In the wake of Warner Bros. moving forward with its film adaptation of Leonardo da Vinci’s young life, Universal is now producing its own biopic of the Renaissance artist and mathematician, Variety is reporting. The Universal spec, titled ‘Leonardo,’ which was written by Jonny Kurzman, will focus on da Vinci’s quest to stop Renaissance Europe from returning to the Dark Ages. ‘Watchmen’ and ‘Hellboy’ producer Larry Gordon will produce the action-adventure ‘Leonardo,’ which will reportedly also show some of da Vinci’s mechanical creations in use. Lawrence Gordon Prods. Vice President Philip Westgren secured ‘Leonardo’ for Universal, and will oversee the project for the producers. ‘Leonardo’ is just the latest adaptation...
- 11/10/2011
- by karen
- ShockYa
Warner Bros. isn't the only studio getting behind the idea of recasting the young life of Renaissance poster boy Leonardo da Vinci as an action movie. Last year, WB started working on Leonardo Da Vinci and the Soldiers of Forever, written by [1] Marc Guggenheim (Green Lantern) from a pitch by producers Adrian Askarieh, Roy Lee and Doug Davison. Now Universal has its own 'young Leo' film: a spec simply called Leonardo, by Jonny Kurzman, with Watchmen and Hellboy producer Larry Gordon producing. Variety [2] says the Leonardo script is " focused on da Vinci's quest to stop Renaissance Europe from returning to the Dark Ages." Presumably this will offer a chance to see some of the mathematician/artist/inventor's mechanical creations in use. Will we also be asked to believe that da Vinci was secretly a master weapon inventor, too? And, in case two competing young da Vinci films aren't enough, Starz...
- 11/9/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
The studio behind the Fast and the Furious film franchise is looking to make the world's most famous Renaissance Man into an action oriented vessel of good versus evil. Da Vinci, a painter mathematician, architect, sculptor, writer, scientist and inventor born in 1452, is remembered around the world for many of his masterful works including the Mona Lisa, Last Supper, first designs for a flying machine/helicopter and The Vitruvian Man. Now, Universal Pictures is planning to make the historical icon into an action-adventurer on the silver screen. Using a spec script by Jonny Kurzman, the studio is moving ahead with plans to put Leonardo into production quickly. According to Variety, the film's basic story line is focused on young version of da Vinci and his (fictionalized) quest to stop...
- 11/9/2011
- by Pietro Filipponi
- The Daily BLAM!
Ladies and gentlemen, may I present your next action hero: Leonardo da Vinci. Oh yes. From Variety: Universal Pictures Intl. is looking to launch an action-adventure centered on the young Leonardo da Vinci, snapping up Jonny Kurzman's "Leonardo" spec and setting it up with Larry and Charles Gordon. Story is focused on da Vinci's quest to stop Renaissance Europe from returning to the Dark Ages. Somehow I bet this does not involve a multi-decade plan to boost literacy throughout Europe, thwart the influence of the Church through logic and reason, and elevate the status of women so that they may be more active participants in civic culture.
- 11/9/2011
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Anyone who suffers traumatic flashbacks to The Da Vinci Code when reading that headline might not need to worry. According to Variety, Universal has acquired Leonardo, a spec screenplay written by Jonny Kurzman that will be produced as a feature by Charles and Lawrence Gordon. (If that latter name rings a bell, it’s because he’s been behind films like Die Hard, Predator, Field of Dreams, Boogie Nights, and Watchmen, to name a few.)
Solid information on the script’s contents are eluding us at the moment, but Variety describes it as an action-adventure story following “da Vinci’s quest to stop Renaissance Europe from returning to the Dark Ages.” Comparisons to the most recent Sherlock Holmes movies are already springing up; let’s hope it’s better than that.
The idea of an action movie following da Vinci — a man known as an intellectual, making some of the...
Solid information on the script’s contents are eluding us at the moment, but Variety describes it as an action-adventure story following “da Vinci’s quest to stop Renaissance Europe from returning to the Dark Ages.” Comparisons to the most recent Sherlock Holmes movies are already springing up; let’s hope it’s better than that.
