Screen Junkies » antoine fuqua

Dreamworks Slowly, But Confidently, Walks Away From Fuqua’s ‘Southpaw’

Penn Collins — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:51:20 +0000

This confirms our suspicions that Antoine Fuqua prefers to just attach himself to films rather than make them. Which makes sense, because I would think making a film is hard work, but attaching yourself to a project is fun and easy. Of course, Dreamworks was actually the party that walked away from Southpaw, a boxing film helmed by Fuqua and starring Eminem, written by Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter.

That leaves Fuqua attached to “only” Storming Las Vegas, Afterburn, The Tomb, and Tupac. It’s unknown when those projects will go belly-up so that he can really go hog wild attaching himself to stuff.

It’s unknown why Dreamworks walked away from the film, especially in light of the popularity of boxing and MMA films both recently and in the future. However, the script, director, and star remain bundled together, so begin the parade of potential suitors. Quick, before Eminem’s not popular. Oh, wait. Shit.

Antoine Fuqua Signed On To ‘Storming Las Vegas’, For Now

Penn Collins — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:31:08 +0000

Antoine Fuqua up and attached himself to another movie. But will it get made? Summit just acquired the rights to the non-fiction book with the interminable title Storming Las Vegas: How a Cuban-Born, Soviet-Trained Commando Took Down The Strip to the Tune of Five World Class Hotels, Thre Armored Cars, and Millions of Dollars. If it’s cool with everyone, we’ll just refer to it as Storming Law Vegas. Terrific.

The story, which sounds more than a little cool, follows a Cuban member of the former Soviet Army named Jose Vigoa as he moved to Vegas and took down casinos on a crime spree. He was pursued by a 23-year veteran of the Vegas police force. The entire pursuit went down with virtually no publicity out of concern for the image of the “new Vegas” that was arising at that time.

It sounds pretty promising. If it happens. Fuqua has a reputation for attaching himself to projects that die on the vine. You know what they say about people who start things but don’t finish them? That’s right. They say, “Eat ALL of your broccoli, Penn! Don’t just spread it around!” (Deadline)

Antoine Fuqua Getting Paid For ‘Tupac’ Biopic Either Way

Wookie Johnson — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:11:39 +0000

Morgan Creek’s plans to turn the corpse of Tupac Shakur upside-down and shake money out of his pockets hit a snag when director Antoine Fuqua decided to move on from the biopic. Fuqua was in good with Pac’s moms and if he were to leave, the project would spiral into tailspin. So Morgan Creek had no choice but to step up.

The studio has now signed Fuqua to a pay-or-play deal on the project as a sign of their commitment to him. Which means, whether the film gets made or not, Antoine Fuqua gets money. The hunt for established actors to play the fallen rapper proved fruitless, and now the production is looking for Tupac lookalikes who can be coached to act like him. Just like the government did when Weird “Al” Yankovic was assassinated. Oh, you didn’t know? (LA Times)

Fuqua To Direct Eminem In Boxing Movie And It’s Not 10 Years Ago?

Geoffrey Golden — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:42:22 +0000

Hi, My Name Is- My Name Is- My Name Is- *Chicka Chicka* — Punch!

Watch A Trailer For 'Real Steel', The Boxing Robot Movie

Director Antoine Fuqua, who directed Training Day and… that’s the credit worth mentioning, is reportedly leaving the Tupac biopic project to helm a boxing movie for Dreamworks. A deal is currently being discussed between the director and the studio. Southpaw, written by Kurt Sutter “Sons of Anarchy“), will star rapper Eminem as a boxer whose life sucks, even after winning a title. I guess the title doesn’t take away all those broken bones and ear bite marks that are par for the course.

Eminem is looking to return to feature films after the 2002 hit 8 Mile. However, a lot’s happened to the guy since then, and I’m sure he’s out of shape. The rapper will no doubt need to go through a training montage to get his movie acting-strength back to when he was a box office champ. If this all sounds like a boxing movie, then my attempt at making a parallel has been a complete success. *Confetti* (LA Times)

FOX ‘Narrows Down’ Potential ‘Wolverine’ Directors To 8

Joseph Gibson — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:57:53 +0000

Ever since Darren Aronofsky ditched The Wolverine, it’s only been a question of who will step up to take his place. And now, in a truly newsworthy development, we know exactly who it will be – one of these eight guys: Jose Padilha, Doug Liman (Mr. and Mrs. Smith), Antoine Fuqua (Training Day), Mark Romanek (Never Let Me Go), Justin Lin (Fast Five), Gavin O’Connor, James Mangold (Knight and Day) and Gary Shore.

