link doesn’t work for me, but if its true definitely excited.
I liked Eastern Promises, but a sequel? With Cronenberg directing? This is really sad. There’s another post hovering around here asking if Cronenberg has lost it or something to that effect. I defended his last few films, but after this news, I have to agree, that he’s gone. I guess in time, all directors succumb to the power and money of the masses.
http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/03/viggo-mortensen.html
Good news for people who love bad news.
What’s sad is not that Cronenberg is making a sequel (if you’ve got a viable character capable of continued stories, why not?), but that he’s going the Hollywood route of announcing a sequel BEFORE there’s even a story idea.
This is a blueprint for how bad movies get made. Just add a delivery date and you’ve got the recipe for disaster.
It’s been awhile since I’ve been excited about a Cronenberg project, and this news doesn’t change anything. You’re correct, Long, this business of announcing intentions, before an idea is generated, before the words “FADE IN” have even been written on a page, should cease.
I kind of wish he was focusing more on his rumored remake of Time Crimes, getting back into the swing of brutal sci-fi/horror, but it can’t be denied that there’s immense room for a sequel within the world of Eastern Promises. Especially if Cronenberg focuses more on the specifics of the Russian mafia, and it’s influence and power in Europe, with Mortensen acting as the audience’s guide throughout that world.
Where Eastern Promises was a rather tight narrative, a sequel could open things up into a Cronenberg-esque mafia epic.
Although I am disappointed to hear a sequel will be made to the film, I also feel that if anyone can pull it off, it’s Cronenberg.
Why does everyone think he’s doing it for money? Eastern Promises was not exactly a big earner. I can’t imagine a studio was begging him for a sequel. In fact I’m surprised one could get made at all.
Where is all this hate coming from exactly? Eastern Promises was a satisfying and entertaining crime drama that was excellently filmed and acted. And just because Cronenberg is doing a sequel doesn’t mean hes going “too mainstream.” Were directors like Francis Ford Coppola (the Godfather trilogy) or Akira Kurosawa (the underrated Sanjuro) or Satyajit Ray (the Apu trilogy) thinking about going “too mainstream” or thinking about the money when they felt like creating sequels to their works. Its stupid to think of Cronenberg as a Micheal Bay type of director who’s trying to milk as much money from one of his films. If he feels that Steven Knight can produce another great script, then I’m sure he’ll have thoughts about it. Obviously he didn’t think the same for the terrible sequels for Scanners of The Fly (two films franchises one would think would garner more money than from Eastern Promises). Cronenberg is an artist at heart and I’m looking forward to sequel to Eastern Promises. Matarese Circle on the other hand will be a strange change of pace, but i guess we’ll just have to see about that.
I’m glad to hear this news. I would like to know what direction the story and these characters go next.
http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/03/30/cronenberg-and-mortenson-reteaming-for-eastern-promises-sequel/
Note that this is NOT a done deal:
“Even after this planned meeting takes place the sequel is far from certain. Firstly, all parties will have to agree on the way forward, then Knight will have to pen a strong script, then Cronenberg and Mortenson will have to find matching gaps in their schedules, and then… and so on.”
Western Promises?
i’m with steve look at the numbers for easter promises in terms of worldwide profits here:
http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=easternpromises.htm
The Fly earned more world wide (and that in the eigthies) as did A History of Violence, to say he is doing a sequel for money is an invalid assumption. I thought Eastern Promises could’ve used a bit more length as it seemed just a bit rushed and its themes were just a little unclear as a result for me, a sequel can expand on these and as a result make the series stronger (the Godfather comes as a perfect example). An artist of Cronenburg’s caliber wouldn’t consider a sequel (his first) if there wasn’t room for one in the first place the ending left it completely open to one.
As for announcements before the script is written so what? If he is considering a sequel to one of his projects he must have a few ideas he wants to put onto paper. He is taking these thoughts seriously enough to go ahead and try to make his next project with them, he is also thoughtful enough to inform his fans and admires of himself and that specific film that there may be more in the works. Good for him and a benefit to us who want to see more. This isn’t Michael Bay here and it won’t be Revenge of the Fallen a perfect example of a sequel to a movie that was made only to make money.
oops kinda a double post there i didn’t read Bist’s post it seems to cover everything i brought up too :S
Steve Oerkfitz:
Mr. Fuffcans:
It’s not so much about the money, it’s that he’s on the slope to mundanity. I gave him some slack on his last couple which weren’t very good. But when you look back at his career, which does include some blockbusters for all you beancounters, he’s made some remarkable films. Eastern Promises wasn’t one of them and the fact that he might make a sequel is nearing the final nail in his creative coffin IMO. Money’s got little to do with it.
i don’t care what he directs, i just want him do have some input in the screenwriting. that’s where the real cronenberg edge comes in
@Strawdawg I disagree. His last two films were great, just not what was expected by fans of his body-horror work. However, after Spider I think you could see where Cronenberg was going.
I liked Eastern Promises quite a bit and if you read what Cronenberg says about the sequel, he mentions specifically that there was a lot of stuff he wanted to put into the first one but didnt have the room for.
Johnny,
According to what Cronenberg has said in inteviews, he’s writing the script for The Matarese Circle:
http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/04/02/macleansca-interview-david-cronenberg/
Joshua W
http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/03/30/exclusive-david-cronenberg-making-plans-for-%E2%80%98eastern-promises%E2%80%99-sequel/
So Cronenberg is moving ahead with an Eastern Promises sequel, with Viggo and Steven Knight in tow. Even though we’ll have to wait until after the Matarese Circle, I’m pretty excited. Thoughts?