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I was gone all day and just saw this in my email. Isn't Tom Hanks in No. 1 position, given his relationship with DreamWorks, Fox, and he's the Jimmy Stewart Of Hollywood? An insider tells me, "This literally all happened last week, so no discussions of casting yet. But it's expected that's who Spielberg will approach first. But he could go younger."
Los Angeles, CA (August 2, 2009) -- Steven Spielberg will direct as his next film a contemporary adaptation of Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize winning play “Harvey,” a co-production between Twentieth Century Fox and DreamWorks Studios. The announcement was made today by Fox Chairmen Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman and DreamWorks partners Stacey Snider and Spielberg.
“Harvey” is the first screenplay by the best-selling novelist Jonathan Tropper.
The film will be produced by Spielberg and Don Gregory, with Elizabeth Gabler and Carla Hacken overseeing the project for Fox 2000, which acquired the rights to the original play in 2008.
“I am very happy to be working again with my friend Tom Rothman who shepherded us through ‘Minority Report,’ and with Elizabeth and Carla, who I’m looking forward to collaborating with,” said Spielberg. “DreamWorks has experienced a creative and profitable relationship with Twentieth Century Fox in the past, and I look forward to renewing that time together.”
“Don Gregory entrusted us with these precious rights, Beth Gabler and Carla Hacken developed an exceptional screenplay and Jim and I had the easy part: Deciding to go first, before anyone else, to a filmmaker who combines the mastery of craft, tone, wit and insight that ‘Harvey’ embodies,” said Rothman. “Steven Spielberg is film's greatest humanist. And we feel blessed as Elwood himself to be collaborating with him, Stacey, and everyone at DreamWorks.”
“Harvey” is the story of an amiable eccentric, Elwood P. Dowd, and his friendship with a six and a half feet tall invisible rabbit and how this affects every member of his family and his community. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1944, and played on Broadway for 1,775 performances between 1944 and 1949. It later was adapted for the 1950 Universal film that starred Jimmy Stewart and Josephine Hull.
Added Stacey Snider: “This is a story relevant for all times, perhaps more so than ever before. We are so pleased to be able, with Fox, to be bringing this to today’s audiences.”
Casting and pre-production will begin immediately with cameras turning right after the first of the year as a joint venture between the two studios.
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I’m thinking 6-foot CGI rabbit with twitching whiskers and sniffing nose. Hopping.
Shoot. Me. Now.
I know people are gonna go nuts about who would ever fill Stewart’s shoes, but the real question is when is Dreamworks going to have a sustainable slate? If DW 2.0 is going to be more than Amblin, they’re gonna need to figure out a way to develop.
Why is Steven wasting his time with another remake? He should do something original. Or do that musical comedy he’s been talking about doing forever. An original one not a remake. If this has to be remade I think Jim Carrey should be allowed to star in this he was going to play Elwood long ago but Steven will probably go with Hanks. I’d rather see Spielberg direct Matt Helm what happened with that script?
@ m:
What better way for Dreamworks to develop than by sharing co-financing and co-producing credits with rival studios? Paramount and Sony did the same thing when Spielberg directed the first “Tintin” movie.
If the movie is a success, they get 50% of the share and if it bombs, they haven’t lost as much money than if they had financed it themselves.
ten bucks Tom Hanks gets in on this
Is there an untapped market for movies based on plays written a half century ago? What would make the 14-35 year old crowds come see it? I’ll bet now on a flop.
What next? Remake “To Kill A Mockingbird”?
They say casting to begin mmediately? My money is on Spielberg buddy Tom Hanks to play Dowd. Like we all don’t see that one coming?
Don Gregory is the father of Meet the Press’ David Gregory.
Sweet Jesus.
I’ll believe it when I see it. The beard is attached to everything.
Hopefully this time, the budget will be big enough that they can afford to show us the rabbit.
Imagine the size of the rabbit poop this one will leave behind.
Really Steven? That the best you can do? First Tintin, now Harvey? Just get Jonah Nolan to finish Interstellar for God sakes. I shudder to think what “sweet dessert” will come after a Harvey remake. Oh, wait, Indy 5 starring Shia The Beef. Kill me.
Matt C: I’m not sure if you understood what I meant by “develop” — which in here in Hollywood we use to describe the process of taking a story through the scripting process.
