War of the Worlds

It looks like they are putting the fast track on War of The Worlds with a budget of 200 million to be released next summer. Spieldberg directing and Tom Cruise starring. I don't see how they have the time, but it should be interesting. I saw on IMDB that David Koepp wrote the script and I tend to like his work. Has anybody read the book? What kind of role would Tom Cruise play?

Im a little ignorant about War of the Worlds, so please help me out. I know, of course, about Welle's radio broadcast. But, I was just curious what the plot is and if Tom would be playing a journalist, cop, astronaunt???

Tony

Onijay,

I think you should probably set the Star Wars tapes down and slowly step away! ;)

A while back Tom Cruise was named "most powerful actor in Hollywood". I think Spielberg might have just a little bit of "pull" himself. When two such powerful people unite behind a project that they both seem to be very passionate about, I think you'll find they'll get their money. Personally I don't know where Spielberg would use $350 Million, (especially considdering that ALL 3 LOTR movies cost a combined total of $281 Million) but when you're talking about Spielberg, and a budget that large, you just don't know what he could do with it. A budget that large would more than likely use HEAVY CG on the Aliens, instead of being like the original at the end where all you see is "the dieing hand".

I think if ANYONE can remake this film (and do it with class and style) Spielberg can. Personally, (even with the aformentioned "Lost World") I haven't had cause NOT to see one of Spielberg's movies. Even Lost World had SOME redeeming qualities. I'd like to see what a $350 million movie looks like! You can bet I'll be paying careful attention to set and costume design, modeling quality, and if there are any CG "tells". As far as "telling the story" goes, Spielberg has proven himself worthy of that.

Spielberg and Cruise doing a sci-fi action/adventure film? Never work.

John

i'm just saying: it's like Darth Vader letting Luke, Laie and Han escape from the Death Star with the plans becuase he knew they would destroy the rebel alliance anyways, look how that gamble turned out (or did Vader want them to succeed? Subconsiously? You never know)
Anyways... I'm not saying you're wrong or that you're lying... why would you? I'm just saying Steven is really gonna have to get a lot of people to fund this project (he's not that rich) with some major impressments (lets not forget lost world). But yes, knowing Steven he will do his best to give us the best!

Weather it seems ridiculous or not, that's what I heard on one of those morning shows today. With things being said by Spielberg like "biggest film this century", and "spare no expense", and having name's like Spielberg and Cruise heading up the project, anything can happen. I find it quite possible they'll be spending that much. Or at least trying to. You never know what Spielberg has up his sleeve. Just when you think he's done a movie that no one will top (including himself) he comes right back and surprises us again.

I guess we'll see the more we hear about this project over the next couple of days.

- Josh

with $350 million... how can you expect to make your money back? I doubt that the budget will be that big... as it's unreasonable to think that a studio would take that much of a risk on a film.

Tony,

I heard today that Spielberg was spending$350 Million on "War Of The Worlds". It was also said that Tom Cruise was postponing "MI 3" for this film. Spielberg has been quoted as saying he wants War Of The Worlds to be "the biggest film of this century". Both Spielberg and Cruise are supposed to be getting 20% each of the films gross income.

In all honestly, as cheesey as the original is, I still like it. It's not hard to lose yourself in, and will probably always be as much of a classic as "Casablanca", or "Gone With The Wind".

We'll have to see what Spielberg will do with $350 MILLION dollars as a budget. Seeing as just about every film Spielberg has made has been an incredible success, with a budget this big, it will either be "the biggest film this century", or the biggest joke!

- Josh

The main character I would guess. Did you know that there is also a CGI film of the same premise (although the CGI follows the timeline of the book, being set in England in 1890, whereas the live action is in America present day) that is being released at the same time (apparently spielberg has the rights for North America, this other guy has it for the rest of the world) it's directed by the guy who made the musical version of war of the worlds (i bet you're thinking "what the hell!" just like I did).

he said that several times on the E.T. whatever-ma-call-it's. The story is set present day US. And I haven't watched Star Wars "for a long time... a long time" becuase I'm saving myslef for the DVD's, I've been wanting to watch them for 4 years, but I wont! I just watched them so many times when I was a kid I could never forget them. I totally agre about the Lost World and Spielberg, I was just playing the Devils Advocate. This movie will rule them all.

Im just a little shocked. I could have sworn when Independence Day came out, Spielberg said he wouldnt make a movie that portrayed aliens negatively. Does anybody else recall him saying that?

Tony,

YOU MUST GO RENT THIS MOVIE! Unless you absolutely abhor older films. This movie was (and still is) a classic! The plot is Aliens invade earth, and start systematically exterminating us. The setting was the 50's I believe... maybe earlier, it's been a while since I've seen it. The part Tom would be playing hasn't been announced yet. Obviously someone important... although wouldn't it be refreshing to see him play a "supporting roll"? Something else I've been thinking about is weather or not Spielberg would keep the movie in it's original 50's setting, or will he have the movie take place in present time? It will be an interesting film from any perspective I think.

- Josh ;)

Actually, in today's market, blockbusters are made for a loss. This is actually a workable business model because:

1) losses can be written off of your taxes (thus, you pay less tax while giving yourself a $5 billion bonus);
2) movies are made for profits to be made in the next 10, 15 years--basically, money for the studio for a long time (one of the few instances that movie studios think about the long term).

Onnjay, I don't know what you're talking about when you say "hes not that rich." He has over 2 billion dollars.

Nobody puts $350 million dolars of their own money into a film if it may flop (before you go on about Mel Gibson: his film was only $20 million, and he was very passionate about the subject matter, and before you go on about Spielberg not being: it just sounds like it's against his beliefs and ethics that he always talks about. There, that covered all my bases right?) and I dont think he has over 2 billion dollars, that number may be a little too high (I could be wrong).

Movie was released in 1953. It'll be interesting to see what spielberg does with the untoppable martian machines. Being of an advanced age, I saw this as a theatrical release/at that time the effect was sensational.

the speial effects are still quite jaw-dropping today (sure they're dated, but admire how they did them)

Spielberian Gizmo.
Why is this guy sticking with the same stars lately? Tom cruise, tom hanks....?
Like anthony Mighella which in almost all of his films jude law is starring. Anyway war of the worlds its just another invation story, and Spiely always had a thing with aliens, as for the movie of the century thing...well i dont know about that but the director is returning to his roots filming a film that will probably capture the imagination of youngsters all over the world, as for me personally, an invasion movie cant be the movie of the century.