Masters on Valkyrie

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Slate's Kim Masters has taken a poke at the Valkyrie postponement, reporting the United Artists position that the bump to the Presidents' Day weekend "represented an opportunity to cash in, [although] many see the move as a very bad sign, and, indeed, the buzz on the film is not good.

"What's not in dispute is that filming remains unfinished, which is remarkable for a movie that started shooting in September 2007. One piece not yet shot is a battle sequence that begins the movie. An insider says director Bryan Singer will film a scaled-back version of what was originally conceived as a Saving Private Ryan-type opening.

"According to this source, the sequence was abandoned at one time as a cost-saving measure -- and this movie is racking up the bucks -- but when it became clear that the film was too talky, the battle was reinstated."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on April 8, 2008 at 6:29 PM

comment #1

Geoff157 says ...

For once, I think everybody should just trust that given the proper amount of time and budget, Singer will come through with a solid film. After LIONS FOR LAMBS, nobody wants another talky picture from UA.

Posted by Geoff157 at April 8, 2008 7:47 PM

comment #2

insidah says ...

Singer = cold. Cruise = scary

what a winning combination. bombs away.

Posted by insidah at April 8, 2008 11:03 PM

comment #3

Spacesheik says ...

"Bryan Singer will film a scaled-back version "

Can Singer do any action scenes that are not scaled back, that are longer than 2 minutes?

Now if he wanted to turn SUPERMAN RETURNS into a religious parable, full of angst, tedium, devoid of action and thrills and capped with a "climactic" visit to the hospital - then that his is prerogative but I hope he isn't allowed anywhere near SUPERMAN MAN OF STEEL. VALKRYIE, however, should have been doable by him, part HBO'S CONSPIRACY, part NIGHT OF THE GENERALS - he has a great cast with Terence Stamp, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh etc - why couldnt he pull it off?

They really need to get rid of the Cruise-with-baggy-pants-and-patch-Nazi-studmuffin publicity picture - it makes the flick look like something out of Jerry Zucker's TOP SECRET! --

Posted by Spacesheik at April 9, 2008 1:37 AM

comment #4

p.Vice says ...

Spacesheik -- If Night of the Generals is what Singer is after, we're really in trouble.

And the film is too talky but they think it's going to be a February blockbuster? Makes perfect sense. After this fiasco the opening weekend probably won't crack $15 mil.

Posted by p.Vice at April 9, 2008 6:22 AM

comment #5

erniesouchak says ...

I don't think anyone minds a talky picture if the words are good & the people delivering them are talented. Some of the British actors in "Valkyrie" are great. The problem is probably that Cruise has to share the screen with them.

Posted by erniesouchak at April 9, 2008 7:48 AM

comment #6

Edward says ...

A talky film, good heavens what are they thinking? I'm sure it hardly made any money, but "My Dinner With Andre" is one of the great films and it could definately be considered talky. Not that "Vakyrie" will be even close or similar, unless there's a dinner scene.

Posted by Edward at April 9, 2008 8:11 AM

comment #7

clancy says ...

Tom Cruise wearing a swastika and an eyepatch. What the fuck are these people thinking? They should have spent sub $5 million on this, shot it dogma, and hoped for an art house success... trying to make a hero out of a man who only camr to the right side when the end was near and obvious for the Nazis may be one of the great miscalculations in the history of cinema. If they'd gotten Will Smith, however, it may have been different.

Posted by clancy at April 9, 2008 8:41 AM

comment #8