The Lovely Bones

[Tyrone_Shoelaces]

Spielberg wins bidding war for 'Lovely Bones'
By Claudia Eller and Lorenza Muñoz, Times Staff Writers
May 5, 2007


Steven Spielberg has finally landed "The Lovely Bones."

After years of pursuing the movie rights to Alice Sebold's 2004 bestseller, the DreamWorks SKG co-founder won a bidding war to finance the movie, which will be directed by Peter Jackson whose credits include the "Lord of the Rings" franchise.

This ends a weeklong negotiation. Three other major studios — Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. — also vied for the right to bankroll Jackson's next movie.

DreamWorks won out because of Spielberg's relationship with Jackson in addition to the studio's marketing approach. However, details on that plan were not available.

According to a person privy to the deal, DreamWorks is paying Jackson just under $65 million to make the film, including his producing and directing fees.

However, other people involved in the bidding said there were offers on the table that would have paid Jackson a substantial upfront fee on top of the $65-million production budget as well as guaranteeing him a large percentage of the profit. Jackson usually commands $20 million upfront as an advance against 20% of the profit.

In any case, "The Lovely Bones" is a risky proposition, given that it's a dark adult drama about the fallout of the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl who narrates her tale from heaven.

Some executives who read Jackson's screenplay, which he wrote with his wife, Fran Walsh, and collaborator Phillipa Boyens, say they found it to be a redemptive story about spiritual healing and overcoming loss. Others, however, were concerned that the scenes depicting the girl's rape and murder would be too graphic and disturbing for mainstream audiences.

Movies depicting molestation or homicides involving children are usually a tough sell. But DreamWorks is not scared off by difficult subject matter: Its 1999 sleeper hit "American Beauty" was a dark drama about a middle-aged man who falls in love with one of his daughter's teenage friends, and the story ends in tragedy. The film grossed $353 million worldwide and won several Oscars including best picture.

Jackson plans to start shooting the movie in October in Pennsylvania, where the story is set. Special effects would be shot in Jackson's New Zealand studio.

In other Peej news, he got to play with a couple of the new-fangled Red Digital Cinema cameras to make a short film for Red's NAB booth. You can see stills from it here.

Peter Jackson shoots RED footage for NAB presentation

Academy Award winning director Peter Jackson ("Lord of the Rings Trilogy" and King Kong") volunteered to shoot 4K footage for RED to use at NAB 2007. What started out as a test session quickly turned into a movie. Peter and his team shot RED Alpha prototypes, "Boris" and "Natasha", for 2 days in New Zealand just two weeks before the opening of NAB. All footage was shot using RED's proprietary REDCODE RAW 4K codec and recorded to RED DRIVES.

Now I'm curious to see if he uses them on Lovely Bones.

[dimnix]

Cool. Really looking forward to this.

[havocSchultz]

I can't wait for this movie...

And I'd love to be able to get my hands on one of those fucking Red Cameras...

[Wolfpack]

Spielberg gets 'Lovely Bones' for Peter Jackson

And there's your unintentional Dumbledore porn for the day.

[Nachokoolaid]

Lovely Bones is a pretty fun read, and I'm really excited to see what PJ is going to do with it. People might think it's cliche now that PJ and Viggo Mortensen have worked together on LOTR, but as I was reading the book, I couldn't imagine anyone else playing the father in the story.

[MonkeyM666]

Lovely Bones is a pretty fun read,

ummm....

Others, however, were concerned that the scenes depicting the girl's rape and murder would be too graphic and disturbing for mainstream audiences.

A fun read? Really?

Sounds interesting... what a match up PJ a Spielberg! Should be good... and those red cameras! wow!

[Evil Hobbit]

A 1K Extract from Crossing the Line. The PJ Red Camera Short.
http://red.cachefly.net/video/crossing1.mov

[Doc Holliday]

Lovely Bones is a pretty fun read, and I'm really excited to see what PJ is going to do with it. People might think it's cliche now that PJ and Viggo Mortensen have worked together on LOTR, but as I was reading the book, I couldn't imagine anyone else playing the father in the story.

I thought David Morse as I was reading it.