It’s possible that all these names aren’t familiar to you. For one, Gary Shore is mostly a commercial director. The rest are directors of a blend of relatively anonymous action movies like Knight and Day, and art films like Never Let Me Go. It remains to be seen which direction FOX will go in – but no matter which way they go, it’ll probably be better than the first Wolverine movie. (Variety)

Antoine Fuqua To Hit The Mean Streets Of The Tang Dynasty

Joseph Gibson — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:43:23 +0000

Antoine Fuqua is most famous for directing Training Day, a hard-hitting crime drama about the streets of Los Angeles. But he’s also had his eye on bigger things, like King Arthur. Now it looks like he’s gotten another job helming a historical drama, this time from an unlikely source – the Chinese Xi’an Qujiang Film & TV Investment Group has hired him to direct a movie about “a Tang Dynasty emperor and one of China‘s four legendary beauties.” The currently untitled Chinese-language film is set to cost 200 million yuan (US $30 million), and is set to film on location in China.

It’s certainly interesting that this project, which is based on a very famous Chinese story, is being directed by an American filmmaker. This might mean that it will get some kind of a US release – it could be part of a bizarre double feature along with Fuqua’s upcoming Tupac biopic. (via The Hollywood Reporter)

You Could Be America’s Next Top Tupac!

Dave Horwitz — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 19:16:20 +0000

The late, great west coast rap legend Tupac Shakur, who, unwilling even in death to be outdone by The Notorious BIG, is being immortalized in a biopic of his very own. Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day), Tupac will tell the story of his life, and you (yes, YOU!) can help. The filmmakers have announced a gigantic casting call searching for the perfect actor to play ‘pac. If you’ve got what it takes (shaved head, chest tats, and the soul of a poet recommended but not necessary), you could play Tupac in a major motion picture. White guys, don’t even think about it. Here’s the official press release:

The casting call begins on Friday, March 18 and allows individuals who exemplify Tupac to upload their video audition to InSearchofTupac.com. Fans and entrants are encouraged to check the website often, as important announcements and additional opportunities will be unveiled during the course of the month-long audition.

“We are excited to partner with Morgan Creek on this innovative casting call,” said Scott “DJ Skee” Keeney, founder of Skee.TV. “This audition process is a great example of utilizing today’s ever-evolving technology to reach fans and actors around the world to pay homage to a hip-hop legend.”

“Tupac” chronicles the life and legacy of Tupac Shakur, including his rise to superstardom as a hip hop artist and actor, as well as his imprisonment and prolific, controversial time at Death Row Records, where he was steeped in the East Coast /West Coast rap war. “Tupac” will be directed by Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day,” “Tears of the Sun,” “Brooklyn’s Finest”). The film will be produced by James G. Robinson, David Robinson and LT Hutton, and executive produced by Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur. The screenplay was written by Stephen J. Rivele, Christopher Wilkinson and Steve Bagatourian. Universal Pictures distributes in the United States and co-distributes with Morgan Creek International overseas.

“We’re looking for someone with the right mix of raw charm and charisma for the role,” says producer David Robinson. “At this point, we’re more concerned about finding someone with the ability to give their entire heart into the performance than just looks and personality.”

(Coming Soon)

Antoine Fuqua Sidesteps Bruce Willis For Tupac Biopic

Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Antoine Fuqua has announced that his next project will be a biopic focusing on the life of rapper Tupac Shakur. Last week it was believed that Fuqua would reunite with Bruce Willis for The Tomb as his next project, but now Fuqua describes that project as "a conversation I’ve been having with Bruce." Another recent conversation between Fuqua and Willis regards Doritos Late Night All Nighter Cheeseburger Flavored Tortilla Chips. How do they make those things taste exactly like a cheeseburger???

Fuqua kept things real with Digital Spy:

"It looks like we’re doing Tupac Shakur‘s movie next in September, that’s what I’ve been starting up and working on now. I’ve been working on that for a while with Morgan Creek and Jim Robinson. I just got the greenlight from him and we’re going in September. I’ve just started to prep that."

The director doesn’t have any casting choices in mind yet, but hopes to find at unknown for the role. Before he even asks, I officially take myself out of the running. I tried to do the Tupac verse from "California Love" at karaoke recently and failed miserably. And my head was way too big for the bandana. On account of my intellect and all.

Bruce Willis Almost Locked-In for ‘The Tomb’

Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Bruce Willis is in early talks to star in prison escape drama The Tomb, with Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) casing the scene to direct. Willis would play Ray Breslin, the world’s foremost authority on structural security. Seems like the kind of character that should be incarcerated in a master prison he designed himself, but Deadline has the solid details:

After analyzing every high security prison and learning a vast array of survival skills so he can design escape-proof prisons, his skills are put to the test. He’s framed and incarcerated in a master prison he designed himself. He needs to escape and find the person who put him behind bars.

Nailed it! It’s my hope that Breslin is put to the test, defies all the odds, cheats his own system, dodges burly black men with shivs, and finally arrives at the exit to discover the prison…is an island! It’s always the macro details you forget.