My Favorite Westerns

Tag: James Coburn

  • The Magnificent 7 Update … project in jeopardy

    From: 

    express_logo

    By: Mike Parker

    Published: Sun, December 29, 201

    http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/450888/Tom-Cruise-shoots-down-Magnificent-Seven-remake

    Tom Cruise shoots down Magnificent Seven remake

    TOM CRUISE’s departure from a planned remake of the star-studded western has put the project back to square one

    CLASSIC The original 1960 cast

    HOLLYWOOD studio MGM has “called in the cavalry” to rescue a planned remake of classic 1960 western The Magnificent Seven after Tom Cruise stunned producers by quitting.

    Cruise, 51, blamed a personal “scheduling conflict” for his departure more than six months after agreeing to a lead role.

    As he rode off into the sunset, studio bosses hired John Lee Hancock, who directed current box-office hit Saving Mr Banks, to re-write what was seen as a troubled script.

    The turmoil comes at the end of a year in which the original Magnificent Seven was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry of America’s Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant”. It starred Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter and Horst Buchholz.

    Yesterday a senior MGM source said: “Tom’s departure has thrown a real wrench in the wagon wheel.

    “He was the only one of the seven we had cast and would obviously have helped draw other A-list stars into the project.

    “Now it’s a case of going right back to square one in terms of casting and having John Lee Hancock re-write the script from top to bottom. You might say he’s leading our cavalry on a rescue mission.

    “We’re hoping that once John Lee has completed a first draft of a new script, we will be firmly back on track and in a position to attract some of Hollywood’s best-known actors.”

    Hancock, a hugely respected Hollywood figure, is no stranger to the genre, having directed 2004’s Disney remake of another 1960 western classic, The Alamo.

    Even before Cruise backed out, studio bosses had become concerned about committing a reported £100million-plus to the film. They saw rival Disney take a financial hit earlier this year as an equally costly remake of The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp as Tonto, flopped.

    Los Angeles-based media analyst Mike Raia insisted yesterday: “I believe the western can survive and even thrive as a genre.

    “However, the onus is on the filmmakers to make their modern versions resonate with today’s younger audiences as well as older fans.”

     

  • Cast Introduction: The New Magnificent 7 … plus One

    Cast Introduction: The New Magnificent 7 … plus One.

    Cast Introduction: The New Magnificent 7 … plus One

    Cast Introduction:
    The New Magnificent Seven

    As they say: The atmosphere is electric.

    But I hate these tuxedo affairs.

    DAMN! I just spilt some wine on my boots.

    “Oh Hi Mickey”

    Rourke. … Everybody is here.

    OOP – The lights are going down … better get to my seat.
    _________________________________________________________

    “Ladeeeez and Gentlemen!!!”
    … announces a disembodied voice:

    “Introducing your “NEW MAGNIFICENT SEVEN !!!“

    Generous Applause …
    Hopeful enthusiasm … tinged with fear.

    Mine.

    “Reprising the main role of Chris made famous by Yul Brynner …”

    “TOM CRUISE !!!”

    Brynner - Cruise

    Whoa !!! Tom gets some large appreciation.
    No problem.
    But his selection was already out of the bag.

    Tom take a bow … waves … flashes his famous grin.

    “Tom’s role by default”, I’m thinking.
    He’s good though. Sometimes great.
    But the inevitable comparisons with (Yul Brynner)
    It’s tough.

    “No matter” I mumble, “I think he’s up to it.”
    __________________________________________________________

    Moving along …

    “Ladies and Gentlemen!!”

    “Reprising the role of Vin Tanner played formerly by Steve McQueen … “

    “VIGGO MORTENSEN !!!”

    Steve McQueen - Viggo Mortenson

    I notice people sitting forward in their seats.
    Nodding … yeah … YEAH !
    Lots of applause … LOTS.
    Viggo is popular.

    Viggo looks dapper, casual … salutes.

    “VIggo as Vin” I say.
    (I think I aced that one)

    … 5 to go.
    __________________________________________________________

    Next …

    “Ladies and Gentlemen!!”

    “Reprising the role of Britt that was played by James Coburn … “

    “GUY PEARCE!!!”

    James Coburn - Guy Pearce

    “OH !”  ”I love Guy.” I hear Spielberg’s wife exclaim.
    Steven nods. ”Yes … yes. That should work very well.”

    Guy is welcomed … tanned and grinning.

    I feel a swell of growing enthusiasm.

    Things seem to be working.

    But I’m still sweating.
    __________________________________________________________

    Next …

    “Ladies and Gentlemen !!!!”

    “Reprising the role of Bernardo O’Reilly which was played by the very popular Charles Bronson … “

    “WILLEN DAFOE!!!”

