DreamWorks has decided not to go ahead with the Button Man film, seeing "such an inherently violent movie . ." unsuitable for the DreamWorks brand " . . in the wake of . . public shootings which have become a far too common occurrence."
Disappointed of course and a little puzzled since this is the company that asked Nicholas Refn to direct. (Nicholas left some time ago. My understanding is that having said yes Nicholas changed his mind, preferring to work on his own projects.)
Alternative producers have already expressed an interest so who knows what will happen. Certainly not me.
(Strictly speaking that should be 'certainly not I' but that would make it sound like I wore a cravat.)
A while later - November 12th
Someone drew my attention to this piece on gun violence -
http://www.deadline.com/2013/11/gun-violence-in-u-s-movies-on-the-rise-p...
It was always my assumption that a Button Man movie would be adults only.
Comments
That's a shame Arthur but a sanitised version of Button Man would probably be worse than no version at all - I'm sure the project has considerable legs and maybe some eventual shift in the zeitgeist can help, everything crossed!
Cheers,
Andy.
Hullo Andy,
there has been some interest by other film folk so the idea is not yet dead and buried - though I am beginning to imagine I could be before this film gets a screening.
All the best,
Arthur
Fingers crossed Arthur :)
Hullo Andrea,
thanks.
Things are happening so there is still some promise.
Best,
Arthur
I was browsing in a comic shop tonight and saw Button Man Book 1 on the shelf. I'd never heard of it before. I flipped it open and was absolutely floored by the artwork. I'm reading it now and the story is great. Really enjoying it. So I just wanted to let you know you have a new fan in California. I'm going to look for more of your stuff.
Good luck with the film -- I hope it works out somehow.
Hullo Ethan,
thanks for the support. I'm expecting to make an announcement about the movie before too long.
Glad you like the book. Without wanting to sound like a salesman on commission, if you want more there is now a collection of all three Button Man stories we did, 'Button Man - Get Harry Ex'.
All the best,
Arthur
Yep, that was the one in the shop! I've been tearing through it. Thanks for the guidance though. That opening sequence in the barn at the very beginning in incredible. The sense of lighting and shadows. The way the hatching describes the form. And the vivid characterization throughout. Amazing. I get the sense you must have been really having a good time on that series. I also ordered Judge Anderson Shambala compilation. I haven't read any of the Dredd stuff before so I'm looking forward to it.
Hullo Ethan,
thanks. I did enjoy working on it. Good script.
Hope 'Shamballa' meets your expectations. Alan Grant is one of the best writers.
Best,
Arthur