Burt Wonderstone

Burt Wonderstone
Directed by Don Scardino
Produced by Chris Bender
Steve Carell
Tyler Mitchell
J. C. Spink
Screenplay by John Francis Daley
Jonathan Goldstein
Story by Chad Kultgen
Starring Steve Carell
Jim Carrey
Steve Buscemi
Studio New Line Cinema
Release date(s) 2013 (2013)
Language English
Budget $30 million[1]

Burt Wonderstone is an upcoming comedy film directed by Don Scardino and written by Chad Kultgen, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. The film follows Las Vegas magician Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) as he reunites his magic act to take on a dangerous, street magician (Jim Carrey).

Contents

Premise

Burt Wonderstone (Carell) and Anton (Buscemi) are a successful magic act in Las Vegas. Their partnership comes to an end when Anton is injured by Burt during their hotbox trick, and Anton moves to the Far East. When Burt is overshadowed by a popular street-magician (Carrey), he must convince Anton to return to the act to regain his standing.[2][3]

Planned cast

A formerly successful magician.[4] Carell joined the film in September 2010.[5]
A street-magician whose act is often dangerous.[2] Carrey entered negotiations for a role in the film in October 2011.[7]
Wonderstone's former partner.[3] Buscemi entered negotiations for a role on October 31, 2011.[1]
Billionaire owner of the Aztec Casino where Burt and Anton perform.[3] Gandolfini was reported to be in talks for the role on October 29, 2011.[2] To research his role, in early December Gandolfini traveled to Las Vegas and spoke with magicians Criss Angel and Nathan Burton, and The Mirage casino president Felix Rapaport and executive Kenny Epstein, and philanthropist Larry Ruvo. On their meeting, Rappaport stated that Gandolfini wanted to prepare for the role by "getting insights in Las Vegas, specifically in the entertainment world and the world of magic."[8]
On October 27, 2011 it was reported that Wilde, Michelle Monaghan, Judy Greer, Sarah Silverman and Jessica Biel were in contention for the female lead.[6] This list was reduced to Silverman, Wilde, and Greer,[1] with all making strong impressions on the filmmakers but with Wilde as the front-runner.[2][1][10] The filmmakers were reported to be waiting for Biel to perform a script reading before making their final decision.[1]
Garrett was reported to be in negotiations for a role on December 12, 2011.[9]
A magician. Mohr joined the cast on December 20, 2011.[11]

Development

The film started development in 2006 when New Line Cinema bought Chad Kultgen's script, titled "Burt Dickenson: The Most Powerful Magician on Planet Earth."[4] The script was later rewritten by screenwriting team John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.[4] In July 2011, the story was described as following Burt Wonderstone, a formerly successful magician who was overshadowed by a younger, edgier magician.[12] By the time Carrey had joined the project in October 2011, the younger magician character had become simply a rival magician, with Burt now being part a formerly successful magic duo.[2]

In February 2011, the film found a director in Charles McDougall.[13] However, by April 2011, McDougall had left the project with no reason being cited for the departure.[14] In June 2011, Scardino was confirmed as director.[12] On June 16, 2011, Jason Reitman was brought aboard the project to perform further rewrites. The extent of Reitman's involvement was not made clear although he was reportedly paid for several weeks of work.[15]

Filming had been scheduled to begin in October 2011, in Los Angeles, California,[12] but was pushed back to January 2012,[9][11] with casting of the remaining lead roles occurring throughout October.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Fleming, Mike (October 31, 2011). "Steve Buscemi: From Jersey Boardwalk To Vegas For ‘Burt Wonderstone’?". Deadline.com (PMC). http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/steve-buscemi-from-boardwalk-to-vegas-for-burt-wonderstone/. Retrieved October 31, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f Sneider, Jeff (October 29, 2011). "Gandolfini in talks for 'Wonderstone'". Variety (Reed Business Information). http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118045275. Retrieved October 30, 2011. 
  3. ^ a b c Sneider, Jeff (October 31, 2011). "Steve Buscemi in talks for 'Burt Wonderstone'". Variety (Reed Business Information). http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118045334?refCatId=13. Retrieved October 31, 2011. 
  4. ^ a b c McNary, Dave (June 2, 2011). "Scardino to direct Steve Carell in 'Burt'". Variety (Reed Business Information). http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118037962?categoryid=4076&cs=1&cmpid=RSS. Retrieved June 3, 2011. 
  5. ^ McNary, Dave (September 24, 2010). "Steve Carell eyes 'Wonderstone'". Variety (Reed Business Information). http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118024639?refCatId=13. Retrieved October 31, 2011. 
  6. ^ a b Fleming, Mike (October 27, 2011). "New Line Looking To Conjure ‘Burt Wonderstone’ Female Lead". Deadline.com (PMC). http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/new-line-looking-to-conjure-burt-wonderstone-female-lead/#utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter. Retrieved October 27, 2011. 
  7. ^ Fleming, Mike (October 11, 2011). "Jim Carrey Goes Mano A Mano Opposite Steve Carell In ‘Burt Wonderstone’". Deadline.com. http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/jim-carrey-goes-mano-a-mano-opposite-steve-carell-in-burt-wonderstone/. Retrieved October 11, 2011. 
  8. ^ Clarke, Norm (December 4, 2011). "Gandolfini checks out comedy role". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Bob Brown. http://www.lvrj.com/news/gandolfini-checks-out-comedy-role-134985418.html. Retrieved December 6, 2011. 
  9. ^ a b c d Kit, Borys (December 12, 2011). "Brad Garrett In Talks to Join Steve Carell in 'Burt Wonderstone' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter (Prometheus Global Media). http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/brad-garrett-steve-carell-burt-wonderstone-272460. Retrieved December 13, 2011. 
  10. ^ "Olivia Wilde, Steve Buscemi in Talks for Steve Carell's 'Burt Wonderstone' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. October 31, 2011. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/olivia-wilde-steve-buscemi-burt-wonderstone-255288. Retrieved November 28, 2011. 
  11. ^ a b L. Weinstein, Joshua (December 20, 2011). "Jay Mohr Joins Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey and Steve Carell in 'Burt Wonderstone' (Exclusive)". The Wrap. The Wrap News Inc.. Archived from the original on December 20, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/645JTHMys. Retrieved December 21, 2011. 
  12. ^ a b c Fleming, Mike (June 2, 2011). "New Line Sets Don Scardino To Direct Steve Carell In 'Burt Wonderstone". Deadline.com (PMC). http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/new-line-sets-don-scardino-to-direct-steve-carell-in-burt-wonderstone/. Retrieved June 3, 2011. 
  13. ^ Williams, Owen (February 25, 2011). "Burt Wonderstone Has A Director". Empire (Bauer). http://www.empireonline.com/news/feed.asp?NID=30266. Retrieved August 23, 2011. 
  14. ^ Vieira, Anthony (April 6, 2011). "Stallone’s ‘Headshot’ & Carell’s ‘Burt Wonderstone’ Lose Directors". The Film Stage. Banquet Media. http://thefilmstage.com/news/stallones-headshot-carells-burt-wonderstone-lose-directors/. Retrieved August 23, 2011. 
  15. ^ Kit, Borys (June 16, 2011). "Steve Carell's Surprise Script Doctor: Jason Reitman (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter (Prometheus Global Media). http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/steve-carells-surprise-script-doctor-202598. Retrieved August 23, 2011. 

External links