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EXCLUSIVE: I’m hearing that Warner Bros is pumping the brakes on The Thin Man, the remake that Johnny Depp plans to star in for director Rob Marshall. The film hadn’t been green lit yet, and they hadn’t got to the point where they set an actress to play Nora to Depp’s Nick. But I’ve heard that Marshall will likely move on and direct Into The Woods as his next film at Disney. Marshall has also been working on that film for some time. A budget for The Thin Man was just submitted, and I’m told there isn’t a big rush here because Depp wants to take some time between films. But Warner Bros can’t have been too happy with the performance of Dark Shadows, another quirky remake of a period piece with Depp. The studio hasn’t been shy about pulling back on films like Arthur & Lancelot and Akira over budget and redeveloping them for cost. Word is that this budget came in north of $100 million, and that it was a factor. The original plan was to start production in late November, but that will change as Marshall eyes Into the Woods next and The Thin Man after. WB tells me the film wasn’t green lit and the studio denies there is any drama going on.
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Why would this budget need to be over 100 million dollars? Johnny still commanding 40 million even after Dark Shadows flopped?
As someone who is a fan of the novel & the original movie I have to wonder how they could possibly spend $100 million+ on a film where huge chunks of the story takes place in one location, the Charles’ hotel suite. We’re they going to toss in an alien invasion?
Don’t tempt them.
It was WB that told Tim Burton to lighten up and put more comedic elements in Dark Shadows. He had John August write the original script which was darker. But he was forced to change things.
It was WB again that decided to create a trailer that in no way showed what the actual film was all about. Tim was not happy with what they did. They also refused to push back the release date to give Burton the time to edit the movie properly. They from the start of filming never bothered to try to decide how to market Dark Shadows correctly. Everything was rushed then they threw the movie under the bus by releasing that awful trailer and putting it up against Avengers the second weekend.
I don’t know anything about Thin Man, but Warner Bros were pretty incompetent in the way they handled Tim Burton’s film. He has to keep stating publicly that he didn’t make a comedy because he didn’t. But the trailer made his movie look to be slap stick. They have only themselves for what happened to Dark Shadows.
Thanks for this interesting information. Making movies sounds very frustrating. I liked Dark Shadows, but I’ve heard more than a few people remark that they really liked the film from the beginning up until the entrance of Eva Green’s character, which was when the story made a major turn to the more comedic.
As said by somebody from the outside….
WB should’ve hit the brakes before going ahead w/ “Arthur’ remake
I was so looking forward to seeing Johnny Depp in the Thin Man I think it would be great. I was a big fan of the old Thin Man movies. I loved Dark Shadows, sometimes it’s not the actors fault,if the movies fall below expectations.
Maybe Depp needs a little time off now. It’s clear that his personal life has been in turmoil.
He should take a lot of time off, and then come back as an actual actor, and not another over-the-top character. Enough already, Johnny. Take a break. Start fresh. No gold teeth.
Nick Charles is not an over the top character, whatever that means anyway. Johnny Depp has done amazingly well over the years listening to his own drummer. Might be good if there were more people in the movie business like that. Whether this movie happens or not, Johnny Depp sure has excellent taste, William Powell and Myrna Loy were the perfect movie couple and so much fun in those movies.
Nick Charles isn’t an over the top character, whatever that means anyway. Johnny Depp has done very well listening to his own drummer, too bad there aren’t more people like that making movies or making the decisions about what movies get made.
How do you have a $100+ million budget for a movie about alcoholic husband and wife armchair detectives?
Vintage single malts, brandys, wines and champagnes. And you should see those armchairs! Oh boy!
Translation: Depp is slowly but surely pricing himself out of the market, thanks largely to the truly insane deals he got for his last couple Burton movies and the Pirates sequel. Nice job, UTA.
Thin Man would work a lot better with Downey Jr anyway, and he’s actually got a producing deal at Warners so there’s a lot more wiggle room on the budget–hell, let him direct it, too.
Robert Downey Jr. would be fantastic as Nick Charles, much better choice than Johnny Depp. Debonair, Depp is not. Just please don’t let Guy Ritchie direct it.Thank you.
Yes, Downey would be a much better choice to play the role. And why not Rachel McAdams as Nora? She and RDJ had great chemistry in SHERLOCK HOLMES, not to mention they were playing somewhat similar characters as in THE THIN MAN.
Perhaps they wouldn’t want to play similar characters to the ones they’ve already played, that’s what’s called type casting and what makes even good actors boring.
No need to be snooty about it — I know what type casting is. First off, it’s not the exact same role: I just meant that they had plenty of witty banter, which is a hallmark of the Thin Man series. Also, two roles does not automatically mean type casting. And finally, you’re acting like RDJ isn’t already playing the same character in Holmes and Tony Stark — when those two are just as similar as Holmes and Nick Charles.
You’re right that he plays the same character in Holmes and Iron Man, I just hope his next project is very different that’s all.
I was so disappointed that Johnny Depp was initially selected to play one of my favorite cinematic detectives, Nick Charles. My family and I have been rooting for Robert Downey Jr for months. And he and Rachel Weiz would be perfect! Watch that first “Thin Man” movie and try to visualize Depp in that role. Uh uh,, does not work, right? ? Then visualize Downey-debonair, charming, witty, funny in the Williaam Powell role. Totally works!
I think Warner Bros maybe covering for Johnny Depp to give him time that he needs to deal with his personal life. Rob Marshall has made his past movies well under 100 million. Depp has been known to take salary cuts when he needs to.Thin Man does not need to cost over a 100 million.