The idea of an action movie following da Vinci — a man known as an intellectual, making some of the...
- 11/8/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
When it comes to unflappable adventurers who combine inventive gadgetry, a deep knowledge of the arts and sciences, and a stubborn dedication to doing what’s right, for my money, you can’t do much better than Batman. That guy is the guy. He’s the best fighter, the smartest, and the richest guy on the planet. Who could top that? But it’s important to remember that Batman isn’t the first regular-guy-turned-superhero out there in the realm of modern myth. There have been those who have come before, the trail blazers, the Ubermensch originators, men like the ultimate badass of all-time: Leonardo Da Vinci. Or at least that’s the concept Universal is hoping that we buy into for their upcoming fictionalized look at a young Da Vinci, Leonardo. Leonardo is a spec script written by Jonny Kurzman, that Variety reports has recently been picked up by the studio. It...
- 11/8/2011
- by Nathan Adams
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
It's a quiet day, and even our news round-up is tiny. But what can you do? You want it, we report it, and then you talk about it. Is now a good time to mention that sometimes, there will be typos, and that I'm sorry? Sure, why not. Now that "Skyfall" (formerly known as "Bond 23") has actually begun filming, they've gone to the extra effort of confirming who is actually appearing in the film. Helen McRory, who was widely rumored to have been cast, but was left out of the press conference last week, has now been confirmed as being in the film. Ola Rapace has also been cast in that ever-so-exciting thing: the unspecified role. Rapace is the ex-husband of Noomi Rapace, and appears to now be following in his ex's international footsteps. [007's Twitter] Universal needs a new action hero, and who better to use than one that's in the public domain?...
- 11/8/2011
- LRMonline.com
Christian Bale is set to continue his Academy Awards takeover. Last year, the "Dark Knight Rises" star won his first Oscar for his supporting role in "The Fighter," and this year one of his movies will be eligible for a golden statue as well.
China has chosen Bale's film "The Flowers of War" as its official selection in the foreign-language category at the Oscars this year. It comes from director Zhang Yimou, best known in the Us for directing the 2002 movie "Hero." The film will receive a limited Us release starting in late December, after its world premiere in China on December 16. "The Flowers of War" is set against the backdrop of the Nanking Massacre during the second Sino-Japanese War in 1937.
Check out the rest of today's film news after the jump!
MGM Finds Waldo For New Movie
In a world where there are movies being made based on the...
China has chosen Bale's film "The Flowers of War" as its official selection in the foreign-language category at the Oscars this year. It comes from director Zhang Yimou, best known in the Us for directing the 2002 movie "Hero." The film will receive a limited Us release starting in late December, after its world premiere in China on December 16. "The Flowers of War" is set against the backdrop of the Nanking Massacre during the second Sino-Japanese War in 1937.
Check out the rest of today's film news after the jump!
MGM Finds Waldo For New Movie
In a world where there are movies being made based on the...
- 11/8/2011
- by Terri Schwartz
- MTV Movies Blog
Universal Pictures International has picked up Jonny Kurzman's "Leonardo" action-adventure spec script reports Variety.
The story focuses on da Vinci's quest to stop Renaissance Europe from returning to the Dark Ages and explores his other non-painterly qualities including mathematics, architecture, sculpting, writing, science and inventing.
Larry and Charles Gordon will produce. The project isn't to be confused with the Starz and BBC's "Da Vinci's Demons" TV series which will premiere in 2013.
The story focuses on da Vinci's quest to stop Renaissance Europe from returning to the Dark Ages and explores his other non-painterly qualities including mathematics, architecture, sculpting, writing, science and inventing.
Larry and Charles Gordon will produce. The project isn't to be confused with the Starz and BBC's "Da Vinci's Demons" TV series which will premiere in 2013.
