ROTTEN TOMATOES: Cannes 2008: Weinstein Acquires The Alchemist for Fishburne Comments

Cannes 2008: Weinstein Acquires The Alchemist for Fishburne

by Joe Utichi | May 18, 2008

Summary

Harvey will produce, while Laurence will direct and star in the adaptation of Paulo Coelho's 20 year-old international bestseller. Back to Article

(1-10 of 10 posts) | Reply

Matanuki writes:
on May 18 2008 04:29 AM

Can't wait! It'll be great to see a well done Alchemist, and it'll be a pleasure to see Fishburne in a starring role again.

(Reply to this)

thereign writes:
on May 18 2008 07:03 AM

I know everyone's going to be jumping on the "Great to see Laurence Fishburne in a starring role" bandwagon, but I have to say that I feel sorry for the actors he'll be directing. If past experience teaches anything, each actor's limits of patience will be tested to their limit by dealing with such a smug, self-serving ego.

Years ago, I worked craft service catering on the short-lived series "Tribeca", produced by Robert DeNiro's same-named company and a show in which Laurence--then known simply as "Larry"--starred. He was a nice enough guy then, but the second he changed his name to Laurence(with an accompanying magazine interview in which he stated some nonsense as "You get more respect with 'Laurence' instead of 'Larry'"), he became a super-conceited a$$hole, with an ego the size of the Death Star.

While filming Deep Cover(the last picture in which he received credits as "Larry") he dated(or perhaps I should say "banged") his co-star Victoria Dillard(Janelle on Spin City), then dumped her when he was done with her(I still remember the forlorn look on her face when she happened by the set of Spike Lee's Crooklyn, and asked with some hopefulness if Laurence was working on it, followed by a downcast expression when she was told no. Guess "Laurence" doesn't return phone calls to exes.).

While I have always loved his acting, knowing what a jerk he is in real life, I try to avoid Sir Laurence of Fishburne's movies, although yes--I saw The Matrix series based on the storylines, not for him. I can always appreciate a good actor...but if I know in real life what a jackass they are personally, it totally turns me off to their work. I see no reason to give any money to their films if I can avoid it, but that's just me.

Just figured I'd say my piece, so folks know what kind of guy they're supporting.

(Reply to this)

jokerboy1991 writes:
on May 18 2008 08:10 AM

Weinsteins suck...

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kgochs writes:
on May 18 2008 08:33 AM

thereign..is it you???...are you victoria dillard???...idiot.

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thereign writes:
on May 18 2008 11:51 AM

Those who voice an opinion or speak in the name of truth are never idiotic, kgochs...only the trolls who reply bitterly out of spite. Back at you, fool.

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vaodsi writes:
on May 18 2008 11:55 AM

wow.... the alchemist...... everybody said that lord of the rings was unfilmable... so maybe i should hold my tongue... but some books are better as books. I'll be interested how they have him talk to the sun and dust and wind without it being outrageously corny instead of emotional and moving. interesting, beautiful book... though i did sneeze(stupid)sneeze at the whole "make yourself the wind by talking to the sun... then the sun will talk to the earth and the force is with you young skywalker...." no.. it wasn't that bad... it will just be very hard to translate to film... but i will certainly by a ticket.... who knows... they might blow my mind.

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Matanuki writes:
on May 18 2008 06:00 PM

In reply to this comment (#1739099)
reign, we are now officially virtual enemies. ;-) j/k. But hey, I gotta tell ya, I couldn't care less about a guy being an alleged jackass in real life. Not like I'm sitting down having drinks and playing dominoes with the guy on Saturday night. What matters to me is the definitive work. The Fish delivers. End of story.

(Reply to this)

thereign writes:
on May 18 2008 10:01 PM

Matanuki;

You will rue the day you crossed swords with me, my friend! LOL!

:-)

(Reply to this)

Matanuki writes:
on May 19 2008 01:29 PM

In reply to this comment (#1740341)
lol.

(Reply to this)

tomwaitsjr writes:
on May 19 2008 03:51 PM

NOBODY said Lord of the Rings was unfilmable! Geesh. There was a stop action cartoon movie made of both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. It just was helped along by technology.

(Reply to this)

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