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2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1997

1-20 of 171 articles from 2009   « Prev | Next »


Spielberg Won't Direct 'Harvey' After All

10 hours ago | GetTheBigPicture.net | See recent Get The Big Picture news »

I wonder what all of this means for Steven Spielberg's next couple of years. He was looking for a project after this summer, was rumored for the spy movie Matt Helm, but instead hustled quickly to call dibs on a remake (or a new adaptation of the play) of Harvey. But Variety now says Spielberg is not directing that film, which was scheduled to go into production early next year.

Tom Hanks was linked to the role, but he passed, and then the focus shifted to Robert Downey, Jr. In the end, though, Spielberg couldn't find someone he was happy with as Elwood P. Dowd, and it's tough to embody a role made famous by James Stewart, so I don't find fault with Hanks or Downey not signing up for this.

So Harvey is dead for now; Variety mentions Fox could "re-approach" the director and Downey down the line, »

- Colin Boyd

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Steven Spielberg scraps Harvey after script battles

13 hours ago | The Geek Files | See recent The Geek Files news »

Steven Spielberg has given up on his planned remake of the James Stewart fantasy classic Harvey after he and star Robert Downey Jr failed to agree on a vision for the film.

Spielberg had spent the past six months developing the idea for 20th Century Fox, which had begun preparations for filming to start early next year.

Tom Hanks had earlier turned down the lead role because he was worried about the inevitable comparisons to the Stewart portrayal.

Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes star Robert Downey Jr was interested but wanted rewrites to Jonathan Tropper's script before agreeing to do the film, and he and Spielberg were never in 'creative sync', reports Variety.

Fox confirmed Spielberg's departure but says it still wants to make the film.

Harvey is based on Mary Chase's Pulitzer Prize-winning play which was adapted into a 1950 film with James Stewart in the lead role of Elwood P. »

- David Bentley

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Spielberg drops out of 'Harvey'

21 hours ago | Monsters and Critics | See recent Monsters and Critics news »

Steven Spielberg has pulled out of directing the remake of .Harvey. after having spent the past half year developing the film.It would have been his first film behind the camera for the newly assembled DreamWorks..Harvey. is an adaptation of Mary Chase.s Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a man who befriends a six and a half foot tall invisible rabbit. One of the biggest problems Spielberg had with the film was finding a star to play Elwood P. Dowd, the character played by James Stewart in the 1950 film.According to Variety, Spielberg.s first choice was Tom Hanks, but Hanks wanted no part in trying to follow in Stewart.s footsteps.Spielberg then spent several months trying to convince Robert Downey Jr. to commit but »

- Adnan Tezer

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Spielberg Withdraws from ‘Harvey’

21 hours ago | Atomic Popcorn | See recent Atomic Popcorn news »

After working for over six months on his remake of 1950’s Harvey, Steven Spielberg announced this week that he was backing out of the project. And this after 20th Century Fox had already scheduled soundstages to be ready to go for the film to begin production at the beginning of 2010.

Despite the idea phase of Harvey starting out strong last summer, the film has seen some trouble getting started, with Spielberg and the studio courting both Tom Hanks and Robert Downey Jr. to play the role made famous by James Stewart, but both turned the part down–Downey after creative differences regarding the script occurred with Spielberg. Now, Spielberg has officially walked, with no specific reason being given for doing so.

Spielberg does have several potential projects at his disposal, so it’s likely a matter of deciding to seek greener pastures. Thus the question is what he’ll decide to do instead of Harvey, »

- Carly

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Spielberg Pulls Out of 'Harvey'

4 December 2009 2:38 PM, PST | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »

By Daniel Frankel

Officials for 20th Century Fox have confirmed reports that Steven Spielberg has withdrawn from plans to remake the Jimmy Stewart 1950 classic “Harvey.”

Spielberg had reportedly spent the last six months developing the film, which would be his first directing job under the reconstituted DreamWorks.

However, talks reportedly broke down with Robert Downey Jr., who had been picked to take on Stewart’s lead role as the man who befriends a giant rabbit.

Fox, which had helped DreamWorks secure half the production financing through a funding relationship with ... »

- Daniel Frankel

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Steven Spielberg quits 'Harvey'?

