Tricky pics spend years en route

'Albert Nobbs' was a labor of love for Glenn Close. 'Anonymous''A Dangerous Method'Christopher Hampton began writing "A Dangerous Method" in 1997 for 20th Century Fox as a vehicle for Julia Roberts to play Sabina Spielrein, the Russian woman who came between Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung during the early days of psychoanalysis.Roberts eventually decided to pass, but persuaded the studio to release the rights back to Hampton, who, not wanting to, as he puts it, "waste all that material," turned it into a 2002 play titled "The Talking Cure." Director David Cronenberg read the play shortly after its London premiere and called Hampton to ask if he'd think it'd make a good movie.Which is how 14 years after Hampton originally wrote the screenplay, "A Dangerous Method" arrived in movie theaters. A long time, Hampton notes, but not a personal record. "Carrington," his directorial debut, took 18 years to make. His third film, "Imagining Argentina," needed 14 years."You just have to live a very long time," Hampton says, laughing. "Eventually it will dawn on somebody that the script that has been sitting around would make a good film."Judging from the number of long-gestating passion projects arriving in movie theaters this fall, Hampton hasn't been the only one biding his time through false starts and financing fall-throughs. Roland Emmerich spent nearly a decade tweaking and championing writer John Orloff's Shakespearean speculation "Anonymous." Steven Spielberg acquired the rights to Herge's "Tintin" comics shortly after the Belgian artist died in 1983. His adaptation of three of the stories, "The Adventures of Tintin," opens Dec. 28.And nearly three decades after playing a woman passing herself as a man to eke out a living in 19th century Ireland, Glenn Close has finally realized her dream of bringing "Albert Nobbs" to the screen."That first day on the set, it was very hard to take it all in," Close says. "I thought, 'If we had given up, there'd be nobody here.' It was such a long road."Any discussion of long and winding roads would be incomplete without including contemplative auteur Terrence Malick, whose "Tree of Life" opened in spring at the Cannes Film Festival some 30 years after it began its life as a meditation on the origins of the cosmos. The post-production on "Tree," which Malick shot in 2008, lasted longer than the development-to-release windows for most movies.The reasons behind the delays for the majority of these personal projects typically have more to do with financing than deep thoughts. "Dangerous Method" producer Jeremy Thomas needed a few years to find money for the film once Hampton revised his screenplay for Cronenberg. Close, who has producer and writer credits to go along with her starring role in "Nobbs" lost the financing for her film nearly a decade ago. She and producers Bonnie Curtis and Julie Lynn eventually found investors outside the industry, with Close kicking in some of her own money to cover the movie's $8 million budget."I define an independent movie as a movie that almost doesn't get made," Close says. "That's just the rule."Adds Hampton: "I have to be philosophical about the fact that the kind of films that I like to write are also the kinds of films that make people nervous to finance. One in three of my screenplays will get made. And the other two it's never to do with quality. It's a completely random set of circumstances every time."Even Emmerich, whose apocalyptic epics like "2012" and "Independence Day" have grossed billions worldwide, was impelled to shelve "Anonymous" in 2005 when, during pre-production, the budget ballooned from $40 million to more than $55 million."A movie like this has a very narrow audience," Emmerich says of "Anonymous," an effects-laden costume drama that posits that Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, wrote the works of Shakespeare. "I always wanted to make it. I just had to find a cheaper way."Emmerich found that way while making the $200 million-budgeted disaster film "2012." Working for the first time with a digital camera, Emmerich came away knowing he could create first-rate bluescreen composites. He also noted advances in the way computer effects artists could create photo-real environments."That gave me the courage to recreate a 16th-century London on the computer," Emmerich says. Thanks to the technology and the money saved shooting in Germany instead of England, "Anonymous" came in at $25 million, he says.Not all labors of love score with audiences and Academy voters. For every long-gestating "Milk" and "Schindler's List," there's a "Frankie & Alice" that goes by the wayside. But, whatever the result, those involved in the lengthy journeys to screen wouldn't trade the trip.Says Close: "That cliche -- even if two people see it and like it, then it's worth it -- is true. The process itself is fulfilling. It feeds the soul."AWARDS SEASON LAUNCH:Acad muzzles the clink and guzzle scene | New rules redraw Oscar's picture, doc, toon races | Tricky pics spend years en route | Fest test weeds out all but Oscar's best Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Why the Graphics in 'Jurassic Park' Still Hold Up