I liked the book, though I seemed to have a much darker read on it than the other people I know who have read it. I'm extremely keen to see PJ's interpretation on the book, to see what nuances puts in to the various actor's performances as I think all of the main characters in THE LOVELY BONES could be interpreted in three or four different ways, without deviating from what's in the novel. Each would give a subtle, but very different story from the other.

[Nordling]

Yeah, it's a dark book. Sad, too. But it'll make a good movie, I think.

[havocSchultz]

Lovely Bones is a pretty fun read,

ummm....

Others, however, were concerned that the scenes depicting the girl's rape and murder would be too graphic and disturbing for mainstream audiences.

A fun read? Really?

If you're Winslow...

[UltimaRex]

This ends a weeklong negotiation. Three other major studios — Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. — also vied for the right to bankroll Jackson's next movie.

Was WB after Peter Jackson for JLA? Hmm. It's still a way off. Hopefully Jackson can do both.

[Doc Holliday]

This ends a weeklong negotiation. Three other major studios — Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. — also vied for the right to bankroll Jackson's next movie.

Was WB after Peter Jackson for JLA? Hmm. It's still a way off. Hopefully Jackson can do both.

[Pacino86845]

Doc, I don't know what to say except: IPAMPILASH!

[havocSchultz]

This ends a weeklong negotiation. Three other major studios — Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. — also vied for the right to bankroll Jackson's next movie.

Was WB after Peter Jackson for JLA? Hmm. It's still a way off. Hopefully Jackson can do both.

I think they were all referring to The Lovely Bones...

Cause I believe Jackson purchased the rights awhile ago - and has been stating for awhile that it would be his next film...

So I think the actual bidding war was just between the studios wanting to bankroll this film - which would/is also considered his next film...

This ends a weeklong negotiation. Three other major studios — Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. — also vied for the right to bankroll Jackson's next movie.

Was WB after Peter Jackson for JLA? Hmm. It's still a way off. Hopefully Jackson can do both.

I am not!!!

[Cpt Kirks 2pay]

I don't get it,Doc.

[Nachokoolaid]

Lovely Bones is a pretty fun read,

ummm....

Others, however, were concerned that the scenes depicting the girl's rape and murder would be too graphic and disturbing for mainstream audiences.

A fun read? Really?

Sounds interesting... what a match up PJ a Spielberg! Should be good... and those red cameras! wow!

Well, maybe fun wasn't the right word. Yes, the rape was hard to swallow at the beginning, but after that, it really sort of picks up and there's some cool murder mystery going on. And all those scenes in heaven would be a blast.

[Ribbons]

In news that should make RogueScribner a happy man, Rachel Weisz has been cast as the (non-dead) lead in The Loverly Bones.

Rachel Weisz is set to star in "The Lovely Bones," the Peter Jackson-directed adaptation of the Alice Sebold novel. DreamWorks begins production on the film in October, and Paramount Pictures will distribute worldwide.

Weisz will play the mother of a young girl who is abducted and is feared to have been murdered.

Jackson wrote the script with his "Lord of the Rings" scripting partners Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh. DreamWorks bested several studios to acquire the fully-developed project, which will be made in association with Film 4.

Carolynne Cunningham, Jackson, Walsh and Aimee Peyronnet will produce, while Film 4's Tessa Ross will exec produce with Ken Kamins and Jim Wilson. The film will shoot in Pennsylvania and New Zealand.

Weisz, who won an Oscar for "The Constant Gardener," was available after declining to reprise in a third installment of "The Mummy" for Universal. She's repped by Endeavor, ICM London and The Firm.

[tapehead]

^^ what he said Oh great, now lecko has quoted it, now it's here forever...

[Leckomaniac]

"Rachel Weisz"] is confirmed as cast.

?

You came a little late to the party.

[Maui]

Very cool. I read this book quite some time ago. It will be interesting to see how they portray this on the big screen.

[tapehead]

Oh and of course when I say 'he', I means Ribbons who of course is a very... er, lovely, individual...

[Leckomaniac]

Oh and of course when I say 'he', I means Ribbons who of course is a very... er, lovely, individual...

Would you say he has...lovely bones?


















Anyone?

[Nachokoolaid]

Weisz is a great choice. I still really see Viggo Mortenson as the dad. I'm hoping that gets announced.

[Evil Hobbit]

yes, give us Viggo

[Doc Holliday]

...if David Morse turns it down, that is.

