This, and the realisation that not everyone obeys the rules, to their obvious benefit, leads to appreciation for the anti-hero, or protagonists with their own value systems.
That may help to explain why we have a sneaking admiration — or interest, at least — in fictional characters whose "heroic" credentials are quite vague as to morality, say James Bond, or his equally lethal but less glamorous American counterpart, Donald Hamilton’s Matt Helm.
Or for that matter, those compelled to take the law into their own hands, vigilante style — an entire host, spanning various genres and media, from Don Pendleton’s Mack Bolan, alias the Executioner, to V from "V for Vendetta", to Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) in the "Death Wish" series of films, to Bollywood’s Angry Young Man.
Then, there are those on the other "wrong side" of the law — ‘Godfathers’ Vito and Michael Corleone or other Mafia figures and a number of similar outlaws,...
That may help to explain why we have a sneaking admiration — or interest, at least — in fictional characters whose "heroic" credentials are quite vague as to morality, say James Bond, or his equally lethal but less glamorous American counterpart, Donald Hamilton’s Matt Helm.
Or for that matter, those compelled to take the law into their own hands, vigilante style — an entire host, spanning various genres and media, from Don Pendleton’s Mack Bolan, alias the Executioner, to V from "V for Vendetta", to Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) in the "Death Wish" series of films, to Bollywood’s Angry Young Man.
Then, there are those on the other "wrong side" of the law — ‘Godfathers’ Vito and Michael Corleone or other Mafia figures and a number of similar outlaws,...
- 8/28/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
To fully appreciate some of the allusions and inspirations that propel Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” you should consider doing some homework — or streaming some other movies.
Of course, you don’t have to be familiar with any of the following titles to enjoy Tarantino’s 1969-set fact-and-fiction mashup about Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), an actor flailing in professional limbo after the cancellation of his TV Western “Bounty Law”; Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), Dalton’s long-time stunt double and close confidant; and Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), a rising star and Dalton’s next-door neighbor. But you can enhance your enjoyment by having some knowledge of the stories behind the story.
“The Bandit” (2016)
Jesse Moss’ entertaining and insightful documentary is putatively about the making of 1977’s “Smokey and the Bandit,” but more interestingly concerned with the personal and professional bonds between superstar Burt Reynolds and stuntman-turned-filmmaker Hal Needham.
Of course, you don’t have to be familiar with any of the following titles to enjoy Tarantino’s 1969-set fact-and-fiction mashup about Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), an actor flailing in professional limbo after the cancellation of his TV Western “Bounty Law”; Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), Dalton’s long-time stunt double and close confidant; and Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), a rising star and Dalton’s next-door neighbor. But you can enhance your enjoyment by having some knowledge of the stories behind the story.
“The Bandit” (2016)
Jesse Moss’ entertaining and insightful documentary is putatively about the making of 1977’s “Smokey and the Bandit,” but more interestingly concerned with the personal and professional bonds between superstar Burt Reynolds and stuntman-turned-filmmaker Hal Needham.
- 7/25/2019
- by Joe Leydon
- Variety Film + TV
Ya know, “It’s a Big Country!” Westerns and pacifism are like oil and water, but William Wyler, Jessamyn West and three other top writers found a way for Gregory Peck to surmount eight showdowns and never fire a pistol in anger. Jean Simmons and Charlton Heston win top acting honors, while Burl Ives earns his Oscar, Carroll Baker gets the thankless role and composer Jerome Moross makes western music history. MGM’s remastering job fixes the problems of an earlier Blu-ray, and even brings the title sequence up to tip top condition. Plus several hours of special extras.
The Big Country
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1958 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 166 min. / Street Date June 5, 2018 / 60th Anniversary Edition / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives, Charles Bickford, Alfonso Bedoya, Chuck Connors, Chuck Hayward, Dorothy Adams, Chuck Roberson.
Cinematography: Franz F. Planer
Film Editor: Robert Swink...
The Big Country
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1958 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 166 min. / Street Date June 5, 2018 / 60th Anniversary Edition / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives, Charles Bickford, Alfonso Bedoya, Chuck Connors, Chuck Hayward, Dorothy Adams, Chuck Roberson.
Cinematography: Franz F. Planer
Film Editor: Robert Swink...
- 6/9/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
It’s a road picture, a spy chase and an oddball romance all in one. A casual highway hitch-hike leads to intrigues with shady doctors, guided missile secrets and espionage intrigues. Possible escaped nut case Ruth Roman enlists nice guy Sterling Hayden’s help, and before you can say Alfred Hitchcock they’re handcuffed together and on the run. It’s a B-picture gem from the mid-fifties, all the more amusing for its awkwardness.
Five Steps to Danger
Blu-ray
ClassicFlix
1957 / Color / 2:35 1:85 widescreen 1:37 flat full frame / 81 min. / Street Date April 24, 2018 / 29.99
Starring: Ruth Roman, Sterling Hayden, Werner Klemperer, Richard Gaines, Charles Davis, Jeanne Cooper, Peter Hansen, Ken Curtis.
