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Samuel Goldwyn’s Toronto Pickup ‘The Island … EXCLUSIVE: This may not be the best of times to develop a lovable whale tale considering the tragic death of that trainer by an Orca. Universal is making Everybody Loves Whales, a fact-based story of the 1988 rescue of a trio of California gray whales trapped under the ice of the Arctic Circle. I’m told Drew Barrymore is circling the role of a Greenpeace activist and Ken Kwapis is set to direct. Shooting is slated for the fall.
The film has all the makings of a heartwarming family film. Despite the frigid surroundings, the actual event caused a thaw in relations between the U.S. and Soviet superpowers, which worked together with activists, media, and locals to save the whales after both President Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev got involved. Jack Amiel and Michael Begler wrote the script. Universal harpooned the project after Warner Bros set it free. Anonymous Content’s Steve Golin and Michael Sugar will produce it with Working Title’s Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Liza Chasin. Barrymore is hot again after winning several awards including the Golden Globe for HBO’s Grey Gardens.
Whale Of A Uni Tale For Drew Barrymore
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ugh. has all the makings of a lame WT moneyloser.
Could be a great flick if well done because of the history involved. Many forget how tense the relations with the Soviet Union were back then. Remember the NY Times cartoon of an evil-looking Gorbachev with his foreheard birthmark replaced with a map of Afghanistan. We didn’t know why they invaded and thought they were making a drive for the oil fields in the Middle East. Then Reagan joking with the mic on about launching a nuclear attack. It was that same Gorbachev who started to transform the Soviet Union. The world is still scary, but less so in many ways because of the thawing of the cold war that occurred around then.
As an aside, not a good day to issue a release about a whale story in view of the death at Sea World caused by a Killer Whale. Bad omen for the movie? Hope not.
It’s actually great. Can’t wait to see this one.
So. Many. Whale puns. :head explodes:
sounds like an interesting project. drew is awesome, she’s so smart and always delivers. will definitely see that.
Ummm…I don’t recall Drew delivering with “Whip It.”
And this sounds like a phenomenally boring movie that should be relegated to a cable channel nobody watches.
What’s the deal with Anonymous Content? Those guys seem to be involved in everything this year.
more like Michael Sugar just seems to insert his name in as many articles as he can
What else have they been involved with this year?
Wow. Wrong day to announce that project!
I’ve read this script and, while it may sound a little down the middle, and it will hit a mainstream audience, it is also elevated, smart, funny and moving. Amiel and Begler are underrated, gifted writers.
I love Drew Barrymore she is sunshine to the film community. Certain roles she sparkles and acts and is believeable.But the first time she is seen pleading into the camera for saving these whales, I am taken out of the pictures. I see her as that little girl screaming when she first meets ET. With all the effects needed to make this believeable, and the actual physical items of boats, cranes, Ice breakers, helicopters, planes, and noise in the film Drew will look out of place. How do they frame the pitch to get these movies made? However, Drew if you can swing Ron out on a limb and chop it off go for it.
I’m told Rosie O’Donnell is circling the role of one of the whales.
Yawn. Stretch.
Hey everybody, this movie The Blind Side inexplicably did well. Quick everyone, run after the new shiny object!
Kind of ironic how this is announced on the same day a whale literally eats and kills a trainer at sea world in front of a crowd of kids. Guessing everyone doesnt really love whales anymore…. here is the news clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcReDJelSBA
Yeah I might have to agree with Orca here.
Anyone ever notice that movies with strong passionate environmentalist messages tend to SUCK?
But since this isn’t technically about environmentalism, just whales not lucky enough to die horrible deaths at Sea World.
To quote The Simpsons, we need to nuke the whales.
So will she co-produce with her company? I’d be surprised if she doesn’t try and get in on the executive duties.
Rewrites for sure after that deal at SeaWorld this week. New WT: Everybody Fears Whales.
Not the best day to announce this.
The planned sequel, Everybody Loves Killer Whales! is currently on hold, though.
Well, I loved The Cove!
So I guess when Liza said what a bad director Ken Kwapis is, she didn’t mean it. Or maybe he’s better now…
Matt Damon to play Gorbachev? As long as the film makes Reagan look mean and stupid, and the Soviets warm and fluffy, it will get a green light…then fail at the box office.
Re Sea World: Any animal that kills three people should be turned into cat food. The whale can not perform again and I don’t think it can survive in the wild. How much does it cost each month to keep it in a tank? Lots. They should zap the whale and donate the money to children in Haiti.
Drew Barrymore is a talented and capable actress. The script must be incredible if this is going to work, though. The film will require empathy on the part of the director and a feel for the environment as a character in the background. I do wish him luck with that. Frankly, I think the whole idea was captured in Star Trek by Scott when he said, and I am sure I am paraphrasing, “There be whales here.” I could think of a hundred projects for Barrymore that I would like better.
I think that this movie will be great and i love drew berrymore and whales