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Re: Around the World with Jackie Chan?

From: Andrew Nash <anash~at~julesverne.ca>
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 22:04:53 -0400
To: Jules Verne Forum <jvf~at~math.technion.ac.il>

A little off topic, but echoing what Brian says re "adapting books for the
current time",
on the Monstes Inc DVD, there is a trailer for Rober Louis Stevensons
"Treasure Planet" where Disney has
updated the book "Treasure Island" to a Victorian looking Space age! It
actually looks pretty cool with Galleons sailing in the sky!!!
... Andrew


At 08:14 PM 9/16/02 -0400, you wrote:

>Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 16:16:05 -0700
>From: harryhayfield~at~btopenworld.com
>Subject: Around the World in Eighty...Kicks?
>
> >What next? A Chinaman playing Inspector Fix?
>
>Harry, "Chinaman" has been regarded as a derogatory epithet since the
>early 20th century ... your fellow countryman I.O. Evans recognized that
>in his Fitzroy edition when he changed the title of "Les Tribulations d'un
>Chinois en Chine" to the less accurate but more respectful "The
>Tribulations of a Chinese Gentleman."
>
>Besides, what is wrong with an a Chinese actor known for his stunt work
>playing the athletic Passepartout? How many times has Passepartout been
>played by a French actor? Certainly the best known, Cantinflas, was not.
>Yet it scarcely damaged the 1956 film. By comparison, I don't recall
>any concern that no Indian actor has ever played Captain Nemo.
>
>Moreover, as I've written in *The Jules Verne Encyclopedia*, opening Fogg
>to new cultures and perspectives on the journey is the subtext of the
>novel. That is what changes his character, and certainly his encounter
>and love for Aouda are key in that regard.
>
>Like Ernie Sjogren, I look forward to what Jackie can do with the
>character and story. He's an important international star who will bring
>Verne to new audiences who probably would not otherwise know about him.
>And, as RF Bagby has pointed out, at the very worst, it will only be one
>of dozens of versions ranging widely in quality.
>
>Verne is not the property of scholars and aficionados any more than such
>authors as, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; he is a
>cultural icon open to a multiplicity of uses. Remember the 80 Days
>crackers sold in England a few years back? Similarly, filmmakers have the
>right to interpret classic stories, such as Verne's, for their own times,
>concerns, and stars; fidelity to the original text is only one standard of
>judgement.
>
>I'm glad to hear you saw the 1956 film broadcast in England. You might
>want to read about some discoveries that explain some of the variations
>from the novel; for instance, the aerial sequence was included to
>demonstrate the use of this widescreen process in a relatively
>uncontrolled environment. http://jv.gilead.org.il/taves/lcib/80days.html
>There's a much longer version published in Journal of Film Preservation,
>No. 56 (June 1998): 18-22.
>
>Brian Taves
>Email: btav~at~loc.gov
>
>Disclaimer--All opinions expressed are my own.
>
>On Sun, 15 Sep 2002, Harry Hayfield wrote:
>
> > Around the World in Eighty Days Director: Frank Coraci Writer: TBA
> > Producer: TBA Action Director: Jackie Chan Cast: Jackie Chan
> > Production Company: Walden Media Release Date: Late 2003 Filming:
> > Filming should commence after the completion of "Shanghai Knights"
> > Language: English Plot: The film will be based on the famous novel by
> > Jules Verne, but the script is said to have been altered from the 1956
> > original starring David Niven, in order to suit Jackie. The new
> > version will focus more heavily on the character of Passepartout
> > played by Jackie, who after stealing a valuable Jade Buddha, seeks
> > refuge with London gentleman inventor Phileas Fogg. The role of Fogg,
> > made famous by Niven, has yet to be cast. The story set in the 18th
> > century, is about Fogg who makes a bet with his club that he can
> > travel around the world in 80 days. The revision has Passepartout
> > teaching Fogg to open his mind to the different cultures he encounters
> > en route, while at the same time defending Fogg from the hostilities
> > he meets along the way. Special Note: Jackie stated "It's a film that
> > I am interested in because it s educational and sends a positive
> > message to the public. Each film I make has to be more exciting and
> > challenging than the next. I like the idea of travelling to nine
> > different countries to make this film. Travelling gives me an
> > opportunity to learn about different countries." Fogg an inventor?
> > Passepartout a common Chinese thief? Fogg taking an interest in other
> > cultures? Someone fan me down before I faint. This company is taking
> > too many liberties. I'm going to write to them and point out that what
> > they are proposing and what Verne wrote are totally incongorous.
Received on Thu 19 Sep 2002 - 05:23:43 IDT

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