Cinematography: Kenneth Peach
Film Editor: Aaron Stell
Original Music: Paul Sawtell & Bert Shefter
Written by Henry S. Kesler, from a book by Donald Hamilton
Produced and Directed by Henry S. Kesler
Celebrity business agent Henry S. Kesler became a production manager,...
Five Steps to Danger
Blu-ray
ClassicFlix
1957 / Color / 2:35 1:85 widescreen 1:37 flat full frame / 81 min. / Street Date April 24, 2018 / 29.99
Starring: Ruth Roman, Sterling Hayden, Werner Klemperer, Richard Gaines, Charles Davis, Jeanne Cooper, Peter Hansen, Ken Curtis.
Cinematography: Kenneth Peach
Film Editor: Aaron Stell
Original Music: Paul Sawtell & Bert Shefter
Written by Henry S. Kesler, from a book by Donald Hamilton
Produced and Directed by Henry S. Kesler
Celebrity business agent Henry S. Kesler became a production manager,...
- 5/22/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Another spy movie with a surprisingly generic name is coming to the big screen. Bradley Cooper is set to star in Matt Helm, a spy thriller film based on Donald Hamilton’s series of novels published from the ’60s to the ’90s. The adaptation has been in the works at Paramount for nearly 10 years now, but is […]
The post Bradley Cooper’s Spy Thriller ‘Matt Helm’ Enlists a Writer appeared first on /Film.
The post Bradley Cooper’s Spy Thriller ‘Matt Helm’ Enlists a Writer appeared first on /Film.
- 3/12/2018
- by Hoai-Tran Bui
- Slash Film
Screenwriter Tom Shepherd is reporting for duty.
Shepherd will pen a script for a Matt Helm movie for Paramount, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The film has Bradley Cooper attached to star as the character first introduced in late author Donald Hamilton's series of spy novels, which he published from 1960-93 over 27 volumes.
Helm is a counter-assassination agent whose mission is to stop spies from other countries. Dean Martin played the character in a series of 1960s spoof films, while Tony Franciosa stepped into his shoes for a short-lived ABC drama from 1975-76. In the novels, Helm is drawn into his...
Shepherd will pen a script for a Matt Helm movie for Paramount, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The film has Bradley Cooper attached to star as the character first introduced in late author Donald Hamilton's series of spy novels, which he published from 1960-93 over 27 volumes.
Helm is a counter-assassination agent whose mission is to stop spies from other countries. Dean Martin played the character in a series of 1960s spoof films, while Tony Franciosa stepped into his shoes for a short-lived ABC drama from 1975-76. In the novels, Helm is drawn into his...
- 3/9/2018
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Artist Calamity Jon has created this extremely cool series of pulp noir book art for Marvel's Black Widow, Luke Cage and The Wasp. It would actually be kind of cool to see a line of pulp noir style comic books like this!
Here's an explanation by the artist on what he was going for:
I assigned each character to a dream team pulp writer whom I thought matched the essence of the character. Donald Hamilton was best-known for his Matt Helm series of spy novels, which I thought made him an appealing choice for the Natasha Romanova "series". Leslie Charteris was, of course, creator of the suave and witty Saint series of novels, so I gave him rein over the socialite adventurer Janet van Dyne and her scientist husband (Also, I thought Dashiell Hammett would have been a little on-the-nose), and Hoke Moseley creator Charles Willeford is assigned to craft the seedy,...
Here's an explanation by the artist on what he was going for:
I assigned each character to a dream team pulp writer whom I thought matched the essence of the character. Donald Hamilton was best-known for his Matt Helm series of spy novels, which I thought made him an appealing choice for the Natasha Romanova "series". Leslie Charteris was, of course, creator of the suave and witty Saint series of novels, so I gave him rein over the socialite adventurer Janet van Dyne and her scientist husband (Also, I thought Dashiell Hammett would have been a little on-the-nose), and Hoke Moseley creator Charles Willeford is assigned to craft the seedy,...
- 7/22/2012
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
For moviegoers growing up in the last 20-30 years, big is the new normal. I’m talking about those big-budget, over-produced, effects/action-packed extravaganzas that are as expected and routine an arrival as a commuter bus, and never more so than during the summer months. Come a rise in temperatures, there’s an almost ceaseless parade of these megabuck behemoths through multiplexes starting in May and continuing until the kids go back to school, one rolling out almost every week.
Consider these May-August releases and their eye-popping price tags:
5/4: Marvel’s The Avengers — $220 million
5/11: Dark Shadows — $150 million
5/18: Battleship — $209 million
5/25: Men in Black 3 — $250 million
6/8: Prometheus — $120-130 million
7/3: The Amazing Spider-Man — $220 million
7/20: The Dark Knight Rises — $250 million
7/31: Total Recall — $200 million
8/5: The Expendables 2 — $100 million
For those of you who haven’t been keeping count, that’s a little over $1.7 billion in productions...
Consider these May-August releases and their eye-popping price tags:
5/4: Marvel’s The Avengers — $220 million
5/11: Dark Shadows — $150 million
5/18: Battleship — $209 million
5/25: Men in Black 3 — $250 million
6/8: Prometheus — $120-130 million
7/3: The Amazing Spider-Man — $220 million
7/20: The Dark Knight Rises — $250 million
7/31: Total Recall — $200 million
8/5: The Expendables 2 — $100 million
For those of you who haven’t been keeping count, that’s a little over $1.7 billion in productions...
