Stardust

[Brian in Mesa]

Matthew Vaughn Sprinkles Stardust
Source: Variety
October 26, 2005

Paramount is in final talks with British filmmaker Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake) to direct and produce his adaptation of Neil Gaiman's adult fairy tale Stardust. As was previously reported, Vaughn wrote the script with writing partner Jane Goldman.

Gaiman's novel, first published in 1997 as "Stardust: Being a Romance Within the Realms of Faerie," is set in a town in the English countryside where the magical and mortal mix. The story is centered on a young man who promises his beloved that he'll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm, where he has to contend with witches, goblins, gnomes, talking animals and evil trees.

Stardust, which won the 1999 Mythopoeic Award for adult novel, was originally set up at Dimension. The feature project's being developed with the goal of tapping into veins of fantasy and comedy akin to those in The Princess Bride and The NeverEnding Story.

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Neil Gaiman's getting all kinds of attention these days.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Five Join Matthew Vaughn's Stardust
Source: Paramount Pictures
March 7, 2006

Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes, Charlie Cox and Sienna Miller have joined the cast of Stardust for director Matthew Vaughn.

Vaughn, who made his directorial debut on the acclaimed thriller "Layer Cake," will direct and produce the film, which will be co-produced and co-financed by Paramount, Vaughn's UK based MARV Films and Ingenious Film Partners. Paramount Pictures will handle worldwide distribution. Filming begins in the UK and Iceland this April.

Lorenzo di Bonaventura will produce the film through his company di Bonaventura Pictures which has a first-look deal at Paramount. Michael Dreyer and Gaiman are also attached as producers. Stephen Marks and Peter Morton as Executive Producers.

Stardust was written by Vaughn and his writing partner Jane Goldman and is adapted from the 1997 award-winning novel written by Neil Gaiman ("Princess Mononoke," "Beowulf").

"I am delighted to be able to work with such a stellar cast in bringing the magic of 'Stardust' to the screen. I look forward to once again shooting in the UK," said Vaughn.

Stardust is a fantasy, adventure love story. In the sleepy English village of Wall a young man named Tristian (Charlie Cox) goes on a quest to win the heart of his beloved, Vicotria (Sienna Miller). His journey in search of a falling star Yvaine (Clarie Danes) takes him into a magical world where he faces the witch, Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer) and a pirate, Capitan Shakespeare (Robert De Niro).

MARV Films was founded by Matthew Vaughn in 2003. The company's first production was Vaughn's directorial debut, the successful "Layer Cake" which starred Daniel Craig and Michael Gambon. Previously Vaughn produced the smash hits, "Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels" (1998) and "Snatch" (2000).

Brad Weston, co-president of production for Paramount Pictures, will oversee the film for the studio along with SVP, production Dan Levine.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Ian McKellen Sprinkles Stardust
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
January 2, 2007

Ian McKellen ("The Lord of the Rings," "X-Men," The Da Vinci Code) has signed on to voice the narrator role in Matthew Vaughn's romantic fantasy Stardust for Paramount Pictures, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The film, which boasts a cast including Claire Danes, Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Charlie Cox, wrapped production in the fall. McKellen is recording his part during postproduction before the film's July 27 release date.

Stardust, based on Neil Gaiman's novel, centers on a young man who promises his beloved that he will retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the Faerie realm, where he encounters witches, goblins, gnomes, talking animals and evil trees.

Gaiman's fairy tale debuted in 1997 as a four-issue DC Comics miniseries with illustrations by Charles Vess. It was published as a single book the following year.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Stardust

Release Date: August 10, 2007
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Screenwriter: Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for some fantasy violence and risque humor)
Website: Stardust | MySpace.com/Stardustmovie

Starring: Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller, Ricky Gervais, Jason Flemyng, Peter O'Toole, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Ian McKellen

Plot Summary: "Stardust," based on the best-selling graphic novel by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess, takes audiences on an adventure that begins in a village in England and ends up in places that exist in an imaginary world. A young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) tries to win the heart of Victoria (Sienna Miller), the beautiful but cold object of his desire, by going on a quest to retrieve a fallen star. His journey takes him to a mysterious and forbidden land beyond the walls of his village. On his odyssey, Tristan finds the star, which has transformed into a striking girl named Yvaine (Claire Danes).

However, Tristan is not the only one seeking the star. A king's (Peter O'Toole) four living sons – not to mention the ghosts of their three dead brothers – all need the star as they vie for the throne. Tristan must also overcome the evil witch, Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer), who needs the star to make her young again. As Tristan battles to survive these threats, encountering a pirate named Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro) and a shady trader named Ferdy the Fence (Ricky Gervais) along the way, his quest changes. He must now win the heart of the star for himself as he discovers the meaning of true love.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

I think this looks pretty good...from the previews I've seen.

 

[SuperSpck]

Love Neil Gaiman's stuff. American Gods is a must read. I'll play $10 just because he's attached to the film.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Looks like something Terry Gilliam would have done.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

This is getting some decent reviews...

 

[Mulli]

I saw this over the weekend. De Niro is good, but only in it for five minutes. Clare Danes has some nice long speeches about love for those interested.

Tried really hard to be Princess Bride.

The crowd liked it. The three others I saw it with were bored to tears, and, at one point, were cheering on the villians because Clare Danes is a doofus.



This is a rental movie. Save you money.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

My wife and I liked it... I agree, it was similar to Princess Bride.

 

[Heucrazy]

I liked it. And in no way did it remind me of the Princess Bride.

The Princess Bride is a classic with no equal. Why to even compare the two "would be absolutely, totally, and in all other ways inconceivable."

 

[Mulli]

So you liked Clare's terrible English accent?

 

[PortlandCardFan]

So you liked Clare's terrible English accent?

Aren't all English accents terrible?

 

[Linderbee]

I liked it. And in no way did it remind me of the Princess Bride.

The Princess Bride is a classic with no equal. Why to even compare the two "would be absolutely, totally, and in all other ways inconceivable."

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

 

[Ryanwb]

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

he was actually quoting from the movie, "The Princess Bride"

 

[Cheesebeef]

he was actually quoting from the movie, "The Princess Bride"

and Linderbee is quoting Princess Bride right back.

 

[Ryanwb]

and Linderbee is quoting Princess Bride right back.

I'm stoopid

 

[Stout]

I'm stoopid

The Russian judge concurs.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

No more rhyming, I mean it!

 

[Cheesebeef]

No more rhyming, I mean it!

LAYUP!

I'll give someone else a chance at the glory though...

 

[Linderbee]

No more rhyming, I mean it!

Anybody want a peanut?

LAYUP!

I'll give someone else a chance at the glory though...

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Anybody want a peanut?

Gaaaahhhh!!!

 

[schutd]

I loved Layer Cake. I got this one in the queue. but movies are few and far between. Theres very little Id have the time for to actually see in the theater

 

[UncleChris]

My bride and I saw this tonite and really enjoyed it, as did the friend who was with us. Oscar material? Nah... but who cares? It was a warm and fuzzy, quasi-adult fairytale with good messages. Michelle Pfeiffer was deliciously wicked, Robert DeNiro an unexpected scream, and the "peanut gallery" of ghosts a giggle fest.

We, along with everyone else we saw in the theater, left with smiles on our faces.