AAAAAAAAACKKKK!!!! NOT FAIR!!! I want to be M.J. I want to hear Sam Raimi hum an early version of Danny Elfman's SPIDER-MAN theme.... NOT FAIR!!!! Sigh... Well, it is day two on the Sony Lot's big Spider-Man wrestling match and here is what we've heard thus far!!!! I so wanna be there for this!
H.G. Wells again. I chose the right spy when I went with our gal M.J. That girl has a knack for talking to the right folks. I notice that a lot of your sources are writing in with general descriptions, so I'll wade through M.J.'s set journal and look for things that others might not have included, or might not have known.
After speaking for a bit with Sam Raimi about Xena (of which she's a big fan), M.J. received confirmation from Sam that the score will be done by... DANNY ELFMAN! No matter what you've thought of his music in the past, Spidey music will be awesome! Apparently, Sam sat in on an early (WAY early) "mini-scoring" session with Danny. Danny's been working on the main title theme, and Sam even hummed a bit of what he heard to M.J. Like I said, WAY early but hell... this is a good start.
M.J. managed a peek at a few sets as well. In the back of Stage 27 where the wrestling arena is, there is apparently a large cityscape that stretches up to the roof. Walls and ledges are caked over with plaster of paris to hide the hydraulics that cause certain areas to collapse. M.J. said this was the area with craft services, but the set was not very well hidden. M.J. also tried to get exactly WHAT this set was out of a grip, but to no avail. She said the set is rigged to receive MAJOR damage. Perhaps a final showdown with the Green Goblin? *SIGH* She's still got one more day on set...
HOWEVER!!!!!!! She did manage the niftiest news I've heard all day. On a soundstage adjacent to 30 (Planet of the Apes), the stage number she did not mention in her journal, there is a large building with massive sets, and one that resembled the business residence of one cigar chomping editor. M.J.'s best guess is that this is indeed the Daily Bugle, as set decorators were busy prepping what looked to be a bullpen. Many extras were escorted off the lot at this point for wandering where they shouldn't go. M.J. was approached by security while inside the stage but, being a clever girl, she told them that she was a PA for Zoolander. You see, a van for Zoolander was parked right outside and... THEY BOUGHT IT. They left her alone, and she continued to explore.
There were other sets inside and M.J. made out a sewer/subway set as well (do we get to see Dr. Connors' alter ego as a cameo????? I doubt it, but I can dream...). She headed next to the crew and began speaking to one of the set construction guys. He asked her about Zoolander (HA!), which of course she couldn't give him much info on. She says she made a bunch of stuff up, but at least bonded with the guy. He told her the COOLEST THING OF ALL!
At 2:20, WILLEM DEFOE WOULD BE DOING A COSTUME/WIRE TEST in that very stage! The Goblin flying without the aid of his Goblin flyer/sled? Or is this in preparation for a clash with old webhead? Sadly, M.J. would not find out (DAMMIT!). M.J. had to get back to the wrestling arena set and, unfortunately was shooting a scene well past 2:20. She went back to the stage after the scene, but security was out in force. She still tried to get in with the "Zoolander" bit, but they didn't let her through.
With one day left, I'm anxious to see what she can turn up. Hopefully, she'll get to talk to Tobey about his gig. This is one of the many tasks I have given her. We'll see if she delivers....
H.G. Wells out
And now.... may I call your attention toooooo... TURD FERGUSON
Greetings to all you spidey fanatics, and that one die-hard Punisher fan (you know who you are!). Well, I have got some kick-arse news for all of you waiting so desperatly 'till next May for the release of the greatest comic book hero to ever hit the silver screen.
For the past two days I have been working as a P.A. on the set of Spider-Man at Culver studios in Los Angeles, and let me tell you it is breathtaking. So far I have seen Tobey Maguire battle the evil, insane, and cool "Bone Saw McGraw", played insanely by "The Macho Man Randy Savage". All the action takes place in a 20 foot high steel cage.
For those of you who are not too familiar with the Spidey origin, when Peter Parker (Spidey) first aquired his powers, he was in a bit of a financial struggle. He then donned somewhat of a "human spider-man" costume and took a shot at a wrestler named "Crusher Hogan". The prize to last three minutes with the behemoth was $300. Of course the name of the wrestler was changed and the prize money was increased to $3000 to go with the times (inflation is a somewhat of a bitch).
Anywho, not to get off the subject, the scenes that have been shot were outstanding. Watching Spidey leap over "Bone-Saw" via stunt cable were marvelous. The different spider-like poses were very relative to the McFarlene look. Tobey has slimmed down to almost nothing, and he does look just like a high school student. Randy Savage is insanely funny as the undefeated favorite wrestler. He brings his "Macho Madness" with him to his preformance. With his trademark "Ohh yeahhhh" voice, he will be a scene stealer. But wait'll they put in the CGI for the Spidey leaps and web shots......kick-ass!!!
Might I add that Bruce Campbell does a good job as the sleazy hip-style ring announcer (The Fink eat your heart, all you WWF fans from the 80's and early 90's will know what I'm talking aboot!).
Also going on in the back part of the studio they shot the scene where Peter Parker first signs up for the tournament.
It is chock full of different wrestlers ready to try a shot at "Bone-Saw". All complete with a Xena type wrestler and a "Green Arrow" type character. I didn't get a really good look at it, but it should provide some comic relief. The one thing about the whole wrestling scene is it appears to have somewhat of a "WWF" look to it. "Bone-Saw" comes complete with his "Bonettes", his hooker-like ring girls. I don't know about this because I guess I'm just too old-fashioned when it comes to comic-to-movie films, but don't get me wrong I am just psyched to see and be working on this film.
One thing I do want to add is that Sam Raimi reminds me of a young Stanley Kubrick. He is dressed in a black suit and white undershirt complete with a tie. If you have ever seen any Kubrick publicity pictures from the '50's when he was filming "The Killing" or "Paths of Glory" you'll know what I mean. Mr. Raimi just has that "glow" about him. I watched his camera shots from the bleachers where I was "guarding" and he seems to do alot of "Kubrick" style shots, drawbacks, and "follow arounds" is the best way to describe it. If you have ever seen any Kubrick film before "Eyes Wide Shut" you'll knowhutImean. But all in all I can tell you that this film is going to be a work of art!!! Unfortunatley Mr. Dafoe was not present, but fear not, in March they will be shooting in downtown L.A. to recreate a Times Square "chaos" scene involving the Green Goblin and Spidey, so all you extras get on the horn and reserve your spot because they will go quick, trust me! Which reminds me also, they were working on a "New York" style building in the studio which is also a Goblin vs. Spidey scene....looks really cooooooool!!! So let me leave you this write-up and you can use your imagination for the rest. We have one more day of shooting and that's it for Culver now. So I will post something new tommorrow or the next.
Later everyone and countdown the days.........
470 or something like that........
all good things to those who wait........
out ..........
TURD FERGUSON..
it's a funny name!!!