- 6/29/2012
- by Bill Mesce
- SoundOnSight
Conan. James Bond. Tarzan. Terence looks at these, and other literary characters who were changed by movie-makers on their way to the big screen...
Adapting literary heroes to the screen is a tough dilemma for filmmakers. With the possible exception of the Harry Potter phenomenon, the vast majority of a potential movie audience often has little or no familiarity with any given character's literary exploits. The end result can often be frustrating for fans of the original stories, especially when movies make too many arbitrary changes, or even do away with the spirit and intentions of the books entirely.
Conan The Barbarian, the latest rendering of Robert E Howard's pulp fantasy hero, swung its way into cinemas last week. While critics and fans are divided over its merits, most agree that it's at least more faithful and better made than such Howard adaptations as Conan The Destroyer or Kull The Conqueror.
Adapting literary heroes to the screen is a tough dilemma for filmmakers. With the possible exception of the Harry Potter phenomenon, the vast majority of a potential movie audience often has little or no familiarity with any given character's literary exploits. The end result can often be frustrating for fans of the original stories, especially when movies make too many arbitrary changes, or even do away with the spirit and intentions of the books entirely.
Conan The Barbarian, the latest rendering of Robert E Howard's pulp fantasy hero, swung its way into cinemas last week. While critics and fans are divided over its merits, most agree that it's at least more faithful and better made than such Howard adaptations as Conan The Destroyer or Kull The Conqueror.
- 8/22/2011
- Den of Geek
Reports are circulating that Steven Spielberg has set "War Horse" as his next directing gig. The film is an adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's 1982 young adult novel about an English farm horse who is captured by the Germans on the battlefields of World War I. The horse's path continually intertwines with a young boy from his farm as war rages throughout Europe.
It sounds like a sweet enough tale — just don't get too used to the idea that it's coming anytime soon. While "War Horse" is being touted as Spielberg's next directing gig, the filmmaker is attached to a whole slew of other projects that have yet to come to fruition.
After the jump, we've listed a few of the films currently vying for Spielberg's attention.
"Harvey"
Spielberg was set to direct "Harvey," a remake of the classic 1950 film starring Jimmy Stewart as a man with an invisible 6-foot-tall rabbit for his best friend.
It sounds like a sweet enough tale — just don't get too used to the idea that it's coming anytime soon. While "War Horse" is being touted as Spielberg's next directing gig, the filmmaker is attached to a whole slew of other projects that have yet to come to fruition.
After the jump, we've listed a few of the films currently vying for Spielberg's attention.
"Harvey"
Spielberg was set to direct "Harvey," a remake of the classic 1950 film starring Jimmy Stewart as a man with an invisible 6-foot-tall rabbit for his best friend.
- 5/4/2010
- by Josh Wigler
- MTV Movies Blog
Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Sony is preparing a “Venom” solo feature film to spin out of the “Spider-Man” movie series. And while the new film may or may not tie into the the character that appeared in “Spider-Man 3”, the actor who played Venom previously, Topher Grace, indicated he's not been asked about the role.
“I don't know. I haven't heard anything,” replied Grace when asked by ComingSoon.net if he'd been approached to appear in “Venom." In fact, Grace said he hasn’t had any discussions with the studio about the film.
Back in April, it was announced that the screenwriters of “Zombieland” — Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese — were onboard to pen the “Venom” adaptation. However, more recent reports have named Gary Ross as the writer and director of “Venom.”
Ross’ own involvement with the "Venom" film may also be in question, given that he has...
“I don't know. I haven't heard anything,” replied Grace when asked by ComingSoon.net if he'd been approached to appear in “Venom." In fact, Grace said he hasn’t had any discussions with the studio about the film.
Back in April, it was announced that the screenwriters of “Zombieland” — Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese — were onboard to pen the “Venom” adaptation. However, more recent reports have named Gary Ross as the writer and director of “Venom.”
Ross’ own involvement with the "Venom" film may also be in question, given that he has...
- 12/21/2009
- by Blair Marnell
- MTV Splash Page
On Saturday, I took the train to Trenton. Now, this is remarkable because first, I so seldom go into New York City on a weekend (isn’t Five Days a week enough?), maybe five or six Saturdays a year. And, second, I’ve never been to Trenton—Through it on Amtrak, yes—but as a destination, No! Third, although I retired from convention-going in April 2008 (after guesting at more than 200 of them), I was off to a con and Only as a customer! This, I confess, was my Second relapse (I showed up to see friends at NYC’s Fangoria’s Weekend of Horrors in June 2009).
It wasn’t just Any kind of con, but a Pulp Adventurecon (masterminded by Rich Harvey, author of several articles that I published in Comics Scene in the 1990s). I’ve never actually been to a pulp event (just Sf, Star Trek, comics, horror,...
It wasn’t just Any kind of con, but a Pulp Adventurecon (masterminded by Rich Harvey, author of several articles that I published in Comics Scene in the 1990s). I’ve never actually been to a pulp event (just Sf, Star Trek, comics, horror,...
