The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
| The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Terry Gilliam |
| Written by | Terry Gilliam Charles McKeown |
| Produced by | Samuel Hadida Amy Gilliam William Vince |
| Starring | Christopher Plummer Tom Waits Heath Ledger |
| Cinematography | Nicola Pecorini |
Release date | 2009 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $30 million |
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is an upcoming 2009 American fantasy-adventure film directed by Terry Gilliam and written by Gilliam and screenwriter Charles McKeown. The Imaginarium stars Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, and Heath Ledger in a story about the leader of a traveling theater troupe who, through a deal with the Devil, takes audience members through a magical mirror to explore their imaginations. Production began on the film in London in December 2007 and will move on to Vancouver. The film is slated for a release in 2009.
Premise
In the contemporary period, 1,000-year-old Doctor Parnassus (Plummer) leads a traveling theater troupe and offers audience members a chance to go beyond reality through a magical mirror in his possession.[1] Parnassus had been able to guide the imagination of others through a deal with the Devil (Waits), who now comes to collect on the arrangement.[2]
Cast
- Christopher Plummer as Doctor Parnassus[3]
- Tom Waits as the Devil[3]
- Heath Ledger[3]
- Lily Cole[3]
- Andrew Garfield[3]
- Verne Troyer[3]
Production
Director Terry Gilliam and screenwriter Charles McKeown wrote the script for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,[3] their first collaboration since Brazil (1985) and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988).[1] Gilliam described the premise as a "fun and humorous story about the consequences of our personal choices in life",[2] and explained his goal for the film, "It's autobiographical. I'm trying to bring a bit of fantasticality to London, an antidote to modern lives. I loved this idea of an ancient travelling show offering the kind of storytelling and wonder that we used to get, to people who are just into shoot-em-up action films." The independent film received a budget of $30 million, considered unusually high for an indie.[1] Production began in December 2007 in London,[3] at landmarks like Battersea Power Station, Tower Bridge, and St. Paul's Cathedral.[1] Production will then move on to Vancouver.[3]
Release
The film is slated to be released in 2009.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d Adam Dawtrey (2007-12-14). "Gilliam mounts 'Parnassus' in London". Variety. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Stuart Kemp (2007-11-01). "Ledger, Plummer join Gilliam's 'Doctor'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i "Gilliam, Ledger reteam for film". Variety. 2007-10-31. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Shawn Adler (2007-11-15). "Ledger A Big Joker When It Comes To New Gilliam Film". MTV. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)