The spy known as the Marquis de Glen, has sent me news about ENDURANCE, the Wolfgang Peterson project about one of the greatest true adventures in history. Why did I name this fella the Marquis de Glen? Because a long long time ago, Glen had done massive research on the subject matter that is this film, and had a writing partner basically talk him out of writing it, because "it wouldn't make a movie." Now Wolfgang Peterson is working on it, and Glen wishes to kill this friend of his. (NOT ME). Well enough about Glen, on with the Marquis' report!!!
I am in the know with "Endurance," and here's what's up at the moment: there have been some problems with Dan Gilroy and Jeff Maguire's script. Namely, Mel Gibson turned down the role of Shackelton (the main character who gets the exhibition to the arctic together) because he didn't like the script. Anyway, if you didn't know, Endurance is based on a true story.
Harry Preston, has currently been writing a new screenplay for Endurance, and his main concern right now is making the script short enough. At this stage in its writing, the script opens with a short scene that takes place in the early 1900's (1916? I can't remember for sure). The scene centers around a group of adventurers who discover the frozen body of the British traveler Scot, who led a failed expedition to get to the South Pole before the Swedes. It then cuts to two years later with Shackelton trying to get the funding to make an expedition to the arctic so that he can carry the Union Jack across Antarctica, but his wife doesn't want him to go. He leaves anyway, their ship crashes, they have to sail a row boat to Elephant Island, et cetera. The hook of this story is that EVERYONE survives!
Harry says it will make "Titanic look like a B movie." He said it facetiously, of course - not even another Citizen Kane could make Titanic look like a B Movie!
Universal's MUMMY and that film about James Whale... GODS & MONSTERS!!!
Long ago known as Sgt Fury, he has long since left the bulk of his howling commandoes, and now works for SHIELD, which is one of the many branches of AICN. He fights against AIM (Ain't It Moronic) a grouping of bad decision makers with the keys to Hollywood power. We have to endure there bad decisions often, but on this mission Nick, found some good stuff in the works. Personally I'd love that MUMMY script, I'm a huge fan of the original Universal series, the HAMMER version, and even that great episode of AMAZING STORIES: MUMMY DADDY (I think). Well here's Nick's report...
Hi-ho, Harry, NICK FURY reporting for duty here. My main man QUARTERMAIN reported in from a recent spy mission, and has recovered a CD-ROM labeled "THE MUMMY" from UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. The cover reads, "DEATH IS ONLY THE BEGINNING." Let's see what's under the hood (note--this version of THE MUMMY is the first draft. Word is, on the streets, that there's a third draft out, so who knows what's changed).
THE CONCEPT: The 1920s. An American who has joined the French Foreign Legion is rescued from a Middle Eastern execution by a plucky librarian and her foppish brother. The librarian and playboy brother have discovered the existence of an ancient Egyptian city of the dead, and need the Legionnaire to escort them there. Once they get there, they accidentally unleash the wolfman. Hey. That doesn't sound right...
THE SKINNY: Breezy, fun, well-written, and totally entertaining. This is an INDIANA JONES treatment of a classic horror film. Purists will probably grumble (I didn't know the difference--all I know about the Mummy is those jokes the stand-up comedians make. Y'know--how can the Mummy be that intimidating a monster when he walks so slow). Screw 'em. This is a fun movie with a $70 million budget, and lots of computer-driven effects to make our eyes pop out.
IN DETAIL: Writer Stephen Somers is going to direct, and this looks to be a good thing. His script has characters--the Legionnaire, the librarian, the playboy, a prison Warden, the Legionnaire's cowardly friend--that are archetypes, but enjoy tight and often funny dialogue. The humor amplifies things, instead of making fun of it, and works much like that of an Indy movie. This is big high adventure.
THE MONSTER: The Mummy has been re-tooled, from what I can see. IMHOTEP (his name) is an ancient sorcerer who is trying to regain his corporeal body. As the story progresses, he begins to regain parts of his motor functions, and moves faster and faster, casting spells and at one point turning into a whirlwind. There are some good gross-outs that shouldn't preclude little kids from enjoying the fun as well.
CODA: What more can I say that this rave: I hope there are playsets, because I'll be the first one in line at Toys R Us. A rollicking adventure story in the old serial tradition more than a horrific effort, this script is a blast.