My point is that going 50-50 with another studio on another studio’s project by using Spielberg as bait isn’t a way to create a viable movie studio. At some point DW 2.0 is going to need to go into production on their own movies, and frankly I don’t see how they’re doing 6-8 movies a year since they only seem to be developing tentpoles.
1. WTF, is this going to be Tom Hanks first animation movie?
2. Aren’t the audience demographics for Harvey resting in Forest Lawn and the next demographic at the nursing home?
3. Is Steven preparing this film for his social security retirement in six years to show to his IN CROWD?
4. Harvey, the only Harvey they should be making a movie about is Harvey Korman and to make that funny it should be an Aptow script, showing the background filming of Blazing Saddles on and off set.
5. And finally the only invisible thing that makes money is the INVISIBLE MAN and the profits Universal makes for that film will be offset by this Spielberg disaster because an invisible rabbit won’t sale worldwide in China, India or Europe.
I wish the press release had gotten this right:
Harvey is not a rabbit. He’s a pooka.
Wow! Fox actually hires a real director! Does this mean Tom Rothman will actually have to sit back and run a studio rather than shadow direct?
What is Spielberg doing to his career? Are we witnessing the start of the inevitable decline?
Fear. It’s fear. Whenever great directors fear they’re in the doldrums of their careers, or worry that they’ve lost their touch, they tread water as well as the Boards. Frank Capra found safe harbor in “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “State of the Union” and “You Can’t Take It With You.” Hitchcock fled to “Dial M For Murder.” Wilder hid under “Stalag 17″ and “Witness for the Prosecution.” Huston did “Annie,” Mankiewicz did “Sleuth,” and Wyler, Wise, Cukor, and Stevens likewise took shelter with presold plays. It’s hard to turn down a presold property (even if the demographics of Broadway and Hollywood no longer overlap). But when Spielberg — who expands cinema with every film — sets his eyes on a Pookah, it says a lot about the state of the business. And him.
Another remake. Spielberg, don’t you have enough MONEY??? JEEEZUS, take some risks with your career, you have nothing to lose!
You are all wrong! The “going younger” is a hint that Spielberg’s remake will star Shia LaBeefcake, who he has been grooming as the NEW Tom Hanks/Jimmy Stewart Everyman for the 20yo set.
I predict Spielberg will draw from the comedy well. We know he had his eye on Sacha Baron Cohen for Chicago 7, so I’d say his name will come up (surely as he’s currently transitioning to more scripted fare.) I’d also assume Spielberg might go the neurotic route, but not with Hanks, rather with Stiller or Carell.
hahahhahhhahahhaahhahahhhahhahahahhahaha
Quit sucking Stephen.
I’d prefer Indy 5 to this. What a horrible idea. Just when I tell everyone to stop bashing fox, they decide to do this.
Come on Steve! It’s not like you have years to wait on another Indy!
This has got ‘Will Smith vehicle’ written all over it.
Snooooze. “Tin Tin” or “Tom Tom” (whatever it is) is bad enough, but now a remake of a movie that seemed dated in the 50s? Spielberg is coasting now. What’s after this, “Sponge Bob, Square Pants, the Movie”? Too rich. Too bored. May I suggest, Mr. Spielberg, a movie of Jack London’s “Star Rover”?
What’s next?
A remake of “The Philadelphia Story” with Dane Cook in the Cary Grant part & Jessica Biel taking Hepburn’s?
With all you money & more importantly, influence & stature, you couldn’t or is it wouldn’t go for something original?
A schande fur de goyim, Steven!
DannyGlover’sDickBlood finally made the jump from AICN to DHD. Now we have a comments section.
What a horror. Are there no creative people left in Hollywood?
Donnie Darko already did this.
Ugh.
The stink of fear is palpable. W/ all of your $ & awards, pls buy yourself some courage to produce something original, Mr. Spielberg. That’s what you used to be known for– films that had broad appeal but were surprising, interesting & inventive. Why not take the same budget for “Harvey” & give 10 budding filmmakers the opportunity Sid Sheinberg gave you?
Watching you regurgitate movies made before 1970 that no one born after 1970 (& can watch the magic of the original) wants to see is just sad.
