Terry Gilliam’s (Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Brazil) The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, otherwise known to every inhabitant of Earth as the talented Heath Ledger’s final and unfinished film, has released some new, cool-looking shots. These include glimpses of each of Ledger’s famous stand-ins, Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell.
One can’t help but wonder why three actors were cast to replace one, which brings me to my explanation of the film. A traveling theater troupe holds in its possession a magical mirror that it allows paying customers to step through into a wooooooooorld of puuuuure i-ma-gin-aaation. Said mirror was provided by the devil (who else would just be giving something like that away?), who comes for the payment previously promised and hightails it into the mirror with the daughter of the head of the theater troupe. Theater troupe pursues, and we got ourselves a movie.
Ledger plays an outsider who joins the group; each new mirror-world they pass through chasing the devil finds him with a new appearance. And there ya go.
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I’m a big fan of Brazil (and think of it every time I pass through Philadelphia’s 30th St. Station, an inspiration for one of the film’s sets) and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. That said, I’m expecting more fantastic, wonderfully imaginative visuals in Gilliam’s upcoming film.
These images do not disappoint. Who doesn’t like brilliant colors and detailed, dreamlike landscapes? Everyone looks like they’re having a great time in the shots (it seems all the replacements are wearing the same light-colored coat), except for Depp, who looks like he’s unmoved by his Frankenstein destroying the local village. Depp’s companion doesn’t look so thrilled either. The gentleman in the top hat is eccentric musician Tom Waits, who plays the devil (naturally).
On a semi-related note, our friends over at The Playlist who provided us with these pics, also mention that Gilliam has debunked the rumor that Colin Farrel will be replacing Depp in The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. For an explanatory quote from Gilliam on that, check out their story.
So, what do you think having three major movie stars replace Ledger in a single film? Will it be a cool homage/interesting opportunity to see four different skilled actors take on a single part or will the whole thing blow up?
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus hits theaters on October 16, 2009.
Source: The Playlist
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9 Comments
Just a thought. If you mention a picture of a man with a top hat, played by the ever brilliant Tom Waits, you might want to add that picture to the article. The original by The Playlist features is, but it’s missing here.
@ Tj
Whoops Knew I forgot something
Sounds like a cool premise, and maybe my GF would go see it with me. Otherwise, it’s a rental for sure.
Andy S… No offense, but are you crazy?!? A rental? Look at the scenery! Look at the cast! Heath Ledger’s final film! You wouldn’t want to miss this on the big screen.
<3 Tom Waits
Your articles asks the question but fails to give the answer as to WHY those 3 actors are taking part in the character Heath Ledger began.
At the time of Heath’s death, it came out that a glitch in the will would not allow for his little daughter to receive any of the inheritance. Therefore, Depp, Farrell, and Law got in touch with each other and volunteered to make the movie starring all three and would DONATE all the money they made from the movie to Heath’s girl. As a result, the script and movie were adapted accordingly. THAT is the reason there those 3 actors are in the movie.
I’m a big fan of Brazil too. And you’re right, the visuals look awesome. But dang, I was hoping, based on the title of your article to read something interesting about Johnny, Jude and Colin. Thought maybe you’d seen the film and were going to offer an inside peek for the reader Yeah, your friend The Playlist hasn’t seen the film either. By the way, his name is spelled with two Ls: Farrell.
@Patrick Fletchall: The notion of Ledger’s will and the three actors donating their salary from the film to his daughter, had nothing to do with Gilliam’s decision to use 3 actors to finish his role. Gilliam initially had considered using one actor, but since Ledger’s character goes through the magic mirror three times, he decided to use 3 actors, who would each be a different incarnation of Ledger’s character.
@Alicia: Yes you are partly correct. One actor, Johnny Depp was asked to fill in for Ledger but due to a busy schedule he was not able to devote the time required to do so. That is why two more actors were brought in, all friends of Heath’s supposedly.
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