78 replies to this topic

[TedN]

According to this article in today's Journal de Montreal, JV will be in Montreal next week to announce a film about his father. Rough tranlation (Bablefish) as follows:

17/02/2005 - 07h44
Gilles Villeneuve will live again with the cinema
by Maxime Demers and Dany Bouchard
Journal de Montréal


Nearly 23 years after its death, the legend Gilles Villeneuve will live again with the large screen.

"It is a question of a film about the life of Gilles Villeneuve", yesterday confirmed with the Newspaper of Montreal the spokesman of the racing driver Jacques Villeneuve, Yann Lefort.

Jacques Villeneuve will be besides in Montreal next Wednesday to announce the details of the production, at the time of a press conference having to take place at his restaurant, Newtown, street Crescent, in the presence of many cultural and sporting journalists.

"what one said to us, it is that it will be a Hollywood production and that the producers apparently have at the head a large size of the realization and very known actors", specifies Yann Lefort.

"Jacques will announce the details of his implication in the project the next week", concluded the spokesman.

The cinematographic project will be apparently controlled by the house of Toronto-native production Capri Films.

It is besides the latter which yesterday launched the invitation to the journalists for the press conference.

The producers of Capri Films currently work on next film of Terry Gilliam (Brazil, Twelve Monkeys) and are at the origin of documentary on Metallica, Some Kind of Monster, left last year.

Yesterday, the house of production did not want to comment on the advertisement of next Wednesday.

An old project
The owner of the museum Gilles-Villeneuve, joint yesterday by the Newspaper of Montreal with Berthierville, was not surprised of such an advertisement.

"Its life is a true film scenario. The only problem, it is that that finishes badly ", begins Alain Belhumeur, recalling that a film on the legend of the motor race had failed to be born at the beginning of the Nineties.

"They was about ten after its death, remembers it. I have even newspaper cuttings announcing that the role of Gilles Villeneuve would be given to Michael J Fox ", tells it.

Until the year spent, the project of film was always in the air.

"the last with me to have spoken is Gaston Parent, his former manager. It is deceased last year."

Ted

[dai_ferrari]

If Hollywood is involved in anyway, why oh why do I get a very bad feeling on this? :

[Gilles4Ever]

Originally posted by dai_ferrari
If Hollywood is involved in anyway, why oh why do I get a very bad feeling on this? :

Bad feeling doesn't come close.

[littlewoodenboy]

look, as long as they don't cast will smith....

[snash]

Originally posted by littlewoodenboy
look, as long as they don't cast will smith....

Or use anyone even remotely involved in the making of 'DRIVEN'

[AF Prodrive]

Wasn't there a Senna film to be shot with Antonio Banderas in the lead role? I'm sure there was some talk of this some time ago...

[RDM]

Well, as long as somebody Canadian is responsible, before its turned by Spielberg into a "Gilles was American, and there was a happy ending where he became WDC" version of events, in his usually history-****ing manner.

[pio!pio!]

Don't forget the pointless subplot love story

[xype]

Originally posted by RDM
Well, as long as somebody Canadian is responsible, before its turned by Spielberg into a "Gilles was American, and there was a happy ending where he became WDC" version of events, in his usually history-****ing manner.

That is Roland Emmerich's trademark, or? I tought Spielberg would make Gilles step into a spaceship uttering "My work here is done..." or something like that.

[Jhope]

Un film sur la vie de Gilles Villeneuve

La vie de Gilles Villeneuve sera portée au grand écran.

Selon le Journal de Montréal, Jacques Villeneuve annoncera officiellement la réalisation de ce film mercredi prochain.

Le projet serait mené par la maison de production Capri Films, de Toronto. Il s'agirait d'une production hollywoodienne et des acteurs très connus seraient pressentis pour jouer dans le long métrage.

Il y a 15 ans, un projet de film sur la vie de Gilles Villeneuve avait déjà été déposé sur la table. Michael J. Fox devait alors jouer le rôle du coureur automobile.

