Mortal Engines - Directed by Christian Rivers

[LordCrumb]

Peter Jackson made a recent announcement on his facebook page that his next movie project will be adapting Philip Reeve’s book, Mortal Engines. The book is set in a post-apocalyptic future where cities move about on wheels, devouring smaller cities for their resources. The book is the first in a series of four books, presenting the opportunity for ‘sequels’ down the road.

The project will bring together many of the crew who worked on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit franchises, including Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens who adapted the Mortal Engines script. The movie will be directed by Christian Rivers, the VFX master of The Hobbit.

From Peter Jacksons Facebook Page:

Hi Folks,

It’s been a quiet few months, but I’m very happy to tell you that our next project is now underway.

WingNut Films be producing a feature film based on Philip Reeve’s book Mortal Engines, to be directed by Christian Rivers. The script has been written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and myself.

Some of you may recall that Christian was going to direct the Dambusters a few years back. Since then he’s kept himself busy, making short films, and directing Second Units on The Hobbit and Pete’s Dragon.

Our involvement in Mortal Engines actually pre-dates Dambusters (which is still happening) – Christian actually worked on Mortal Engines previs way back in 2009. It’s very exciting to finally get it underway!

We’ve had the rights to Philip’s book series for several years, but have had to wait for the right time to make it.

If you haven’t read the books, you should. They present a stunning look into the future, when all of Earth’s major cities are now mounted on wheels, roaming across the landscape as massive “Traction Cities”. Our society has build itself on the principals of Municipal Darwinism – this basically involves the bigger cities hunting down, and consuming, the smaller ones. And that’s only the backdrop to an original and emotional personal story.

Philip Reeve has created a range of intriguing characters, following their adventures in our strange future world through four books – “Mortal Engines”, “Predator’s Gold”, “Infernal Devices” and “A Darkling Plain”.

The moment we read these novels, we knew what exciting movies they’d make. I literally can’t wait to see them!

The movie will be financed by MRC and Universal, and shooting will get underway next March, in New Zealand. Producers Zane Weiner and Amanda Walker, who both worked on the Hobbit, will be spearheading the NZ based team, along with Deborah Forte in the US.

No casting to announce yet, but Weta Workshop and Weta Digital are both onboard.

With the wheels now rolling on Mortal Engines, I’ll bring you a lot of news and sneak peeks at what we’re doing over the coming months.

Cheers,

Peter J

[LordCrumb]

Pre-Production Underway!

Pre-production is underway for Sir Peter Jackson's next big blockbuster, and Wellingtonians have the chance to be a part of it.

The call has gone out for extras to star in Mortal Engines, Jackson's latest book adaptation based on the 2001 steampunk novel series by Philip Reeve.

Jackson announced the new project in October last year, saying he and writing partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens would write the script, with Jackson's protege Christian Rivers in the directing chair.

An ad listed on Trade Me was light on details, but said the production required a large number of extras to work in Miramar between March and June, 2017, year.

The rate per day would be $200 before over time, and extras would be working anything from one to 12 days over the entire project.

Mortal Engines will be Jackson's first project with Universal Studios in more than 10 years, having last worked with the studio for 2005's King Kong.

Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley told Variety in October that Jackson, Walsh, Boyens and Rivers were "visionary storytellers", with the gift of turning their passion projects into beloved blockbusters for a worldwide audience.

In the far-off future setting of Mortal Engines, Earth's cities roam the globe on huge wheels, devouring each other in a struggle for diminishing resources.

Those interested in being an extra on the film should email extras.squeakywheels@gmail.com for an application form.

[esteban²]

Peter Jackson’s ‘Mortal Engines’ Casts Robert Sheehan and Ronan Raftery.

“Fortitude” actor Robert Sheehan and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’s” Ronan Raftery have been cast in*Universal and MRC’s adaptation of Philip Reeve’s “Mortal Engines,” which will be written and produced by Peter Jackson.

Sheehan will have a lead role, while Raftery plays a*supporting one. Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens will co-write the film with Christian Rivers directing. MRC and Universal are co-financing the movie, with Universal also serving as worldwide distributor.

Jackson and Walsh have been involved with the project for several years, having optioned the rights from Scholastic in 2001. Ken Kamins —*Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens’ longtime manager —*brought the project to MRC.
Zane Weiner (“The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies), Amanda Walker (“The Hobbit”), and Deborah Forte (“The Golden Compass”) are serving as producers, along with Walsh and Jackson. Kamins (“The Hobbit” trilogy, “District 9”) will executive produce, while Boyens co-produces.

