentioned several times on the blog - her role as Marilyn Monroe. The role is daunting to say the least – Marilyn is the iconic bombshell, after all – and Williams realizes that. When I spoke to her, she had just completed the film My Week with Marilyn about two weeks earlier and she said she still had “one foot in it.” I got the impression that the roles she takes on are generally hard for her to shake (she said she even kept her character’s wedding ring from Blue Valentine).

When asked why she decided to step into Marilyn’s shoes, she considered her answer very carefully.

“Because I am a glutton for punishment,” she said before searching for a more complete explanation. “A few things. Because for some reason I won’t let myself shrink from a challenge and I think that’s how I find myself in these situations, making these movies. While my intellect is saying ‘Retreat, retreat, retreat,’ my heart is already there. Luckily, I guess, that’s the stronger decision making mechanism and that’s what ultimately wins. I think when I read something I like to have two reactions going at the same time - one is an inkling that I can play that part and the rest is that it’s a mystery and it compels me to untangle it. So they’re kind of opposed to each other, but if they’re both up and running at the same time, that’s how I make a decision.”

From the looks of things, her heart hasn’t steered her wrong yet.

James Franco Wants to Revisit Rebel

James Franco just can’t shake the James Dean connection. Back in 2001, the actor won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Dean in a made-for-TV movie (the resemblance and mannerisms were uncanny). Now, he’s taking on a project about Dean’s Rebel Without a Cause co-star, Sal Mineo. Franco optioned the rights to Sal Mineo: A Biography and is interested in writing and directing a screen version. The book details Mineo’s life as a rising young star in films like Rebel and Exodus (1960) as well as his conflicted sexuality, friendships with Dean and Natalie Wood and his untimely murder at the age of 37. Hmm...wonder if Franco's gonna reprise his role as James Dean for this one.

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A Pirate Meets The Thin Man!

So I think maybe I’m a little psychic. Or maybe just super intuitive.

Way back in February of last year I wrote a post about franchises, focusing specifically on The Thin Man series and also referencing the shoulda-stopped-after-one Pirates of the Caribbean series. Little did I know over a year later these two franchises would be magically combined! How is this mash-up possible you ask? Picture Johnny Depp as Nick Charles, the cocktail-sipping, fast-quipping detective originated by William Powell, and you’ll get what I mean.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, it seems Warner Bros. is remaking the 1930s-through-40s franchise (six films over 13 years) with Captain Jack Sparrow himself in the lead role. Word is, Depp’s been trying to convince his Pirates 4 director Rob Marshall to direct him on this film too. Mind you, all of this is still in its early stages - there’s not even a script yet. But it’s an interesting prospect, no? We already know Depp has wit and swagger - plus he can rock a thin mustache.

Who do you think will snag the role of Nora, Nick’s sassy, wealthy wife and partner in solving crime, originally played by Myrna Loy? Cate Blanchett? Or am I just saying that because I believe she can do no wrong?

Two franchises merging into... a remake. Hollywood's really working overtime, isn't it?

Michelle as Marilyn!

Way back when (December to be exact), we posted that Michelle Williams was considering stepping into Marilyn Monroe's high-heeled pumps for the film My Week with Marilyn. Since that post not only as Williams accepted the role, she's begun filming it. As of today, the first pic of Williams as Marilyn was released, and let's just say she nails the blonde bombshell look.

The flick, due out in 2012, focuses on the personal account of assistant director Colin Clarke, who worked with Monroe and director Laurence Olivier on 1957's The Prince and the Showgirl. Word is, Monroe and Olivier did not get along. She drove him ca-razy. So crazy, in fact, that Olivier basically gave up on directing after that. Kenneth Branagh is playing Olivier and Eddie Redmayne is playing Colin Clarke.

What do you think of Williams' Marilyn look?

Old Hollywood's Ultimate Cougar!

Forget Demi Moore. She’s got nothing on Celeste Holm. The 93-year-old Oscar-winning actress (for her supporting role opposite Gregory Peck in Gentlemen’s Agreement) lives a life of luxe in a fabulous duplex apartment on Manhattan’s Central Park West…with her 47-year-old husband. That’s right. For those of you good at math, that’s a 46 year age difference. Meet Old Hollywood’s ultimate cougar.

Not bad for an actress who had a pretty low-key reputation back in the day. She was the wholesome best friend to Bette Davis’ grande dame of Broadway in 1950’s All About Eve, and a Broadway darling herself in numerous productions on the Great White Way. Holm never attracted much in the way of scandal – aside from four previous marriages that all ended in divorce. But look at her now!

According to the NY Post, Holm has kept her magnificent apartment largely unchanged since she purchased it for a mere $10,000 in 1953 (which today would be worth more than $10 million). And again, for those math whizzes – that’s before her husband, opera singer Frank Basile, was even born!

Not gonna lie, we’re kind of impressed. Out of all of these present-day Hollywood cougars, Celeste Holm reigns supreme. Get it, girl!

Jackie Earle Haley Goes Silent!

Ah, the silent film. No whiney voices (Miley Cyrus), no blank expressions (Kristen Stewart), no cheesy dialogue (pick any romantic comedy). Can’t we just go back to that? Ok, ok, so modern movies with sound aren’t all bad. Thanks for proving that, Christopher Nolan. But wouldn’t it be fun to see how some modern day movie stars fared without the use of their voice? Could they hack it?


In the film Louis, Jackie Earle Haley (the creepy guy in Little Children and…well, just about everything) gives it a shot. The film, directed by Dan Pritzker, is about a young Louis Armstrong and his dreams of becoming a musician. It aims to pay homage to the silent films of the early 1900s and Haley plays a Charlie Chaplin-esque villain (duh). The film is void of dialogue, but rich in cinematography (by Oscar winner Vilmos Zsigmond) and a blaring jazz score. It’s set to tour five cities in late August, complete with a 10-piece jazz ensemble.

It’s an ambitious idea to be sure, but I, for one, am curious to see how it turns out. You know what they say, actions speak louder than words.

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