Gilles Villeneuve est décédé à 32 ans, le 8 mai 1982, dans un tragique accident sur le circuit de Zolder, en Belgique.

http://lcn.canoe.com...217-072637.html

translation

Gilles Villeneuve's Life To Be Portrayed On The Big Screen

According to the Journal de Montreal, Jacques Villeneuve will officially announce the production of this movie next Wednesday.

The project will be realised by Capri Films of Toronto. It will be a Hollywood production, and well known actors will be hired to play in the movie.

Fifteen years ago, a similar project on the life of Gilles Villeneuve was proposed. Michael J. Fox was to play the the role of the race car driver.

Gilles Villeneuve died at age 32, on May 8th 1982, in a tragic accident at the Zolder Circuit in Belgium.



I hope this movie is not Driven all over again...seriously.

[gerry nassar]

I dont think we can judge it until we see who the director and stars will be. This is a totally different type of film to Driven.

Hollywood has been quite good in making Biopics of late - witness The Aviator, Ray, Kinsey etc - so with a good director this could be a strong film.

Though who could play Gilles?

[Jhope]

I like the original idea of Michael J. Fox. They look similar, they are practically the same height, and are/were both Canadian.

Other than that? Good question. Jacques?;)

[scousepenguin]

This rumour initally surfaced months ago, I hope if it is really is going ahead that it's a great one.

If they were to cast an 'unknown', I'd choose Jeffrey Combs , who has mannerisms uncannilly like Gilles.

[skinnylizard]

wont happen. they will have to think about the american market and if they do it will need serious changes. we all know how well racing movies are made.
i remember a Senna project, a nuvolari project with nic cage.

i think it can be done, and done well with even a limited budget (something like $20million or so) compared to the monstrosity that was Driven (@ $50million) no less.

[Gilles4Ever]

If they do it as a semi documentary with actual footage instead of trying to recreate everything it might work.

Although a good cgi of Arnoux vs Gilles at Dijon with in car shots etc could be very interesting.

[skinnylizard]

Originally posted by Gilles4Ever
If they do it as a semi documentary with actual footage instead of trying to recreate everything it might work.

Although a good cgi of Arnoux vs Gilles at Dijon with in car shots etc could be very interesting.

then they could do the whole thing for something like $2million and it would be pointless.

[xype]

CGI is good enough to recreate most of the "scenes" with cars. A budget of $20 million could be enough, they don't need to have Julia Roberts or Sylvester Stallone in it, there's plenty of "cheap" actrs who could do just as good a job.

I really hope it's better than JVs racing game thingie...

[skinnylizard]

Originally posted by xype
CGI is good enough to recreate most of the "scenes" with cars. A budget of $20 million could be enough, they don't need to have Julia Roberts or Sylvester Stallone in it, there's plenty of "cheap" actrs who could do just as good a job.

I really hope it's better than JVs racing game thingie...

i am sure they could just recreate those cars for a lot less and have to go around making too much CGI. of course they could use it here and there but i think $20million is a good amount. if they can get a major star involved then even better.

they should do a documentary anyway though. its an intruiging enough topic. as long as they avoid the dramatic reconstruction bit.

[ivanalesi]

Problem is, I dont recall any actor who looks or behaves like Gilles, neither as Ayrton. It would be damn hard for them to find one.

[Frogman]

If this is a Hollywood production, they'll probably construct a happy ending around Jacques winning the '97 WDC and beating [Hollywood over-dramatisation]the 'Hated Ferrari' that killed his father. Aahhh, revenge is sweet...[/Hollywod over-dramatisation]

[dbltop]

I always thought that Peter Scolari looked a lot like Gilles but he would be too old to play him now.

[random]

Originally posted by dbltop
I always thought that Peter Scolari looked a lot like Gilles but he would be too old to play him now.

As would Michael J Fox.

They don't need to find an actor with his mannerisms, they need to find a good actor with his build and general appearance. A good actor can learn the right mannerisms, that's what they do.

The movie will probably be in english, even so, I'd like to see them give it to an actor who speaks French as his first language. It couldn't be too hard to find a French Canadian actor with the general looks of Gilles who also speaks competent english.

