Harry here, and wow this stuff sounds pretty damn cool, I'm working on getting it confirmed. I'll tell ya what I learn. Ok Dyson, speak up! And you too Mr Connor. And Sarah C. let's hear from you.
Contrary to rumor, Jim Cameron has not yet completed his Planet of the Apes script. He's only recently begun work on it.
The "George Taylor" part has been written with Arnold in mind for the lead, but, in an interesting deviation from the 1968 version of the film, the main character will not be a misantrope who is digusted with his fellow man. Arnold's character is more optomistic than George Taylor, which I for one think is a good thing. There's a female scientist/astronaut/love interest part for a pretty hispanic actress as well as character who's something of a teenage prodigy. Also, never let it be said that Jim isn't one to keep up with current events. His early draft is toying with the idea of having a John Glenn-type figure ... possibly to be played by original Apes astronaut Charlton Heston. It doesn't _have_ to be Heston, but that's who Jim's writing the part for and I think its appropriate.
I don't really feel like spoiling Jim's movie at this early stage, but I will say that what I've read of this early (note that last word) draft of the Planet of the Apes remake is pretty good. Jim seems to be headed in the right direction. He's not there yet, but it's Jim so you know he will be. Fox is pretty anxious to get this movie in theaters by summer 2000 or 2001, so hopefully development will come along nicely.
I haven't heard anything worthy of repetition about directors. And not that this is anymore solid than your belly, Harry (*wink*), I've heard talk about James Woods playing the Zaius part, perhaps Jennifer Lopez/Salma Hayek in the love interest role and maybe Barry Watson of 7th Heaven for the "prodigy." And of course, Heston for the space-geaser. These names may just be devices to help Jim visualize his movie as he writes it, but with him on as director you know there's a pretty good chance he'll get the cast he wants.
You may hear more from me in the future, assuming I'm not strung up for sending this much.
And in addition... well I have this news about Stan Winston's work thus far....
i got a grand tour of stans lair saw the t-rex and some alligator type creature for a movie called lake placid? saw terminator, predator, relic, ed scissorhands, gnome named norm, everything including the old prototypes of planet of the apes masks (Cameron version). Awesome. One was even designed based on stan and another on his son i think. they had more metalbronze armor/plating then the leather clothes integrated into their design. Very roman armor.
Meestir Wompratt