Peter Jackson and ‘Lord of the Rings’ Team Set Next Project With Universal and MRC

The book is set thousands of years in the future. Earth’s cities now roam the globe on huge wheels, devouring each other in a struggle over diminishing resources. On one of these massive Traction Cities, Tom Natsworthy has an unexpected encounter with a mysterious young woman from the Outlands, who will change the course of his life forever.

Production is slated to begin in New Zealand this spring, and the film is set to bow on Dec. 14, 2018.

The sci-fi/fantasy movie is the first in a planned series of films based on Reeve’s novels. The series is comprised of four books: “Mortal Engines,” “Predator’s Gold,” “Infernal Devices,” and “A Darkling Plain.”
The “Mortal Engines” novels have won several awards, including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Los Angeles Times Book Award, the Smarties Gold Award, and Blue Peter Book of the Year.

In addition to “Fortitude,” Sheehan can be seen next in Warner Bros.’ “Geostorm.” He is represented by Gersh.

Raftery recently appeared in the “Harry Potter” spinoff “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” and the Netflix war drama “The Siege of Jadotville.” He can be seen next in the AMC anthology show “The Terror.” He is repped by WME and Troika.

,- Variety

Yes! Why my enthousiasm? Robert Sheehan. That guy stole my heart (as an actor, not the other kind of heart-stealing) in the UK TV-series Misfits. His character Nathan Young was very energetic, extremely charismatic and above all, often hilarious. And even though all the young actors involved were quite great, he stole the show. And yeah, good lines were given to him, but he made it work. Got more out of it, mostly improvisation. He was great in other stuff too, mostly UK things. But when it comes to Hollywood movies, he always got the side-part that didn't matter much and was poorly written.

Been waiting 8 years for him to get the main part in a qualitative Hollywood production with potential to be great. This might be it. It's a promissing project with a fresh director, supported by the right people.

[L-Rouge]

yep Sheehan was great in misfits, interesting, hope the film translates well.

[Foggy]

Hera Hilmar has closed a deal for the female lead of Universal and MRC’s adaptation of Philip Reeve’s “Mortal Engines,” which will be written and produced by Peter Jackson.

Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens will co-write the film with Christian Rivers directing. MRC and Universal are co-financing the movie, with Universal also serving as worldwide distributor.

Jackson and Walsh have been involved with the project for several years, having optioned the rights from Scholastic in 2001. Ken Kamins — Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens’ longtime manager — brought the project to MRC.

Zane Weiner (“The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies), Amanda Walker (“The Hobbit”), and Deborah Forte (“The Golden Compass”) are serving as producers, along with Walsh and Jackson. Kamins (“The Hobbit” trilogy, “District 9”) will executive produce, while Boyens co-produces.

The book is set thousands of years in the future. Earth’s cities now roam the globe on huge wheels, devouring each other in a struggle over diminishing resources. On one of these massive Traction Cities, Tom Natsworthy has an unexpected encounter with a mysterious young woman from the Outlands, who will change the course of his life forever.

Production is slated to begin in New Zealand this spring, and the film is set to bow on Dec. 14, 2018.

The sci-fi/fantasy movie is the first in a planned series of films based on Reeve’s novels. The series is comprised of four books: “Mortal Engines,” “Predator’s Gold,” “Infernal Devices,” and “A Darkling Plain.”

The “Mortal Engines” novels have won several awards, including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Los Angeles Times Book Award, the Smarties Gold Award, and Blue Peter Book of the Year.

This will be Hilmar’s first major role at a major studio. She recently wrapped production on “The Ottoman Lieutenant” opposite Josh Harnett and “An Ordinary Man” opposite Ben Kingsley.

The Iceland native also appeared in the Starz! series “Da Vinci’s Demons” as Vanessa.

She is repped by 42 in England, Management 360 and Bloom Hergott.

https://apple.news/A3qppYSZwN_i8iSIhYQpbrw

[levcore]

Shouldn't it be Christian Rivers' Mortal Engines seeing as he is directing it and PJ is only producing? The title seems a bit misleading.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by levcore

Shouldn't it be Christian Rivers' Mortal Engines seeing as he is directing it and PJ is only producing? The title seems a bit misleading.