- 11/11/2009
- by no-reply@starlog.com (David McDonnell )
- Starlog
According to studio reports, Gary "Pleasantville" Ross will replace Steven Spielberg as director of Paramount's Bourne-like reimagining of Matt Helm, based on the secret agent character previously portrayed as a wise-cracking 'James Bond' ladykiller by actor/singer Dean Martin in four films during the 1960's and as a 'no-nonsense' tough guy by actor Tony Franciosa in a 1960's TV series. Matt Helm will be produced by Alex "Transformers" Kurtzman and Robert Star Trek" Orci from a new screenplay by Paul Attanasio, set for a summer 2010 production start. Created by author Donald Hamilton, the character appeared in 27 books over a 33-year period beginning in 1960, establishing 'Helm' as one of the most pragmatic of all fictional secret agents. Premise of the books, follows Us government counter-agent 'Matt Helm', whose primary job is to 'nullify' enemy agents. While the novels were set in the post-wwii Cold War era, the current script is set in the present.
- 10/19/2009
- HollywoodNorthReport.com
Last week we reported Gary Ross was in talks with Sony Pictures to write and direct the Spider-Man spin-off Venom. Now it seems the comic book movie will have to wait because Ross is close to directing Matt Helm for Paramount.
The movie would be based on a series of 27 novels by author Donald Hamilton about a counter-agent and similar in tone to the Bourne franchise. Steven Spielberg was once considered for the director’s chair, but may end up getting a producer’s credit on the film. (Spielberg has since moved to remake Harvey.)
According to The Playlist, George Clooney and Jon Hamm were considered for the title character, but eliminated for separate reasons. Bradley Cooper (The Hangover, The A-Team) is the front runner for the lead. That guy must have a phenomenal agent, he’s popping up in contention for everything. He’s not exactly the modern Dean Martin,...
The movie would be based on a series of 27 novels by author Donald Hamilton about a counter-agent and similar in tone to the Bourne franchise. Steven Spielberg was once considered for the director’s chair, but may end up getting a producer’s credit on the film. (Spielberg has since moved to remake Harvey.)
According to The Playlist, George Clooney and Jon Hamm were considered for the title character, but eliminated for separate reasons. Bradley Cooper (The Hangover, The A-Team) is the front runner for the lead. That guy must have a phenomenal agent, he’s popping up in contention for everything. He’s not exactly the modern Dean Martin,...
- 10/13/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
I have to admit, the notion of Gary Ross, the guy behind “Pleasantville” and “Seabiscuit” writing “Spider-Man 4″ was kinda a shock already, but the idea of him writing and directing a “Venom” spin-off movie was just … strange, though not unheard of; Marvel has, after all, given “Thor” to Shakespeare guy Kenneth Branagh, and that’s possibly the biggest Wtf moment of 2008. Now, word from The Playlist is that Venom will have to wait, because Gary Ross has just hopped onboard “Matt Helm” with an eye towards writing and directing it. Originally, Steven Spielberg was anxious to direct “Matt Helm”, a personal favorite of his, but apparently a recent split between Spielberg’s Dreamworks and Paramount may have dampened the uber director’s affections for the Donald Hamilton series of spy novels. As a result, Spielberg has voluntarily left the project, leaving space open for Gary Ross to take over.
- 10/13/2009
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
Not so fast, Venom—the longtime rival of Peter Parker's might have to wait a bit for his first solo film, particularly if he wants to swing into theaters with Gary Ross by his side.
The Playlist reports that Ross—the screenwriter behind the latest "Spider-Man 4" draft, as well as the newly appointed screenwriter and possible director of "Venom"—has been tapped to replace Steven Spielberg as the director for "Matt Helm," based on the spy-centric novel series from Donald Hamilton.
Should the news pan out, Ross's directorial attachment to "Venom" might be in question. Certainly, the superhero project would have to wait—the Playlist notes that "Matt Helm" will shoot first in the summer of 2010 should all go according to schedule.
Ross's attachment to "Spider-Man 4" and "Venom" was already considered a strange development by many due to the fact that his resume lacked some serious action movie experience.
The Playlist reports that Ross—the screenwriter behind the latest "Spider-Man 4" draft, as well as the newly appointed screenwriter and possible director of "Venom"—has been tapped to replace Steven Spielberg as the director for "Matt Helm," based on the spy-centric novel series from Donald Hamilton.
Should the news pan out, Ross's directorial attachment to "Venom" might be in question. Certainly, the superhero project would have to wait—the Playlist notes that "Matt Helm" will shoot first in the summer of 2010 should all go according to schedule.
Ross's attachment to "Spider-Man 4" and "Venom" was already considered a strange development by many due to the fact that his resume lacked some serious action movie experience.
- 10/13/2009
- by Josh Wigler
- MTV Splash Page
The last movie Gary Ross wrote and directed was 2003's Seabiscuit. Except for a little scriptwriting duties for The Tale of Despereaux, Ross has remained relatively quiet in Hollywood. But that's all changed.
While still finishing the script to Spider-Man 4, Ross was hired to rewrite and direct the Spider-Man 3 spin-off movie Venom, but that's not all. ThePlaylist reports that Ross will also direct Matt Helm, a project previously associated with Steven Spielberg.
