Crowe/Kidman film put on indefinite hold

[edotherocket 0]

Eucalyptus, the Australian film bringing together Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman and acclaimed director Jocelyn Moorhouse, has imploded in an apparent clash of egos, opinions and, more than anything, words on paper.

 

"Creative disagreements" and "personality differences" are the polite terms being used. But it seems there was an irreconcilable breakdown between Crowe and Moorhouse, and, according to the most extreme stories emanating from the set, between Crowe and almost everybody else.

 

What has been confirmed is that the project - which many believed would give the Australian film industry a much needed kick-along - was put on indefinite hold for "script reasons". The closure, just three days before filming was to start, leaves 80 Australian film crew jobless, and the town of Bellingen, in northern NSW, in shock.

 

Test shootings of all the principal actors had been completed, a $6.4 million set built at Bellingen and a studio established at nearby Coffs Harbour. Originally slated for late last year, filming was to start last Monday, but was delayed a further week. The weather - three clear days in a row - was blamed for further stoppages.

 

Tensions surfaced during intense rehearsals held in Sydney over the past three weeks, with Crowe and Kidman reported to be "dismissive" of some of the minor actors, and Crowe regularly introducing his own script changes.

 

Complicating the situation was Crowe's position as executive producer, which gives him a level of control over the screenplay, which Moorhouse co-wrote.

 

Stories of a head-on collision between Moorhouse, who has a reputation of being easy to get along with, and Crowe, who doesn't, have been circulating for the past week. An insider explained that a crisis meeting earlier this week - believed to involve Crowe, Moorhouse and one or two of the producers - failed to reach a working solution.

 

A joint statement, issued yesterday in the names of Crowe, Kidman, Moorhouse and producer Uberto Pasolini, said: "The postponement in no way lessens our passion to bring Murray Bail's beautiful Australian novel to the big screen."

 

That the script is problematic is not in question; in the book, Kidman's character is 19 years old, meaning things had to be greatly reworked. But in a statement issued yesterday afternoon, Fox Searchlight Pictures said the sole reason for the film's postponement was the need for more work on the script.

 

John Scott, of Foxlight Searchlight, denied Moorhouse had left the project, or that Crowe's demands for late script changes had led to a breakdown in their working relationship.

 

"Russell is executive producer so would have had comments on script, but the film script was not at the point we wanted."

 

Scott said he was confident that, when Eucalyptus was made, Moorhouse would be director.

 

But a crew member told the Herald the official explanation was "complete crap".

 

If the crunch came down to the lines Crowe was asked to mouth, it wouldn't be the first time. Clashes over the script of Gladiator have entered movie lore. One of the film's scriptwriters, John Logan, has claimed he was fired "because Russell Crowe was dissatisfied with the work I had done and made his unhappiness known to all". "I had never seen an actor wield his power so boldly," he said.

 

His replacement, the British screenwriter Bill Nicholson, did not fair much better. He said Crowe complained about his character's final lines. "[Russell] said, 'I'm not going to speak this shit,' " Nicholson recalled.

 

But the film's director, Ridley Scott, persuaded Crowe to have a go, and the result won him an Oscar. "Russell said, 'It was shit but I am the greatest actor in the world and I can make even shit sound good'," Nicholson said.

 

Kidman and Crowe's spokeswoman, Wendy Day, said yesterday was "a very sad day" and that Kidman was "devastated" by the events.

 

"She told me she was excited to come home and make this movie back in Australia. She came here all prepared to play Ellen, she was ready to go . . . She really wants to make the film if the studio is still able to make it happen," Ms Day said.

 

Bail was tipped off about the postponement yesterday, but said he did not know the precise reason. "It's very hard to do a film with so many people involved, which is why most films are no good. I was sent both scripts but I haven't read them. It had to be changed because the woman was 15 years older. At first glance it sounded pretty bad but when I thought about it, the script could make her a more interesting, complex woman."

 

Pasolini told the film's Sydney crew at noon yesterday, then flew to Coffs Harbour to address the 70 crew there. The mood at the Coffs Harbour studio was more one of shock than anger as Pasolini - accompanied by Crowe - stood up and apologised for "messing with people's lives" and said how much the studio appreciated the efforts made so far. Several people complained they had rented their houses in Sydney to move to Bellingen and were now without a wage and without a home, but the mood stayed restrained.