Didn’t “Always” teach you anything?
It’s official: Hollywood has run out of ideas & sanity.
I’m guessing this ‘reimagining’ will make Dowd a meth addict? It will have CGI & hotties & bro-dudes galore, right along with fart & poop humor, won’t it?
Jesus Holy Christ we in the public are so very done with the re-anythings. Give them a rest.
They already messed with remaking Mr Deeds Goes To Town, leave Elwood & Harvey the hell alone goddamnit!
Other than a super deluxe DVD (& Blu-ray) reissue of the original I am officially uninterested. Have ‘Steven Spielberg, film’s greatest humanist’ get behind that restoration & reissue & I’ll buy copies for everyone I know.
Otherwise film’ self-proclaimed greatest humanist and Hanks (aka Mr. Nice Guy Nomore) the tosser of his fellow union members under the bus full of morons running Big Media can go screw themselves.
Anyone know what the “take” was on this? We see Harvey? The rabbit is a pookah from another planet? There’s no mention of alcohol or drugs or any mind-altering substance because that’s not sympathetic and wholesome enough for a major film star in a studio film?
Spielberg can do whatever he wants.
And he does “Harvey” ?
Some great directors got better with age..
Fellini…Kurosawa…..
Spielberg gets worse.
Awe c’mon Steven, you’re not even trying anymore. A remake of “Harvey”? Remember when you made groundbreaking films? Took chances? Sheesh, what’s next, hmmm, how about remaking Chaplins “Modern Times”, but you know set in today’s, well, modern time.
Might be time to retire the directors hat and just be a studio exec, you’ve got the seemingly poor judgement that comes with the title.
Are you serious? The audacity to even try and touch a classic like HARVEY and remake it.
This is total disappointment and I’m completely annoyed that Steve Spielberg thinks he can do whatever he wants in this town. He is not the greatest, and I’m sick of people putting this midget on a pedestal next to godliness.
If this was to be remade it should be a Tom Hanks, and NOT a Will Smith. Hollywood has raised a bunch of idiots.
And for the record, there would be no CGI giant rabbit. For anyone that has ever seen the film, there is only a shadow, if that.. which presents the idea of the Rabbit befriend by Elwoods (a pooka), the rest is left up to imagination.
Next Spielberg remakes AUNTIE MAME!, also with Tom Hanks in the lead role…
Here’s your updated version. Elwood is minor Hwood actor/celebrity who was a patient of Arnie Klein’s. He doesn’t see a rabbit named Harvey, but he’s followed around by a pint sized former lawyer turned gossip monger who can’t ever let go of his fucking sippy cup. Elwood gets addicted to Vics, drives around exposing himself to young boys, wife leaves him, and he ends up 5150 at Cedars.
What the shit? You have GOT to be kidding… the only major director with FULL control of his projects; the only major director who can get backing for ANY project he chooses; the only major director who can get any star (if they’re available) and WTF – - – he chooses to REMAKE A 50 YEAR OLD MOVIE BASED ON A PLAY — SOMETHING HE CANNOT ADD TO, CHANGE RADICALLY, OR ALTER BEYOND WHAT IT ALREADY IS AND ALWAYS WAS.
HE IS TIED IN TO ADDING NOTHING BUT COLOR AND NEW ACTORS AND A MODIFIED ADAPTATION OF THE BASE MATERIAL.
If this isn’t a complete and utter waste of Spileberg’s time, talent, and gifts, nothing is. What happened to LINCOLN? What happened to the 30 projects he has in development (some of which are now have shootable draft scripts Spielberg as approved? Why is he suddenly ‘taken himself out of the game’ and making a remake no one wants or needs to see?
And don’t forget: Comedy (including romantic comedy) has always been Spielberg’s Achilles Heel. Remember 1941, The Terminal, Always?
Well, as that writer above me said, I believe Spielberg is tredding water right now. Wonder why? Maybe he should simply disappear from all live-action movie making the way Robert Zemeckis did and only do animated movies like TIN TIN, if he suddenly feels so lacking in his talents as a director . . .
This is like the remake of the Pink Panther. Steve Martin (can be) a funny guy. But he’ll never reach the heights that Peter Sellars did, and came off as a poor, pale substitute. There’s no way that Spielberg and company can do a good a job as the original, or replace Jimmy Stewart. People will see the original (even younger folk) and be laughing at the inability to execute as well.
