Have a think about these two important questions: 1) Will a remake of Nicolas Winding Refn's "Pusher" be any good? 2) What is the real meaning of Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining"? Well, here's some news that should bring the answers to both of those questions a little closer.
IFC Films have picked up buzzed about Sundance doc "Room 237," an experimental documentary directed by Rodney Ascher which explores the numerous theories about the 'real meaning' of Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining." We can picture Stephen King sitting down with a bag of popcorn and really getting his teeth into this one. Deadline reports that the film will likely screen in New York and Cannes, before receiving a theatrical/day and date VOD release later this year. Early word on this one has been very good, and we missed it in Park City, so we'll be eager to catch up with it.
Meanwhile, The Weinstein Company's new label Radius has made the British remake of "Pusher" its second acquisition after picking up the Sundance comedy "Bachelorette." The remake which stars Richard Coyle ("W.E.") and model-cum-actress Agyness Deyn has avoided the usual outrage because of the presence and blessing of Winding-Refn as an exec producer. Radius plan to release the film in late 2012, and we wouldn't be surprised if it hit U.K. theatres even earlier.
Finally, Tribeca Films have landed the rights to "The Giant Mechanical Man." Starring a large ensemble including "The Office" actress Jenna Fischer, Topher Grace, Malin Akerman, Chris Messina, Lucy Punch and Bob Odenkirk, the offbeat romantic comedy was written and directed by Lee Kirk (writer of "Pants On Fire") and centers on Janice (Fischer), a woman in her 30’s who has yet to learn how to navigate adulthood, and Tim (Chris Messina), a devoted street performer who finds that his unique talents as a “living statue” (ie. street artist) don’t exactly pay the bills. Out of work and crashing with her overbearing sister (Ackerman), Janice is on the receiving end of well-intentioned but misguided pressure to date an egotistical self-help guru (Grace). Everyone seems to know what’s best for Janice, but Tim helps her find her own voice and realize that it only takes one person to make you feel important.
We certainly like the players involved and hope this will be an enjoyably quirky comedy. Tribeca will release the film this spring in a combined theatrical/VOD rollout.