A 33-volume, pulp novel series about a suave super-spy that began in the 1960s, Matt Helm was written Donald Hamilton. The series has already been adapted into four movies with Dean Martin in the 1960s (The Silencers, The Ambushers, Murderers Row, The Wrecking Crew), and a TV show in the '70s with Anthony Franciosa in the title role.
Paramount is currently seeking Bradley Cooper for the lead, which will be updated from the swinging '...
While still finishing the script to Spider-Man 4, Ross was hired to rewrite and direct the Spider-Man 3 spin-off movie Venom, but that's not all. ThePlaylist reports that Ross will also direct Matt Helm, a project previously associated with Steven Spielberg.
A 33-volume, pulp novel series about a suave super-spy that began in the 1960s, Matt Helm was written Donald Hamilton. The series has already been adapted into four movies with Dean Martin in the 1960s (The Silencers, The Ambushers, Murderers Row, The Wrecking Crew), and a TV show in the '70s with Anthony Franciosa in the title role.
Paramount is currently seeking Bradley Cooper for the lead, which will be updated from the swinging '...
- 10/13/2009
- by Ryan Gowland
- Reelzchannel.com
Last week, I made an off-hand comment that I'd like to see writer-director Gary Ross work more often. I mean, Pleasantville and Seabiscuit are the only films he's directed, even though he has a couple other projects down the road a piece. He's been linked to Venom, the Spider-Man spin-off he would tackle after writing the script for Spider-Man 4, and now he might take on another hot property.
The Playlist writes that Ross may take over the director's chair for Matt Helm, which was at the center of the messy Spielberg-DreamWorks-Paramount fallout earlier this year. Spielberg was supposed to direct it for Paramount, but the studio won't let him go near its new Bournesque franchise.
Matt Helm will be based on the Cold War spy novels by Donald Hamilton, updated to gravy train the way James Bond did. And Ross might be directing the suddenly hot Bradley Cooper, an...
The Playlist writes that Ross may take over the director's chair for Matt Helm, which was at the center of the messy Spielberg-DreamWorks-Paramount fallout earlier this year. Spielberg was supposed to direct it for Paramount, but the studio won't let him go near its new Bournesque franchise.
Matt Helm will be based on the Cold War spy novels by Donald Hamilton, updated to gravy train the way James Bond did. And Ross might be directing the suddenly hot Bradley Cooper, an...
- 10/13/2009
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
Less than a week after the news that Gary Ross would be writing and directing a Venom spin-off for Columbia and Marvel, comes a story from The Playlist that before that, Ross will be picking up the reigns to Matt Helm from Steven Spielberg.As previously reported, Matt Helm is an American "counter-agent" from a 27-strong series of novels by Donald Hamilton. He's been filmed before, as a series of Bond-spoofing campfests starring Dean Martin that directly influenced Mike Myers when he came to make Austin Powers. But this new film, scripted by Paul Attaniasio (the first in a projected franchise, natch), aims to take Helm back to source for some Bourne-type action and grit.Cast-wise, we can apparently expect Bradley Cooper, very sensibly striking while the iron's hot and grabbing his own series, although nothing's actually been signed yet. Spielberg developed the project at Paramount before the split with Dreamworks,...
- 10/13/2009
- EmpireOnline
Last week it was widely reported that after providing a successful rewrite of the Spider-Man 4 script, Gary Ross had been approached by Columbia Pictures to rewrite the screenplay for the spin-off film, Venom, and to direct it himself. This was noteworthy for a variety of reasons, not least of which was the fact that Ross' writing-and-directing résumé, which includes Pleasantville and Seabiscuit, wouldn't suggest he was the guy for a comic-based summer blockbuster about an alien symbiote that turns people evil.
But now The Playlist says that, according to an unnamed but well-placed source, whatever Ross is doing with Venom will have to wait -- first he's going to direct a Matt Helm movie. The source says it's supposed to go into production next summer, which would push the shooting of Venom into 2011 at the earliest.
Matt Helm, a badass spy character created by Donald Hamilton, appeared in 27 novels...
But now The Playlist says that, according to an unnamed but well-placed source, whatever Ross is doing with Venom will have to wait -- first he's going to direct a Matt Helm movie. The source says it's supposed to go into production next summer, which would push the shooting of Venom into 2011 at the earliest.
Matt Helm, a badass spy character created by Donald Hamilton, appeared in 27 novels...
- 10/13/2009
- by Eric D. Snider
- Cinematical
Back in July there were some rumblings about Steven Spielberg directing a film called Matt Helm, the story of a pulp-fiction swinging spy but without all the Austin Powers parody humor. The writing/producing team of Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman were pushing the Paul Attanasio adaptation of Donald Hamilton's 27-book-series, but when Spielberg took Dreamworks from Paramount, executives weren't too keen on giving him Matt Helm. Now it looks like the project has life again as The Playlist reports writer/director Gary Ross might end up directing Matt Helm even before he jumps into the Marvel universe with Venom. Apparently their sources say that Venom isn't exactly being fast-tracked and Matt Helm is being scheduled to shoot in the summer of 2010 if everything falls into place. The Playlist also mentions that Bradley Cooper is on the top of the list to take on the titular role after George Clooney...