It’s like copying the Mona Lisa. Sure you can, but you’ll never by Leonardo Da Vinci, why try?
Hey, Spielberg!! How would you like it if someone decided to remake “Jaws” or “ET”??
Not so comfy with that, are you?
Sorry to say.
Stephen is probably at that age where his creative juices just don’t flow the way they used to.
That’s why he’s not doing original projects anymore.
A lot of his recent films have missed the mark.
Sad.
“Steven Spielberg is film’s greatest humanist.”
Oy vey. Try “greatest sop-artist.” Try “greatest bathos-shoveler.” Try “greatest blubbering pussy.”
But “humanist?” Ick.
Can’t Spielberg spend five minutes at home with his wife and kids? Does he have to be working CONSTANTLY and putting out EVEN MORE shit? The guy hasn’t made one good film since Jaws. He’s as bad as Ron Howard. Another hack.
The pantheon of directors is pretty empty in Hollywood now. Wow… what happened to the filmmakers? Hand it to Francis for at least going off and doing something he cares about in his soul.
Surely, it marks the end of western civilization when even Steven Spielberg has run out of ideas. I am so tired of remakes, reboots and rehashes.
Dorothy, you can’t be serious. Jaws is a gret film, but you would dismiss E.T. the Extraterrestrial, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Saving Private Ryan, Empire of the Sun, Schindlers List, The Color Purple and Jurrasic Park? —classics all.
Anyone on this board claiming Spielberg can’t bring anything new to Harvey is clearly myopic and talentless. Furthermore, those complaining over Spielberg’s energy and work ethic and saying he’s playing it “safe” are simply jealous. The guy’s gotten to the point where he can choose what he makes; this isn’t something easily EARNED, so maybe we should back off and judge the final result. Afterall people continually write him off yet he continues to change filmic language e.g E.T., Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Munich, etc…
Just because you can’t be him doesn’t mean you have to hate him. Leave the guy alone; he fucked up bad enough with Crystal Skull- he can’t do any worse.
I bet Armond White has already penned his glowing review of it.
E.C., Wait until you see Tin Tin before you say Spielberg can’t do any worse than Crystal Skull.
Formerspielbergfan is right: give some up-and-coming film-makers the same opportunities he was given and use his clout to get some smaller projects off the ground to showcase new talent.
Enough with the remakes already! Doesn’t anyone want to leave a creative legacy that rivals the ones that have been left to us? People will still be watching The Godfather in thirty years, but will anyone watch Michael Bay’s planned remake?
Anyone on this board claiming Spielberg can’t bring anything new to Harvey is clearly myopic and talentless. Furthermore, those complaining over Spielberg’s energy and work ethic and saying he’s playing it “safe” are simply jealous. The guy’s gotten to the point where he can choose what he makes; this isn’t something easily EARNED, so maybe we should back off and judge the final result. Afterall people continually write him off yet he continues to change filmic language e.g E.T., Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Munich, etc…
Just because you can’t be him doesn’t mean you have to hate him. Leave the guy alone; he fucked up bad enough with Crystal Skull- he can’t do any worse.
Comment by E.C. — August 4, 2009 @ 11:16 am
Hate Steven Spielberg? Dude, are you drunk? Why would any of this mean shit if I didn’t love his artistry & want to see more great things from him? My 1st TV option was from Dreamworks. When Justin Falvey told me Mr Spielberg loved my ideas the room started spinning & I had to sit down!
Your world of schadenfreude may dictate to you hatred & the desire to see others fail rules everything, but I went to USC when Arthur Knight & Malvin Wald ruled film school; when they put a figurative knee to your neck it was because they wanted you to strive higher.
This is arguably 1 of the greatest filmmakers ever. He has the power & ability to MAKE anything! Why RE-make someone else’s work w/ that arsenal?
What’s the holdup on the Lincoln biography based on “Team of Rivals”? Don’t tell me Spielberg is beginning to take a page from Warren Beatty and will get to it eventually.
Hey, let’s make a remake of “Imitation of Life” with Mariah Carey in the lead role or “To Sir With Love” with Puff Daddy Combs. These classics should be left well enough alone.