Spielberg Remaking 'Harvey' for 20th Century Fox
The beard's next film is decided
Mike Fleming at Variety reports Steven Spielberg has finally found his next feature film as DreamWorks and its new production deal with Reliance and Disney is ready to roll with Harvey, an adaptation of the Mary Chase Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Jonathan Tropper adapted the screenplay.
On top of being a play, the story of mild-mannered Elwood P. Dowd and his friendship with Harvey, a six and one-half foot tall invisible rabbit and how it affects those around him was also turned into a film in 1950 starring James Stewart that earned Stewart an Oscar nomination and Josephine Hull took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. The trailer for that one is included and if you haven't seen it yet, head over to Netflix and add it to your queue, it's a great little feature.
"I am very happy to be working again with my friend Tom Rothman who shepherded us through Minority Report, and with Elizabeth and Carla, who I’m looking forward to collaborating with," Spielberg told Variety. "DreamWorks has experienced a creative and profitable relationship with 20th Century Fox in the past, and I look forward to renewing that time together."
There is no word on when the production will get underway, but it seems to be confirmed it will definitely be his next feature.
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My top choices for the Jimmy Stewart role: Steve Carell, Jim Carrey, or Greg Kinnear.
More obvious, "Oscar bait" choices that they'll probably go with: Josh Brolin or Liam Neeson.
I really liked the first one when I was younger. I'm sure Spielberg will do a top notch, powerful job on this one. :]
I'd also like to add Tom Hanks to my top choices. Although obvious, I think it'll become even more fantastic if he's on board.
Hanks is pretty much this generation's Stewart plus he's made about 25 films with Spielberg so I'd say he's the definite frontrunner for the role.
This doesn't excite me in the slightest, unfortunately.
@Chuck Bartowski: Really, really good call on Kinnear… He has been what I would consider an on-the-fringe big-time actor for quite some time (Oscar nomination in 1998 for As Good as It Gets). People thought Flash of Genius might do it for him, but something like this really sounds like a great pairing.
Dear God, just don't. HARVEY is a classic and the last thing we need is Steven Spielberg coming along and adding his "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" touch to it. He'd probably show us the frelling rabbit!
I´m disappointed. This is very unSpielbergian. Still life about a retarded guy is not his turf. I saw Harvey some years ago and I was not impressed; it may be a classic to some, but a boring one. This is Oscar stuff of course. Uncle Oscar likes stuff like this. What´s next? Marty?
Well you know what the problem is. So many people can't even fathom watching the classics Harvey being one of them because there is not the gratuitious sex, foul words, racist/sexiist overtones, etc. popular in films today.(imoThe movie the ugly truth sucked by the way for all the above } They would be "boring" to watch for them. In that case many awesome films are not being viewed today by this generation of movie watchers. Sadly many are missing out on great stories being told via the big screen because they sure as hell ain't gonna read a novel or short story even.
My question is… what's happening to the Lincoln film?
Whatever you say, Rosencutter, whatever you say. But Harvey is still a boring film and James Stewart simply was never convincing in this part. He´s a very one-way actor, even though he worked wonders as George Bailey and Jefferson Smith. No need for anybody to be offended though he´s a national treasure and legend, but as Harvery he was simply not convincing. That has nothing to do with the lack of your favorite topics, Rosencutter.
@Helgi:
This 'boring' thing could have something to do with you having a shorter attention span or maybe you just weren't paying attention…James Stewart isn't Harvey, the rabbit is. I can't agree with you on him being unconvincing…taking an actor who at the time and even now would be seen to be your Everyman American, playing that role with all it's charm but at the same time making the character seem clinically insane without you actually wanting (actually wishing) he isn't sectioned was a stroke of genius.
What do you want to bet that Harvey will be played by Roger Rabbit? This would be the last movie I would want to see a remake of. The original was very boring. What about the next Indiana Jones film, Steven? Is that still 5 years off? Why don't you film Alfred Hitchcock's unrealized pet project MARY ROSE instead?
@Carson Dyle: I agree completely. This news has got me all bummed out. Considering the fact that we just elected a inspirational senator from Illinois as our President, isn't it time for a big-budget, epic take on the life of our nation's first President from Illinois?
I think Tom Hanks would be perfect for this role. He would add his Forrest Gump touch to this one and maybe even bring home some Oscar Gold.
*Of course, I meant Tom Hanks for the starring role in Harvey – not Lincoln.