[RRT1963]

Originally posted by snash



Or use anyone even remotely involved in the making of 'DRIVEN'

But that would preclude using Jacques as he was listed in the credits of Driven.

[JayWay]

Mike Smith. Or to most people: Bubbles.

He looks nothing like Gilles; he's got the wrong body-type; he doesn't speak French; and I don't believe he's yet able to speak in anything other than a strong East coast accent.

But just think of the dialogue!

Imagine, following Imola, Pironi...

"That ****in' prick cut me off!"

[George Bailey]

I think Jason Priestley is a natural for the title role.

[snash]

Originally posted by RRT1963


But that would preclude using Jacques as he was listed in the credits of Driven.

I know...I can't believe that when he saw the final product was a total piece of ****, he didn't insist on having himself removed from the credits, or at least insisting on using the Alan Smithee moniker!!

[gerry nassar]

Originally posted by skinnylizard
wont happen. they will have to think about the american market and if they do it will need serious changes. we all know how well racing movies are made.
i remember a Senna project, a nuvolari project with nic cage.

i think it can be done, and done well with even a limited budget (something like $20million or so) compared to the monstrosity that was Driven (@ $50million) no less.

With the success of documentaries these days - this could be a far better option and more likely than we think.

[SlateGray]

Originally posted by random
As would Michael J Fox.

They don't need to find an actor with his mannerisms, they need to find a good actor with his build and general appearance. A good actor can learn the right mannerisms, that's what they do.

The movie will probably be in english, even so, I'd like to see them give it to an actor who speaks French as his first language. It couldn't be too hard to find a French Canadian actor with the general looks of Gilles who also speaks competent english.

Good point about actors!

What about an international language movie in which the players speak the language that they really spoke at the time. Gilles in French at first and then on into characters speaking in their own languages, characters from all corners of the earth.

F1 history would be the perfect setting for such a movie.

Just have what ever subtitles the viewer wishes to see.
Just think of all the languages you would encounter. French, Chinese, Arabic Hebrew, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Swedish, Newfie....and most any other language on earth. It would be fun and educational.

[Guido Gofasta]

Originally posted by George Bailey
I think Jason Priestley is a natural for the title role.

If this board had a vomit emoticon I would not have had to type these words.

[George Bailey]

Originally posted by Guido Gofasta


If this board had a vomit emoticon I would not have had to type these words.

I guess then you're also against Tori Spelling as Gilles wife....

[scousepenguin]

When the book is brilliant and we have our memories, they had better get this one right or not bother at all.

[skinnylizard]

Originally posted by gerry nassar



With the success of documentaries these days - this could be a far better option and more likely than we think.

i agree. but its not the same. a documentary is obviously successfull but it wont have the same effect as a movie would. like i said somoene should have made one already

[cheesy poofs]

The film was officially announced this morning in Montreal.

JV was present along with Gerald Donaldson. The movie is due to begin shooting next year and its cinematic release is scheduled for 2007. No one has been named in the lead role so far. The film is to be shot in french, english and italian.

[TedN]

More here

Ted

[Spunout]

"If this is a Hollywood production, they'll probably construct a happy ending around Jacques winning the '97 WDC and beating [Hollywood over-dramatisation]the 'Hated Ferrari' that killed his father. Aahhh, revenge is sweet...[/Hollywod over-dramatisation]"

In a Hollywood production that would be american hero Jack Newtown beating hated Renault driver, Michel Schumacher.

[xype]

Originally posted by Spunout
In a Hollywood production that would be american hero, the practicing christian, father of 10 and purple-cross-wearing Iraq war veteran, bouncing back from losing his NYPD job, Jack Newtown beating hated Renault driver, Michelle Abdul El Schumammed, a genetically engineered non-christian, evil, sinning-machine from hell, to the National Fastdriving Association title on the fourth of July - the all new GPWC Independance Day!

There, fixed that for you.

[jvpl15]

Some more info:

Christian Duguay Helming Villeneuve
Source: Variety February 24, 2005


Toronto-based Capri Films has signed helmer Christian Duguay (The Art of War) to direct Villeneuve, a biopic about Canadian Formula One racer Gilles Villeneuve.