Billy Bob Thornton might not spring to mind right away when you think "animation" and "children's movies," but turns out his Southern drawl is just right for the villainous Jack in 'Puss in Boots,' who -- along with partner Jill (Amy Sedaris) -- has gone beyond fetching water and is trying to take over the world. Thornton talked with Moviefone about staying true to his indie roots, his occasional forays into big-budget action fare, and why his not going to Cardinals games might help them win the World Series. What made you want to do your first big animated movie? Thornton: Well, I got the call and it's fun to be in a movie with billboards all over town. It's very different from what I do. I've been acting in live-action movies, so I'm kind of a rookie at it. I'd only done one other (animated) movie and that was a Japanese movie, just revoicing it for English. So this is my first one of those and I was thrilled to do it, it was very fun. Did you want to do this for your kids? Yeah, my daughter is seven and she loves cartoons and dinosaurs and things. My boys are 17 and 18, but they like animated movies too. Did you get to record with any costars or were you in a booth by yourself? I was by myself. I imagine we would have had fun doing it together, but I think we might have had too much fun and it might have slowed the process down. Your cohort-in crime in this is Amy Sedaris. Did you know her before this? I didn't know her before yesterday. We were doing this press junket and we did our television interviews together and we had the best time. It was so easy for me because she's so entertaining. She talks so fast and I was able to just sit there and listen to her, I didn't have to do much work. She's a really funny and terrific personality, I like her a lot. Your characters are obviously not the traditional Jack and Jill; they've been described as Southern rednecks, would you agree with that? Well, yeah, I think they decided on that, based on me and Amy doing it, you know. She went for a more Southern accent -- she's originally from North Carolina. Personally, I think my character looks more like Henry the 8th. It's kind of funny to see yourself on the big screen like that. Why should people go see 'Puss in Boots?' It's very entertaining. Sometimes you forget you're watching an animated movie. I was on the edge of my seat a couple of times. It's done very well. I'm a very small part of the movie. It's all Antonio [Banderas] and Salma [Hayek] and Zach [Galifianakis], they make the movie. They're so much fun. Certainly don't go see it on my account. For the three of them, they're wonderful in it. I think people are really going to enjoy it. Are you following the World Series? You're a big Cardinals fan. I'm so nervous right now, you have no idea. If they had won [Game 2] in St. Louis, I think we'd be doing a lot better. That was our chance. Are you going to go to any of their games? I have so many superstitions, you have no idea. I did go to a series games last time in 2006, but -- this year -- I think it's best if I stay away. I sort of stayed away when they were winning, so I think my presence would be a jinx right now. Do they know about this? Yeah, I've talked to their manager, Tony La Russa. Baseball players have a lot of rituals and superstitions and you'll hardly ever talk to a baseball player who doesn't, so they understand this. So by staying away, you're guaranteeing them a win? By staying away, I'm giving them a better chance. What's up next for you? I just finished directing a movie called 'Jayne Mansfield's Car' with myself, Robert Duvall and Kevin Bacon. It's in post-production. It's a comedy-drama about a family in 1960 and about the how different generations deal with war and the effects of it. It's an examination of life and death. How many times have you worked with Duvall? I've known him since the late '80s, I wrote a movie with Tom Epperson called 'A Family Thing' [that starred Duvall] and he played my father in 'Sling Blade.' My first movie I did with him was called 'Stars Fell on Henrietta,' years ago. So he's kind of been my mentor. He was the old guard, that guy that I've tried to emulate as an actor. Is there anyone you're mentoring? Yeah, there are younger actors who are fans of mine. And sometimes I speak for groups of actors of young writers, that kind of thing. Nobody where it's official. [Laughs] Not that they come to the office everyday or anything like that. What kind of advice are you giving young actors? Mainly to do what they know the best. Not to do what's popular. That's a way to make a living, but it's not a way to be an artist. I think they need to write about what you know the best and not just try to write something that falls into the most popular category that's going right now, because it's not going to be your best work. Do you feel you've been able to do that, stay true to what feels right to you? For the most part. I mean, every now and then I'll do a big, more action-type movie that's not really my bag because you have to make a living. But I've been fortunate to be in a couple of good ones, you just have to pick the best ones, not just go do something for money that's not so good. You have to pick one that's well written that you think they're going to do a good job of it. Does that include 'Armageddon?' 'Armageddon,' 'Eagle Eye,' they did a good job on that. DJ Caruso's a terrific guy and director. You just want to do one where they're not going to throw tomatoes at you! [Laughs] Which was the most fun of the big movies? I'm good friends with Bruce Willis. I always love hanging out with Bruce. So we had a great time making 'Armageddon' and he was in 'The Astronaut Farmer' with me and he and I did a movie called 'Bandits,' with Cate Blanchett. We had a great time on it. Probably the most fun I ever had in terms of the locations and hanging out with the cast. It came out at a very unfortunate time, right after 9/11. Is that one you wish people would go back and catch up on? It was one that people loved. It did very well on DVD, so we always try to say something about that movie, because it was overlooked at the time. You can't whine about it or start complaining about your movie at a time like that, but it's a fun movie. That was one of my best experiences, but I've been fortunate, I've had a whole lot of good experiences and I've worked with a lot of great people. You hear horror stories, that this person was awful or that person, but I've been real lucky. [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Susan Sarandon Condemned by Catholic League After Calling Pope a Nazi

