CANNES, France (AP) – What a pair those dashing young mutants Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart make in X-Men: The Last Stand. The two 60-something actors had 20 years shaved off their features for the opening sequence in the comic-book franchise’s latest flick. The filmmakers used digital technology to match their current features to those in old photos. [More]
Category: Original TORn
Cate Blanchett will play Bob Dylan in his “androgenous phase” in a new biopic of the great poet-songwriter’s life, it was announced, as Dylan turned 65. But even as he shows up everywhere in books, films and even a Broadway musical, Dylan, who has sought seclusion and mystery all his life, remains as enigmatic as ever. Dylan has clearly shrugged off retirement age, taking on a new job as a radio DJ, publishing a selection of his memoirs, musing in a Martin Scorcese documentary, authorizing a stage musical with his songs — and appearing in an advert for the Victoria’s Secret lingerie store chain. [More]
Viggo Mortensen (“A History of Violence”) will play a 1930’s German professor turned Nazi supporter in the big screen adaptation of “Good,” Production Weekly reports. Brazilian director Vicente Amorim (“O Caminho das Nuvens”) will helm the film that is based on CP Taylor’s award-winning play that chronicles the professor’s decent into the Reich and his ability to slide down the path of evil. [More]
The San Francisco Symphony will give the 100th performance of Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings Symphony in July, according to organizers. The work, a concert adaptation of Shore’s scores for the three Lord of the Rings films, has proved enormously popular since its debut in Wellington, New Zealand in 2003. Nearly all of its performances, given by orchestras around the world, have sold out. Performances in Oslo and Bergen, Norway, last year drew crowds of 70,000 and 30,000, respectively. The six-movement, two-hour symphony is scored for orchestra, adult and children’s choirs, and soloists. At the San Francisco Symphony’s performances on July 14 and 15, Markus Huber, one of several conductors who have toured with the work, will be on the podium; soloists include soprano Kaitlyn Lusk. The event will also include projections of illustrations and storyboard sketches of the Lord of the Rings saga. [More]
Director Trevor Nunn is to pair his forthcoming Royal Shakespeare Company production of King Lear with a revival of Chekhov’s The Seagull, also for the RSC. The two productions, both cast with the same acting ensemble lead by Ian McKellen, will play in repertory at Stratford-upon-Avon’s new Courtyard Theatre from March 2007 before going on a world tour. McKellen will play the title role in King Lear, which will conclude the RSC’s year-long Complete Works Festival, and also appear as Sorin in The Seagull. [More]
