Witness for the Prosecution (Ben Affleck)

[Akijama]

http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/new...he-prosecution

Deadline reports that 20th Century Fox is closing a deal with Ben Affleck to direct and star in Witness for the Prosecution, an adaptation of the Agatha Christie short story and play. Christopher Keyser (Tyrant) will pen the script and Affleck will produce the film with Jennifer Todd, Matt Damon and the Agatha Christie estate.

The story was previously adapted for the big screen in 1957 from Some Like It Hot and Sunset Boulevard director Billy Wilder. The film starred Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich and Charles Laughton and was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture.

The original short story is described as follows: “When wealthy spinster Emily French is found murdered, suspicion falls on Leonard Vole, the man to whom she hastily bequeathed her riches before she died. Leonard assures the investigators that his wife, Romaine Heilger, can provide them with an alibi. However, when questioned, Romaine informs the police that Vole returned home late that night covered in blood. During the trial, Ms. French’s housekeeper, Janet, gives damning evidence against Vole, and, as Romaine’s cross-examination begins, her motives come under scrutiny from the courtroom. One question remains, will justice prevail?”

Read more at http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/new...cFVjCisBhmz.99

[imsounoriginal]

Anthony Hopkins for the Laughton role and Cate Blanchett for Dietrich's. Another unnecessary remake but at least with a strong enough cast it'll be worth watching.

[jacobsever]

Between this, The Accountant, Justice League, and Live by Night...Affleck's a very very busy guy.

[Foggy]

Affleck can't top Wilder. I should really get the original watch though.

[Creed]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Between this, The Accountant, Justice League, and Live by Night...Affleck's a very very busy guy.

And the Batman solo film.

[MeMynonsense]

I wouldn’t even say how remarkably moronic this whole enterprise is, if we can somehow get a worthy BD of the original out of it.
The Kino release was a sham.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Affleck can't top Wilder. I should really get the original watch though.

I'm honestly not sure of that. Not at all. It all depends, for one thing, one who is in the cast. Also, this is 60 years later ... a film can have a very different vibe than something from 1957.

It might be better, it might be worse. It might just be different.

I mean, how many different stories, novels, plays, and whatever have been adapted numerous times? How many times has "Romeo and Juliet" been adapted for instance? Or various stories from the Bible?

I'm very confident in Affleck's abilities as a director, so I'm quite interested in this.

[leey]

How will he fit the Batman into this? It has a scheduled release and all no? Or is this "next film" post-Batman?

[captveg]

Originally Posted by leey

How will he fit the Batman into this? It has a scheduled release and all no? Or is this "next film" post-Batman?

I suspect that he'll want to do this after finishing his work on Justice League before tackling The Batman, similar to how he shot Live by Night between BvS and JL.

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

I'm honestly not sure of that. Not at all. It all depends, for one thing, one who is in the cast. Also, this is 60 years later ... a film can have a very different vibe than something from 1957.

It might be better, it might be worse. It might just be different.

I mean, how many different stories, novels, plays, and whatever have been adapted numerous times? How many times has "Romeo and Juliet" been adapted for instance? Or various stories from the Bible?

I'm very confident in Affleck's abilities as a director, so I'm quite interested in this.

Difference with this story is that it basically lives or dies by its twist ending; those seeing the remake for the first time will probably get more out of it than those who have seen the Wilder version (which is excellent). I'm sure Affleck will make a strong movie out of it, but unless this introduces some new twists to the story it'll be largely an acting showcase. Which would be fine with me, too.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Difference with this story is that it basically lives or dies by its twist ending; those seeing the remake for the first time will probably get more out of it than those who have seen the Wilder version (which is excellent). I'm sure Affleck will make a strong movie out of it, but unless this introduces some new twists to the story it'll be largely an acting showcase. Which would be fine with me, too.

But I still enjoy watching, for instance,

[Show spoiler]Fight Club

. And I've seen that many, many times.

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

But I still enjoy watching, for instance,

[Show spoiler]Fight Club

. And I've seen that many, many times.

The movie you mentioned has a lot more going on than WFTP, which as good as it is, is still just a pretty straightforward little courtroom thriller. I'm not knocking the remake at all, hell if anyone can do something interesting with it I'm sure it's Affleck, I just really want them to get the best actors possible because this material would be an absolute clinic.

[principehomura]

The original is my favorite Wilder's film, but I trust Affleck, he has proven to be a smart director.

[leey]

Originally Posted by captveg

I suspect that he'll want to do this after finishing his work on Justice League before tackling The Batman, similar to how he shot Live by Night between BvS and JL.

Changing his physique (i.e. look like a more regular dude) is quite the challenge, if he has to buff up again for his DCEU role. But he's proven himself in his craft

[Cremildo]

According to THR, Affleck is still attached to direct this.