Tag: william monahan

LONDON BOULEVARD Trailer

Here’s the trailer from GK Films’ LONDON BOULEVARD, directed by Academy Award-winning William Monahan (writer THE DEPARTED) and starring Golden Globe winner Colin Farrell and Academy Award-nominated actress Keira Knightley.

Based on the book by Ken Bruen, LONDON BOULEVARD is the story of a man newly released from prison who falls in love with a reclusive young movie star and finds himself in a duel with a vicious gangster.

The London-based crime drama also features the acting talents of David Thewlis, Anna Friel, Ben Chaplin, Eddie Marsan, Sanjeev Baskhar, newcomer Jamie Campbell Bower, and Ray Winstone.

LONDON BOULEVARD is produced by the Academy Award-winning Graham King alongside William Monahan, Tim Headington and Quentin Curtis. Look for it in UK theatres on November 26th and here in the states February 2011.

Gibson, DiCaprio, and Vikings, Hell Yeah!

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No, Mel Gibson is not directing Leonardo DiCaprio in a live action version of The Adventures of Asterix, but I imagine that would be just as cool.  Gibson, instead, will be directing DiCaprio in an as-yet untitled film about Viking culture that is being written by William Monahan (THE DEPARTED).  This according to Variety.  A joint venture by Gibson’s Icon Productions and Graham King’s GK Films, the film is set to begin shooting in Fall of 2010.

Says King about the story:

This will be an awe-inspiring story, created with some of the industry’s finest cinematic talent, and I am just over the moon to be making this film with Mel, Leo and Bill.

All involved confirmed their involvement in the film, though no details have emerged about the plot.  Expect the same level of gritty, grimy adult fare Gibson has previously shown in BRAVEHEART, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, and APOCALYPTO.

No distributor has been set for the film, though this is not uncommon for either Gibson’s films or those produced by Graham King.

Cast moves onto ‘London Boulevard’

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GK Films is developing a new crime drama called ‘London Boulevard’ which goes into production this summer. Screenwriter William Monahan (Body of Lies, The Departed) will turn director for this film, which centers on a newly paroled criminal in London who gets involved with a young actress.

Colin Farrell has been cast as the paroled criminal and Keira Knightley will play the reclusive young actress. Rounding out the cast will be David Thewlis (The New World, Harry Potter) as the actress’ agoraphobic business manager, Anna Friel (Timeline, Goal!) will play the criminal’s sister and Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast, The Proposition) will play a former crime boss.

So, this little film has sort of snuck up and bit me in the ass because, when I do the math I get a really good movie from this. The only real wild card here is not knowing how Monahan will do in the director’s chair for the first time. Otherwise, he’s a damn good writer. Colin Farrell is a guilty pleasure of mine, deservedly so. He’s not the best actor, but he’s enjoyable in most of his roles. Keira is Keira, which is fine with me. Ray Winstone is freaking amazing and plays such a good bad guy. My two cents here… count on this being a small, sleeper hit!

[source: Variety]

WB Acquires Rights to ‘Edge of Darkness’

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Warner Brothers has acquired the rights to the Martin Campbell-directed/Mel Gibson-starring thriller ‘Edge of Darkness’.   William Monahan (‘The Departed’) and Andrew Bovell (‘Lantana’) wrote the screenplay from an original story by Troy Kennedy Martin.

The story is based on the BBC mini-series of the same name and is centered on a veteran homicide detective for the Boston Police Department whose only child is murdered on the steps of his home.

This will be Gibson’s first starring role since 2002’s ‘Signs’.   He appeared in a secondary role in 2003’s ‘The Singing Detective’ and had a cameo in 2004’s ‘Paparazzi’.   I, for one, am excited to see the guy return to the big screen, particularly in a thriller such as this.

What do you think?   Are you excited to see Mel Gibson return to starring in movies?   Do his recent antics turn you off on seeing him in anything?   Should Martin Campbell really be spending his time with something like this when he should be directing every James Bond film made from now until the end of time?   Let us know by commenting below!

Source: Variety

William Monahan adapting Grisham’s ‘The Associate

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William Monahan, the screenwriter best known for writing ‘The Departed’, will be adapting the John Grisham novel ‘The Associate’ for a feature film for Paramount. Â  The film will serve as a star vehicle for Shia Labeouf.

LaBeouf will play a Yale Law School student with a sordid secret that leaves him vulnerable to blackmail. He’s manipulated into taking a job at a law firm and working on a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit.

Monahan won an Academy Award for his adapted screenplay of ‘The Departed’, which was based on the Hong Kong film, ‘Infernal Affairs’.

Lorenzo di Bonaventura is producing. Production begins in June in London.

Source: Variety