Gorey tale coming to screen for first time

[Scott]

Gorey tale coming to screen for first time


By Borys Kit Thu Apr 5, 4:49 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The world of Edward Gorey is coming to the big screen for the first time with a live-action feature based on the illustrator-writer's classic tale "The Doubtful Guest."



Gorey, who died in 2000 at age 75, was an artist and writer known for his macabre bent, with works that had an ominous and somewhat Victorian air. His influence can be seen in the works of Tim Burton and in music videos like Nine Inch Nails' "The Perfect Drug," and while none of his works has ever reached the silver screen, the opening titles of the PBS series "Mystery!" done in animation style are based on his art. He also was a successful set and costume designer, earning a Tony for his Broadway production of "Edward Gorey's Dracula."


Originally published in 1957, the whimsical story revolves around a quirky family whose life is turned upside down when a mysterious, mischievous creature arrives unannounced and unwelcome, bringing trouble with him and wreaking havoc.
"It's hard to come up with a creature that you've never seen before in any medium, and he's a unique little creation who is very appealing without being cute or cloying," Jim Henson Co. co-CEO Lisa Henson said. "He's sophisticated yet simple at the same time, but it's not overly juvenile. Adults can find him cute, too."

*yahoo.com



YESSSSS!!! Love edward gorey

 

[Whitelinen]

It is a little bit suspicious as he is not around himself to make the decisions anymore, but this might turn out to be good. I am familiar with his illustrations, which I adore, but other than that he is not very famous here, which is sad. Therefore I am not too familiar with the actual stories.

I guess the quality of this depends on who is producing and directing. Who owns the rights, which film company?

 

[Scott]

well,jim henson co. was i'viewed so i assume they're the company producing it. they didn't mention a director to the film but i would hope they would actually get the mentioned tim burton to do it as gorey has had a big influence on him and i think he would be respectable.

 

[Whitelinen]

Is Jim Henson Co a small producing company? I have never heard of them before. As for Burton, I think his last films have been rather bad, so I am not sure how that would turn out.

 

[in the miso soup]

I can't wait! Edward Gorey is awesome . . . if Tim Burton directed it, I'm sured it'd be excellent. The Corpse Bride reminded me, in a way, of Gorey. Thanks so much for this!

 

[Fabulyss]

Noooooooooooooo! No! No! No! Is NOTHING sacred anymore?!! Edward Gorey is far too great and should not be touched (Suess has already been ruined in this way, with the excpetion of course for the very old animated Grinch special).

I shudder thinking about the crappy celebrity voiceovers.

 

[VainJane]

Is Jim Henson Co a small producing company?

I could be wrong here but I think Jim Henson Co. is a relatively big company that does stuff like animation, muppets and the movie Labyrinth. I think they'd do a good job of producing this feature, especially combined with Tim Burton--- it'd be awesome.

 

[erinina]

according to the hollywood reporter, tim burton is not involved. it will be a live-action feature directed by some guy named brad peyton.

i agree with fabulyss - the doubtful guest is one of my favorite gorey books, and if the film is anything like the grinch (with jim carey) i'd be super bummed!

on the other hand, it has the potential to be amazing. i wonder who they're thinking of to star? guess we'll have to wait and see...

 

[Whitelinen]

Noooooooooooooo! No! No! No! Is NOTHING sacred anymore?!! Edward Gorey is far too great and should not be touched (Suess has already been ruined in this way, with the excpetion of course for the very old animated Grinch special).

I shudder thinking about the crappy celebrity voiceovers.

Exactly.

it will be a live-action feature directed by some guy named brad peyton.

Exactly.

 

[snowqueen]

this could be either done one of two ways ... very well or badly and i fear it will be the latter .. which is ashame cos it could be so good

 

[strawberry daiquiri]

excited.

 

[lucky star]

Well, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed, I'm hoping it will be good. Just because the Grinch was horrible , doesn't mean this will be too, that was made by a different company, actor, etc. I adore Gorey, I think if they can pull this off, it will be magical. Too bad Burton isn't involved, that would have been a natural fit. I don't know anything about Brad Peyton, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, he might be awesome. Either way, I am staying an optimist.

