Spielberg working on Kubrick screenplay for Napoleon TV series (1 Viewer)

[The Military Workshop]

From todays The Guardian

Steven Spileberg is set to bring Stanley Kubrick's unfilmed screenplay about the life of Napoleon to the small screen.
Interviewed on French TV Spielberg said he was working on a TV series in conjunction with the late film-maker's family. "I've been developing a Stanley Kubrick screenplay for a miniseries – not for a motion picture – about the life of Napoleon," he said.

Kubrick is said to have abandoned his long-gestating screenplay about the French revolutionary hero turned conqueror of Europe in the 1970s after Hollywood studios refused to fund it. Kubrick is said to have engaged in meticulous research for his planned film, with Oskar Werner and Audrey Hepburn offered the leading roles. "It's impossible to tell you what I'm going to do except to say that I expect to make the best movie ever made,"

Spielberg has previously adapted an unrealised Kubrick project in the form of the 2001 science fiction drama AI, starring Haley Joel Osment and Jude Law, two years after Kubrick's death. The Schindler's List director also has form on the small screen with the critically acclaimed HBO TV miniseries Band of Brothers and is planning a second wartime series with Tom Hanks for the US channel.

It is not clear how far down the line Spielberg is with his version of the Napoleon story.

Could be interesting.

Suggestions for Napoleon ?

The link is http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2013/mar/04/steven-spielberg-stanley-kubrick-napoleon

Brett

 

[lancer]

The one and only Danny Devito. Besides, he has already done the part in 'Get Shorty'.:wink2:^&grin -- Al

 

[Obee]

This is one series NOT to be missed.....

Lets hope its on ABC or SBS and we don't get all the hodes of advets, like the commercial sations?

Looking forward to this

Viva Le Emperor !

John

 

[Harper (aka Spitfrnd)]

Given the relative scarity of commercial productions about the period, it is great to see one that has this level of professional involvement. That said, the life of Napoleon is likely the least interesting aspect of that history to me. But then I am not much of a Biopic fan in general. There are so many interesting stories to tell about any historical period beyond the lives of the major players, I tend to regard most of these as a missed opportunity with a misplaced emphasis. Still it will be interesting to see what they come up with and hopefully their focus will be as non central figure focused as possible.

 

[johnnybach]

If Spielberg is making it, I don't think it matters who he chooses for the role(s) of Napoleon. I think that the producers and directors ( and his favourite team of professionals who actually "make" the thing) are FAR more important than any of the so-called "Stars" - but that's just my opinion. I would prefer a relatively unknown person (or series of persons - if it is going to be a true "life" story) for the central role.

Just look at what Spielberg did with Band of Brothers. I'll look forward to hearing more with great anticipation. Johnnybach

 

[Harper (aka Spitfrnd)]

If Spielberg is making it, I don't think it matters who he chooses for the role(s) of Napoleon. I think that the producers and directors ( and his favourite team of professionals who actually "make" the thing) are FAR more important than any of the so-called "Stars" - but that's just my opinion. I would prefer a relatively unknown person (or series of persons - if it is going to be a true "life" story) for the central role.

Just look at what Spielberg did with Band of Brothers. I'll look forward to hearing more with great anticipation. Johnnybach

Band of Brothers was great. However, it was NOT focused on any single character and that among other things is why it worked so well. If a similar approach is taken with Napoleon, it would need to include the stories for the many lesser characters, including simple soldiers, that were the "rest of the story" for that period. North and South, was a great and all to rare example of such an approach. A series primarily focused on the "little corporal", would not be nearly as interesting as Band of Brothers.

 

[Scott]

Band of Brothers was great. However, it was NOT focused on any single character and that among other things is why it worked so well. If a similar approach is taken with Napoleon, it would need to include the stories for the many lesser characters, including simple soldiers, that were the "rest of the story" for that period. North and South, was a great and all to rare example of such an approach. A series primarily focused on the "little corporal", would not be nearly as interesting as Band of Brothers.

Good point as it's been done several times before. Stories of the people around him would be good.

 

[Fort-Stamford]

Hopefully Spielberg and his research department references Proctor Patterson Jones' 444 page book on Napoleon's life between 1800 and 1814. It is a masterwork. It was issued in 1992. The preface was written by Jean Tulard, Professor at the Sorbonne, Paris. The material was taken from the memoires of Constant, Napoleon's valet; and from Meneval's work (Napoleon's secretary) during this crucial time period in Napoleon's life. The Constant's memories were written down into chapters by ghostwriters (Roquefort, Melliot, Luchet, Niscard, and Villemarest). The book is profuse with color illustrations, color etchings, paintings, and battle maps and battle scenes. ISBN o-679-41458-4. Lib. of Congress Cat. # 92-53514. PS. The book is titled "NAPOLEON - An intimate account of the years of supremacy".