Screenwriter/helmer Malcolm Clarke will write the script, based in part on the bestselling bio "Villeneuve, the Life of a Legendary Driver." His son, Formula One racer Jacques Villeneuve, will act as a consultant and will drive in some of the racing sequences.

The movie is expected to have a budget of around $30 million and will be a Canadian co-production with at least one European country. It will shoot in Quebec and Italy.

Gilles Villeneuve died in a car crash in 1982 during the Formula One qualifying season. The film will begin 15 years later when son Jacques is preparing to race in Jerez, Portugal, the day he won the Formula One championship.

I don’t know about this, it could turn out to be absolutely awful. I'd prefer it if they approached it as a documentary rather than a dramatisation.

[BorderReiver]

If they do it I hope they do it properly, and without Hollywoods magnificent ability to ignore history of any kind (I'm living in fear of Tom Cruise winning the Battle Of Britain single handed in a few months time).

IF it's done well it could be sweet, but there have only been a handful of good racing films, and all of those are over 30 years old.

Indidentally, and slightly off topic, if they were to do a movie about Welsh Grand Prix Ace, Maldwyn Tom Pryce. . .



Tom Pryce



Ioan Gruffudd

Spooky No? And both Welsh!

[cheesy poofs]

My sources tell me the role will - most likely - go to a french-canadian speaking actor.

[ScottL]

Originally posted by Guido Gofasta
If this board had a vomit emoticon I would not have had to type these words.

Here ya go.

[scousepenguin]

I'm glad that Gerald Donaldson is on board

[cheesy poofs]

Originally posted by scousepenguin
I'm glad that Gerald Donaldson is on board

I doubt if Donaldson will have much to say in this film - even if he wrote the book that the film is based on. AFAIK - Donaldson went to Villeneuve a few years ago and sold all the rights to the book back to JV. He said it was only fitting the Jacques should own the rights to the work - since it was all about his father anyway. What more can he tell JV that he doesn't already know ??

Jacques will be very involved in this project and it seems his mother and father's family have been left out completely in the process.

Link to pics from this morning' s PC: www.villeneuve.com

[skinnylizard]

who are all those people?

[Rene]

Originally posted by scousepenguin
I'm glad that Gerald Donaldson is on board

His book on Gilles is awesome!

[skinnylizard]

wonder why they would begin in Portugal 1996

[Guido Gofasta]

Originally posted by ScottL


Here ya go.

Ah! "Le mot juste."

[Williams]

Originally posted by Rene


His book on Gilles is awesome!

Yup, among the best-written racing books ever written. I still pick it and just crack it open at a random page to read a bit from time to time. It'll be interesting to see how well this project comes off. Interestingly, until a few years ago, Jacques had said he hadn't read Donaldson's book, because, IIRC, he found it difficult to read about his own father. I'm glad to see he has decided to become involved and I'm looking forward to seeing this.

[cheesy poofs]

Originally posted by skinnylizard
wonder why they would begin in Portugal 1996

The movie will start on the final day of the 1997 season in Jerez when Jacques won the championship. It will be some kind of redemption of his father's life and career.

[Nikos Spagnol]

Originally posted by jvpl15
Some more info:

Christian Duguay Helming Villeneuve
Source: Variety February 24, 2005


(...)

Gilles Villeneuve died in a car crash in 1982 during the Formula One qualifying season. The film will begin 15 years later when son Jacques is preparing to race in Jerez, Portugal , the day he won the Formula One championship.

Hope they fix it in the actual movie...

Hollywoodzation in coming...

[pa]

Originally posted by skinnylizard
wont happen. they will have to think about the american market and if they do it will need serious changes. we all know how well racing movies are made.
i remember a Senna project, a nuvolari project with nic cage.

i think it can be done, and done well with even a limited budget (something like $20million or so) compared to the monstrosity that was Driven (@ $50million) no less.

You forget that F1 has next to zero American audience. This film is squarely aimed at a European audience, where F1 is a collossal draw. Just look at the title - virtually nobody in the USA has any f**king idea what a Villeneuve is, much less the 1982 version.