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SEEING DOUBLE: THE BATTLE OF RIVAL FILM PRODUCTIONS

Snow White image

Written by Matthew Pejkovic

They say Hollywood is bereft of original ideas, and with these rival films set to face off in cinemas it is a claim which has some merit. Matt’s Movie Reviews looks at these in-production movies that are identical in subject, and chimes in on which film will win out in this battle of the rival production.

 

 

UNTITLED KATHRYN BIGELOW THRILLER VS CODE NAME: GERONIMO

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The death of Osama Bin Laden by U.S. Navy Seals had movie studios scrambling for the rights to this momentous event in current world history. Coming out of the rat race first was Sony Pictures, along with director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal (the duo behind Oscar winning movie The Hurt Locker).

Shoving all in development projects aside (including one tasty exploration into drug trafficking poised to star Tom Hanks and Johnny Depp), Bigelow and Boal are deep into bringing the events surrounding Bin Laden’s death to life, assembling a cast which includes Guy Pearce and Tom Hardy while generating controversy along the way.

But a new contender has come to the fore with Into the Blue director John Stockwell singing on to helm Code Name: Geronimo, which will take its cinematic view from the side of the Navy seals who blew Bin Laden away. Yet unless Stockwell attracts some big names to …Geronimo, look for Bigelow/Boal’s “Killing of Bin Laden” movie to be the movie of choice between the two.


KILLING PABLO VS PABLO ESCOBAR

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Infamous Mexican cocaine kingpin Pablo Escobar lived and killed his way into crime legend, with many filmmakers biting at the bit to bring his bloody exploits to the big screen.

At the top of the list are directors Joe Carnahan (Narc) and Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) whose perspective movies – Killing Pablo and Pablo Escobar – are deep in development.

In fact Carnahan at one point had Javier Bardem close to singing on for the role of Escobar, with Christian Bale set to play a CIA agent determined to bring him down. No close casting calls for Fuqua’s straight ahead biopic, yet even his working on an Escobar themed film has annoyed Carnahan to no end.

If Carnahan can get his film on track with Bardem and Bale on board, he might have the upper hand on the race to tell Escobar’s story.

 

OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL VS DOROTHY OF OZ  

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The Wizard of Oz has long been a favourite, yet cinematic spin offs like The Wiz and Return to Oz have failed to set the world on fire.

With the success of Broadway production Wicked all things Oz is popular again, it’s no surprise that two Oz themed productions are aiming to dazzle audiences in 2012.

First is the live action fantasy Oz: The Great and Powerful, directed by Sam Raimi and starring James Franco as Oz alongside beauties Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams as the wicked witches. Second is the animated musical Dorothy of Oz, with Glee star Le Michele lending her pipes to the title role.

That they are different in medium and tone will be heaven send for Wizard of Oz fans looking for as much variety in their spin offs, yet look for the much more interesting Oz: The Great and Powerful to reign supreme over Dorothy of Oz.

 

INFERNO VS LOVELACE   

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The life of porn stars has been a big draw for filmmakers (Boogie Nights, The People vs Larry Flynnt) and in Linda Lovelace there was no bigger or controversial porn queen with international success, horrid domestic abuse and anti-porn activism all part of her story.

Two film productions are currently in the process of tackling the Deep Throat stars life. First is Inferno, a long delayed film which had Lindsay Lohan on board to play Lovelace only for her extra-curricular activities to sideline the project. Malin Akerman has since replaced Lohan and Matt Dillon has signed on to play Lovelace’s abusive husband Chuck Traynor.

In direct competition is Lovelace which will star Amanda Seyfried and Peter Sarsgaard as Lovelace and hubby, respectively.

Considering Lovelace’s “career” was made famous for her, ahem, ability to orally take on a whole lot of love and bestiality was also claimed to have transpired, it will be interesting to see which film will push the sex and violence further.

In the end, it all comes down to who you would you like to see play a porn star: Akerman or Seyfried?

 

MIRROR MIRROR VS SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN

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Ever since Alice in Wonderland broke box office records to years ago, studios have been scrambling to make their own fantasy film cash cow. The result? Two Snow White films to be released head to head, with Oscar winning actresses headlining each.

First up is Snow White and the Huntsman, a gritty looking slice of fantasy action where Charlize Theron will play a cold as ice Evil Queen, who dispatches Chris Hemsworth’s the Huntsman to kill Kristen Stewart’s Snow White.

Countering is Mirror Mirror. This time Julia Roberts will play the Evil Queen, who sets out to destroy Lily Collins’ Snow White. Also making an appearance is Armond Hammer as Prince Charming.

Trailers for both films have been released and there is indeed a difference in tone with …Huntsman director Rupert Sanders going for action fantasy, while Mirror Mirror director Tarsem Singh opting for visually stunning silliness.

Thus far audience anticipation is on the Huntsman’s side, yet we’ll find out who is the fairest of them all come 2012.

 

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