Monday, April 20, 2009

Stanley Tucci as "George Harvey"

The first still for Peter Jackson's adaptation of The Lovely Bones.

USA Today has the first shot.

A fine first choice for a reveal it is. It's both sad and sinister and, if you haven't read the novel, probably intriguing too. (I currently have Tucci predicted for Supporting Actor but the Oscar race is neither here nor there at this point). The question that hovers over this movie is this: can Jackson marry his 00s era facility with epic f/x grandeur to his tinier idiosyncratic 90s artistic impulses? And,, if he can, will that union live peacefully with Alice Sebold's gripping yet sentimental novel?

The other image which you can see at Empire I shan't show you in detail because it functions as an advertisement for that website rather than this movie. It's a fairly simple reflective sky shot, Saoirse Ronan in Heaven (she plays the lead character who is murdered at the beginning of the story, hence the title). The image is so blank that your mind wishes to project the movie's title over the clouds, creating a forthcoming poster. But this is where Empire places their gigantic watermark, sending an odd message. This isn't "Peter Jackson's Empire Online". It's Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones. But then again, Peter Jackson's Empire Online could be a fun curio. What would he do to the magazine if he were in charge?
*

15 comments:

adam k. said...

Oh look, them gave him hair! So no "bald = evil" meme after all. I love Peter Jackson.

Jack said...

Although I have no emotional investment with the book at all, I hope that's not what Heaven ends up looking like. Not because it's not what I imagined when I read it (although it's not, but I don't usually mind when a director's interpretation differs to mine) but simply because it doesn't look all that good. Interesting for a publicity shot, not good for a still from the film.

Still, I'm very much looking forward to this, and agree with you Nat that Stanley Tucci seems like a good early bet for a nomination. He'll nab the Jackie Earle Haley/Casey Affleck/Josh Brolin "pityable sociopath" slot.

Unknown said...

On this project I think Oscar would go back to Jackson love. But I don't think they'll award him or the picture again, at all. However, Ronan and Tucci are a different matter, I think both of them stand a good chance to get nom'd.

Wayne B. said...

Intriguing photo. This is one of my question marks of the year. I hope the effects don't distract from the story.

Seeking Amy said...

I haven't read the book (though I have it, what am I doing?!) but it sounds much more in the vein of Heavenly Creatures (the only movie I've seen so far to ever truly DISTURB me and i've seen a lot of films people find disturbing) and if it's anything like that. Gasp! I can't wait!

Anonymous said...

Tucci looks fantastic in this photo, and I think he's a sure bet for an oscar Nomination. Psycopaths killers/ Manipulators villians are in vogue these years: Javier Bardem, Casey Affleck, Daniel Day-Lewis, Josh Brolin, Michael Shannon and Heath Ledger and plus: there's an stage/TV actor: Amy Ryan, Michael Shannon, Adriana Barraza.

About Ronan, I'm not too sure. I know the Academy loves more young actresses, but Ronan (At her 15 years old) has all the influence and impact to being the youngest person who received two (almost) consecutive nominations? I don't know. That record holds right now Kate Winslet at 22 years old. and another question. In the book she's the lead, but also in the film? Or they campaign her as supporting and Weisz (With Wahlberg) will be the leads?

Anonymous said...

Up on imdb someone posted on The Lovely Bones page that Jackson stated both Weisz and Ronan are lead!?!?!?

Dont know how much to trust this!!!!

Kate said...

Oh God. I wish they didn't give him hair. Wasn't he bald in the novel (or is that just how I pictured him)? And besides, every bald man I've met in my life has been cruel, horrible and disgusting towards me.

Anonymous said...

I've read the Lovely Bones script...and Ronan is the CLEAR LEAD in my eyes. So i THINK they'll campaign her for lead...but i guess the academy is pretty loose and if Weisz and Sarandon arent contenders then they may decide to secure her a nomination by going supporting.

NATHANIEL R said...

Kate is prejudiced against bald men! BOO ;)

Jack said...

To be honest, when I read the book, my immediate thoughts for the cast were:

Susie - Saoirse Ronan (I'd already heard of her casting, and she seemed reasonable, so she's just automatically who I imagined)

Dad - Coach Taylor from Friday Night Lights.

Mum - the Mum from My So-Called Life

Grandma - the Grandma from Gilmore Girls

Sister - Alison Pill (as she appears in Pieces Of April)

Mr. Harvey - Jackie Earle Hailey (admittedly, he was never going to be cast in the film because it would have been exactly like Little Children)

Tucci is a fine choice, and obviously so is Ronan, but I think my choices for the rest of them were better :)

Wayne B. said...

Bald is totally sexy! I'm currently nursing a schoolboy crush on my instructor who's both bald and HOT (can't wait til I become his FORMER no longer CURRENT student). ;) They tend to be more masculine and confident which is a major plus!

Jim T said...

I just came back from Barcelona. I had a great time by the way! I like these images a lot! Heaven looks impressive yet simple! I really hope this will good. I trust Jackson (and the 2 ladies) a lot but people tend to betray my trust :p. Please, maggic team. Be the exception.

Anonymous said...

To the Jack guy towards the top, I don't think you get that the heaven in the film and book is HER heaven. When you die it'll be what you want it to look like. Grass and oceans etc is what Susie loved and wanted in her heaven so that's what she got. You completely missed the story. Did you even pay attention while watching and reading The Lovely Bones or are you just retarded?

Terri said...

I'm actually really excited to see Stanley Tucci in this role. I haven't gotten around to see the film yet. I've been in love with Stanley since I saw him in his break out role as Peter Kessler in "A Modern Affair" directed by Vern Oakley.