Written By: Ken HulseySource: Variety
It appears that "Godzilla Final Wars" director Ryuhei Kitamura may finally be getting his chance to direct a Hollywood action film. The director, who is considered to be one of Japan's up and coming talents, passed up on an American film in 2004 to direct the 50th anniversary Godzilla film. A film that was considered a major disappointment by fans of the long running monster movie series.
Prior to "Final Wars" Kitamura had etched out a strong following in Japan with his cyber-punk style action films including the two "Azumi" films and the big screen adaptation of the popular television series "Sky High."
Now the director has been tapped by Valhalla Motion Pictures and Platinum Studios to direct "Magdalena", a film based on the comic book heroine developed by Marc Silvestri for Top Cow comics.
Late last year the production team had announced that they had selected Jenna Dewan to portray "Magdalena" in the live-action film. Prior to being cast in the lead the actress and dancer had been cast mostly in supporting roles in films, including "The Grudge 2" and the "Young and the Restless" television series.
"Magdalena" (also known as Patience) first appeared in comics in 1998 as the descedant of the union between Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene (Yes, like the story behind the "Da Vinci Code). Being the descendant of "The Savior" the heroine has the ability to see into the hearts of criminals and offer them salvation for their crimes.
"She's (Dewan) terrific. It's kind of like 'The Da Vinci Code' meets 'Wanted,'" says the film's producer Gale Anne Hurd. "You've got the mythology and a character who isn't initially aware of her legacy which something I love. Many of my films deal with that. And it's still has supernatural elements."
With Kitamura at the helm, fans will be hoping that he can produce another "Azumi", instead of another "Final Wars."See Also: Sky High (2003)(Movie)
Hey Ken,
ReplyDeleteI don't know about you, but I really enjoyed "Godzilla: Final Wars". I will say without hesitation that it's a flawed film (As many of the better entries of the series have been). But after seeing "'Final Wars" I was more excited about Godzilla than I'd been for most of the more favored entries of the Millenium Era. And, to me as a Godzilla fan, that definitely says something positive about the film.
"[Godzilla: Final Wars] was considered a major disappointment by fans of the long running monster movie series."
ReplyDeletePerhaps you're confusing Godzilla: Final Wars with Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla, or something. There's no other way to explain such an outright false blanket statement.