Eastwood to direct WWII drama for Spielberg

[mgk]

Welcome to the Clint Eastwood Web Board, skunker.

Any news that any of our members discover will be posted right here in this thread.  So, check back from time to time to see if there are any updates.

[skunker]

Thank you, glad to be here.

[Philo Beddoe Jr]

Hi guys;
                   Don't laugh, but If Eastwood did this WW2 epic a guy I think clint should consider giving a chance in a movie is Mickey Rourke. Despite the absurdity of what he did to his private life and the boxing, etc, the guy is a brilliant actor. ask Penn, Depp.. I think the unpredicability of Eastwood and his diredcting prowess and Rourke's brilliance would be astounding...any thoughts???

                                Perry

Rourke is a very interesting actor, and it would be great to see him in an Eastwood production.  I imagine Clint would admire several of his past performances.

WKC.

[allycat]

But as far as the flick, I'm really intriqued on how this is going to turn out. Eastwood directing a war flick....wow. This ought to be good. To be quite frank, I hope it doesn't contain any silly comedic elements like Heartbreak Ridge, as that turned me off big time. I've got high hopes for this one....

I thought the comedic elements in Heartbreak Ridge worked pretty well overall, though I know not everyone agrees with me. I do think, however, that Heartbreak Ridge may have benefitted from being a little more serious, and, as we've discussed previously on the relevant thread(s), a more accurate depiction of the Marines would have pleased many.

I don't think that this film is going to be anything like Heartbreak Ridge though. I think that the odd light-hearted moment is often essential to a film, otherwise it could be too serious, unless Clint was making this film in the style of a documentary. Anyway, I trust Clint to do a good job on this film

As for Mickey Rourke, I haven't really seen him in anything so I can't say whether or not he might be a good choice for a role, but in any case, that's not news, that's speculation

[jjgonski]

What about Clint in a small role, some high ranking officer in the WWII era?  I would have to imagine that there would be some cameo that Clint could find for himself.  Also, if this movie does come to light, I will be very pleased with Clint's choice as he is continuing to challenge himself with his choices.  I think that Heartbreak Ridge is an inspiring film, even with the comedic elements thrown in.  I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[philamopolis]

60 Minutes revealed that Eastwood and Speilberg will be doing the WWII drama.

[KC]

Actually, 60 Minutes didn't reveal anything. They said "Next up: Directing a Steven Spielberg-produced World War II epic about the Battle of Iwo Jima."  That much we knew.

[skunker]

Hey guys check out this website I found about the movie: http://www.flagsofourfathers.net

[Wombat]

Hmmm Clint to direct - OK.  But I ask why is Spielberg usurping the classic 'The Sands of Iwo Jima' starring John Wayne as SGT John M. Striker.

They gunna jazz up the special effects.  I have a problem with this classic of John Wayne's being over-run by a modern, no doubt, PTE Ryan style, graphic storming of the beaches with helmets floating around in the blood stained water. And I dread to think how they will tackle the heights of Suri Bachi !!!

Leave it alone Spielberg - I say.  And Clint (The Man) don't do it !!!

Regards,

Wombat

[KC]

Let's wait until we see the film to judge. I'm sure it will be anything but an attempt to "usurp" the John Wayne film. At any rate, anything that is good enough to stand the test of time can't be "usurped" by another work on the same themes, but will continue to be enjoyed and appreciated as a classic work in its own right. (See: The Iliad and Troy.)

[skunker]

If you read the book that the movie is going to be adapted from, you'll see that the story is entirely different than SPR or even Wayne's film. If Clint can stay true to the power of the characters as explored in the book, I think we'll have a wonderful film...especially if they show the journey of Ira Hayes from New England to South Texas just to tell his dead friend's mother that it was her son that helped plant that flag on the hill.

We'll see.

[Wombat]

KC and Skunker,

I still say hmmmmm.  OK - appreciate the ability of a story to be re-told.  And I admit (as Skunker mentions) I haven't read the book in question and perhaps I am going off on a tangent.

And I agree new life in an old story can bring the facts of the Operation to modern audiences who would be less likely to dig out an OLD John Wayne movie and view same.  Unless of course they are movie and/or military historical buffs.

As long as the producers don't lose the real life importance of the Operation concerned and swamp it in special effects and Political Correctness (PC).  Here I allude to the latest version of 'Pearl Harbour'.  The film was historically incorrect, and a PC fantasy to appease the PC populous of today.  Winners are grinners and they write the history books BUT that never changes what really happened and who was actually involved and what they did.

I trust Clint to be as honest as time and money permits in producing any film but Mr Spielberg - in my opinion - is another kettle of fish.

