Comanche (Michael Mann)

[Cremildo]

Stopping in Paris for the Lumière de Lyon Film Festival, the director spoke with Liberation and revealed he’s got an intriguing sounding western on his desk. It’s a film that’s based on the true story of Cynthia Parker, who was kidnapped at the age of 10 by a Comanche war band, and lived most of her adult life with them, learning their language and culture. She was eventually “rescued” at the age of 34, but wasn’t able to adjust to western society, and was devastated about losing her Comanche family.

“….there is this other idea that I was offered to do, which is called ‘Comanche.’ The action takes place in 1871,” Mann said (via Google Translate). “It is a very ambitious [story] that follows four characters whose trajectories will gradually converge… In fact, it’s the same story as John Ford‘s ‘The Searchers,’ except that film took a lot of very problematic freedoms. Cynthia Parker had nothing to do with the character who was inspired [the one played by] Natalie Wood. She was a wealthy wife and mother of five, in her forties, who did not speak English, ripped from her family to be assimilated by whites. She tried to escape several times, before committing suicide.”

Mann told AFP he has Hugh Jackman attached to the project. Source.

[Hoke Moseley]

I was confused when it said Hugh Jackman is attached, but the article says it could have been a bad translation about Jackman being in Ferrari.

This sounds like a good project. I know Mann has wanted to do a western for years.

Really hoping the wheels start moving faster on one of these projects in the near future.

[imsounoriginal]

I'm down for anything Mann does, and anything Old West. Is Ferrari still happening though? And if so, before or after this?

[principehomura]

[Monterey Jack]

If it looks as awful as Public Enemies, no thank you.

I miss the days when Mann shot movies on film.

[klauswhereareyou]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

If it looks as awful as Public Enemies, no thank you.

I miss the days when Mann shot movies on film.

Well I liked the digital look on Miami Vice (2006) and Blackhat, but I agree it didn't look so hot on Public Enemies. I think he used the Arri Alexa on Blackhat, and it looked much better than Public Enemies.

[Cremildo]

I must be the only person on Earth who thought the digital look of Public Enemies was stunning. I actually awarded Dante Spinotti my prestigious Cremildo Award for Best Cinematography in 2009 (but he doesn't know that, of course).

[principehomura]

I should revisit Public Enemis, but I've loved the look of his digital films.

[GLaDOS]

Blackhat and Collateral looked great for digital photography. Hopefully Mann gets his groove back for this one.

[cynatnite]

Cynthia Parker is an interesting historical figure. This could be good depending on who he gets.

[MJD64]

I always felt Mann shot Public Enemies digitally in an attempt to give it a more modern visual immediacy not usually attempted in an expensive period film, though to mixed results. I'm not the biggest fan of digital cinematography, but to Mann's credit he does try to explore what he considers the visual potential of the format (and at times has achieved some striking results); he's not shooting digitally and trying to make it look like film, like so many contemporary filmmakers.

That being said, I can't imagine Last Of The Mohicans would look as visually striking and beautiful as it does were it not shot on film and in Anamorphic widescreen.

[dgoswald]

Sounds fantastic as a subject matter.

[MJD64]

My apologies for being rubbish at posting links, but according to several sources it looks as if Guillermo Del Toro is working on a documentary about Michael Mann (if one googles the names, the info will come up). No word yet on whether it will be feature length or a shorter supplement for some possible future video release, but it certainly sounds interesting either way.

[Hoke Moseley]

I saw the news about the documentary, which would be amazing if it happens. GDT is also working on a series of interview books, with both Mann and George Miller interested so far. I'm kind of doubtful of the documentary happening, but a book would be a worthy consolation.

[AaronJ]

Wow, this would be fantastic. Mann making a Western with such an interesting subject. I really hope that my hopes aren't dashed.

If they end up dashed, I'm coming after you Cremildo!

[Cremildo]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Wow, this would be fantastic. Mann making a Western with such an interesting subject. I really hope that my hopes aren't dashed.

If they end up dashed, I'm coming after you Cremildo!

Hey, don't shoot the messenger!

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

Hey, don't shoot the messenger!

Heh.

[Cremildo]

Mann talked about the project at a Los Angeles announcement event this week:

"Comanche is a very difficult project to get going. It's a true story and it's an extremely expensive Western," said Mann, adding that no actors were yet attached to the project.

[Gacivory]

Hope this one happens!

[Hoke Moseley]

Some solid news on anything Mann-related would be nice.