 

The feeling among the crew is that Moorhouse is out, with some saying Crowe wants to direct the film himself.

 

However, Pasolini said yesterday: "The people who were in place a week ago are still in place." In Hollywood, "indefinite hold" is normally a euphemism for "canned", but according to the location manager, Peter Lawless, the cost of the set and the amount of work already done meant Eucalyptus would almost certainly be made in some form.

 

Bellingen townsfolk were nonetheless feeling a "bit burnt", many having packed up and moved out of their homes after renting them to the production company for $600-700 a week.

 

"The whole thing's gone sour," said one renter. "A lot of people had made a huge change in their lives to accommodate this but they were just dealing [with us] in a really slack, unprofessional manner."

 

Gary Conlan, owner of the Jelga River Retreat, had agreed to rent the film crew two self-contained cottages and one house in the country. "They booked them all for 10 weeks and we were officially informed about half an hour ago that it's all fallen through," he said. The production company had promised to ring him next week to discuss compensation, he said.

 

Bellingen Shire Mayor Mark Troy said the postponement was "a great disappointment, given the build-up and the publicity that has been associated with this film. We're all felling pretty flat.

 

"Nicole Kidman and her support team were going to stay in Bellingen and that Russell Crowe was going to commute by helicopter."

 

The production company informed real estate agents yesterday. At least 20 families had rented out their houses and either taken a holiday or moved elsewhere in the town.

 

Peter Sanger, owner of Kirkland Real Estate, said the five families he had dealt with had been paid up-front for 12 weeks.

 

Ah, good old Russell Crowe. I love that guy. He makes awesome movies and acts like a complete prick.

[Vyce 0]

That's why he's one of the greatest actors of our generation.

 

He's goddamn old school in that he's talented, but at the same time he's a huge prick to everyone.

[CBright7831 0]

I wonder if there are any actors out there aren't complete dicks.

[Damaramu 0]

Upon first reading the title of the thread I thought they were making a new Crow movie starring Billy Kidman.

[Guest El Satanico]

I wonder if there are any actors out there aren't complete dicks.

Of course, but a great deal of the greats have been considered pricks while filming.

[Placebo Effect 0]

Born in New Zealand in '64,

A hot-headed actor named Russell Crowe.

He loves to act, but he loves one thing more...

FIGHTIN' AROUND THE WORLD!

 

He fights his directors and he fights his fans.

It's a problem no one understands.

If there's 2 things he loves, it's fighting and...

FIGHTIN' AROUND THE WORLD!

 

Making movies, making music and

FIGHTING AROUND THE WORLD!

[MrRant 0]

I wonder how big of a prick Johnny Depp is then....

[Jingus 0]

Dammit Placebo, I was gonna say that.

[CBright7831 0]

I wonder how big of a prick Johnny Depp is then....

If it makes a difference, he was ranked No. 1 on 10 Most Willing Autograph Givers .

 

Most Willing Autograph Givers:

1 Johnny Depp

2 Matt Damon

3 Tom Cruise

4 Mike Myers

5 Angelina Jolie

6 Elijah Wood

7 Lindsay Lohan

8 Jessica Simpson

9 Hilary Duff

10 Charlize Theron

 

Most Reluctant Autograph Givers:

1 Britney Spears

2 Cameron Diaz

3 Tobey Maguire

4 Justin Timberlake

5 Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen

6 Leonardo DiCaprio

7 Eminem

8 Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston

9 Halle Berry

10 Paris Hilton

 

Of course, that really doesn't say much.

[MrRant 0]

I was being sarcastic. He seems like he actually enjoys his work and the fans.

 

Oh and fuck the people that don't give out at least a few autographs.