- 11/8/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Earlier this year came word that Warner Bros. had picked up a treatment entitled Leonardo Da Vinci and the Soldiers of Forever, which re-imagines da Vinci as a member of a secret society who falls headlong into a supernatural adventure that pits the man against Biblical demons in a story involving secret codes, lost civilizations, hidden fortresses and fallen angels. Now Variety reports Universal Pictures' international arm is looking to turn the genius into an action hero as well after picking up Leonardo, a spec script from Jonny Kurzman focusing on da Vinci's quest to stop Renaissance Europe from returning to the Dark Ages. After all, it only makes sense to have the man responsible for coming up with such concepts as helicopters, tanks, and more to be one of the first action heroes of his time. Considering there hasn't been anymore news on the Warner Bros. project, there's...
- 11/8/2011
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
Universal Pictures has picked up Jonny Kurzman's "Leonardo" spec script in order to turn it into an action-adventure centered on the young Leonardo Da Vinci. Kurzman is mostly known for his work on children's television. Da Vinci is the painter of the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper was also a mathematician, architect, sculptor, writer, scientist and inventor -- including concepts for a helicopter, a tank, solar power, a calculator and the double hull. The story will focus on da Vinci's quest to stop Renaissance Europe from returning to the Dark Ages. Lawrence Gordon (Watchmen, Hellboy, Die Hard, Predator) is set to produce.
- 11/8/2011
- WorstPreviews.com
The last time that someone tried to construct an action film around the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci the result was Hudson Hawk, the 1991 Bruce Willis-starring disaster that was not only notable for being hated by critics, but for being a huge flop, pulling in only $17 million domestically on a $65 million budget. Apparently, however, Universal thinks that they have figured out what the problem was: that film didn't make Leonardo da Vinci the main character. According to Variety, the studio is now developing a project called Leonardo, which will follow a young da Vinci as the central protagonist. Based on a spec script by Jonny Kurzman, the project will see the famous artist/inventor go on an adventure to "stop Renaissance Europe from returning to the Dark Ages." As the trade notes, the project is somewhat similar to a television series currently being developed at Starz by Batman Begins...
- 11/8/2011
- cinemablend.com
Leonardo action adventure spec script from Jonny Kurzman picked by by Universal Universal Pictures International wants to make an action-adventure focusing on young Leonardo da Vinci, and has picked up Leonardo, a spec script from Jonny Kurzman's and set it up with Larry and Charles Gordon, reports Variety. Leonardo fill focus on da Vinci's quest to prevent Renaissance Europe's return to the Dark Ages. Philip Westgre, Vice President of Lawrence Gordon Productions, brought the project in and is overseeing. Starz has the upcoming Da Vinci's Demons from BBC Worldwide which also focuses on a young da Vinci and is set for a premiere some time in 2013.
- 11/8/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Leonardo action adventure spec script from Jonny Kurzman picked by by Universal Universal Pictures International wants to make an action-adventure focusing on young Leonardo da Vinci, and has picked up Leonardo, a spec script from Jonny Kurzman's and set it up with Larry and Charles Gordon, reports Variety. Leonardo fill focus on da Vinci's quest to prevent Renaissance Europe's return to the Dark Ages. Philip Westgre, Vice President of Lawrence Gordon Productions, brought the project in and is overseeing. Starz has the upcoming Da Vinci's Demons from BBC Worldwide which also focuses on a young da Vinci and is set for a premiere some time in 2013.
- 11/8/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Leonardo action adventure spec script from Jonny Kurzman picked by by Universal Universal Pictures International wants to make an action-adventure focusing on young Leonardo da Vinci, and has picked up Leonardo, a spec script from Jonny Kurzman's and set it up with Larry and Charles Gordon, reports Variety. Leonardo fill focus on da Vinci's quest to prevent Renaissance Europe's return to the Dark Ages. Philip Westgre, Vice President of Lawrence Gordon Productions, brought the project in and is overseeing. Starz has the upcoming Da Vinci's Demons from BBC Worldwide which also focuses on a young da Vinci and is set for a premiere some time in 2013.
