Steven Spielberg's The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara

[Oscar Rothman]

http://variety.com/2014/film/news/st...ra-1201157963/

Though he’s still mulling what his next directing gig will be, Steven Spielberg has added another project to his development slate: a religious drama titled “The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara,” written by “Lincoln” and “Munich” scribe Tony Kushner. Spielberg plans to direct and produce the drama, which would be a co-production between DreamWorks and the Weinstein Co.

The pic is based on the David Kertzer novel revolving around the true life story of an Italian Jew who in 1858 became the center of an international controversy when he was removed from his parents at the age of seven by authorities of the Papal States and raised as a Catholic. He went on to become a priest in the Augustinian order.

Spielberg and Kushner also teamed on historical dramas “Munich” and “Lincoln,” both of which landed best picture nominations. Spielberg is said to be very anxious to get back behind the camera, having not directed a movie since 2012′s “Lincoln,” which won Daniel Day-Lewis a best picture actor for his riveting portrayal as the 16th President of the United States.

Kushner is in the early stages of writing “Edgardo Mortara,” which sources have made clear won’t be the next project Spielberg directs. He is currently deciding between “Robopocalypse,” which has now completed a rewrite after being put on hold and Steve Zaillian is currently writing the historical drama “Montezuma,” which likely is not far enough along to be next up for Spielberg.

Some people close to Spielberg insist that he has not committed to what he will direct next, though others say “Robopocalypse” is the frontrunner. Of all his current projects, sources say “Robopocalypse” is the farthest along, with one person noting that the budget is close to being finalized.

Chris Hemsworth is attached to star and though he is busy shooting “Avengers: the Age of Ultron,” those close to the Aussie thesp say he is still very much interested in finding a way to fit the robot pic into his schedule.

[TylerScruggs]

Spielberg you are my homie but stop announcing stuff and just do things.

[Darth Marcus]

Well, whatever he does decide to shoot next, I'll go see it.

[aiman04]

I'm no longer interested on what his doing next. Interstellar had me excited but then he dropped it. It was great growing up in the 80's with his movies.

[Astro Zombie]

Originally Posted by Darth Marcus

Well, whatever he does decide to shoot next, I'll go see it.

This.

[Darth Marcus]

Originally Posted by Astro Zombie

This.

[Monterey Jack]

Originally Posted by TylerScruggs

Spielberg you are my homie but stop announcing stuff and just do things.

Exactly. John Williams isn't going to be around forever, you know.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Darth Marcus

Well, whatever he does decide to shoot next, I'll go see it.

Agreed.

[besi]

I wish he would just drop this "drama-true story-religious"....stuff and start making scifi and adventure movies again.

[DoubleDownAgain]

Originally Posted by besi

I wish he would just drop this "drama-true story-religious"....stuff and start making scifi and adventure movies again.

Yes!

[Visco.]

I need more Spielberg.

[aiman04]

Originally Posted by besi

i wish he would just drop this "drama-true story-religious"....stuff and start making scifi and adventure movies again.

qft.

[chris_sc77]

Originally Posted by besi

I wish he would just drop this "drama-true story-religious"....stuff and start making scifi and adventure movies again.

Hasn't he pretty much said he is bored with action scenes?

[Astro Zombie]

Originally Posted by Visco.

I need more Spielberg.

[Oscar Rothman]

Mark Rylance is set to star and Tony Kushner, who worked on 'Lincoln' and 'Munich,' wrote the script.

Steven Spielberg will tackle his long-gestating religious period drama The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara after he wraps Ready Player One, setting his Bridge of Spies co-star Mark Rylance to star in the Amblin Entertainment project.

Tony Kushner, who worked on Spielberg’s Lincoln and Munich, wrote the script adapting the David Kertzer novel, which has been in development with the filmmaker since 2008.

The true story centers on a 6-year-old Jewish boy who, in 1858, was seized by the police and removed from his parents' home.

He was raised as a Catholic and became a priest in the Augustinian order. Rylance will star as Pope Pius IX.

Spielberg, Marc Platt and Kristie Macosko Krieger, who produced Bridge of Spies, will produce Mortara.

The plan is for Spielberg to tackle the project after he wraps Player One, his sci-fi tentpole for Warner Bros.

Sources say the director is looking to shoot in early 2017 and turn it around in time for a release during awards season.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...edgardo-882898

[aiman04]

So he's doing this before Indy 5?

[imsounoriginal]

Rylance/Spielberg quickly becoming DeNiro/Scorsese. Or maybe we should see how BFG turns out.

[Talleyrand]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Rylance/Spielberg quickly becoming DeNiro/Scorsese. Or maybe we should see how BFG turns out.

Hold your horses

[Darth Marcus]

Source: Variety

Oscar Isaac to Star in Steven Spielberg’s ‘Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara’ (EXCLUSIVE)
by Justin Kroll

Oscar Isaac is joining forces with Steven Spielberg. The “Star Wars” and “X-Men” actor is currently in talks to star in the director’s “The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara” for Amblin Entertainment.

Isaac will star opposite Oscar-winner Mark Rylance, a Spielberg favorite recently (“Bridge of Spies,” “The BFG”), in the religious drama. Spielberg would shoot “Edgardo” in the first quarter of 2017 after he finishes “Ready Player One.”

Tony Kushner is adapting the script based on David Kertzer’s novel.

“Edgardo Mortara” tells the story of a young Jewish boy in Bologna, Italy in 1858 who, having been secretly baptized, is forcibly taken from his family to be raised as a Christian. His parents’ struggle to free their son becomes part of a larger political battle that pits the Papacy against forces of democracy and Italian unification.

Isaac’s role in the film, produced by Marc Platt and Kristie Macosko Krieger, isn’t known.

Spielberg has been attached to “Edgardo” for some time. According to insiders, he decided to make it his next movie after “Ready Player One” after being impressed by Kushner’s script.

In addition to high-profile tentpoles, Isaac’s impressive resume includes heralded indies like “Ex-Machina,” “A Most Violent Year” and “Inside Llewyn Davis.”

His 2015 included the HBO limited series “Show Me a Hero,” which, despite his Emmy snub, won him a Golden Globe in January. He next stars in Terry George’s “The Promise,” which is looking at a possible festival run in the fall.

Isaac also recently wrapped production on Alex Garland’s “Annihilation” as well as “Star Wars VIII”, both of which open in 2017. He is repped by UTA and Inspire Entertainment.

[BLUEGRASS]

Originally Posted by Darth Marcus

Source: Variety

Spielberg and Isaac? This just became a must-see for me.