I, Claudius Film?

[DecimusCaesar]

I got an e-mail from a friend today, with this article attached. Unfortunately I can't find the origins or a date for the article. Has anyone else heard of this supposed project?

 

 

With the success of 300 and Apocalypto, HBO's Rome

series and older films like Gladiator, producer Scott Rudin

(The Queen,Truman Show) has purchased the screen

rights to the Robert Graves historical novel I, Claudius. The deal

set Rudin back $2 million, according to Variety.

 

The Graves novel is considered a classic in the telling of the behind

the scenes intrigue that went on at the Roman palace and within the

family of Augustus Caesar, from his early rise to power after the

assassination of his Uncle Julius to the death of Claudius’ son Nero,

the last of the Julian Emperors to rule over the Roman Empire.

 

In 1976 the BBC undertook a massive television stage production of the

novel. It was done so well that no one, until now, has even attempted to

make another. There was one failed attempt to do a big screen production

of I, Claudius in 1937. Producer Alexander Korda hired director

Josef von Sternberg, with actors Charles Laughton as Claudius and Merle

Oberon as Messalina. The film turned out to be a disasterous attempt and

has, to this day, remained unfinished and is considered one of

Hollywood's great lost movies.

 

The BBC televised production starred some of the biggest names in

British film and television including, John Hurt, Derek Jacobi, Sian

Phillips, George Baker, Brian Blessed, and Patrick Stewart.

 

Rumor has it that Rudin may be looking to one of Disney's owned

studios, such as Touchstone or Miramax for the home of this monumental

production because of his past successful dealings with Disney

executives. Also on board with Rudin is Alison Owen (Shaun of the

Dead) who will share producing duties.

 

 

I can't see how this will work on the big screen. The novel is far too large and it encompasses a long period of history, far too long to be succesfully told on the silver screen. Perhaps they will take the road taken by the original film's creators and only follow the career of Caligula and Claudius own reaction to it. Any thoughts on this? Do you think this will be a success, or will Hollywood have another epic disaster on their hands ? (The Last Legion, Alexander)

 

Personally, I think they should leave it with the series. The film might have better production values with a film budget, yet I can't see how they'll better the perfomances and the script of the series.

[Primus Pilus]

Information seems to be slowly spreading...

 

Scott Rubin I' Claudius via google

 

Seems DiCaprio is set to sign on. I'm torn on him. I've liked him in a couple of fims (Departed, Gangs of New York) but still have trouble dealing with the fact that it's Leonardo DiCaprio that I'm watching.

[The Augusta]

May the gods have mercy on us all!!!

[Nephele]

May the gods have mercy on us all!!!

 

I can just picture it: Johnny Depp as Caligula!

 

-- Nephele

[G-Manicus]

The original series was recently named one of the 100 Best TV Shows of Alltime by Time Magazine. I've got a DVD copy of it. Some of the best television I've ever seen. ("Cl-cl-cl-claudius ..." )

 

HBO's "Rome" did not make the list (nor did Barney Miller, The Brady Bunch, or The Andy Griffith Show! Bastards!)