[Nachokoolaid]

...if David Morse turns it down, that is.

Was there some news that I missed, or are you wishing out loud here?

[Ribbons]

...if David Morse turns it down, that is.

Was there some news that I missed, or are you wishing out loud here?

Goddamn putz...

[Nachokoolaid]

Well, I feel like an ass.

[Gheorghe Zamfir]

Just caught this bit of news for the first time casually dropped in the newest AICN article about Lovely Bones. Ryan Gosling as the father?!

There's just no way that makes sense, to repeat my talkbacky rant, Susie is 14 at the book's beginning, so Gosling is a father of 3 with the oldest being 14. Maaaaaaaaaybe Gosling can stretch my believability from his 26 years of age to being a 31-32 year old, meainging he has Susie at 18. I could go with that I guess, its always been the idiotic Hollywood trend to cast young to play old so whatever. But then the rest of the movie is going to progress ANOTHER ten years. I almost don't care IF Gosling can believably pull off a 42 year old character, I don't see why they would want to go that route, or feel the need to force us or the actor to have to stretch that much. It's just a big studly "Why?" to me.

[Maui]

Just caught this bit of news for the first time casually dropped in the newest AICN article about Lovely Bones. Ryan Gosling as the father?!

There's just no way that makes sense, to repeat my talkbacky rant, Susie is 14 at the book's beginning, so Gosling is a father of 3 with the oldest being 14. Maaaaaaaaaybe Gosling can stretch my believability from his 26 years of age to being a 31-32 year old, meainging he has Susie at 18. I could go with that I guess, its always been the idiotic Hollywood trend to cast young to play old so whatever. But then the rest of the movie is going to progress ANOTHER ten years. I almost don't care IF Gosling can believably pull off a 42 year old character, I don't see why they would want to go that route, or feel the need to force us or the actor to have to stretch that much. It's just a big studly "Why?" to me.

I read this book quite some time ago. I don't remember the father having that large a role in the book. I do agree that Gosling is too young, that is not believable at all. Susie will be the important selection imo.

[Nachokoolaid]

The father's one of the main characters. And I don't like Gosling in the role.

[Lady Sheridan]

There's enough fatherly actors (all of our former action stars spring to mind) for them not to have cast a 26 year old...lame. And Rachel Weisz isn't exactly 26 either...

I've only read a bit of the book, I need to finish it but it was so sad.

[DennisMM]

David Morse is a bit old. He's in his mid-fifties and looks it. I'd consider casting ten years younger. Mortenson is nearly 50 but he looks younger.

[havocSchultz]

Main Page has the story about the casting of Susie Salmon...

Peter Jackson finds his Susie Salmon for LOVELY BONES!!!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here. Looks like Peter has found his central actress for THE LOVELY BONES. The main character, Susie Salmon, is a young girl full of life who is violently murdered. She watches the impact her disappearance has on her family and friends from the afterlife.

Rachel Weisz was cast as her mother, Ryan Gosling was cast (surprisingly) as her father and now a young actress by the name of Saoirse Ronan has landed the lead role of the murdered girl. A little hunting found a few pictures of the young lass (click the below image for more, if it's not too creepy for you):



You'll be seeing a lot of this girl in the near future. She's going to topline THE CITY OF EMBER for MONSTER HOUSE director Gil Kenan and appear in DEATH DEFYING ACTS alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones and Guy Pearce, who plays Houdini.

Peter's got a pretty good track record with casting young actresses, particularly in the like-flick HEAVENLY CREATURES where he found Kate Winslet and one of my big crushes, Melanie Lynskey. Can't wait for this one. The script was outstanding, the cast is looking great... Can't wait.

[Nachokoolaid]

So, after seeing the actress, I think eveyone's going to be a bit uncomfortable with that orgasm scene, no?

[havocSchultz]

She's only 13 years old...

I haven't read the book...

Could this be a bit weird...?

[Maui]

So, after seeing the actress, I think eveyone's going to be a bit uncomfortable with that orgasm scene, no?

There likely will be similar hoopla comparable to Dakota Fanning's rape scene in the movie Hounddog.

[instant_karma]

There likely will be similar hoopla comparable to Dakota Fanning's rape scene in the movie Hounddog.