- 11/8/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Universal Pictures is moving forward on action-adventure take on the young Leonardo da Vinci. Variety reports that the studio has purchased a spec script penned by Jonny Kurzman and has Larry and Charles Gordon on board as producers.
The story will focus on "da Vinci's quest to stop Renaissance Europe from returning to the Dark Ages.The Mona Lisa and Last Supper painter was also a mathematician, architect, sculptor, writer, scientist and inventor -- including concepts for a helicopter, a tank, solar power, a calculator and the double hull."
The production will be overseen by Lawrence Gordon Prods. VP Philip Westgren. Larry Gordon produced Watchmen and the Hellboy films. Charles Gordon produced Hitman and The Girl Next Door. This sounds like an interesting project. I love history and revisionist projects, so this sounds pretty cool.
What are your thoughts?...
The story will focus on "da Vinci's quest to stop Renaissance Europe from returning to the Dark Ages.The Mona Lisa and Last Supper painter was also a mathematician, architect, sculptor, writer, scientist and inventor -- including concepts for a helicopter, a tank, solar power, a calculator and the double hull."
The production will be overseen by Lawrence Gordon Prods. VP Philip Westgren. Larry Gordon produced Watchmen and the Hellboy films. Charles Gordon produced Hitman and The Girl Next Door. This sounds like an interesting project. I love history and revisionist projects, so this sounds pretty cool.
What are your thoughts?...
- 11/8/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Forget scenes of a shaggy-haired Tom Hanks sprinting through the galleries of the Lourve in order to solve a crime beneath Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece Mona Lisa. Variety reported today that Universal Pictures acquired a spec script by Jonny Kurzman and partnered with producers Larry and Charles Gordon to make Young Da Vinci, a movie based on the adventures of a young Leonardo da Vinci in 15th-century Italy. Larry Gordon, who produced Watchmen and the Hellboy movies; and Charles Gordon, who produced Hitman and The Girl Next Door, described the story as a period adventure with the young Da Vinci putting his mathematical, scientific, and engineering skills to the test in order to solve crimes in medieval Italy.
- 11/7/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Forget scenes of a shaggy-haired Tom Hanks sprinting through the galleries of the Lourve in order to solve a crime beneath Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece Mona Lisa. Variety reported today that Universal Pictures acquired a spec script by Jonny Kurzman and partnered with producers Larry and Charles Gordon to make Young Da Vinci, a movie based on the adventures of a young Leonardo da Vinci in 15th-century Italy. Larry Gordon, who produced Watchmen and the Hellboy movies; and Charles Gordon, who produced Hitman and The Girl Next Door, described the story as a period adventure with the young Da Vinci putting his mathematical, scientific, and engineering skills to the test in order to solve crimes in medieval Italy.
- 11/7/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Forget scenes of a shaggy-haired Tom Hanks sprinting through the galleries of the Lourve in order to solve a crime beneath Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece Mona Lisa. Variety reported today that Universal Pictures acquired a spec script by Jonny Kurzman and partnered with producers Larry and Charles Gordon to make Young Da Vinci, a movie based on the adventures of a young Leonardo da Vinci in 15th-century Italy. Larry Gordon, who produced Watchmen and the Hellboy movies; and Charles Gordon, who produced Hitman and The Girl Next Door, described the story as a period adventure with the young Da Vinci putting his mathematical, scientific, and engineering skills to the test in order to solve crimes in medieval Italy.
- 11/7/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Universal has plans to develop Leonardo , a spec script from children's television writer Jonny Kurzman. Variety has the news, saying the film will involve the fictional adventures of a young Leonardo da Vinci. Kurzman posted the following update in regards to the film on his official site: Recently my feature screenplay Leonardo has been picked up by Universal for Lawrence Gordon to produce. It goes without saying that this is hugely exciting, but in many ways I see it as an extension of what I have been doing in children.s television, except with a much bigger budget to play with. Gordon's recent producing credits include Watchmen and both Hellboy and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider films.
- 11/7/2011
- Comingsoon.net
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