Ok, that headline is a tiny bit misleading, even if it is true. Casey Affleck is set to play a character called Stoner, rather than following in Cheech & Chong’s footsteps. He’s taking on the title role of William Stoner in the film adaptation of John Williams’ novel, Stoner.
The novel, ‘follows the hardscrabble life of William Stoner, a dirt-poor farmer turned academic, who emerges as an unlikely existential hero while making his way through the first half of the 20th Century. Williams’ 1965 novel has been praised as “a masterly portrait of a truly virtuous and dedicated man.” (New Yorker) “….so well told and beautifully written, so deeply moving, that it takes your breath away.” (New York Times Book Review)’
Blumhouse Productions, Cohen Media Group (CMG) and Film4 are backing the movie, with Joe Wright (Atonement, Hanna) directing.
“Because the novel is so beautiful but not well-known, fans of Stoner feel like they’re in a secret club. I’m so excited that Casey, Joe and Andrew [Bovell, Screenwrtier] have come aboard to help expand this club’s membership,” comments Blumhouse head honcho, Jason Blum. “This quintessentially American work is being brought to the screen by a terrific international team and we’re confident their combined perspectives will add rich layers to this moving story.”
Ain’t Them Bodies Saints helmer David Lowery went full-on Hollywood last year with a reimagining of Disney’s Pete’s Dragon. After that though he’s snuck in something rather more low-key, A Ghost Story, which got a tremendous reception when it debuted at Sundance.
Well, writers have something new to include when it comes to Oscars biggest gaffes and bloopers – and this one will probably top the list for a very long time. Faye Dunaway read out that La La Land had won the Best Picture Oscar, the producers came up to the stage, and then, partway through the acceptance speeches, they were interrupted to be told, actually no, it was Moonlight that was the big winner.
Do you know one of the reasons the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs manage to attract so many star names? It’s because of when they’re held. The Golden Globes come just a few days before AMPAS members have to submit who they think should be nominated for the Oscars, and the BAFTAs come just before the deadline for them to say who they think should win.
Manchester By The Sea got rave reviews when it debuted at Sundance, with some people immediately putting it in the Oscars race. Indeed, distributors Amazon Studios and Roadside Attractions must agree, as they’ve given is an awards friendly November US release slot.
Chris Pine, CaseyAflleck, Ben Foster, Holliday Grainger and Eric Bana are getting heroic in the true-life tale with The Finest Hours, which now has a new trailer.
Triple 9, from The Road and Lawless director John Hillcoat certainly has a good cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Casey Affleck, Kate Winslet, Woody Harrelson, Aaron Paul, Anthony Mackie, Norman Reedus, Gal Gadot and Clifton Collins Jr.