- 10/12/2009
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
Two Oscar-winning directors have circled two spy movies for two different purposes at two studios. Ron Howard will direct Robert Ludlum's Ron HowardThe Parsifal Mosaic, which could potentially be a huge get for Universal.
Much like the Bourne series, which we were just talking about earlier today, this Ludlum property conceivably allows the studio to create future stories with the hero, Michael Havelock, that aren't based on Ludlum books. The novel in question is set around superpower tensions and nuclear proliferation during The Cold War, and I have always resisted the notion that once the Soviet Union collapsed, interest in the Cold War would subside. That's like saying nobody would listen to the Beatles after they broke up. So I don't expect that part of it to change. Franchise possibility? Yeah, I think so.
The other director in the news is Spielberg, only he apparently won't be directing. There...
Much like the Bourne series, which we were just talking about earlier today, this Ludlum property conceivably allows the studio to create future stories with the hero, Michael Havelock, that aren't based on Ludlum books. The novel in question is set around superpower tensions and nuclear proliferation during The Cold War, and I have always resisted the notion that once the Soviet Union collapsed, interest in the Cold War would subside. That's like saying nobody would listen to the Beatles after they broke up. So I don't expect that part of it to change. Franchise possibility? Yeah, I think so.
The other director in the news is Spielberg, only he apparently won't be directing. There...
- 7/30/2009
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
Overnight a new possibility emerged in Steven Spielberg’s growing list of options to return to the director’s chair. The busy filmmaker has “cracked the story” on Indiana Jones 5, continued to delay a biopic of Abraham Lincoln, considered a Martin Luther King Jr. film, and threatened fans with a remake of Oldboy. Which one (if any) will be his next directorial effort is still a mystery, but Spielberg has attached himself only as a producer to yet another project.
According to Variety, Paramount is developing a feature presentation of Matt Helm, a fictional character created by author Donald Hamilton that spanned over 27 books. The ageless man was a secret government “counter-agent,” meaning his primary role was to discover enemy agents and dispatch them. Four movies starring Dean Martin were created in the 60’s based loosely on Helm, but otherwise deviated from the novels as more of a parody of the Bond franchise.
According to Variety, Paramount is developing a feature presentation of Matt Helm, a fictional character created by author Donald Hamilton that spanned over 27 books. The ageless man was a secret government “counter-agent,” meaning his primary role was to discover enemy agents and dispatch them. Four movies starring Dean Martin were created in the 60’s based loosely on Helm, but otherwise deviated from the novels as more of a parody of the Bond franchise.
- 7/30/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
Over the past 12 hours a little speculation has emerged about the next directorial effort by Steven Spielberg. A report in Variety suggested he could be taking the reigns of Matt Helm. But there were issues with relationships between studios, as Matt Helm, based on Donald Hamilton's 1960s counter-agent who starred in a series of 27 books, was developed by Dreamworks and orphaned at Paramount when the studios split last year. The idea of Spielberg taking on a modern version of the character was interesting, but now it seems he'll only produce. What happened there? Basically, there's all sorts of wrangling to be done between Paramount and the pair of Dreamworks and Reliance, the new Dreamworks financing partner. As the BFDealMemo blog on Variety says, "Spielberg will only take his next directing assignment on a picture that can be co-financed with Reliance/DreamWorks money, and where Disney is either the domestic...
- 7/30/2009
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
In a market that's already populated by James Bond, Jason Bourne and Ethan Hunt, is there really any room for another spy franchise? If Steven Spielberg has anything to say about it, there just might be.
Variety reports that the "Indiana Jones" director spies with his not-so-little eye the director's chair on "Matt Helm," a movie based on the secret agent novel series created by author Donald Hamilton. The road for Spielberg to helm "Helm" is a tricky one however, filled with obstacles well fit for a secret agent's skill set.
According to the article, "Matt Helm" is completely owned by Paramount Pictures, a studio that was formerly partnered with Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Pictures. While Spielberg is attached to produce the film, there's no directing deal in place, leaving the ball in Paramount's court: will the studio opt to pay the assuredly hefty sum for Spielberg's behind-the-lens services, or...
Variety reports that the "Indiana Jones" director spies with his not-so-little eye the director's chair on "Matt Helm," a movie based on the secret agent novel series created by author Donald Hamilton. The road for Spielberg to helm "Helm" is a tricky one however, filled with obstacles well fit for a secret agent's skill set.
According to the article, "Matt Helm" is completely owned by Paramount Pictures, a studio that was formerly partnered with Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Pictures. While Spielberg is attached to produce the film, there's no directing deal in place, leaving the ball in Paramount's court: will the studio opt to pay the assuredly hefty sum for Spielberg's behind-the-lens services, or...
