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In my very limited readings and discussions about David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which is certainly, I've begun to tell myself, a formidable contender for the '08 Best Picture Oscar, it never hit me that Eric Roth's original March 2005 script is 205 pages long. I'm sure it's been compressed and pruned down, like any other script that goes before the cameras, but it does seem as if the final film, which comes out 12.19, has a chance of being on the longish side.

Fair Equation<< previous | next >>Charlton Heston Is Gone

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on April 5, 2008 at 8:00 PM

comment #1

Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

Charlton Heston has died.

Posted by Mgmax, le Corbeau at April 5, 2008 9:11 PM

comment #2

Breedlove says ...

This will be Fincher's year. It would be my Best Picture prediction at this early stage. Pitt has the best taste of anyone. 'Jesse James,' a Coen Bros. comedy, 'Benjamin Button' and Terrence Malick...that is a Hall of Fame run. Wow.

Posted by Breedlove at April 5, 2008 9:42 PM

comment #3

actionman says ...

After the snubbing of Zodiac he's certainly due.

Very interested in Benjamin Button. Him and Roth used to come into Kennedy-Marshall when I was a runner over there and they'd be working on the script over lunch. It was a cool sight.

Curios to see how Fincher works with this relatively new cinematographer, Claudio Miranda

I want to know more about Tree of Life...

Posted by actionman at April 5, 2008 9:46 PM

comment #4

Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

Richard Dreyfuss wrote a superb Heston tribute for National Review a few years ago:

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-dreyfuss082002.asp

Posted by Mgmax, le Corbeau at April 5, 2008 9:56 PM

comment #5

erniesouchak says ...

Sounds unconscionably bloated to me. Wasn't the original text a short story?

Posted by erniesouchak at April 5, 2008 10:11 PM

comment #6

mutinyco says ...

Charlton Heston died trying to finish reading the script.

In other news, we can finally pry that rifle from his cold, dead hands...

Posted by mutinyco at April 5, 2008 10:20 PM

comment #7

The Winchester says ...

I know somebody who's seen a rouch cut (possibly just the assembly) and says it came in at 3 and a half hours.

They also said it was a REALLY good 3 and a half hours, so there you go.

Posted by The Winchester at April 5, 2008 11:59 PM

comment #8

Doug says ...

The degree of difficulty for pulling off the "Benjamin Button" story is very high.

Also, it's rare that a film with a fantastical element wins Best Picture. A quick scan of the winners suggests that "Around the World in 80 Days" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" are the only two, though a case could be made to add "Forrest Gump."

Posted by Doug at April 6, 2008 1:39 AM

comment #9

vjp666 says ...

Admittedly, Fincher has Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett as lucky charms come awards season, but I have to agree that is looks pretty unlikely. The fantastical element is going to hinder it when they stack it alongside they 'heavy' films.

Posted by vjp666 at April 6, 2008 2:57 AM

comment #10

Jamieson says ...

Zodiac's shooting script was 200 pages so I wouldn't be surprised if the shooting draft for Button is around 200 as well.

Posted by Jamieson at April 6, 2008 6:20 AM

comment #11

diesel says ...

it is way too quiet about 'tree of life'. who has the main lead for instance? admittably, pitt has started to star and produce some very nice films as of lately.

but i'm guessing a best director for fincher, that would be it.

Posted by diesel at April 6, 2008 10:11 AM

comment #12