4 December 2009 1:42 PM, PST | digitalspy | See recent digitalspy news »

Steven Spielberg has left Harvey after spending half a year working on it for a reorganised DreamWorks. According to Variety, the director handed in his notice to 20th Century Fox, who had already started booking soundstages for the 2010 production start. A spokesman confirmed Spielberg's departure, but remained silent on a specific reason. The film is a remake of the 1950 classic starring James Stewart as a man who befriends a six and a half-foot tall invisible rabbit. Spielberg's (more) »

- By Aaron Broverman

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Spielberg Reportedly Backs Out of Upcoming Harvey Remake

4 December 2009 1:02 PM, PST | Beyond Hollywood | See recent Beyond Hollywood news »

Though it may come as a severe blow to those decidedly strange individuals who simply cannot get enough giant rabbit movies, rumors are circulating that legendary director Steven Spielberg has decided to abandon the remake of Henry Koster’s 1950 award-winning feature “Harvey.” Reports over at Variety are pretty minimal, though Spielberg was apparently far enough into the production for 20th Century Fox to reserve a few soundstages for the project. Since I’m not overly familiar with the original film, I can’t say for sure whether or not the Jimmy Stewart vehicle is ripe for the dreaded Remake Machine. However, if you find the news to be particularly distressing to you, the remedy lies in the form of Richard Kelly’s “Donnie Darko.” Avoid the director’s cut and you’ll be okay. Or, you know, you could just watch the original. No word yet if someone else will takeover the production, »

- Todd

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Spielberg Leaves ‘Harvey’ Remake

4 December 2009 11:51 AM, PST | newsinfilm.com | See recent newsinfilm news »

Steven Spielberg has backed out of directing Harvey, a remake of the 1950 classic starring Jimmy Stewart.

The 62-year-old director spent several months developing the film, which was to be his next production and the first under the newly stand-alone DreamWorks.  Fox was allowing Dw to fund 50% through their deal with Dubai-based Reliance, but the movie fell apart when Spielberg couldn’t find a star for the lead.  Fox will continue to work on it.

The obvious choice, considering their history, was Tom Hanks.  Except he declined to make… well, I’m not sure.  Robert Downey Jr. was also “courted” for the part, according to Variety, but didn’t sign on.  What is wrong with Hollywood that Steven Spielberg can’t get anyone to star in his movie?  Where was his golden boy, Shia Labeouf?

The story, an adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Mary Chase, centers on a man »

- Jeff Leins

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Spielberg No Longer Remaking ‘Harvey’

4 December 2009 11:08 AM, PST | ScreenRant.com | See recent Screen Rant news »

For a few months now it’s been known that Steven Spielberg was going to direct a remake of Harvey, the 1950 film starring James Stewart as a mild-mannered man who just happens to be best friends with a six-foot tall imaginary rabbit. Spielberg’s film was actually to be an adaptation of the original Pulitzer Prize-winning play that spawned the 1950 film, but it was still a remake in a sense.

However, news comes today from Variety that even though we’ll still likely see a Harvey remake, it won’t be with Spielberg at the helm. Even though he’s spent the last half year developing it, Spielberg delivered the news himself to 20th Century Fox this week that he won’t be helming the film. A spokesperson confirmed his quitting the project, although she wasn’t specific about the reason.

 

One of the biggest challenges for Spielberg was finding »

- Ross Miller

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Spielberg Ditches Harvey Remake

4 December 2009 8:47 AM, PST | Reelzchannel.com | See recent ReelzChannel news »

Don't get us wrong. Steven Spielberg has definitely earned his place in cinema lore.

That said, the 62-year-old director has made some very questionable decisions as of late and, thankfully, two of them are now history. First, for some reason Spielberg thought it would be a great idea to remake the stomach-churning Korean horror movie Oldboy with Will Smith as the star. That blessedly fell through when Mandate and Dreamworks couldn't reach an agreement regarding the rights to the original Manga.

Today, Variety reports that another of Spielberg's not-so-bright ideas fell by the wayside. He's spent the last half-year developing a remake of Harvey, the 1950 James Stewart vehicle based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play. The story involves Elwood P. Dowd, an otherwise normal man who befriends an invisible, six-foot rabbit.

