The Hollywood studios have stuffed their summer 2007 schedules with blockbusters and franchise pictures, but executives are looking anxiously down the line to November 1st, when Writers Guild of America members are threatening to strike unless terms are agreed on crucial issues such as digital downloads.
In anticipation of an impasse, the studios are pushing forward script delivery dates and accelerating production plans.
"No studio is going to get caught short," one executive told Variety. "We are starting to book space in advance and analysing the pipeline and the schedule. The uncertainty adds in layers of complexity to what's already a tough decision."
No clone is an island
Provocative French author Michel Houellebecq is set to direct his first feature film, Possibility of an Island, which he has adapted from his recent novel, described by one critic as "a virtuoso mix of sex, science fiction and sect madness". Benoît Magimel, voted best actor at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival for The Piano Teacher, will play the story's tragicomic hero, a wealthy stand-up comedian - and his clone. Shooting starts in April.
Houellebecq, who lived in Co Cork for several years before moving to Spain, has directed four short films. Two of his earlier novels were made into feature films: Whatever (Extension du Domaine de la Lutte), directed by Philippe Harel in 1999, and Oskar Roehler's Atomised (The Elementary Particles), released earlier this year.
Samy in le slammer
Best known here for starring in the Luc Besson-produced action-comedy Taxi and its three sequels, French actor Samy Naceri has been fined €8,000 and given a six-month prison sentence for racial abuse towards a black police officer in Paris. Naceri admitted to having consumed 15 whiskies and "half a box of sedatives" when the officer stopped him in his car. Ironically, Naceri, whose father is Algerian, has spoken out against racism in France and this year he and his four co-stars shared the best actor award at Cannes for Indigènes (Days of Glory), which deals with Algerian and Moroccan soldiers fighting on the French side in the second World War. The film prompted President Jacques Chirac to redress the low war pensions given to African soldiers.
Film fest needs helping hands
Mick O'Connell, production manager of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, is seeking enthusiastic volunteers for the event in February. Volunteers, who must be 18 years or older, will be assigned to various areas of the festival, such as venues, transportation, hospitality and office administration. A volunteer form is available to download at www.dubliniff.com
Replay for TV camp classic
Footballer's Wives, the bitchiest TV show since Dynasty, is set for the US remake treatment on ABC, and Bryan Singer is in discussions to direct the pilot. The milieu will be changed to US pro football, but the producers promise that it will retain "much of the over-the-top spirit of the original". Singer, whose most recent movie was Superman Returns, also directed the pilot for House, the award-winning TV series on which he is an executive producer and which is shown here on Channel 6.
Mark your calendars
And finally for this year, some dates for your diary in 2007.
Jan 15: Golden Globe awards ceremony, Los Angeles
Feb 8-18: Berlin Film Festival
Feb 9: Ifta awards ceremony, Dublin
Feb 11: Bafta awards ceremony, London
Feb 16-25: Dublin International Film Festival.
Feb 25: Academy Awards ceremony, Los Angeles
May 16-27: Festival de Cannes
Jul 10-15: Galway Film Fleadh
Aug 29-Sep 8: Venice Film Festival
Sep 6-15: Toronto International Film Festival
Oct 14-21: Cork Film Festival
Happy New Year.