- 7/30/2009
- by Josh Wigler
- MTV Movies Blog
According to Variety, Steven Spielberg may or may not direct a movie adaptation of “Matt Helm”, based on the series of action-adventure novels that originally began in 1960. Then again, he may only produce. Or not. For you see, “Matt Helm” is currently owned by Paramount, though it’s something Spielberg has been eyeballing for a while now, but just never got around to doing. So if Spielberg, who runs Dreamworks along with some other gents, wants to direct “Matt Helm”, he’ll have to do it for Paramount. Or something along that line. It’s all very confusing and very industry-ish, and is of absolutely no importance to you or I, so let’s just move on, shall we? The movie would be based on one of the 27 novels written by Donald Hamilton about a government agent whose mission is to take down enemy agents. He’s not really a spy,...
- 7/30/2009
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
The pre-production plate of Steven Spielberg grows ever larger, and as we wait for him to tackle that long delayed Abraham Lincoln biopic, he's cracking a fifth Indiana Jones,
looking for 39 Clues, pondering a Martin Luther King Jr. biopic, and annoying people with his Oldboy remake. Now he's lined up yet another possible directing gig as Variety reports that he might just go good and undercover with Matt Helm.
Now, you can't get any classier than Matt Helm. He's the leading man of Donald Hamilton's novels, and starred in 27 books of sheer badassery. A U.S. counter-agent, Helm didn't bother too much with the spying and espionage stuff, but just put himself into the right situations to kill people. He's grim and ruthless, with no time for love, and gives Bond and Bourne a run for their money. He's ripe for cinematic reinvention too, as Helm came to the big screen as a goofy,...
looking for 39 Clues, pondering a Martin Luther King Jr. biopic, and annoying people with his Oldboy remake. Now he's lined up yet another possible directing gig as Variety reports that he might just go good and undercover with Matt Helm.
Now, you can't get any classier than Matt Helm. He's the leading man of Donald Hamilton's novels, and starred in 27 books of sheer badassery. A U.S. counter-agent, Helm didn't bother too much with the spying and espionage stuff, but just put himself into the right situations to kill people. He's grim and ruthless, with no time for love, and gives Bond and Bourne a run for their money. He's ripe for cinematic reinvention too, as Helm came to the big screen as a goofy,...
- 7/30/2009
- by Elisabeth Rappe
- Cinematical
Steven Spielberg is seriously considering directing "Matt Helm," a film that DreamWorks developed for several years before leaving it behind at Paramount as part of the split between the two companies. Spielberg's representatives said he is attached to produce, but did not mention if he's going to direct. Clearly, Spielberg is excited about the project again after the rewrite that Paul Attanasio delivered last week. "Matt Helm" is based on a series of 27 novels written by Donald Hamilton about a government agent whose mission is to take down enemy agents. While the novels were set in the post-wwii Cold War era, the current script is set in the present. While a series of tongue-in-cheek films were made with Dean Martin playing Helm as a playboy spy, the tone of Attanasio's script is closer to that of "The Bourne Identity."...
- 7/30/2009
- WorstPreviews.com
Steven Spielberg is eager to direct a movie based on Donald Hamilton's spy creation Matt Helm, says Variety. The director, who is attached to produce the Paramount project with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, is reportedly impressed with Paul Attanasio's latest script for the spy thriller, which reinvents the Cold War agent as a contemporary hero in the mould of Jason Bourne. Spielberg's complicated relationship with the studio may prove a stumbling block in his bid to direct Matt Helm. The filmmaker and his DreamWorks company (more)...
- 7/30/2009
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
Looking for a hard-edge spy movie franchise similar to the James Bond series of action films, director Steven Spielberg will either direct, or produce Paramount's developing Matt Helm feature, based on the pragmatic character appearing in 27 novels by author Donald Hamilton. Premise of the Matt Helm books follows 'Matt Helm', a Us government counter-agent, whose primary job is to kill or nullify enemy agents. While the novels were set in the post-wwii Cold War era, the current script is set in the present. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci will produce...
- 7/30/2009
- HollywoodNorthReport.com
An interesting story about the one-and-only Steven Spielberg has popped up today on Variety. They're reporting that Spielberg is "seriously considering" directing a project tentatively called Matt Helm. Helm is based on a series of 27 novels written by Donald Hamilton about a government agent whose mission is to take down enemy agents. While the novels were set in the post-wwii Cold War era, the current script is set in the present. The latest draft of the script, written by Paul Attanasio (Sphere, The Sum of All Fears, The Good German), was what sparked Spielberg's recent interest in the project. I like the sound of it so far. The reason why Spielberg isn't confirmed for this yet is because Matt Helm is one of the (many) projects that were left behind at Paramount when DreamWorks split from the company late last year. Therefore, if Spielberg were to come on and direct,...
- 7/30/2009
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
A series of blockbuster spy novels may be next on Steven Speilberg's hitlist, according to Variety. Donald Hamilton wrote 27 novels in his Matt Helm series, which Paramount clearly hope to spin into a Bourne-like new franchise.Helm is actually an American "counter-agent" rather than a spy, although his job is still to neutralise enemy agents, so we're not entirely clear what the difference is. A bit more Jack Ryan than James Bond, we guess. He was played previously by Dean Martin in a series of sixties movies intended to spoof the Bond franchise (a bit like the James Coburn Flint films), but beyond using the books' titles they didn't bear much relation to their source material. Martin's version of Helm was a big influence on Austin Powers.Paul Attanasio's latest incarnation of the script is apparently much more serious and updates the setting from the Cold War to the present day.
