Ridley Scott and Leo DiCaprio Team for 'Brave New World'
The possible sci-fi adaptation remains part of the news cycle
Every time I walk into Barnes and Noble I see Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" front and center and knowing it is a highly respected piece of literature that is about to be turned into a feature film adaptation I can't help but think I should be picking it up to read it as soon as humanly possible. Of course, my time for reading is damn near zero as I have more books I have started and not yet finished than I can even count, it's unfortunate, but true. However, that doesn't mean others aren't doing the reading as Ridley Scott and Leonardo DiCaprio have joined forces to produce a film adaptation of Huxley's dystopian work with an eye to direct and star respectively.
Scott, who was recently attached to direct a prequel film to his 1979 sci-fi classic Alien, was first attached to Brave New World for Universal back on June 4, 2008 and at the same time DiCaprio's name was part of the conversation. At that time there wasn't any concrete confirmation, which is what Steven Zeitchik at The Hollywood Reporter brings today.
When first rumored, it was reported Andrew Nicholls was writing the screenplay, but now Zeitchick says Apocalypto scribe Farhad Safinia is now working on a draft. He is also quick to point out DiCaprio doesn't have a project planned to follow-up his current work on Christopher Nolan's Inception due in theaters on July 16, 2010. As for the plot and assumptions regarding "Brave New World" I give you Zeitchik's direct words:
Huxley sets his book in a seemingly perfect 26th century world that has achieved harmony by tightly controlling birth, which takes place mainly in laboratories, and outlawing family. The world is populated by a series of five castes, each with its own defined roles.
Characters who figure in to the story are Bernard, a lower-caste member, and Lenina, the woman with whom he is infatuated. DiCaprio is would likely play Bernard, who is persecuted when the leaders of the society find his behavior antisocial.
As of now, the film remains a project "in development" with Scott currently concentrating on Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe and due in theaters on May 14, 2010.
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Awesome pairing. This one is worth keeping an eye on.
I'm not sure I'm actually happy with the choice of neither DiCaprio nor Scott even though I like Ridley (especially the early Ridley) and love Leo (well, the early Leo, and hopefully, I'll love the new Leo, with Inception and Brave New World coming up) but I was for sure not happy with the things Zeitchik said. The first part is good but the second? Are they changing the story or I can't get what he's saying?
If I'm wrong, someone, please, correct me. First, the story has a "love triangle"-of sort featuring Bernard Marx-Lenina Crowne-John the Savage and John is kind of the main character. Why is he not mentioned? Also, Bernard is an A+, Lenina – a B+ (I think, maybe she was B-) and A+ is higher than anything else(Opposed to saying "Bernard, a lower-caste member"). Bernard is among the smartest of all and, along with a guy called Helmholtz Watson, wants to change the world, or is at least not satisfied with it.
John is not from the "brave new world" (or "world state") and is a handsome and strong Savage (where his name comes from) who was born on a reservation and Bernard is a week "nerd". It would be logical for DiCaprio to play John and would actually look better (my opinion). I read what Zeitchik said (about the Leo-Bernard thing) and I hope they'll change their minds and not the story…
"…love Leo (well, the early Leo, and hopefully, I'll love the new Leo, with Inception and Brave New World coming up)"
You forgot Shutter Island.
@oldskool138: Oh, yeah, you're right. I can't believe I forgot about it since it's in my top 3 most anticipated this year :)
hmm, Leo is attached to so many projects, I'll wait til they start filming to actually believe it. What happened to the Low Dweller?
I've read the book and it was interesting. Although I preferred 1984.
Don't hate on Leo, I thought he was fantastic in some of his recent work, like Revolutionary Road and The Departed.
I cannot wait, although Leonardo Di Caprio's tortured man role (Gangs of New York, The Departed, Blood Diamond, Shutter Island) is getting a bit worn out. Let's hope he can keep it together and out the best in this adaptation of a classic piece of science fiction literature.
Regardless of any misgivings, I trust Ridley Scott & I trust DiCaprio. This is definitely on my watchlist.