Sir Stewart Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 This has the strong potential of being a Hollywood adaptation of a childrens classic that not only respects but furthers the original. More imagesStory from USA Today: Spike Jonze, a director whose off-kilter idiosyncrasies were on display in his first two features, Being John Malkovich (1999) and Adaptation (2002), has always been drawn to Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are. "As a kid, I just connected to it. I wanted to hear it over and over," he says of the 1963 tale of Max, an angry boy who escapes to a mythical land of untamed giant beasts. "It's like trying to explain why you love somebody. To me, the Wild Things are both cuddly and dangerous. I wanted to climb atop of them like Max." Jonze, 39, has known Sendak, 80, since 1995, when they tried to make a film out of another popular children's story, Harold and the Purple Crayon. About four years ago, the author came to him to discuss adapting his best-known work into a movie. Jonze and his co-screenwriter, novelist Dave Eggers, regularly turned to Sendak for advice as they expanded upon his Wild Things universe. "He was adamant that I make my own thing," Jonze says. "He had strong opinions, but he would ultimately defer to us. He said, 'Make something personal to you.' " Jonze won't reveal much, but script additions include details about Max's home life that shed light on why he felt the need to run off to a magical place. Actress Catherine Keener, who has appeared in all of Jonze's films, plays Max's mother — a character only briefly referred to in the book. The actress says Jonze is the perfect man to set the Wild Things free on screen. "Spike has such an incredible imagination, and this is very much a work of imagination," she says, "And there is so much room to apply your own." Various animated versions of Where the Wild Things Are have been tried, including one in the early '80s by Pixar's John Lasseter. But Jonze strongly felt that it had to be told with live action. "I wanted them to actually be there," he says of the seven towering creatures that Max encounters. "I think as a kid I wouldn't imagine it as a cartoon. I would imagine they were in my world. There's a danger with Max being there on a real location. Dangerous and exciting." The voice actors — such as James Galdofini, who speaks for the Wild Thing called Carol in the film, and Catherine O'Hara, who is the Wild Thing known as Judith — were recorded in Los Angeles before the production moved to Australia. Though nameless in the book, Jonze decided who was who based on their personalities. What he didn't try to do was to dilute his distinctive style for a family audience. "I never thought of it as a children's movie," he says. "My intention was to be true to how it felt to be 9 years old. Maurice's whole thing is to be honest. You can say anything to kids as long as you are respectful and not pandering." Trailer is debuting this weekend w/Monsters vs Aliens. IMDB page w/poster Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 I'm really looking forward to this. I loved Adaptation. and Being John Malkovich. I love this book. And I love the fact that it's live action and not animation. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 This looks to be fantastic. I'm glad Sendak is on board , too. Always a good sign.I saw a ballet of WTWTA about three years ago that was fantastic and had thought at the time how cool it'd be for a feature film. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RaspberryJam Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Finally a movie I'll want to watch as much as the kids. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 probably still my favorite book, next to God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater. looking forward to this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jakobnicholas Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Visually, I'm sure this will be AMAZING. Jonze is a great visual artist. I loved the look of "Malkovich". And I remember that great video for Bjork, "It's Oh So Quiet". Hopefully the character development and emotion is equally great. This could be a classic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Huh. This might not suck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted March 25, 2009 Author Share Posted March 25, 2009 Jonze and his co-screenwriter, novelist Dave Eggers, regularly turned to Sendak for advice as they expanded upon his Wild Things universe.I mean, that sentence alone. If it ends up sucking, at least it will not be because they didn't care. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mpolak21 Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Yeah, I just don't see how I am not going to love this movie. One of my favorite directors teams up with one of my favorite writers to adapt my favorite children's book as a kid. I'm quite excited for it. --Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 "Jonze won't reveal much, but script additions include details about Max's home life that shed light on why he felt the need to run off to a magical place."This concerns me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plasticeyeball Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 This concerns me. Yeah, the last thing i want is to be pissed off at Catherine Keener. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 this looks brilliant! where the wild things are trailer! what does everyone else think? (thanks for whoever moved this - i didn't think there was thread made about it yet) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 This concerns me. It only concerns me in the sense that the fact that he had a hot meal waiting for him on his return is a reaffirmation of his family's love (at least to me). I hope they don't turn the parents into these caricatures of a rough home life. Parents in these types of movies can easily be drawn with broad strokes. I hope they avoid this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 if anyone has missed it, i've posted a link to the trailer above Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mpolak21 Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 It only concerns me in the sense that the fact that he had a hot meal waiting for him on his return is a reaffirmation of his family's love (at least to me). I hope they don't turn the parents into these caricatures of a rough home life. Parents in these types of movies can easily be drawn with broad strokes. I hope they avoid this. Given Eggers' and Jonze's history, I'd be more concerned about a scene with the parents metafictionally breaking down their characters and their roles in the movie than them going for the caricature route. Oh and the trailer looks brilliant. --Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Given Eggers' and Jonze's history, I'd be more concerned about a scene with the parents metafictionally breaking down their characters and their roles in the movie than them going for the caricature route. Oh and the trailer looks brilliant. --Mike That's why I'm not that concerned. Trailer looks great! Up until the release date. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NightOfJoy Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 "I'll eat you up!" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
explodo Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Trailer gets a yawn from me just for the "inside all of us, there is [whatever]" bits. Yeah, okay. Still plenty excited for the film. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jakobnicholas Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 I don't know what the budget is on this movie, but ultimately.....and perhaps sadly...this movie WILL need to pull in a decent-sized audience (i.e. $$$$$) for the movie studio. So that's why the trailer has the cheesy "inside us all...." stuff. I'm still optimistic that this movie will be Jonze's vision....but like all "big" movies, I'm worried that too many chefs will stir the pot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
explodo Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 I don't know what the budget is on this movie, but ultimately.....and perhaps sadly...this movie WILL need to pull in a decent-sized audience (i.e. $$$$$) for the movie studio. So that's why the trailer has the cheesy "inside us all...." stuff. I'm still optimistic that this movie will be Jonze's vision....but like all "big" movies, I'm worried that too many chefs will stir the pot.Yeah, I am sure that's the deal. Showing it with a 3-D kids movie and all that jazz. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EL the Famous Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 looks awesome, but i would have loved to see a 'Harold and the Purple Crayon' as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hollinger. Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 This looks absolutely beautiful. Also, fantastic use of the Arcade Fire. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hollinger. Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 And I have no problem with the "inside all of us" stuff... that really was the theme of the book. It was about children learning to deal with their emotions and how confusing it can be at that age, not having experienced those kinds of feelings before. It really is a beautiful book that I think has helped a lot of young people. I think looking back at it as an adult, it's not possible for us to appreciate what Sendak was doing, because it's impossible for us to relive that experience and put it in the same context as a five year old who reads it for the first time and recognizes themselves in Max. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gobias Industries Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Wow, I want to see this movie. Rare time when I see a trailer and I want to see this movie. Also, A+ Arcade Fire use and Forest Whitaker is in this, so that is awesome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I want to see a really well done live action version of the Phantom Tollbooth. Someone get on it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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