[Jingus 0]

The only good reason I've heard for refusing to give autographs (unless you've got carpal tunnel syndrome, or are asked for one while you're eating dinner with your family/on the toilet/whatever) is a story Roger Ebert told about Alan Alda. When approached for by fans autographs, apparently Alan would explain to them that he didn't believe in giving them because he thought they set up an artificial barrier between the actors and the audience, as if the stars were "better" than "ordinary people". That sounded pretty cool. But just running away from fans or cussing them out is stupid.

[Damaramu 0]

The only good reason I've heard for refusing to give autographs (unless you've got carpal tunnel syndrome, or are asked for one while you're eating dinner with your family/on the toilet/whatever)

I would so totally hand out autographs on the shitter.

[Precious Roy 0]

That the script is problematic is not in question; in the book, Kidman's character is 19 years old, meaning things had to be greatly reworked.

 

Ah Hollywood, how I loathe thee

[bob_barron 0]

I don't know how accurate that list is since Paris Hilton is known for being nothing but incredibly nice to everyone.

 

But Jennifer Aniston is definetley a massive bitch

[Black Lushus 0]

I was being sarcastic. He seems like he actually enjoys his work and the fans.

 

Oh and fuck the people that don't give out at least a few autographs.

fuck anyone who thinks being rich and famous is such hard work...

[Guest sek69]

3 Tom Cruise

He'll sign anything you want, but first let him tell you how L. Ron Hubbard changed his life....

[Guest Vitamin X]

Most Reluctant Autograph Givers:

3 Tobey Maguire.

Am I the only one surprised by this?

"FUCK OFF!!!!"

[Guest netslob]

I don't know how accurate that list is since Paris Hilton is known for being nothing but incredibly nice to everyone.

 

But Jennifer Aniston is definetley a massive bitch

i'd be shocked if Hilton even knew how to sign her own name. probably why she doesn't do autographs.

 

and i'm with you, fuck Aniston.

 

fuck anyone who thinks being rich and famous is such hard work...

 

here here.

[Vigo 0]

Some celebrities and sports stars don't sign autographs simply because they think that they'll end up on Ebay. Some people make a pretty good living doing this. I remember seeing a special about this where the autograph seekers would even pay little kids to get the autograph for them.

[Guest El Satanico]

I wouldn't sign shit and could care less how I was preceived. That doesn't mean I'm going to be a dick about it, unless the person deserves it.

 

If they wanna come up and talk to me like they have some sense, then fine I'll stop and give them some of my time.

[Guest TonyJaymzV1]

My thing is, if they come to me, whether i'm at a hotel or a 7/11, and say nothing but "Can I have Your autograph?", i think thats pretty rude. Atleast talk to me, be pleasent, etc.

 

 

I don't know...i'm not big on autographs...I've met Bruce Willis, Joaquin Phoniex, Seth Green, etc. and never even thought about asking for an autograph. I think its cooler to talk to them for 2-3 minutes, and maybe get a photo with them.

[bob_barron 0]

I don't see what the big deal is- I mean if you're just asking for an autograph it takes 2-3 seconds to sign. As long as you're not interrupting a private conversation or their eating- I don't see the problem

 

Autograph dealers are horrible people- they seem to run by the creedo that if they don't get the autograph then no one else is going to either.

[Guest El Satanico]

I don't know...i'm not big on autographs...I've met Bruce Willis, Joaquin Phoniex, Seth Green, etc. and never even thought about asking for an autograph. I think its cooler to talk to them for 2-3 minutes, and maybe get a photo with them.

That's exactly what I'm talking about. Come up to me talk to me, just be cool about it and not an autograph whore.

[Star Ocean 3 0]

That the script is problematic is not in question; in the book, Kidman's character is 19 years old, meaning things had to be greatly reworked.

 

Ah Hollywood, how I loathe thee

It's an Australian film.

[Placebo Effect 0]

Most Reluctant Autograph Givers:

3 Tobey Maguire.

Am I the only one surprised by this?

http://www.caringconsumer.com/animaltimes/...bey-maguire.jpg

"FUCK OFF!!!!"

McGuire's a typical Hollywood fuckstick who would rather be doing Shakespeare in the Park instead of Hollywood action films. Of course, money comes into play with that issue.

 

There was a big story before or during Spider-Man 2's release about how difficult and whiny he was on the set of SM 2.