Susan Sarandon is originating under fire for calling Pope Benedict XVI a nazi in the Hamptons Film Festival over the past weekend.our editor recommendsADL Asks Susan Sarandon to Apologize for Mentioning towards the Pope like a NaziMichael Moore, Susan Sarandon Make Looks at Wall Street Protests PHOTOS: 10 Artists Dems and Republicans Like to Hate "Susan Sarandon's lack of knowledge is willful: individuals who've hate within their veins aren't thinking about the reality. The truth is Frederick Ratzinger [the Pope] was conscripted at age 14 in to the Hitler Youth, together with almost every other youthful German boy," states the leader from the Catholic League of America, William Donohue, inside a statement. STORY: Susan Sarandon Calls the Pope a Nazi in the Hamptons Film Festival "Unlike the majority of the other teens, Ratzinger declined to visit conferences, getting economic difficulty to his family. Furthermore, unlike the majority of the others, he deserted in the first chance. Sarandon's comment is obscene. Sadly, it's what we have come to anticipate from her," Donohue added. On Monday, the Anti Defamation League also known as to have an apology in the actress. Abraham H. Foxman told The Hollywood Reporter inside a statement, "Hopefully that Susan Sarandon may have the sense to apologize towards the Catholic community and all sorts of individuals she might have upset with this particular disturbing, deeply offensive and completely uncalled for attack around the good title of Pope Benedict XVI. PHOTOS: Susan Sarandon, Michael Moore at Occupy Wall St. "Ms. Sarandon might have her variations using the Catholic Chapel, but that's no excuse for tossing around Nazi analogies. Such test is hateful, vindictive and just actually diminish the real background and concept of the Holocaust." Foxman also known as Sarandon's comment "disturbing, deeply offensive and completely uncalled for." Sarandon told actor Bob Balaban within an interview in Sag Harbor on Saturday that they had sent the Pope a duplicate from the anti dying penalty book, Dead Guy Walking. She starred within the 1995 film adaptation from the book. Making clear which Pope received her package, Sarandon stated, "The final one, not this Nazi one we now have.Inch Balaban attempted to bop round the comment, but Sarandon just managed to get again, based on reviews. The crowd also chuckled. Related Subjects Susan Sarandon

Exclusive: New John Carter image

Check out this brand new exclusive image from forthcoming Disney epic John Carter.Based on the books by Tarzan's Edgar Rice Burroughs, it's directed by Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo) and tells the story of American Civil War soldier John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) mysteriously transported to Mars and unwilling charged with becoming the planet's saviour with the help of great green warrior Tars Tarkas (William Dafoe) and beautiful princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). New footage shown at D23 last month showed Carter discovering his new surroundings and an ability to jump great distances, while meeting a range of Martians great and small."It's a period film of a period we don't know anything about," says Stanton, who has Harry Potter-sized hopes for a possible franchise of Burrough's "pulp Shakespeare" epic.Though despite the scale, Stanton's adamant the human element is key, with JC "Fighting something that happened to him in the past. I think that makes him more real" he affirms. "We all have ghosts that we're chasing."

NBC cancels 'Free Agents'

'Free Agents,' starring Hank Azaria and Kathryn Hahn drew only 3.2 million viewers in its most recent airing on NBC.NBC has axed low-rated Wednesday comedy "Free Agents" after four airings. The Hank Azaria-Kathryn Hahn rom-com delivered 3.2 million viewers in its most recent airing. NBC plans to fill the Wednesday 8:30 p.m. slot with repeats of its new Thursday comedy "Whitney." "Free Agents," an offbeat Universal TV laffer based on a Brit format, drew some positive reviews but never clicked in the tough slot opposite Fox's "The X Factor" and CBS' "Survivor." It also struggled to hold the lead-in from its 8 p.m. companion, "Up All Night," which has earned a full-season pickup. On Wednesday, "Up All Night" delivered a 5.7 million viewers and 2.2 rating/7 share in the adults 18-49 demo; "Free Agents" slipped to 3.2 million and 1.0/3 -- a drop that sealed the show's fate.