    Charles Bronson - Willem Dafoe
    “Holy Crap !!!” I hear Matt Damon shout … rising from his seat …
    “This is gonna be one a hell of a movie!
    Wish I was in it”

    Willem shakes hands with Tom, Viggo, Guy … waves …

    “Yaaa !!! Yeahhh !!!” I yell.
    I can’t help it.

    A lot of people are standing now …
    __________________________________________________________

    Next intro …

    “Ladies and Gentlemen!!

    “Hot, from his role as the Villain in Star Trek ,,, and playing the role of Lee made famous by Robert Vaughn … “

    “BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH !!!”

    Vaughn - Cumberbach

    *silence* … a gasp or two !!
    “Well I’ll be damned !!” says Harrison Ford.
    “How the hell did they get him !?”
    “Inspired.”

    Excited applause arises … Ringing !

    Cumberbatch is dapper, unscarved.

    … I wasn’t too sure …

    “Way to go Ben” !!!
    __________________________________________________________

    The next intro …

    “Ladies and Gentlemen!!

    “Reprising the part of Harry Luck that was played by Brad Dexter … “

    “BRENDAN FRASER !!!”

    Brad Dexter - Brendan Fraser

    “Wooo hooo” … I hear Sly yelp. “Nice call!”
    “Make it sing Brendan!”

    Fraser throws his cowboy hat into the crowd.

    “YEAH !! YEAH !!”

    I can’t believe it …

    It rocks !
    __________________________________________________________

    Next intro …

    “And now Ladies and Gentlemen!!”

    “The last of the Seven … “

    “Reprising the role of Chico that was performed by Horst Buchholz … “

    “AARON PAUL !!!”

    Horst Buchholz - Aaron Paul

    Aaron runs onto the stage …

    The joy is high.

    The SEVEN are complete !!

    Everybody’s standing now …
    OVATION … !!!

    The New SEVEN take a bow …
    __________________________________________________________

    “And Lastly” … intones the MC, above the din …

    … Ladies and Gentlemen …. “

    “Reprising the part of the Mexican Bandito Calvera – formerly played by the late great Eli Wallach … “

    “ANTONIO BANDERAS !!!”

    Eli Wallach - Antonio Banderas

    “O My …. Goodness !”
    shouts Gene Hackman.
    “Way to go Tony !!!”

    Antonio has his hair slicked back. Looks a bit shy.
    … takes a mock poke from Fraser.

    Thunderous applause !!!

    ___________________________________________________

    All is well.
    ____________________________________________________

    “Whew!”

    I slump into my chair

    “Monsieur JC …?”

    I turn.
    A waiter hands me a bottle of Canadian Club.
    “Complements of Monsieur Cruise.”

    The tag reads:

    “Mission accomplished”
    _____________________________________

    I just hope my cheque is in the mail.
    _____________________________________

7 responses to “The Magnificent 7 Update … project in jeopardy”

  1. Dallas durley Avatar
    Dallas durley

    I Think Every Actor Picked To Play In Remake Of Magnificent Is All Wrong .I Will Pick Who I Think Should Be Cast

    1. jcalberta Avatar
      jcalberta

      It’s a tough project isn’t it? Everybody is going to have their own ideals. I picked a fantasy cast for this – but my cast would be horrifically expensive. Not sure they would lay out that much loot.

  2. Joseph Spiteri Avatar
    Joseph Spiteri

    I think Marilyn Armstrong is right. Today’s films at least some of them and I think almost all of them have taken a sort of unrealistic approach. It is a case of sacrificing acting for technique. And technique is being used for exaggerating action in an unreal representation. Of course when it comes to remakes the difference shows more clearly. And the blood has to spurt out in slow motion filling the screen and almost flooding the theatre. What many directors fail to understand is that in real life when an open wound has to be witnessed no one looks at it through a microscope, as a sort of entertainment. And not all cowboys wear long frock coats, talk in whispers, and use the chewing gum accent.

    1. jcalberta Avatar
      jcalberta

      The main problem with remakes IMO is that they don’t have the people – the Cast. Lots of examples. The recent ‘Exodus: Gods and Kings’ for instance. Naturally people are going to compare Bale and Edgerton to Heston and Brynner. Bales and Edgerton don’t have a chance. But YES I agree that many of todays Action movies are Special Effects extravaganzas – and not much more. Occasionally, however, they pull it off. As with Lord of the Rings where CGI is used to enhance and support the story – not BE the story. This stuff can be an asset if used properly. ??

  3. My favorite classic 1960 – The Magnificent Seven | Freddie Flix

    […] The Magnificent 7 Update … project in jeopardy […]

  4. Marilyn Armstrong Avatar
    Marilyn Armstrong

    Good. This is one remake I don’t want to have to avoid.

    1. jcalberta Avatar
      jcalberta

      It ain’t dead yet .. there’s been too much publicity surrounding this project for it to be abandoned now – despite the horrific casting impossibilities. Somebody will smell a buck. But I sure doubt it will be made out of inspiration.

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