Spielberg's initial choice for Dowd was Tom Hanks, but Hanks declined, since he did not want to reprise a role already made legendary by Stewart. »

- Rich Z Zwelling

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Spielberg Dumps Harvey

4 December 2009 8:06 AM, PST | WENN | See recent WENN news »

Steven Spielberg has walked away from his planned remake of classic James Stewart movie Harvey amid rumours he could not find a major star willing to take on the lead role.

The legendary director has spent the last six months developing the project, reportedly asking Tom Hanks to take on the part of Elwood P. Dowd, the character made famous by Stewart in the original 1950 film.

Hanks is said to have turned the project down, along with second choice actor Robert Downey Jr., according to Variety.

And after further problems with the script, Spielberg finally announced his departure this week (beg30Nov09).

A spokesman confirmed Spielberg has quit the project, but didn't reveal the reasons behind his exit.

Executives at the Fox 2000 studio will reportedly continue work on Harvey. »

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Steven Spielberg Backs Away From 'Harvey' Remake

4 December 2009 8:00 AM, PST | MTV Movies Blog | See recent MTV Movies Blog news »

In early August it was revealed that Steven Spielberg would next be directing "Harvey," a remake of the Jimmy Stewart-starring 1950 film about a man whose best friend is a 6-foot-tall invisible rabbit. Rumors pointed to Tom Hanks and, later, Robert Downey Jr. for the starring role of Elwood P. Dowd, but there's been little hard news on the project since the initial announcement.

Today brings some news, but it's shaped suspiciously like a big, fat coffin nail. Spielberg has withdrawn from the project, Variety reports. The trade reveals that the filmmaker had spent the past half year developing "Harvey," but that he's now dropped out for unspecified reasons. We can certainly theorize though.

As the article says, it's likely that Spielberg pulled up the stakes because he couldn't land the star he wanted for the Elwood role. Hanks reportedly turned down the part in an effort to get away »

- Adam Rosenberg

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Spielberg Stops Imagining ‘Harvey’

4 December 2009 6:46 AM, PST | ReelLoop.com | See recent Reel Loop news »

Steven Spielberg is a rare movie icon whose catalog of film is known even to those who don’t go see movies. He deserves that status, after a career of directing films that almost always deliver the goods.

But lately he’s become flighty, picking up projects here and there, while dropping others. Spielberg announces Interstellar and Lincoln, and then we don’t hear any details about them. He talks up an Oldboy remake with Will Smith and then dumps the project. Now that he’s also officially abandoned his adaptation of Harvey, I’m wondering: what’s making him so nervous about all these projects? Is it because he feels that he must return with a grand slam after the critical reaction to Crystal Skull?

Spielberg spent half a year developing Harvey, a Mary Chase play about a man and his giant rabbit that was so wonderfully executed by Jimmy Stewart in 1950. But apparently, »

- John Cooper

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Hollywood Ink: He Killed Da Rabbit

4 December 2009 6:00 AM, PST | Movieline | See recent Movieline news »

· So it looks like Harvey, Steven Spielberg's snorey mcsnorefest remake of the 1950 Jimmy Stewart-as-dude-with-invisible-giant-rabbit-for-a-friend film, is getting tossed into a big vat of boiling water and being turned into bunny soup. Variety says Tom Hanks passed, then next choice Robert Downey Jr. demanded rewrites; by the time the director started looking at third choices, the thought of Will Smith pitching "'Sup Rabbit? (The Harvey Rap)" for the closing credits rendered the project utterly unbearable to even Spielberg. We suppose it bears mentioning we completely saw this coming. [Variety]

Next in Ink: An Entourage movie; the Sexiest Man Alive makes his next move; Gun, With Occasional Music. »

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On Second Thought, No 'Harvey' For Spielberg

4 December 2009 5:46 AM, PST | LatinoReview | See recent LatinoReview news »

Steven Spielberg has pulled the plug on the "Harvey" adaptation he was planning to direct.Pic — an adaptation of Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a man who befriends a six and a half foot tall invisible rabbit — has been a challenge to pull together since Spielberg committed last August. One of the biggest challenges has been setting a star to play Elwood P. Dowd, the character played by James Stewart in the 1950 film.Spielberg’s first choice was Tom Hanks, but the actor who is often regarded as a modern day Stewart wanted no part of taking over a role played by the iconic star. Spielberg and Fox spent several months courting Robert Downey Jr. While the star didn’t commit, he made suggestions on rewrites of the Jonathan Tropper script. He and Spielberg never found themselves in creative sync on the script, and the director finally called the whole thing off. »

