Irish actor Gabriel Byrne is reported to be in final negotiations to play Satan opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. The film entitled 'End of Days' is a Beacon Communications production and is described by the Hollywood Reporter as a "superbig-budget action-thriller". In the film Gabrial Byrne plays an angel of darkness who turns up in Manhattan in search of a bride, and "only Schwarzenegger - an ex-cop who heads an elite security firm - can stop Satan from destroying the world".
Kevin Spacey Public Interview
The Oscar-winning actor, Kevin Spacey, is to be the special guest at the first in a series of public interviews sponsored by The Irish Times and The Film Institute of Ireland. The public interview with Kevin Spacey, in conversation with Michael Dwyer, will be held at The Irish Film Centre on Monday evening, November 16th, and will be preceded by a special preview of the new thriller 'The Negotiator', in which Spacey co-stars with Samuel L. Jackson.
Spacey's body of work includes roles in 'Glengarry Glen Ross', 'Swimming With Sharks', 'Looking for Richard', 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil', and his first feature as a director, 'Albino Alligator'. Spacey is currently in Ireland playing the leading role in Thaddeus O'Sullivan's Dublin crime movie. 'Ordinary Decent Criminal'. There are no seats available, but for further information on upcoming interviews watch Michael Dwyer's Reel News section in the Irish Times.
Reports of Phil Lynott Film
'My Boy: The Philip Lynott Story' the life story of the Irish rock musician as seen through the eyes of his mother, Philomena, is to be made into a feature film according to the Sunday Times. Lynott shot to fame as lead singer and bass guitarist with Thin Lizzy. They had their first hit with a rock reworking of the traditional ballad 'Whiskey in the Jar' in 1973 and went on to produce 14 albums which contained hits such as 'Dancin' in the Moonlight' and 'The Boys are Back in Town'. Their success on the international rock scene paved the way for the succession of musicians and bands which have emerged from Ireland. Lynott went on to have a successful solo career but in 1986 at the of 36 died from infections and disease caused by heroin addiction. The film deal is reported to have been brokered by Niall Stokes and the publishers of 'My Boy'. It has not know, which company has bought the rights or for how much.
In Production at FilmFour
Britian's FilmFour will team up with Le Studio to co-finance a debut feature by British director Terance Gross in the first production collaboration between the companies. The co-production deal for Gross' film with a working title of 'Hotel Sordide' was negotiated by Dominique Green, who joined Le Studio in September to steer the companies increasing involvement in English language films. FilmFour will co-produce with Toc, a joint venture between French producer Charles Gossot and Le Studio, the film arm of French media giant Canal Plus. The is billed as "a gastronomic feast of repression, liberty and love" and stars Toni Collette.
Forthcoming productions from FilmFour include:-
The Lost Son
Sex Pistols Documentary
Simon Magus
The Debt Collector
Gregory's 2 Girls
Holdback the Night
Dogma
Sugar Town
Janice Beard 45wpm
Elephant Juice
A Taste of Sunshine
East is East
FilmFour is also reported to have acquired U.K. distribution rights for three major new films from France's Le Studio Canal Plus. The three titles being released by film four are David Lynch's 'Straight Story', Jim Jarmusch's 'Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai' and Diane Kurys' 'Les Enfants du Siecle' (Children of the Century). The deal also includes pay TV rights for its movie channel.
Lynch's 'Straight Story' is a road movie about 73 year old Alvin Straight riding a lawn mower from Iowa to Wisconsin to mend fences with his ailing brother. The film stars Richard Farnsworth and Sissy Spacek. It is the first film produced by Lynch's Picture Factory, it is co-financed by Le Studio and Les Film Alain Sarde.
Jarmusch's 'Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai' from Plywood Productions is a comedy thriller starring Forest Whitaker as an enigmatic hit man. It started shooting in September on location in New Jersey. Co-produced are JVC, Pandora and Bac Films.
Kury's 'Les Enfants du Siecle' is a French language romance starring Juliette Binoche as writer George Sand and Benoit Magimel as poet Alfred de Musset, is in postproduction.
The UK sales arm of FilmFour has completed a set of sales agreements for Michael Winterbottoms film 'Old, New, Borrowed, Blue' which was shot in Ireland and set in Belfast. The film has been picked up for France, Spain, Germany, Israel, South Africa and Greece.
Michael McMahon 12.11.98
