Indie Filmmakers Prep War Of The Worlds

By Azad May 9, 2001 10:31 AM

(Sci Fi Wire) Newly formed Pendragon Pictures announced that it will begin production of an independent-movie version of H.G. Wells' SF novel War of the Worlds in September. Pendragon chief executive Timothy Hines will direct the film, the company announced.

Susan Goforth will adapt the novel and star in the film, which will also feature a cast of television actors and unknowns. The $42 million production will be shot with the same digital system George Lucas used for his upcoming Star Wars: Episode II, the company announced.

The film is being financed with venture capital. Hines previously made films for Troma Films' 50th Street Films art division. Hines also directed Bug Wars, a low-budget SF movie about two female survivors of a doomsday war against giant alien spiders, which was made for video.

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RE: Indie Filmmakers Prep War Of The Worlds   reply

Posted by 100% AMERICAN (hellskitchen_@hotmail.com) on May 9, 2001 10:57 AM

I like the ideal of using Unknowns.....there's a lot of talent out there.

RE: Indie Filmmakers Prep War Of The Worlds   reply

Posted by Spark (ade@dtheatre.com) on May 9, 2001 4:04 PM

Let's hope they stick to Wells' original idea and plot and not make an updated "ID4" piece of crap.

RE: RE: Indie Filmmakers Prep War Of The Worlds   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 10, 2001 6:14 PM

With 42 million dollars?  Oh yeah, that's likely to happen.

RE: Indie Filmmakers Prep War Of The Worlds   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 10, 2001 6:16 PM

$42,000,000?  Hardly seems like the budget for an independent film.

RE: Indie Filmmakers Prep War Of The Worlds   reply

Posted by peacefrog (oneprimal@hotmail.com) on May 11, 2001 10:20 AM

I wonder if most of that is cost of filming in digital?!

RE: RE: Indie Filmmakers Prep War Of The Worlds   reply

Posted by The walking dead (robertdowneyjr@jail.com) on May 12, 2001 2:54 AM

The idea of using unknowns is fantastic! As far as the $42 million budget, Indie films are becoming more competitive with the studios.

RE: Indie Filmmakers Prep War Of The Worlds   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 12, 2001 10:25 AM

Wondering if this has been cast yet - anyone known? I'm an indie actress that would love to take part in this stunning novel!!

RE: RE: Indie Filmmakers Prep War Of The Worlds   reply

Posted by The walking dead (robertdowneyjr@jail.com) on May 13, 2001 3:43 PM

Right, and I'm a pornstar.

RE: RE: RE: Indie Filmmakers Prep War Of The Worlds   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 13, 2001 7:37 PM

i AM a pornstar....some call me George Duhbuya

Why redo 'Casablanca'?   reply

Posted by SciFiGuy (vbprgrmr@yahoo.com) on May 14, 2001 6:14 PM

One of the best Science Fiction movies was the 1953 version of 'War of the Worlds'.  Incredible special effects with the green saucers and light rays and tentacled martians. No redo needed.  Or listen to Orson Wells original radio version which terrified listeners in 1939 thinking it was real.  

I hope whatever they do, it has the feel of HG Wells and not the slick artificiality of todays digital movies.

The following link reviews the original 1953 'War of the Worlds'

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0046534

RE: Indie Filmmakers Prep War Of The Worlds   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 17, 2001 2:00 PM

Who is doing the music score, and what artists will be involved ?