 

[gius]

I'm excited too
I wonder what it will look like, if they will keep his aesthetic in the movie
I just hope it won't end up childish

Funny this part in the article, it reminds me of the Moomintrolls!!

the whimsical story revolves around a quirky family whose life is turned upside down when a mysterious, mischievous creature arrives unannounced and unwelcome, bringing trouble with him and wreaking havoc.

 

[SomethingElse]

It's odd that the IMDB listing for this announced film isn't really active, but the film is supposed to come out in 2009. http://imdb.com/title/tt0959380/.

Although I didn't find any more information in the regular newswire, a blogger posted this press release news a few days ago http://ne403a.mmoyi.com/Henson-Prepares-for-The-Doubful-Guest/

As reported earlier, The Jim Henson Company is working with Walden Media and Fox 2000 to produce The Doubtful Guest. The live-action film, which is based on the classic story by writer/illustrator Edward Gorey, will be directed Brad Peyton with the script written by Matthew Huffman.

The Doubtful Guest will be produced by Lisa Henson, Brian Henson and Jason Lust; and the film will be released by 20th Century Fox and Walden Media through their “Fox Walden” arm. No release date has been set at this point, but production is expected to start later this year.

Originally published in 1957, the whimsical story revolves around a mysterious and mischievous creature that arrives unannounced and unwelcome at a family-owned bed & breakfast. However this guest wreaks havoc and brings nothing but trouble with him.

Known for his gothic flair, the work of Edward Gorey has shown a heavy influence in the work of many top Hollywood productions ? including Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Corpse Bride” among others. However Gorey’s own works has never been given the cinematic treatment until now. Gorey’s unique style is known for the gaunt, bleak-eyed figures, gothic motifs and a somewhat morbid sense of humor.

Jim Henson’s Creature Shop is currently working on the creature creation, aiming to faithfully translate Gorey’s sketched look into animatronic design while giving him expression and the ability to be articulated as a character on screen.

Lisa Henson told reporters that, “It’s hard to come up with a creature that you’ve never seen before in any medium, and he’s a unique little creation who is very appealing without being cute or cloying.”

The Doubtful Guest is just one of several films that the Jim Henson Company and Creature Shop are currently working on. I will keep you posted as details on this film, and the other Henson Company projects, surface.

 

[jennifer~]

Hopefully, I won't have to gripe here.

Gorey’s own works has never been given the cinematic treatment until now. Gorey’s unique style is known for the gaunt, bleak-eyed figures, gothic motifs and a somewhat morbid sense of humor.

SOMEwhat?! Anyone can do somewhat. Not everyone can do Gorey, as the worries in this thread attest...

 

[collusion]

i'm a little wary about this.. especially if they target it towards children. i didn't get into gorey 'til i was sixteen & i don't think i'd have quite appreciated it at a younger age. i hope it's something very sophisticated, subtle & quirky rather than diluted & utterly basic. unfortunately that's a huge task.

& i also think tim burton could make a really lovely animation of gorey's stuff. something in the vein of his short film 'vincent'. which is so gorey-esque, it just kills me everytime i watch it!

 

[Blodeuwedd]

I looked up Brad Peyton on IMDB and I find nothing that I recognize. I really hope the story and visuals do Gorey some justice, and in a way I have some hope with it due to current movies that have brought visuals to an amazing level and made the comic books justice, imo = Sin City and 300, for example.

Even tho the director is unknown for me, I hope he might pull of a Guillermo Del Toro on us - everyone I knew expected Pan's Labyrinth to stink due to his work Hellboy, and he proved everyone wrong.

Then again, I love Jim Henson Co., as Labyrinth and Dark Crystal are childhood favorites.

Oh, and Tim Burton previously worked with the Jim Henson Co. for Mirrormask... which is... ugh... yea. They probably remembered that one and decided to look for someone else.

 

[Scott]

^exactly the film that was on my mind! Labyrinth with Bowie....beautiful film by Henson Co. But I do hope in concurance with one said,that it won't be overly childish.

 

[strawberry daiquiri]

I've been rereading my 'Amphigorey' collection in preparation...
but I can imagine the mundane ways in which doubtful guest will be fleshed out to feature length...