Is any of this official news or is it one of those anonymous “insider” things?
dark shadows is nothing like the thin man… to make that comparison is ridiculous
Cate Blanchett would be perfect casting opposite Depp.
We decided to put the Thin Man on a diet. A hundred million bucks is too much for us to spend. We’re not made out of money you know. Put this one in the “it’ll never get made” category and forget about it. We have Batman and Superman that’s all we need.
I adore Nick, Nora, and Asta. Take your time WB….please get the spirit, wit, and most importantly….the banter right.
Yippee! Asta is wagging his tail right now. No one else can be Nick and Nora, only William Powell and Mryna Loy.
Remake bad movies, not good ones. You can’t improve on them, so don’t waste you time. If they can’t even do justice to a low-budget ’60s supernatural soap opera, they’ll certainly not do justice to The Thin Man. Geez!
Why would anyone want to remake a bad movie. If it was bad the first time, it was bad for a reason. I would love to see Depp in The Thin Man. I’ve never seen the original, but i remember the tv series. Nothing wrong with liking old movies, but a huge segment of the movie going public haven’t seen films that are almost a century old. Nothing wrong with updating good films. It’s fine if you prefer the old versions, but I think a lot of people would enjoy an updated film. In fact, I imagine a lot of people wouldn’t even know it was a remake.
As someone who adores ‘The Thin Man’ films, I was never behind this remake anyway. But $100 million? Really? It should be a fraction of that, a small fraction. In any event, Depp now needs time out to take care of his domestic issues as well as his audience ones.
I am not keen on a ” Thin Man ” remake, but if Warner Bros. was working with a great script and a solid director. I would have hired Hugh Jackman & Anne Hathaway as Nick & Nora. That would be perfect casting. After seeing that duo perform at the Academy Awards, I haven’t seen that much effortless charisma between two A-list movie stars in years.
I like RDJ a lot. I think he is very talented. but in all honesty he seems to play the same character in every film. I just see that. It is always the quick talking wise cracking guy. Just like Vince Vaughn. doesn’t mean either are bad actors, I just feel like they have this niche that they can’t get rid of.
RDJ would be great in The Thin Man. but again it will just be the same character he has been playing.
$100M+? Have they gone totally insane?
I don’t care if a remake of the incomparable Thin Man is ever made, as long as Depp isn’t part of it. In fact, I hope I NEVER have to see Johny Depp in anything again.
A bit mean, aren’t you?
You never HAD to see a Johnny Depp movie. If you overdosed on him it’s your own fault. The twelfth viewing of Edward Scissorshands just isn’t going to be as interesting as the first.
I’m a huge fan of the musical Into the Woods, but I don’t think it is mainstream movie material. Too dark/complex for kids and a meandering plot that will test the patience of middle america which is why it’s never been adapted for screen before. As a huge sondheim fan, though, I’ll be glad to see disney spend 100 million plus just to make me happy.
As usual the tone deaf ignoramuses who make these remake decisions got it all wrong. $100 million
is an absurdity based on what I assume is an idiotic quote for the services of Depp–who is all
wrong for the role and another humorous payday for whomever is chosen for Nora.
Here’s a better idea–how to guarantee a biggie:
Since nobody under 50 but movie buffs have the slightest idea or appreciation of Nick and Nora’s
delicious banter, Warner Brothers–go for the geriatric jugular. Do the scrumptious period plot
but with Nick and Nora presented at an advanced but still attractive age:
Nick: Who else but Jack Nicholson?
Nora: Meryl Streep of course, dummy.
The plot: Junior is now grown up, played by Robert Downey, Jr (good idea someone) and
they are mulling retirement when the murder happens and the fun begins.
Anyone who remembers Jack and Meryl going at each other in Heartburn will realize the
genius casting suggestion I made here drips with incredible chemistry among these
two brilliant old pros.
Spend the dough on these two inserted in the marvelous make-believe rich New York
of the mid-ninteen thirties and market to an older audience salivating to watch it.
I have details. Warner can reply where to send check.
Yep, Robert Downey, Jr. in “The Thin Man”, I’d see that movie. Johnny Depp, no. Needs a smart director to pull it off, though. Too bad Uggy the dog has retired, would make a great Asta. In these tough times, as a movie slogan said many years ago “Boy, do we need it now”. Great idea for a movie, W.B. just do it well. Make the movie, not a the deal.
Robert Downey, Jr. was the first actor to pop into my head when I saw the headline. I couldn’t agree more. Nothing against, Johnny Depp, but NOOOOOOOOO. As a fan of “The Thin Man,” I just can’t see it. Rachel Weisz or Diane Lane as Nora????
The Thin Man can be made at any time. WB is smart to step back and reconsider if, when and how to best do this.
The thing about the Thin Man is that it can be done easily for under 50 million. Moreover, if well written with a good director, The Thin Man could be a good vehicle for actors who do not command the guarantees of Depp or Downey Jr.
And, just for fun, I would like to throw Michael Fassbinder into the mix. He could be great, and this is a terrific franchise opportunity for him outside the world of big effects films. And, Fassbender is a far better actor than any names mentioned so far.
Paramount for years had a history of making quality films on a budget under 50 million, and most were quite profitable. The Ashley Judd films are an example.
Here is a concept. Why doesn’t WB take time, develop a killer script, attach an up and coming director with refreshing storytelling capability, and build this into a franchise. Most importantly, by doing this WB can focus on the great characters and story to drive the film, and not fall prey to the ‘star’ driven mentality and huge budget required.