She's way too young to be going round raping folks. That movie sounds stupid!

Leaving now...

[Will Scarlet]

I loved this book. Despite the fact that it was unbearably sad. Good pace, good murder mystery, all the family trauma of losing a child and what happens to them over the years. Lots of time goes by in the story.

Peter Jackson has a very sensitive side and should treat this with great emotion and tenderness. I look forward to following the progress on this one.

WS

[Ribbons]

Doc Holliday joins the cast of Lovely Bones...

NEW YORK -- Stanley Tucci is in negotiations to play the pivotal role of killer George Harvey in Peter Jackson's adaptation of "The Lovely Bones" for DreamWorks.

Rachel Weisz and Ryan Gosling will play the parents of Susie Salmon (newcomer Saoirse Ronan), a 14-year-old who has been raped and killed by a neighbor she refers to as Mr. Harvey. Alice Sebold's best-selling 2002 novel is told from the perspective of Susie, who looks down on her family and Harvey from the afterlife.

[Chilli]

Doc Holliday joins the cast of Lovely Bones...

NEW YORK -- Stanley Tucci is in negotiations to play the pivotal role of killer George Harvey in Peter Jackson's adaptation of "The Lovely Bones" for DreamWorks.

Rachel Weisz and Ryan Gosling will play the parents of Susie Salmon (newcomer Saoirse Ronan), a 14-year-old who has been raped and killed by a neighbor she refers to as Mr. Harvey. Alice Sebold's best-selling 2002 novel is told from the perspective of Susie, who looks down on her family and Harvey from the afterlife.

CAREERBREAKTHROUGHILASH

[Maui]

Gosling's out - Wahlberg's in!

http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=87e90f0e-62dc-4d0c-8834-b81bc182a704&entry=index

[Leckomaniac]

Gosling's out - Wahlberg's in!

http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=87e90f0e-62dc-4d0c-8834-b81bc182a704&entry=index

That hurts. Gosling is 5 times the actor Wahlberg is.

[Maui]

Gosling's out - Wahlberg's in!

http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=87e90f0e-62dc-4d0c-8834-b81bc182a704&entry=index

That hurts. Gosling is 5 times the actor Wahlberg is.

Creative differences the article says.

[stereosforgeeks]

Gosling's out - Wahlberg's in!

http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=87e90f0e-62dc-4d0c-8834-b81bc182a704&entry=index

That hurts. Gosling is 5 times the actor Wahlberg is.

Creative differences the article says.

Wahlberg can be good. But he's no Gosling for sure.

[Leckomaniac]

Gosling's out - Wahlberg's in!

http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=87e90f0e-62dc-4d0c-8834-b81bc182a704&entry=index

That hurts. Gosling is 5 times the actor Wahlberg is.

Creative differences the article says.

To be perfectly honest, I have more faith in Gosling's instincts at this point than I do Jacksons. The dude is on fire as of late.

[stereosforgeeks]

Gosling's out - Wahlberg's in!

http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=87e90f0e-62dc-4d0c-8834-b81bc182a704&entry=index

That hurts. Gosling is 5 times the actor Wahlberg is.

Creative differences the article says.

To be perfectly honest, I have more faith in Gosling's instincts at this point than I do Jacksons. The dude is on fire as of late.

do you want to forget kong too?

im hoping this is more of a heavenly creatures Jackson.

[Nordling]

I'm actually pleased with this casting. Wahlberg is closer in age to the character than Gosling is. And although Gosling is probably the better actor, I like Wahlberg enough to think that he could play this part.

[Maui]

I'm actually pleased with this casting. Wahlberg is closer in age to the character than Gosling is. And although Gosling is probably the better actor, I like Wahlberg enough to think that he could play this part.

True, Gosling seemed too young for the part. I've read the book so I will definitely see this.

[MasterWhedon]

Gosling's out - Wahlberg's in!

http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=87e90f0e-62dc-4d0c-8834-b81bc182a704&entry=index

That hurts. Gosling is 5 times the actor Wahlberg is.

Creative differences the article says.

To be perfectly honest, I have more faith in Gosling's instincts at this point than I do Jacksons. The dude is on fire as of late.

Defamer has some tidbits on what might've been behind it all.