The Three Musketeers Review Thread (Spoilers)

[Lord_Stewie]

Hey,

Paul W.S. Anderson is set to destroy this classic.

And you thought you'd never see Paul W.S. Anderson adapting an Alexandre Dumas novel. THR's new Heat Vision blog has announced that Anderson is developing another version of The Three Musketeers, this time in 3D. He's developing with his partner Jeremy Bolt and Robert Kulzer of Constantin Film. My guess is this doesn't have anything to do with the Millennium Films Three Musketeers project which first hit last year. Anderson already wrote the script with Andrew Davies (Bridget Jones's Diary), whom he sought out because he needed a script "that was strong in character and romance to complement the action."

The intent is for the film to have a contemporary feel, though they're not planning on changing the period setting. “We are definitely modernizing The Three Musketeers without compromising the fun of shooting a period piece," Anderson told THR. "But in our film, corsets and feathered hats don't take center stage. Our version is rich in eye-popping action, romance and adventure." Wow, you've sold me! Anderson is hoping to start shooting next year with a 2011 release date in mind. I don't know about everyone else, but this just sounds awful, especially with Anderson at the helm, although they don't ever specifically say he's directing.

I'm sure everyone remembers the rather lackluster Kiefer Sutherland/Charlie Sheen Three Musketeers from 1993. I don't even want to see this Dumas story brought to the big screen again unless it's something like the epic version of Robin Hood that Ridley Scott is making (which I fear they're trying to mimic ineffectively). And with Anderson involved, and the prospect of it being in 3D, I really have no hope for this. Do you?

Can Anderson pull this off?

UPDATE: MAY 7th, 2010:

Originally Posted by GreenScar

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UPDATE: MAY 19TH, 2010:

Juno Temple in Talks to Co-Star in Paul W.S. Anderson’s 3D Adaptation of THE THREE MUSKETEERS

Juno Temple (Year One) has joined the more-talented-than-he-deserves cast of Paul W.S. Anderson’s 3D adaptation of The Three Musketeers. THR reports that Temple is in negotiations to play the Queen Consort of France, Anne of Austria. If she signs on, Temple would join Christoph Waltz, Mads Mikkelsen, Logan Lerman, Ray Stevenson, Luke Evans, Matthew Macfayden, and Milla Jovovich. Temple recently wrapped filming on Dirty Girl, which also co-stars Jovovich.

Temple was most recently seen in Noah Baumbach’s Greenberg. In addition to Dirty Girl, Temple is also starring in the indie films Little Birds (formerly Goodnight Moon) and Jack and Diane.

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Last we checked, Orlando Bloom had been offered the “bad guy” role in Paul W.S. Anderson’s upcoming adaptation of The Three Musketeers. It seems it met his English standards, as Bloom has signed on for the role of the Duke of Buckingham. Fellow Brit, comedian James Corden, followed suitand will portray the servant Planchet. Bloom and Corden join a cast that already includes:

Christoph Waltz — Cardinal Richelieu
Logan Lerman — D’Artagnan
Matthew MacFadyen — Athos
Ray Stevenson — Porthos
Luke Evans — Aramis
Milla Jovovich — M’lady De Winter
Mads Mikkelsen — Rochefort

With this much casting done, it looks more and more likely that Bloom and Corden have hopped on board the adaptation that will hit theaters first. Variety reports that Summit has slated a summer 2011 release in the U.S. for their Musketeers, and sold out all international rights this past week at Cannes. Meanwhile, casting is either not yet underway or tightly under wraps for the Liman-directed Musketeers. Warner Bros. has not thrown in the towel yet, with a planned fall start date for their production.

Here’s the synopsis for the original Alexandre Dumas novel via Amazon:

A historical romance, The Three Musketeers tells the story of the early adventures of the young Gascon gentleman, D’Artagnan and his three friends from the regiment of the King’s Musketeers – Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Under the watchful eye of their patron M. de Treville, the four defend the honour of the regiment against the guards of Cardinal Richelieu, and the honour of the queen against the machinations of the Cardinal himself as the power struggles of seventeenth century France are vividly played out in the background. But their most dangerous encounter is with the Cardinal’s spy, Milady, one of literature’s most memorable female villains, and Dumas employs all his fast-paced narrative skills to bring this enthralling novel to a breathtakingly gripping and dramatic conclusion.

Enjoy.