Press Release: War of The Worlds

By Jack November 6, 2002 9:57 AM

PENDRAGON PICTURES NEWS
"MARTIANS TO INVADE SOONER"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2002

Pendragon Pictures announces that it is upping the planned release date of WAR OF THE WORLDS, its feature motion picture production of H.G. Wells' classic novel, from summer 2005 to summer 2004.

Having just completed live-action photography of his sci-fi action movie CHROME, director Timothy Hines explains the WAR OF THE WORLDS schedule change. "For me, CHROME opened up better ways to make a large-scope fantasy film. On the CHROME shoot we had partial characters, virtual characters and miniature characters, all composited into amazing fantasy settings of the future. We took advantage of the new technologies for special effects and pushed the boundaries. What we discovered in making CHROME, we are applying to WAR OF THE WORLDS, allowing a streamlining of the production and bringing us there sooner than we had originally planned."

Visual Effects Supervisor Karl Cottle agrees, "The enormous slate of effects in CHROME has made us ready to face WAR OF THE WORLDS. It's a challenge I'm very excited about."

Set in England at the turn-of-the-century as in the book, Pendragon Pictures production of WAR OF THE WORLDS will be an accurate translation to the screen. Their previous modern-day version of WAR OF THE WORLDS was abandoned due to the events of September 11th. The majority of fans supported Pendragon Pictures' actions, though some were displeased.

"Some people wrote us to say they thought we were giving in to the terrorists by shutting the picture down," reflects producer Susan ?oforth. "What they didn't know is that our updated version had scenes with people jumping from burning buildings and planes falling out of the sky. Portions of the script were so close to the WTC attack, I don't think the world would ever have accepted that version. There is a staggering amount of interest from all over the world in our production of WAR OF THE WORLDS. Overwhelmingly people are supporting our decision to set the picture in the correct time."

Director Timothy Hines adds, "In light of recent and ongoing world events, and with the urging of respected Wells supporters like Charles Keller, director of the Wells Society, I am convinced it's the only way to do it. It was the first extraterrestrial story and still, over a hundred years later, the most revered by the world.

"There is a great deal of responsibility in getting it right. WAR OF THE WORLDS is the perfect egg of a story. It has everything--suspense, terror, action, alien invaders and the test of humanity's ability to survive under unimaginable opposition and aggressive force. I will not get in the way of the material. A studio executive expounded at length to me how the story needed modern changes and would require some amount of 'derivative homage' to the previous film version. WAR OF THE WORLDS doesn't need to be rewritten or embellished. Those who think that are missing the story somehow or haven't read it. It has held up over a hundred years for a reason. It works. Period."

Timothy Hines is being tight lipped about the cast of WAR OF THE WORLDS at this time, stating only, "A few pleasant surprises are coming down the pike with the cast."

While WAR OF THE WORLDS moves into pre-production, Pendragon Pictures' CHROME is currently shifting into post-production. Mark Wolf of Wolf Entertainment Media and Cinema Production Services, (currently creating miniatures for LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN), are being brought on board to create miniatures and perform post-production motion control work. The Wolf team includes miniature expert Mike Joyce (RUSH HOUR 2, TERMINATOR 2, BATMAN RETURNS, INDEPENDENCE DAY), and motion control expert Dave Hardberger (LORD OF THE RINGS, BLADERUNNER, RETURN OF THE JEDI).

Pendragon Pictures is in talks with Randy Rogel (BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, BATMAN & MR. FREEZE: SUBZERO, THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, ANIMANIACS) to score the film.

Susan Goforth enthusiastically comments, "Randy is an amazing composer and a phenomenal talent. Because he's also a screenwriter, he's well rounded and understands the structure of a movie and the role of the characters. He brings a depth to his music lacking in other composers."

CHROME, starring Katie Tomlinson, was called, "Part SPARTACUS, part ROBIN HOOD, part SCHINDLER'S LIST only with robots in the future," by Guy Haley in issue #95 of SFX magazine.

"I think that's pretty dead on," states an amused Timothy Hines. "People will be stunned when they see what we're doing."

CHROME will hit the theaters in 2003, WAR OF THE WORLDS in 2004.

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Permission is hereby granted to webzines, newspapers, magazines and other periodicals to reproduce the photographs attached to this document for publicity or advertising except for the endorsement of products. These photos must not be sold or leased. Photos attached to this press release are Copyright ? 2002 Pendragon Pictures. All rights reserved.

www.pendragonpictures.com
Pendragon Pictures
800 Fifth Avenue
Suite 101-144
Seattle, WA 98104

Fax: (425) 940-3875

| comments: 8

Reader Discussions:

Post YOUR opinion too!

war of the worlds   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 13, 2003 11:29 AM

this is so awsome

The War of the Worlds should be edited to PG-13   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 20, 2004 9:01 PM

The film The War of the Worlds should be edited to rating PG-13

RE: The War of the Worlds should be edited to PG-13   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 21, 2004 11:34 AM

The reason why this is my opinion is because the old movie was Rated G. Some movies are Rated PG-13 remakes of old Rated G movies, like The Time Machine, Planet of the Apes, & It came from Outer Space.

RE: The War of the Worlds should be edited to PG-13   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 21, 2004 12:39 PM

I want the editors of The War of the Worlds to see what I have put down about the rating of The War of the Worlds

RE: The War of the Worlds should be edited to PG-13   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 21, 2004 12:48 PM

If Chrome is going to be Rated R, it should be cut to rating PG-13, like The War of the Worlds

RE: The War of the Worlds should be edited to PG-13   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 22, 2004 2:13 PM

Actually, I don't really care if the remake of The War of the Worlds gets edited to rating PG-13, because it will come out in the year 2006 & I will already be 17 years old & old enough to see it.

RE: The War of the Worlds should be edited to PG-13   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on March 22, 2004 7:34 AM

Exactly WHY? So your little darlings won't be scared

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