The Sexiest Man Alive, one of the most talented actresses working today and a Twilight heartthrob are being brought together for a period-drama. Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz and Robert Pattinson (Twilighters go crazy… now!) will star in the 19th century set film Unbound Captives, which is the directorial debut of actress Madeleine Stowe.
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The script was co-written by Stowe along with husband Brian Benben back in the early ’90s, but the film never got made after Stowe declined a $5 million deal because she wanted to star in the lead female role herself. Fast forward 15 years, after realizing she would never be able to star in the role, she cast Weisz in the role she originally wanted, and decided to go ahead and direct the film herself.
Weisz will play a woman whose husband is killed and her two children kidnapped by a Comanche war party in 1859. She is rescued by a frontiersman, to be played by Jackman. Pattinson will play [one of] the son[s].
The reason Stowe originally turned down the $5 million (one of the highest amounts offered to a first time screenwriter at the time) was because she didn’t want to be “just the screenwriter.” The project was originally planned to be directed by Ridley Scott and star Russell Crowe in the role Jackman will now play.
Were you crazy, Madeleine?!
In speaking out about her refusing the money (the first time she has done so), Stowe said:
“There was never a moment’s hesitation on my part, but it felt unreal, and I can remember my husband putting a finger across his neck to signal not to take the offer… There are moments in life where you need to follow your heart. The script remained my singular focus, but directing it myself wasn’t something I ever dreamed of.”
“Gil [Netter - producer] made me realize it when he said there isn’t anyone who’s going to make the movie you want to make… I saw three actresses, and knew after meeting with Rachel that she was the person I wanted to hand this role to,” she said. “Robert said yes last fall, before everything broke with ‘Twilight.’ Hugh said yes a couple of weeks ago.”
To help Stowe with her first time directing a feature film, cinematographer John Toll will be photographing the film. He was responsible for how films like Braveheart, The Thin Red Line, The Last Samurai and the recent Tropic Thunder looked. Captives is sure to follow the gorgeously shot nature of those movies.
The film has a great cast, an interesting story that has potential to be very compelling, a great cinematographer has been brought on-board and it’s written by a genuinely talented actress (that doesn’t mean she’ll be a good director, but it’s at least encouraging) – I don’t see any reason not to look forward to this one.
Do you like the sound of Unbound Captives? What do you make of that wicked trio that’s been assembled?
Unbound Captives will be put into production by Hyde Park Entertainment at the end of the year.
Sources: FirstShowing and Variety
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15 Comments
I’ll most likely see just to see Rachel Weisz.
love the TWIGTHERS GO CRAZY NOW! lol of course, will be in line to watch it
love ROB!! he’s amazing!
TWILIGHTERS**
I love Rob and Hugh Jackman has been charming in a recent interview and
Now that he’s conquered the box office with Wolverine, Jackman is set to star in the 19th-century drama Unbound Captives with Twilight’s Robert Pattinson. “He’s a really great actor and a really good guy,” said Jackman. “His role is phenomenal and it’s going to be really amazing stuff.”
Stowe said this about the project a while ago
And finally, any glimpse you would like to share into future projects you may be working on?
At the moment, my producing partner, Michael DeLuca and I are working on The Unbound Captives. This is a period piece set in mid-nineteenth century Texas. It is a romantic, violent epic based upon a difficult time in history.
Any idea when this is expected to be released? Who else makes up the cast? What’s your role?
Unbound Captives was inspired by a historical events surrounding the Comanche/Texan conflict of the times. We read a great many captive narratives as research. It deals with issues of love, acculturation, memory, fate and redemption. I’m reticent to say much more, but we would like to begin in the coming year. We’d like to shoot through the seasons because of the passage of time. This project is the great love of my life.
Can’t wait. Jackman is HUGE today. I think they could make a good movie considrering the rest of the cast, the story and the cinematographer. I’ll check it out for sure.
Definitely will see this movie. LOVE Hugh Jackman and Rob Pattinson! Rachel Weisz is great! Sounds like a great story and will be a fantastic movie!
Hmmmm… should be interesting…
Not a twilighter, but will definitely watch to see Rob Pattison. Glad he is doing something else.
The concept as described is still as yet a bit undistinguished. However, the title needs to change, unless of course, they really are going for a steamy, period dime-store romance novel feel, in which case it would fit perfectly.
cant wait fro the movie
go pattinson!!
Very very smart choice they made casting Robert Pattinson in the show. From the Twilight fans alone, I’m sure this movie will get enough box office sales! I’m also excited to see how versatile Robert Pattinson is, or if he’s doomed to be typecasted as Edward Cullen.
It’s a stellar cast, I’ve been a fan of Hugh Jackman since forever, and Rachel Weisz is impressive as well. Btw, I just noticed that this is the second movie Jackman and Weisz will be making (first was The Fountain).
I think the plot’s good but nothing extremely special, so the actors are going to be the one to really pull this whole movie off.
I heard about this movie on the radio this morning… apparently it’s going to be filmed here in New Zealand.
Hugh and Rachel together again? This is amazing!!! And Robert? OMG!!!!
looking forward to seeing how versatile pattinson can be ! what a great line up of actors, cant wait to see it.
i heard it was being filmed here in NZ too… is that true ? what part of the country ?
This will be quite a departure for Rob – good thing – so he doesn’t get so typecast in the Twilight series. Can’t imagine him being a Comanche – the white Brit!
Now that’s acting. Wish they’d film in TEXAS!!! Ya’ll come on down.
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