Paul Master Starring in Publish-Hurricane Katrina Thriller 'Hours'

Getty Images Paul Master has signed onto star in Several hours, a publish-Hurricane Katrina thriller that's making the directorial debut of film author Eric Heisserer. Several hours comprises a big change of pace for Heisserer, who is probably the town's go-to horror males he written The Main One Factor, which opens October 14, together with the current 3d pic, Final Destination. More youthful crowd co-written 2010's A Nightmare on Elm Street. PHOTOS: Premiere Photos: 'Fast Five' and 'Water for Tigers' Several hours notifies the storyplot around a young father (Master) and also the fight to help keep his newborn daughter alive inside an abandoned New Orleans hospital like a direct results of Hurricane Katrina. Peter Safran (Hidden) will produce the film though his Safran Company, is also financing the project, that's hoping to get a March 2012 start. The film will shoot on location around New Orleans. For Master, from the massive success of Fast Five, Several hours reteams with Safran, to whom he just completed principal photography on indie thriller Vehicle 19. The actor also professional produced the film. STORY: Paul Master to Executive Produce, Star in 'Vehicle 19' Master and Heisserer are repped by UTA. Master is in addition repped by Luber Roklin while Heisserer may also be repped by Artwork Entertainment. UTA Independent Film Group packed Several hours along with Safran and may represent worldwide rights for the film. Paul Master UTA

Charlie Kaufman's Latest Virtually Totally Spoiled, and 5 Other Tales You'll Be Talking About Today

Happy Monday! Also in today’s edition in the Broadsheet: Star Trek 2 is certainly going ahead (type of)… Honours-season can get raked inside the critical coals (again)… Apparent queries about Rachelle Lefervre… Andrew Breitbart’s classy tribute to Janeane Garofalo… plus much more. · The weekend introduced several updates regarding Charlie Kaufman’s next writing-pointing project Frank or Francis, the newsiest which is always that Kevin Kline look alongside Steve Carell, Jack Black and Nicolas Cage. I won’t give other activities away, save to convey the comfort is actually an abject, almost pornographic binge of plot and script spoilers it feels as though Kaufman is pranking movie authors into the very kind of behavior he apparently desires to lampoon. It’s got to become trick, right? And anyway, wasn’t Kaufman’s unpredictability always stated to become a fundamental element of his appeal? Did I miss the memo saying it’s OK to supply his whole movie away before it’s even shot? Anyway, numerous spoilers follow at both of these links, that people provide just like a both determined by policy together with a sincerest promoting to guard your Kaufman-viewing experience by never clicking. [Variety, The Playlist] · Star Trek co-film author Roberto Orci opened up up up just a little in regards to the progress in the approaching follow-up, that locations are presently being scouted. Type of related: You know what happens movie might be awesome? Bad Lieutenant Uhura: The avenue for call New Orleans. Consider the ass-kicking! The kinds of species! The rules! Anyway. [StarTrek.com via /film] · Why not obtain a week started right having a couple of passive-aggressive bitching in the.To. Scott? “I’m attempting to see Oren Moverman’s Rampart, freshly acquired by Millennium after finding some critical love in Toronto,” he produces in the new dialogues along with his NYT friend Manohla Dargis. “I’m also searching toward seeing what audiences type of The Descendants […] I’m less excited with the several days of speculation of a best actor face-off between George Clooney inside the Descendants and Woodsy Harrelson, the star of Rampart. Though in February, when one of these simple — or [Kaira] Pitt, or Leonardo DiCaprio, or any other person — lays at work the statuette, I'll clearly be watching.” Glad we’ve settled that. [NYT] · Today in apparent questions that apparently continue being negotiable: “Is Rachelle Lefervre condemned not to exceed Twilight?” I question! [LAT] · “Surprise! Whales and Jesus Beat Cancer and Dead Kids.” I guess that's another way of searching within the weekend box office. [Time] · Here’s noted, nuanced right-wing intellectual Andrew Breitbart calling Janeane Garofalo “Hollywood’s sympathy fuck.” Lovely. [Breitbart.tv]