Probably, but Jackson will get the hits.

[sandman slim]

Dec. 14... won't that be the same weekend as a Star Wars film and (supposedly) the first Avatar sequel?

[esteban²]

Already a thread.

[esteban²]

Foggy.

[levcore]

I prefer the title of this thread, it's more accurate

[Ernest Rister]

Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens will co-write the film...

Pass. Hobbit films were the last straw after Kong and The Lovely Bones.

[esteban²]

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=284382

[esteban²]

Yeah, it's already clear they are going to sell this as "Peter Jackson Presents ...".

[Darth Marcus]

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Stephen Lang, Jihae, Newcomer Leila George Join Peter Jackson's 'Mortal Engines' (Exclusive)
MARCH 06, 2017 3:00pm PT by Borys Kit

Jackson’s protege Christian Rivers is directing the adaptation of the YA book series by Philip Reeve.

Stephen Lang, best known as the villain in Avatar, South Korean singer-actress Jihae and relative newcomer Leila George have been cast in Mortal Engines, the Peter Jackson-produced adaptation of the YA book series by Philip Reeve.

Jackson’s protege Christian Rivers is directing the project, which is being co-financed by MRC and Universal. Universal is distributing worldwide.

First published by Scholastic in 2001, the four-book series is set in a future world devastated ecologically and technologically and where certain cities including London are run by engines and move about the Earth, giving them the ability to prey on other smaller towns for resources. The story centers on a teen named Tom Natsworthy who, along with a young woman from a territory known as the Outlands, uncovers a mystery that could change the world order.

The filmmakers have cast the movie with fresh faces and rising stars, with Robert Sheehan (Misfits) set to play Natsworthy.

Lang's character is being kept under wraps.

George will play Katharine Valentine, the daughter of one of the most powerful men in London society and one who is trying to get his hands on a weapon of mass destruction. Jihae will play Anna Fang, a member of the violent league that fights against the mobile cities.

Jackson is producing with wife and partner Fran Walsh as well as Zane Weiner (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Amanda Walker (The Hobbit) and Deborah Forte (The Golden Compass). Jackson and Walsh co-wrote the script with their collaborator Philippa Boyens.

Lang will next be seen in the second season of AMC’s Into the Badlands and has Hostiles, a Scott Cooper Western, in the can. He is set to reprise his character of Miles Quaritch for the next batch of James Cameron’s Avatar movies. He is repped by Innovative Artists.

While Jihae is known for her music, she has also made inroads into acting, and starred as a pair of twins in the National Geographic miniseries Mars, produced by Brian Grazer. She is repped by Industry Entertainment and Ziffren Brittenham.

George starred in the Lifetime movie Mother, May I Sleep With Danger? She is repped by ICM Partners, Silver Lining Entertainment and the U.K.'s United Agents.

[esteban²]

HUGO WEAVING joins Mortal Engins !
He will play Thaddeus Valentine.

Source : http://www.criticalhit.net/entertain...ortal-engines/

[Himmel]

Peter Jackson Reveals Mortal Engines Movie Concept Art.

On his Facebook page, Jackson posted a single piece of concept art from Mortal Engines (see below), showing a female character perched on a cliff looking down on one of the story’s moving cities as it plows across a scarred and tortured landscape.

The woman depicted in the artwork here is presumably Hester Shaw, the Outlander who arrives in Traction City and changes Tom Natsworthy’s fate. There is an inescapable Mad Max feel to the image, though there is also more than a hint of the Tolkienesque as well (which is to be expected from Jackson).

http://screenrant.com/mortal-engines...peter-jackson/

[1blufan]

Originally Posted by HimmelBlau

Peter Jackson Reveals Mortal Engines Movie Concept Art.






http://screenrant.com/mortal-engines...peter-jackson/

This could be really good, the four books (Mortal Engines, Predators Gold, Infernal Devices and A Darkling Plain) are solid reads.
Visually, I'm sure these will be spectacular.
I'm really looking forward to this and I hope they can manage to film each book. Just as long Peter doesn't stretch a single installment (Book) into two or three films. Each novel would make a great 2 hour film if done properly.

[levcore]

Can somebody please merge these threads.

[1blufan]

Originally Posted by levcore

Can somebody please merge these threads.

Yeah I hate posting in a thread that I thought was the main one only to realize it's not. Like I just did for this in the other Mortal Engines secondary thread.