Month: August 2015

Angelina Jolie Pitt on By the Sea

There is an interview with Angelina at the DGA website where she talks about By the Sea: “For her latest movie, By the Sea, which she also wrote, Jolie Pitt could skip the meet-and-greets with at least two of her actors. She stars in the film with (Brad) Pitt. It’s about a deeply unhappy couple on vacation in France who becomes involved with a pair of newlyweds staying at their seaside inn. “I’d be directing myself and him in a scene where we’re having a fight, and I’d be pulling out the parts [of him] that have an aggression toward me or when you’re frustrated with each other—it was very heavy,” says Jolie Pitt. “We kept joking that all of the crew felt like they were living in a house where the parents were fighting and you don’t know where to stand or where to look.”

Filmed in Malta with a primarily European crew and cast, By the Sea was shot by Austrian cinematographer Christian Berger (The White Ribbon) who brought his Cine Reflect Lighting System to the mix. “There’s actually very little technical light in the room,” says Jolie Pitt of a system that involves using “paniflectors” to illuminate the actors. “It’s all based on using an outside source of light and using reflectors, a white plate, in front of the actors. And it felt like doing a play. You’re not conscious of the light and so you’re also not conscious of staying in the light or how you look. It made me act differently and made me direct differently too.

Described by Jolie Pitt as “an art film, the kind of movie that I like to see but not something I’m usually cast in,” she isn’t eager to direct a movie like By the Sea again soon. “We’re proud of ourselves for being brave enough to try it,” she says, adding that she and Pitt made it on their honeymoon. “I think By the Sea was the hardest film for me because it wasn’t [issue-driven]. It’s something I probably won’t do very much of.””

Scoot McNairy Joins Brad Pitt In Netflix’s ‘War Machine’

From Deadline: “Scoot McNairy has been set to join Brad Pitt in Netflix’s war-on-terror-themed black comedy War Machine. Last seen in Gone Girl, McNairy reunites here with Pitt and his Plan B partners after he worked with them on Killing Them Softly and 12 Years A Slave. He worked with War Machine helmer David Michod on The Rover.

The film is based on the Michael Hastings book The Operators: The Wild And Terrifying Inside Story Of America’s War In Afghanistan and satirizes the handling of that war, and the people running it. Michod wrote the script and Pitt produces with Plan B partners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, in association with Ian Bryce.

McNairy just wrapped Sleepless Night opposite Jamie Fox and Michelle Monaghan. Later this year he stars opposite Sandra Bullock in Our Brand Is Crisis and in March will co-star in Superman V Batman: Dawn Of Justice.”

Will Poulter Joins Brad Pitt in Netflix’s ‘War Machine’

From Variety: “Will Poulter has closed a deal to join Brad Pitt in the Netflix black comedy “War Machine.”

Topher Grace, Scoot McNairy, Emory Cohen, John Magaro and Anthony Michael Hall are also on board, with “Animal Kingdom” helmer David Michod directing and writing. Netflix will open the film in select theaters next year as well as stream on the film on its online service.

Pitt and his Plan B partners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner are producing with Ian Bryce.

Based on Michael Hastings’ book “The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan,” the story follows a general, played by Pitt, whose track record lands him the commanding job in the American conflict in Afghanistan.

Principal photography is scheduled to start this fall.”

Anthony Michael Hall to Star in Brad Pitt’s ‘War Machine’ Netflix Original Movie

From Variety: “Anthony Michael Hall will star alongside Brad Pitt in “War Machine,” Netflix’s satirical comedy about the U.S.’ engagement in the conflict in Afghanistan, slated to be released in 2016.

Hall, whose credits include “Foxcatcher,” “The Dark Knight” and “The Breakfast Club,” will play the second-in-command to Pitt’s four-star general, who’s based on the real-life Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Cast also includes Topher Grace (“That ’70s Show”), who will play a civilian media adviser.

“War Machine” is written and directed by David Michôd (“Animal Kingdom”) and based on Michael Hastings’ book “The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan.” Film is to be produced by Pitt and his Plan B partners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, along with Ian Bryce (“World War Z”).

Netflix has said the original film will be available in theaters and to streaming subscribers in 2016 — although large theater chains have been vocal about their plans to boycott the company’s releases, given Netflix’s short or nonexistent theatrical windows.”

Topher Grace Joins Brad Pitt’s Netflix Movie ‘War Machine’

From Variety: “Topher Grace will star opposite Brad Pitt in Netflix’s upcoming satirical comedy “War Machine.”

Grace will portray a civilian media adviser to Pitt’s four-star U.S. military general, who’s trying to win the war in Afghanistan. “War Machine” is directed by David Michod (“Animal Kingdom”) and based on Michael Hastings’ book “The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan.”

Michod also wrote the script for the film, which will be produced by Pitt and his Plan B partners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, along with Ian Bryce (“World War Z”).

Netflix bought the distribution rights in June in its highest-profile deal to date. The Netflix original film will be available in theaters and to Netflix subscribers in 2016.”