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Spielberg Ditches Harvey

4 December 2009 3:57 AM, PST | FilmShaft.com | See recent FilmShaft.com news »

It has been announced Steven Spielberg’s proposed Harvey remake has been called off. At least by him. He’s no longer attached to the project. Variety report the director could not get the script together after spending half the year trying to persuade Robert Downey Jr. to take on the role of Elwood P. Dowd. Spielberg’s initial choice – Tom Hanks – refused the role on grounds of sacrilege.

Harvey (1950) was to become one of James Stewart’s most well-loved roles. The film centres on a lonely alcoholic’s imaginary friendship with a six foot rabbit named Harvey. Nobody could see the entity other than Dowd. Whether Dowd was a total nutter or sad act was played deftly by Stewart.

It is tempting to think Spielberg would have nailed the tones of sentimentality and darkness and Hanks would have been perfect to step into Jimmy Stewart’s shoes. Now that »

- Martyn Conterio

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Spielberg Drops Harvey

4 December 2009 3:37 AM, PST | Screenrush | See recent Screenrush news »

A great convoluted history accompanies today's news in Variety that Harvey - the planned remake of a classic starring James Stewart - has been abandoned by its to-be director Steven Spielberg.

Suffice to say that Spielberg appears to have had great problems casting the main role - a man who befriends six-and-a-half foot tall invisible rabbit - has proved tricky, not least because no star wants to step into an iconic role if he thinks he can't make it his own, which was the reason cited by Spielberg's first choice Tom Hanks for not signing up.

Spielberg's announcement come after he and second-choice Robert Downey Jr. failed to sync creatively over the script.

Spielberg's next release will be The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn which wrapped last March and with Harvey dropped no one knows what his next directorial project will be.

Sl

>> Real the whole article | on »

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Spielberg drops Harvey

4 December 2009 12:27 AM, PST | JoBlo.com | See recent JoBlo news »

As a follower of all things Spielberg, I can't say that I'm all that disappointed in the news that he'll no longer be directing a remake of Harvey for DreamWorks and Fox. The project had been set up for Spielberg to begin directing in early 2010 but the director had trouble finding a leading man to take over the role made famous by Jimmy Stewart in the 1950 film. The original, and obvious, choice was Tom Hanks but Hanks wisely wanted no part in trying to recreate the role (nor further... »

- Mike Sampson

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Steven Spielberg Says Goodbye to DreamWorks' Harvey Remake

4 December 2009 12:22 AM, PST | firstshowing.net | See recent FirstShowing.net news »

Putting aside preferences for certain actors, directors, writers, and so on, there's no denying that putting together a movie is one damn difficult task no matter the talent trying to put it together. A recent article from Variety proves just that as it informs us that iconic director Steven Spielberg has given up on his recent taking on of Harvey, the remake of the 1950 Jimmy Stewart film about a man who befriends a six and a half foot tall invisible rabbit. Though it doesn't sound like a bitter departure, it sounds like Spielberg was getting frustrated with not only finding the right actor, but figuring out the right approach to the story. After Tom Hanks quickly turned down the lead role of Elwood P. Dowd (citing too many similarities between him and Jimmy Stewart already without starring in a remake of one of his films), Spielberg had his eyes on »

- Ethan Anderton

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Spielberg hops it from Harvey

4 December 2009 12:07 AM, PST | TotalFilm | See recent TotalFilm news »

  We're not sure whether to be pleased or sad about this one: Steven Spielberg has left the update of the 1950 giant rabbit movie Harvey after problems with the script and star. It was always a difficult project, to be honest; James Stewart's mild-mannered Elwood P Dowd and his invisible bunny friend have gone down in cinema history. The film focuses on Dowd's family trying to convince him that his 6ft rabbit pal isn't real, while the gentle Dowd refuses to give up on his big-eared pal. Spielberg, who'd been working on the new...

. »

- Jayne Nelson

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