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Entries in Gus Van Sant (8)

Thursday
08Oct2009

Mia Wasikowska to star in 'Restless'

Mia Wasikowska in Alice in Wonderland

Mia Wasikowska, who will soon be seen as Alice in Tim Burton's upcoming version of "Alice in Wonderland," is almost set to star in "Restless," a drama Gus van Sant will direct from a script by Jason Lew.

"Restless" is a contemporary take on young love, focusing on a boy and a girl who share a preoccupation with mortality, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Bryce Dallas Howard is on board to produce the project.

Click to read more ...

Monday
24Aug2009

Gus van Sant may direct 'Restless'

Gus van Sant

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Gus van Sant may team up with Columbia to direct a film entitled "Restless" from a script by Jason Lew. Brian Grazer and Ron Howard are set to produce the film, about which not much is known at this point. Plot details are being kept under wraps.

The Hollywood Reporter says "Restless" is a contemporary take on young love. That's all we get to know about it for now. Apparently, it's a script filled with originality, this according to those who've read and helped develop it. Columbia is set to get this one into production as soon as possible.

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Thursday
15Jan2009

Van Sant originally wanted Ledger for 'Kool-Aid'

As you may have already heard, Gus Van Sant is currently developing “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test,” based on the book by Tom Wolfe.

The story follows author Ken Kesey and a group called the Merry Pranksters as they drive cross-country in a DayGlo-painted school bus dubbed Furthur. Now guess what they’re spending most of their time with: thinking about life with the help of LSD and other psychedelic drugs.

In a recent interview with MTV, Van Sant talked about who he originally wanted to cast for the lead role. “Unfortunately, Heath Ledger was a pretty obvious choice, and he’s gone,” he said.

When asked about whom he is considering at the moment, Van Sant said “there’s the opportunity that it could be Jack Black.”

Right now though, the director is waiting for screenwriter Dustin Lance Black to finish the first draft. Black and Van Sant already collaborated on "Milk."

I'll keep an eye on this one and will let you know as soon as I learn more.

Wednesday
17Dec2008

Southeastern film critics pick 'Milk'

The Southeastern Film Critics Association named Gus Van Sant's "Milk" the best film of 2008. The film also won best original screenplay for Dustin Lance Black and best actor for Sean Penn.

Anne Hathaway was named best actress for "Rachel Getting Married," while Penelope Cruz won best supporting actress for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

Meanwhile, Heath Ledger received the best supporting actor award for "The Dark Knight." Danny Boyle won best director for "Slumdog Millionaire," which also won best adapted screenplay for Simon Beaufoy.

Other winners included "WALL-E," which received the prize for best animated film; "Man on Wire," which picked up best documentary; and "Let the Right One In," which was named best foreign language film.

Tuesday
16Dec2008

San Francisco film critics love 'Milk'

The San Francisco Film Critics Circle picked Gus Van Sant's drama "Milk" as the best film of 2008. "Milk" also won best screenplay for Dustin Lance Black, best director for Van Sant and best actor for Sean Penn as the titular character.

In the best actor category, Penn tied with Mickey Rourke, who also won the award for his performance in Darren Aronofsky's acclaimed sports drama "The Wrestler."

The award for best adapted screenplay went to Peter Morgan for "Frost/Nixon." Meanwhile, Wally Pfister picked up the prize for best cinematography for "The Dark Knight."

Winning yet another award, Sally Hawkins was named best actress for "Happy-Go-Lucky," while Heath Ledger won best supporting actor. Marisa Tomei received the best supporting actress prize for "The Wrestler."

"Let the Right One In" won best foreign language film, while "My Winnipeg" took home best documentary.

Tuesday
25Nov2008

Review: "Milk"

Seen on: November 24, 2008

The players: Director: Gus Van Sant, Writer: Dustin Lance Black, Cast: Sean Penn, Allison Pill, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, James Franco

Facts of interest: Van Sant also directed "Paranoid Park."

The plot: "Milk" stars Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist who became the first openly gay man to be elected into public office in the U.S. In 1977, he was voted to to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors.

Our thoughts: Harvey Milk was the first openly homosexual man elected to notable public office in America. Is it any coincidence that he was assassinated after one year? The jury that prosecuted Dan White, Milk's slayer, certainly thought so, though I would say it's a rather incredible coincidence.

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Tuesday
28Oct2008

Van Sant to direct ‘Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test’

Director Gus Van Sant and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black are reteaming for Fox Searchlight’s “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.”

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film is based on the book by Tom Wolfe and follows author Ken Kesey and a group called the Merry Pranksters as they drive cross-country in a DayGlo-painted school bus dubbed Furthur.

Now guess what they’re spending most of their time with: thinking about life with the help of LSD and other psychedelic drugs.

Van Sant and Black recently worked on the upcoming drama “Milk,” which stars Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, California’s first openly gay elected man to be voted into public office.

“Milk” arrives in theaters Nov. 26, 2008.

Wednesday
03Sep2008

Watch the trailer for Van Sant's 'Milk'

Trailer Addict just posted the first trailer for Gus Van Sant's upcoming biopic "Milk," which stars Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist who became the first openly gay man to be elected into public office in the U.S. In 1977, he was voted to to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors. I'll let you discover the rest when the film opens Dec. 5, 2008.

As you can see in the trailer above, this is just the kind of film for Sean Penn, who usually does a fabulous job at depicting eccentric or/and complex characters. Also starring are Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, James Franco and Diego Luno. Gotta look forward to that cast! Indeed, "Milk" looks like an interesting project. Enjoy.