Harvey Weinstein

The Weinstein Co. to Hit Broadway With Stage Versions of ‘Finding Neverland,’ Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’

HollywoodChicago.com — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:18:54 -0700

CHICAGO – Brothers Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein of The Weinstein Company are becoming just as big on Broadway as they have been in the movies.

Harvey Weinstein (left) and Bob Weinstein (right) of The Weinstein Company.
Photo credits: Harvey Weinstein image (source) and Bob Weinstein image (source)

The Weinstein Co., which is a minority producer in the Tony Award-winning revival “Boeing Boeing” and the Steppenwolf Theatre’s Tony Award-winning “August: Osage County,” recently announced the production of numerous stage projects. They’ll begin with a stage version of the film “Finding Neverland” followed by a work based off Pink Floyd’s seminal album “The Wall”.

Further down the line are musicals based off the Miramax pictures “Shakespeare in Love,” “Chocolat,” “Cinema Paradiso” and “Shall We Dance”.

The Weinsteins first got their taste for live theatre when they helped produce Tom Stoppard’s 2000 revival of “The Real Thing” and the following year on Mel Brooks’ “The Producers”. Up until now, the brothers have played low-key rolls in the creative process, but the newly announced productions will feature The Weinstein Co. at the helm of each.

The Weinstein Co. has also announced a major rehaul on its Miramax TV division, which aside from “Project Greenlight” and “Project Runway” hasn’t been as successful as its film and stage ventures.

New shows include “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” for HBO, “Models of the Runway” (a “Project Runway” spinoff for Lifetime) and a sitcom based on the 2007 movie “The Nanny Diaries”. Also in the works include the eco-friendly series “Lovecraft” and a new take on the 1980s franchise “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”.

By DUSTIN LEVELL
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
dustin@hollywoodchicago.com

Official Poster Art Released For Morgan Spurlock’s ‘Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?’

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:29:18 -0700

CHICAGO – The publicist for The Weinstein Company’s new film “Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?” has sent us the project’s official poster art. The documentary, which is slated for release on April 18, 2008, comes from the mind of Morgan Spurlock from “Super Size Me” fame.

Spurlock also produced “What Would Jesus Buy?”. The new poster art can be found below. Click on the image for a full-size version.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Interview: Denzel Washington’s Difference of Opinion With Harvey Weinstein on ‘The Great Debaters’

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:00:51 -0700

I interviewed actor and director Denzel Washington on Dec. 6 on the topic of “The Great Debaters,” which is the second film he has directed. “The Great Debaters” opens on Christmas.

We spoke about the difference between what he wants for his films and what the studio wants. Specifically, we discussed why Harvey Weinstein at the Weinstein Company required Washington to act in “The Great Debaters” along with the other debate films of 2007.

Denzel Washington in “The Great Debaters”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Adam Fendelman: Some directors put themselves in their films as an actor and some don’t. I spoke to Alison Eastwood on “Rails & Ties,” for example, and why she didn’t.

So you’ve done two now (“The Great Debaters” in 2007 and “Antwone Fisher” in 2002) where you’ve put yourself in the films. What’s your feeling on that in terms of just strictly directing or also putting yourself in it?

Denzel Washington: It’s strictly business. I didn’t want to be in either film. It was strictly to get the money. Basically, the studio said: “If you’re not in the film, your budget is this. If you’re in the film, this is your budget.”

They sort of back you into a corner. They give you a budget they know you can’t make the movie for, and two or three years after you’ve been working on it, I said: “OK. I’ll play a small role in it.”

That still wasn’t enough money to make the kind of picture I wanted to make. It’s not a big-budget film. We spent $25 million, but basically, the number was going to be more like $10 or $12 million.

To make a film for that (which is a lot of money) was going to be very difficult for a period film. I am not interested in being in the films I direct at all. Did I make that clear?

Adam Fendelman: Yeah, and now that you’ve been on both sides of the lens (obviously a lot more on the acting side), which do you prefer?

Denzel Washington: Well, it’s not an either/or. Right now, this is new and exciting at this point in my life, so I’m passionate about directing. I have no plans to direct another film right now.

I’m going back in front of the camera probably for the next couple years until my twins graduate from high school. I do have some ideas for films I want to direct. Clint Eastwood is my hero. I want to do both (acting and directing).

Adam Fendelman: Have you seen the film “Rocket Science”?

Denzel Washington: No. I haven’t.

Adam Fendelman: It came out in 2007. It’s about debate.

Denzel Washington: There was another one I heard about called “Resolved”. I heard about them, but in a way, I didn’t want to see it. I didn’t want to be influenced. The debate now is a completely different style.

Click for the full, 51-page interview transcript.

Seth Rogen to Play Lead in ‘Zack & Miri Make a Porno’

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:35:17 -0700

I just received official word from the Weinstein Company and Dimension Films that Seth Rogen (“Knocked Up,” “Superbad”) will play the lead in “Zack & Miri Make a Porno” from writer/director Kevin Smith and producer Scott Mosier.

Seth Rogen
Photo credit: WireImage.com
Elizabeth Banks (“40 Year Old Virgin,” “Invincible”) will star opposite Rogen as Miri. The film will begin shooting in Jan. 2008 in Pittsburgh. The announcement was made on Friday by Weinstein Company and Dimension Co-Chairmen Harvey and Bob Weinstein.

“Getting Seth in this flick is like suddenly growing an extra six inches in the crotch,” Smith said on the announcement. “As if that wasn’t awesome enough, we scored the comedically and aesthetically gifted Elizabeth, too. Cast-wise, I’m now extremely well-hung.”

He added: “I wrote the part expressly for Rogen because he’s a funny as [f***] comedy god and we’re insanely lucky he said ‘yes’. Dude, coming on board is a total mitzvah. In order to show my appreciation [and] fit in better with Seth, Harvey and Bob, Scott and I will be converting to Judaism. Bar Mitzvah invites are in the mail.”

In the film, Zack and Miri are two lifelong platonic friends who are heavy with debt. They seek the help of their friends to make a porno for some fast cash.

As everyone starts “doing” everyone, though, Zack and Miri realize they may have more feelings for each other than they previously thought.

“Once again, Kevin has written a daring and entertaining screenplay that has attracted some of the most talented comedic actors working today,” Bob and Harvey Weinstein said on the announcement.

The studios say additional cast will be announced soon.