- 7/30/2009
- EmpireOnline
Steven Spielberg is seriously pondering whether to make Matt Helm his next film. Based on Donald Hamilton's novel series, the MAtt Helm adventures chronicle the work of a Us government agent who eliminates enemy agents. While the books are set in the Cold War era, the scripts - including a new version by Paul Attanasio, that has caught Spielberg's attention - are set in the present day. And while previous adaptations (starring Dean Martin, below) have been spoofy romps, the new version is, surprise, surprise, hewing more towards...
.
.
- 7/30/2009
- by James White
- TotalFilm
Variety is reporting that Steven Spielberg is "seriously considering" directing a movie about the fictional secret agent known as Matt Helm, created by Donald Hamilton. According to the report, the film was in development for several years at DreamWorks before the studio lost the rights, handing them over to the folks at Paramount. Spielberg's people have put the word out that he is currently attached to produce alongside Star Trek and Transformers 2 writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, but it is still unclear as to whether he will direct. He is reportedly excited about the project after a re-write that Paul Attanasio (Donnie Brasco) turned in last week. Matt Helm is based on a series of 27 novels about a government agent whose mission is to take down enemy agents -- sort of like Jason Bourne, but with his memory in tact and the nature of his mission more on the side of noble. It...
- 7/30/2009
- by Neil Miller
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
It sounds like an easy decision: Why not hire the most successful filmmaker in the world to launch a potential action-movie franchise? Then again, things are not so simple in the case of Matt Helm.
Based on a series of novels written by Donald Hamilton, the property was once attached to director Steven Spielberg and Paramount, but was left behind at the studio when DreamWorks and Paramount divorced.
Now Spielberg and DreamWorks head of production Stacey Snider are closing on a new deal with Disney, and according to Variety, would like their new partners to be attached to Spielberg’s next picture. Could that next project be Matt Helm?
Spielberg and Snider do not have an option to co-finance and co-distribute Matt Helm, even though it was developed at DreamWorks. Paramount could go with another director to try and kick-off the Cold War-era spy franchise, or it could deal with Spielberg,...
Based on a series of novels written by Donald Hamilton, the property was once attached to director Steven Spielberg and Paramount, but was left behind at the studio when DreamWorks and Paramount divorced.
Now Spielberg and DreamWorks head of production Stacey Snider are closing on a new deal with Disney, and according to Variety, would like their new partners to be attached to Spielberg’s next picture. Could that next project be Matt Helm?
Spielberg and Snider do not have an option to co-finance and co-distribute Matt Helm, even though it was developed at DreamWorks. Paramount could go with another director to try and kick-off the Cold War-era spy franchise, or it could deal with Spielberg,...
- 7/30/2009
- CinemaSpy
Variety is reporting that Steven Spielberg is seriously considering directing a movie about fictional secret agent Matt Helm, created by author Donald Hamilton. The film was developed for several years by DreamWorks before the studio left it behind at Paramount Pictures, which owns the rights. Spielberg's representatives told the trade that he is attached to produce, but it's unclear if he's going to direct. Spielberg is reportedly excited about the project again after the rewrite that Paul Attanasio delivered last week. As Spielberg and Stacey Snider near the closing of their financing through Reliance and their new deal with Disney, they would like nothing more than to have those partners be part of Spielberg's next picture. But Paramount isn't obligated to make that deal, and...
- 7/29/2009
- Comingsoon.net
Donald Hamilton’s Serious Spy Becomes a Bond Parody
By Matthew R. Bradley
When JFK revealed his fondness for the James Bond books by Ian Fleming, and 007—ably embodied by Sean Connery—struck box-office gold with Dr. No (1962) and its sequels, the resultant “Bondmania” set off a spy craze manifested in everything from atmospheric adaptations of Len Deighton and John le Carré to tongue-in-cheek secret agents on screens small and large. Perhaps the most successful of the latter was Matt Helm, a singing and swinging spy played in four films for Columbia Pictures by Rat Pack member Dean Martin, who unlike Connery shared in the profits from the outset via his own company, Meadway-Claude Productions. The former partner of Bond producer Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli - Irving Allen - was playing catch-up after deeming Fleming’s work unworthy of filming, which speeded his breakup with Broccoli. But ironically, his quartet...
By Matthew R. Bradley
When JFK revealed his fondness for the James Bond books by Ian Fleming, and 007—ably embodied by Sean Connery—struck box-office gold with Dr. No (1962) and its sequels, the resultant “Bondmania” set off a spy craze manifested in everything from atmospheric adaptations of Len Deighton and John le Carré to tongue-in-cheek secret agents on screens small and large. Perhaps the most successful of the latter was Matt Helm, a singing and swinging spy played in four films for Columbia Pictures by Rat Pack member Dean Martin, who unlike Connery shared in the profits from the outset via his own company, Meadway-Claude Productions. The former partner of Bond producer Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli - Irving Allen - was playing catch-up after deeming Fleming’s work unworthy of filming, which speeded his breakup with Broccoli. But ironically, his quartet...
- 7/8/2007
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.