The Wachkowskis have at least two intriguing projects on their plate right now. They’re producing Cloud Atlas, which is attracting high profile cast members, and they’re still trying to finance the mysterious CN-19.
CN-19 may be better known as Cobalt Neutral 9, the intriguing tale of archaeologists piecing together the Iraq War from grainy footage. In this footage, they discover a plot to assassinate George W. Bush, and the affair of two gay soldiers. How this will all blend together with Jesse Ventura and Ariana Huffington is anyone’s guess. But it’s certainly unique and daring, which is probably why no one is lining up to finance it.
That makes this story from The Hollywood Reporter a rather loaded one. According to THR, the Wachowskis and Warner Bros are teaming up for Hood, “a modern, urban take on the Robin Hood myth.” They will be writing and directing the film, and are already reaching out to stars. Rumor has it Will Smith is one they have approached.
How do the Wachowskis go from CN-19 to one of the blandest concepts imaginable? Hood is a story any director could do in their sleep. This is freshman stuff. Considering the tepid reaction to Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood, I’m not sure audiences are clamoring for more. I can already foresee a year of preproduction where everyone bitches that we didn’t need another Robin Hood, and then when the film is released, complains it isn’t “their” Robin Hood.
But I suspect this could be a “one for them, one for us” deal. Perhaps the Wachowskis are making the most marketable and milquetoast film possible so that Warner Bros will finance and distribute CN-19. As studios go, they are willing to gamble a bit more on edgy genre stories, especially if their directors have made them a little pile of change. Maybe the Wachowskis are banking on more than one Robin Hood story here.
12 comments
I foresee idiotic memes and black jokes involving Smith and the word "Hood". Racial stereotypes, the whole nine.
Juno has one of the most generic, Lifetime original premises ever.
Now, I'm not saying I expect the Wachowskis to make a good movie out of "Hood". I'm saying that you don't seem to get Roger Ebert's saying, which I'll paraphrase-the subject of a movie isn't what it's about; it's how it's about it.
For that matter, would you dismiss Citizen Kane because it's kind of a biopic, which has some of the highest ratio of crap to volume of any genre? Ohh, that's right. Craft matters.
I understand Ebert's saying perfectly well. But forgive me if I get excited about the idea of an original story (you know, like Citizen Kane was) over something Starz or SyFy could make in a month.
All I have to go on is the idea at this point, and a belief that the Wachkowskis could turn their craft towards something more interesting. Which, incidentally, is pretty much what I said.
Isn't that picture actually Faramir from a Brother Hildebrant illustration in a 1960/1970 Lord of the Rings calendar?
NERD ALERT!
Jimmy Boy – Yes. With Sam and Frodo cropped out.
haha Jimmy Boy, the bonus nerd points go to you. I have to agree with Ms Rappe though, Hood sounds like a generic vehicle for a generic star (Will Smith). As long as he says "Wiki wiki wah wah!" each time he steals something from a rich white guy.
I was hoping to read Rocket Robin Hood was what they were making. Not DJ Robin Hood.
Oh and this is the 5th time trying to get this to post. Pathetic guys.
"I foresee idiotic memes and black jokes involving Smith and the word "Hood". Racial stereotypes, the whole nine."
Posts #7 and #8 have proven me right long before the movie even comes close to fruition. Thank you, gents.
I wouldn't mind seeing an adaptation of Stephen Lawheads Robin Hood books. Unlike every other adaptation, they actually provided a fresh perspective on the character.
Omar comin'!
Props: The Wire reference.
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