|
NEWS ITEMS APRIL 2008 April 30: Andrew Field wrote in his Shanghai Journal about "Shanghai" co-star John Cusack's recent research trip: "Lately I've been dusting off my old photographs of Shanghai to show a man who plans to play an American in a film about Shanghai in 1941. Last week John Cusack arrived in Shanghai with his mate/producer/handler, Nick Gillie... John was here to research his role. He plays an American who ventures to Shanghai in 1941 to investigate the death of a friend. He naturally becomes involved, Tintin-like, in a viper's nest of underground politics. Just the kind of thing I've been researching all these years... We talked a lot about the influence of opium on the city and how every power broker was involved in some way or other. We also discussed what Shanghai was like under a precarious combination of Western and Japanese colonial rule. I was genuinely impressed with the depth of his questions - obviously he'd done some prior research in preparing for his role." April 24: John Cusack mentioned "Shanghai" during an interview published on ComingSoon.net: "I'm going to do a movie called 'Shanghai' with Gong Li and then I'm going to work with Mikael Håfström again. China revoked the permit for some reason, so we're going to go to London and Bangkok. Actually, I have to go right around the time of Tribeca [film festival, April 23-May 4]." April 22: NewPath found a mention of "Shanghai" in today's edition of a Hong Kong newspaper. Pop stars "2R" (two sisters) said that they will appear in "Shanghai", playing mistresses of Chow Yun-Fat's character. April 20: A movie fan spoke with "Shanghai" costume designer Julie Weiss at Heathrow airport today. "We chatted about her work. She said she was here for the film Shanghai, which is being filmed at Twickenham film studio." (Thanks, Cocoa) April 15: Anne Thompson reported on her Variety blog today that "Shanghai" will start filming in London on May 5. She also noted that the Weinstein Co. has set a North American release date of December 25.
April 9: Included in a sina.com article are remarks by actress Rinko Kikuchi ("Babel"). She said that she will travel to the U.S. soon for an audition for a film, and so may have the opportunity to work with Gong Li. She did not name the film, so we don't know if the audition is for a role in "Shanghai", or a future project. (Thanks, NewPath) April 4: "Curse of the Golden Flower" will be released in Japan on April 12. Excerpts from a review in Japan Times: "The good thing about the film is that Zhang is again working with his former flame and muse, Gong Li, who split with the director - personally and professionally - after 1995's 'Shanghai Triad'. Gong is an exceptional actress... The costume design by Yee Chung Man is equally imaginative, and the bosom-boosting bodice he squeezes Gong Li into is beyond description. Gong is never better than when she's playing an ice queen, and her barely contained fury here is something to watch." April 1: Variety reported last night that there is not yet a definite release date set for "Shanghai", although all indications are that various sources consider it to be a 2008 awards contender. "The 2008 awards season is starting to take early shape as potential contenders lock in fall release dates... A number of possible awards contenders have yet to be dated... The Weinstein Co. also hasn't dated 'Shanghai' and 'The Reader'."
|
