High-Rise (film)

High-Rise

Teaser poster
Directed by Ben Wheatley
Produced by Jeremy Thomas
Written by Amy Jump
Based on High Rise 
by J.G. Ballard
Starring
Music by Clint Mansell
Cinematography Laurie Rose
Edited by Ben Wheatley and Amy Jump[1]
Production
company
Distributed by StudioCanal (UK)
Country United Kingdom
Language English

High-Rise is an upcoming film directed by Ben Wheatley, starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans and Elisabeth Moss.[2] It is based on the 1975 novel of the same name by J.G. Ballard.[3] It was produced by Jeremy Thomas through his production company Recorded Picture Company, and is set for release in 2015.[4][5]

Summary

London, 1975. Robert Laing (Tom Hiddleston) is a young doctor seduced by the lifestyle in a high-rise, an isolated community, cut off from the rest of society in their luxury tower block, and its creator, the architect Anthony Royal (Jeremy Irons). Taking up residence on the twenty-fifth floor, Laing discovers a world of complex loyalties, and also strikes up a relationship with Royal’s devoted aide Charlotte (Sienna Miller). After Laing befriends Richard Wilder (Luke Evans), a documentary filmmaker relegated to the second floor who is determined to provoke the class injustices inherent in the high-rise, a dangerous social situation develops and the high-rise eventually fragments into violent tribes.[2][4][6][7]

Cast

Production

British producer Jeremy Thomas had wanted to make a film adaptation of J.G Ballard’s High-Rise since the 1970s.[14] He tried to make it in the late 1970s with Nicolas Roeg directing from a script by Paul Mayersberg.[14][15] In the 2000s, Thomas began developing the project with screenwriter Richard Stanley and director Vincenzo Natali, with the film intended as a loose adaptation of the novel.[16][17][18]

In 2013, Wheatley started looking into who held the rights to the book, which led him to meet Thomas.[19] Wheatley has remarked: “The book makes as much sense now as it did then. It was written in the '70s, projecting itself into a near future, but we live in that future now. We’re almost in a new version of the '70s.”[1]

Screenwriter Amy Jump, who is also Wheatley's wife, adapted the book.[20][21][22]

Tom Hiddleston's involvement in the project was announced in February 2014 after he was cast in the role of Dr. Robert Laing. Hiddleston had previously worked with Thomas on Jim Jarmusch's 2013 film Only Lovers Left Alive. Hiddleston said: "I'm greatly looking forward to working again with Jeremy Thomas and Recorded Picture Company... It’s a huge privilege to be asked to collaborate on this brave and daring piece of work".[21] Wheatley said of Hiddleston: "He is the perfect Laing to me. He brings an intelligence, vulnerability and humor to his roles, be they art-house or blockbuster that will make Laing come alive."[4]

It was announced in June 2014 that Luke Evans and Elisabeth Moss had joined the cast,[10] and Augustus Prew and James Purefoy were also confirmed.[9][12]

Clint Mansell composed the soundtrack for the film.[23]

International sales were handled by HanWay Films, and key financiers included the British Film Institute and FilmFour.[10][1]

Filming

Principal photography commenced in July 2014 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK,[2] primarily in the seaside resort town of Bangor.[24][25]

On 3 July 2014, director Ben Wheatley tweeted pictures of the set.[26] On 6 August 2014, Tom Hiddleston tweeted a photograph of himself from the set seen in character as Laing, together with Wheatley, Luke Evans and Director of Photography Laurie Rose.[27]

Elisabeth Moss later remarked of Wheatley and the shoot: "Yeah, like if you gave him a bigger crew, a little bit more money, costumes and hair and makeup, all of that stuff that maybe he hasn't had before. It was so fun, he is just a f**king genius and he's so funny."[28]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Chris Hewitt. "First Image From Ben Wheatley’s High-Rise". Empire Magazine. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 George Wales (5 February 2014). "Ben Wheatley confirms Tom Hiddleston for High-Rise". Total Film. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  3. ↑ Andreas Wiseman. "Jeremy Irons Heads For High Rise". Screen International. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Leo Barraclough. "Berlin: Tom Hiddleston to Star in Ben Wheatley’s J.G. Ballard Adaptation ‘High-Rise’". Variety. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "Tom Hiddleston to film in Northern Ireland this June". Radio Times. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Stuart Kemp (14 May 2014). "Cannes: Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller Get Keys for ‘High-Rise’". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  7. ↑ Louise Jury. "High rise drama and David Hockney in frame for new British films". Evening Standard. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  8. ↑ Jess Denham (5 February 2014). "Tom Hiddleston cast as lead in film adaptation of JG Ballard's High-Rise". The Independent. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Oliver Lyttelton (13 June 2014). "'The Hobbit' Star Luke Evans Joins Tom Hiddleston In Ben Wheatley's 'High Rise'". Indie Wire. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Leo Barraclough. "Luke Evans, Elisabeth Moss Join Ben Wheatley’s ‘High-Rise’". Variety. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "Tom Hiddleston's 'High-Rise' Co-Star Sienna Guillory Responds To Twitter Criticism Over 'Slut-Shaming' Actor's Fans". Fashion&Style. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Augustus Prew | Curtis Brown Literary and talent agency". Curtis Brown Literary and talent agency. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  13. ↑ Kevin Jagernauth (30 June 2014). "Ben Wheatley's 'High Rise' Adds 'Nymphomaniac' Actress". Indie Wire. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Louise Jury. "High rise drama and David Hockney in frame for new British films". The Evening Standard. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  15. ↑ Owen Williams (29 August 2013). "Ben Wheatley Directing Ballard's High-Rise". Empire Online. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  16. ↑ Todd Brown. "Richard Stanley Scripting Vincenzo Natali's HIGH RISE". Twitch Film. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  17. ↑ Anthony Kaufman. "Director Vincenzo Natali on ‘Splice’: ‘It’s a dangerous film on a number of levels’". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  18. ↑ Matt Goldberg. "SPLICE Director Vincenzo Natali Talks HIGH RISE and NEUROMANCER". Collider. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  19. ↑ Ben Child (29 August 2013). "Ben Wheatley to direct adaptation of JG Ballard's High Rise". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  20. ↑ Ben Wheatley (5 February 2014). "High Rise". Mr. and Mrs. Wheatley Website. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Andreas Wiseman. "Tom Hiddleston to star in Ben Wheatley's High-Rise". Screen Daily. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  22. ↑ Nancy Tartaglione. "Berlin: Tom Hiddleston to topline High-Rise". Deadline.com. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  23. ↑ "Clint Mansell Scoring Ben Wheatley’s ‘High-Rise’". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  24. ↑ "Tom Hiddleston spotted on the set of ‘High Rise’ in Northern Ireland". On Location Vacations. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  25. ↑ Christine. "‘High Rise’ film to be shot in Bangor this summer". North Down Borough Council. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  26. ↑ Brigid Brown (3 July 2014). "First Look: Director Tweets ‘High-Rise’ Set Photos, Thriller Stars Tom Hiddleston". BBC America. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  27. ↑ Emma Daly (7 August 2013). "Tom Hiddleston tweets group picture from the set of High-Rise". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  28. ↑ Kevin Jagernauth (14 October 2014). "Interview: Elisabeth Moss Talks 'Listen Up Philip,' Ben Wheatley's 'High Rise' & A 'Mad Men' Spinoff". The Playlist. Retrieved 8 August 2014.

External links