I am a Military Historian and what happened in the film "Pearl Harbour' is NOT what happened.  And all such a film does is give a distorted version of events to a modern populace (world wide).  And unfortunately many people in the world see a film such as Pearl Harbour and believe it to be true and accurate.  'Black Hawk Down' is another 'modern' film where poetic license was rampant.

The John Wayne version of Iwo Jima may not be 100 % historically accurate either but there is no PC fantasy in that movie. And war has a tendency to be like that - real - not PC fantasy.

Regards,

Wombat

[KC]

Once again, Wombat, I would ask you to reserve judgment until we have some idea how this project may turn out. It is still in the very early planning stages.  Also, there's no point in bringing up other, unrelated projects here. Neither Eastwood nor Spielberg had anything to do with Pearl Harbor or Black Hawk Down, as far as I know. (Both were Jerry Bruckheimer productions.)

Anyone who, like skunker, has read the book, or anyone who has heard some concrete news about this production, is welcome to add to this thread, but I don't see the necessity for extensive speculation, one way or another, at this stage of events.

[Brendan]

but Mr Spielberg - in my opinion - is another kettle of fish.

I am a Military Historian and what happened in the film "Pearl Harbour' is NOT what happened.  And all such a film does is give a distorted version of events to a modern populace (world wide).  And unfortunately many people in the world see a film such as Pearl Harbour and believe it to be true and accurate.  'Black Hawk Down' is another 'modern' film where poetic license was rampant.

Frist of all Michael Bay directed Pearl Harbor (not Speilberg, who had nothing to do with it), so it was going to a piece of crap anyways, and not even have one ounce of truth in it. He'd sacrifice that just for explosions... which he succeeded in doing.

Second, any movies that depicts a real life event almost always says "Based on a True Story" the keyword there is based. It's doesn't have to depict it 100% as happened, it just takes most the events and tries to tell an interesting story with it.

It's just like the cop shows on TV. They solve a crime in like two days, when really it can take months to solve crimes. The reason is dramatic effect.

With this movie in the hands of Clint Eastwood and Steven Speilberg I feel it will be handled well and they'll do their best to ensure the story is told as close to the real thing as possible, but ultimately the studio can can have the final word and say, "We want more explosions." And who knows, they might have to do it, but then they might not. I say let's give this one sometime to come together.

[Wombat]

Brendan and KC,

Thanks for the replies.  But let it be said I never meant to imply that Clint or Spielberg had anything to do with PH or BHD.  I was merely using both those films as an indicator of how low some will go for the mightly dollar.

And yes Brendan, I am well aware that many movies are based on 'a true story'.  And poetic licence in the interpretation goes on at the studio level. And if 'bangs for the buck' is the name of the game then the movie thus produced will reflect that aspect.

What I have a problem with is the interpretation of an historically significant event that had a direct impact on thousands and thousands of lives, on the battlefield and off it.  My Father fought at the Battle of the Bulge in Europe (WW II).  The films produced in Holloywood re that event are trite to say the least and very historically inaccurate.  Neither Clint nor Spielberg where even around when those films were made - so they can't be implicated.

So, maybe I have an axe to grind in regards to military history.

The other aspect I was trying to highlight was and is the fact that many of the members of society in 2004 get there knowledge from movies and the Net.  Book reading and historical book reading is, in my opinion, a dying art.

I concede I cannot stop anyone doing anything in Hollywood.  And as previously stated I have faith in Clint.  And Spielberg has made some amazing movies.  Credit where credit is due.

If they (Clint & Spielberg) want to make the film they will.  And I take the advice of KC and I will wait until the movie is out before I take up the cudgel of 'historical military accuracy' again.

Enjoy the discussion though and look forward to more of the same.

Regards,

Wombat

[skunker]

There's also a new BAND OF BROTHERS mini-series in development called THE PACIFIC WAR. That one should be good, as well: http://www.flagsofourfathers.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=7

[Walt]

Personally i think this is a terrific idea .
The combination of Eastwood , Spielberg  and a ww2 tale gives me goosebumps .
As for a cameo from the great man ........... well it would be nice but , as long as the film's good , I can live without it .
Oh and I know it's off topic but Johnny Depp just happens to be one of the greatest actors of his generation . Just check out his back catalogue . No one has such a diverse portfolio .
Anyway , back to the point . I'm not aware of the book but the premise certainly sounds more than interesting . I'm certainly looking forward to it .

[amanwitha45]

well, ww2 stuff is getting a bit too popular nowadays..but i'm sure this will be a hit

[skunker]

Is there ANY update about this? I haven't heard sh*t in the past month or so.

[Brendan]

Is there ANY update about this? I haven't heard sh*t in the past month or so.

Well since Eastwood is busy doing post-production work on Million Dollar Baby and Speilberg is off producing a gizzillion projects, there probably won't be too much in the news area until well after Million Dollar Baby is released.