Father Geek here still playing "catch-up" with these columns from the time I was out of pocket in Seattle the last 6 days...
Auditions are underway in New Zealand to fill the role of Wendy in P.J. Hogan's upcoming big budget Peter Pan flik. Peter Pan casting Agent Dianne Bowen has called for mature 13 year old girls across the country to come forward over the next week. Auditions will be held in New Zealand's 4 main centers (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch & Dunedin), further details can be found in local Newspapers. Dianne Bowen has said they are "looking for the next Anna Paquin,, and where else would you find the next Anna Paquin but NZ"
Also here's another interesting bit of News. Seems parts of Star Wars Ep3 may be filmed in NZ. NZ's TV3 News ran a story on Hollywood Movies being filmed in NZ eg The Last Samurai, Lord of the Rings, when they mentioned that some of Georges scouts are searching NZ for possible SWEP3 locations with Fiordland looking to be the most popular chioce. Considering NZ is only 3 hours across the ditch from OZ, doesn't seem too unrealistic.
Note: Fiordland was one of Steven Spielbergs top chioces when he was looking for places to film The Lost World, not too sure why it didn't happen.
Thats all Seeya
Ryan Cooper
www.theflikspot.com
Now, Here's Tamsin and the weekly AICN Downunder Report...
AICN DOWNUNDER FILM REPORT #40
24
Aussie Actress Sarah Wynter (6TH DAY, RACE AGAINST TIME) has joined the cast of 24. Wynter will play the female lead, a rich young woman who gets caught up in a terrorist plot. She is being looked at as a potential love interest for Bauer, Kiefer Sutherland's character.
PETER PAN
Not only has Aussie director PJ Hogan found his PETER PAN in 13 year old Jeremy Sumpter (FRAILTY) but apparently the story is being re-developed as a "love story" between Wendy and Peter Pan. Many have expressed opposition to the salacious new storyline, including J.M. Barrie's goddaughter, Laura Dugauid, who has been reported as saying "It is a shame the play is being treated in this way. My father and Mr Barrie would have been horrified. Mr Barrie just was not interested in that sort of obvious sexuality and romance, and it certainly is not in the original story."
JAPANESE STORY
Toni Collette has started work on her new film JAPANESE STORY, which has started shooting in the Pilbara region, Western Australia. Collette, who's film DIRTY DEEDS is currently in release in Australia, is playing a stranded geologist.
21 GRAMS
Australian-educated, Naomi Watts is to join Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn for 21 GRAMS, to be directed by director Alejandro Gonzáles Iñárritu (AMORES PERROS). The film explores the emotional and physical lives of an ex-con, a woman and her cheating lover.
Hugh Jackman news...
It has been reported that Aussie Hugh Jackman will star as drover Clancy of the Overflow, legendary character created by Australian poet Banjo Paterson, in a feature to be shot in Victoria's bushland next year. The project, which is also being produced through Jackman and his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness' production company, will be directed by Simon Wincer (CROCODILE DUNDEE IN LOS ANGELES).
Aside from playing Wolverine in X-MEN 2, Jackman will also be starring as the lead in THE BOY FROM OZ on Broadway.
THE IDOL
Australian director, Samantha Lang (THE WELL, MONKEY'S MASK) has had her latest film, THE IDOL, starring Leelee Sobieski accepted into the Locarno film festival.
EMMY NEWS
Congratulations to Australian Rachel Griffiths who has been nominated for an Emmy for her role as Brenda on SIX FEET UNDER.
NEW ZEALAND NEWS - THIS IS NOT A LOVE STORY
New Zealander writer/director Keith Hill has just been awarded the Best Screenplay Award at the Dances with Films Festival for his work on THIS IS NOT A LOVE STORY. The film will also be screened in New York at the Tribeca Center this week.
According to its press release, THIS IS NOT A LOVE STORY tells the story of a love triangle in which a romantic young woman decides she needs more life experiences, and the troubled couple across the street are just the people to provide it. The film is a wry, humorous story about sex and love, success and failure, creativity and careers. You can check out the website: www.thisisnotalovestory.com
THE GREAT RAID
Filming has begun on Bribie Island (an hour north of Brisbane) for war flick, THE GREAT RAID, starring Benjamin Bratt, Joseph Fiennes and Aussie Craig McLachlan. Apparently there are more than 550 Queenslanders who have been hired as prisoners of war in the film after an advertisement for "skinny people" was published in local newspapers. The Great Raid will be shot in Queensland for the next three months, before filming moves to Shanghai. The movie is due for release next year.
THE FOUNTAIN
According to a number of sources it was Brad Pitt who had the state location of the filming for THE FOUNTAIN changed from Queensland to Sydney. The Sydney Morning Herald quoted an unnamed source as saying, "The truth is, the decision has nothing to do with financial stuff. Brad Pitt couldn't bear to live in Queensland." It's a pity because Queensland is close to so many unusually beautiful locations unlike anywhere else.
Danger Diva - Casting from Moviehole
Amanda Peet ("The Whole Nine Yards") is the current favourite to play new comic character DANGER DIVA, in a new film from Director Robert McGinley. Based on an original comic by the film's creator, the movie tells the story of a talented modern rock-opera queen, who is implanted with a voice enhancer which helps boost her career. Unfortunately, the pact for fame also threatens mankind as we know it.
Other contenders for the role include Angie Harmon, Jennifer Lopez and Heather Graham. Australian Musicians, Vanessa Amorosi and Ella Hooper have also been looked at. www.moviehole.net
THE MELBOURNE FILM FESTIVAL
MIFF begins this week but unfortunately I am unable to make any of the screenings except closing night. Melbournian readers should send in their daily reviews from the festival.
Until next week...
Send Aussie and New Zealand news and reviews to Tamsin@aintitcoolmail.com
Tamsin
