Cloud Atlas has been in development for a while now with Tom Hanks, Natalie Portman and Halle Berry attached. Berry said in November that things may get going in the summer but the movie, which is being produced and directed by The Wachowskis (The Matrix), has yet to find studio backing.

When the project was first announced Run Lola Run director Tom Tykwer was said to be directing, however over recent months The Wachowskis have been mentioned whenever the project comes up. Well in a recent interview Natalie Portman confirmed that it will be a group effort, with both The Wachowskis and Tykwer directing.

From Entertainment Weekly (via The Playlist):

“I don’t know what’s going on with financing,” Portman told EW in an interview that’s not online yet. “I read it while doing [The Wachowski produced] ‘V for Vendetta’ and I gave it to the Wachowskis and to Tom Tykwer (he shot a “Paris Je Taime” short with her around the same time). Now they’re directing it together, the three of them. I will have some acting role in it if it happens, but probably nothing major.”

Here’s the synopsis of the book, written by David Mitchell:

The story presents six narratives that evoke an array of genres, from Melvillean high-seas drama to California noir and dystopian fantasy. There is a naive clerk on a nineteenth-century Polynesian voyage: and aspiring composer who insinuates himself to the home of a syphilitic genius: a journalist investigating a nuclear plant: a publisher with a dangerous best-seller on his hands: and a cloned human being created for slave labour. These five stories are bisected and arranged around a sixth, the oral history of a post-apocalyptic island, which forms the heart of the story.

Some have said the book is un-filmable as it spans thousands of years and over several genres, but Tykwer has been working on adapting the novel into a screenplay for over a year so he should have worked it out by now. The Wachowskis are currently looking for a studio to provide the budget which stands at around $80-$100 million, but with big names attached it shouldn’t be too difficult. In theory.

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While at a screening of her latest movie Frankie and Alice Halle Berry (who is receiving some awards buzz for the role) confirmed that she is attached to Cloud Atlas, which has been in development for a while now. Tom Hanks, Natalie Portman, James McAvoy and Ian McKellen were all initially offered roles along with Berry, and the actress mentioned that Hanks and Portman are now on-board with her.

Cloud Atlas was originally set to be directed by Run Lola Run director Tom Tykwer, however in September The Wachowskis, who directed The Matrix trilogy, said they may direct some parts of the movie themselves.

You can watch Halle Berry’s comments at the beginning of the video below:

Here’s the synopsis of the book, written by David Mitchell:

The story presents six narratives that evoke an array of genres, from Melvillean high-seas drama to California noir and dystopian fantasy. There is a naive clerk on a nineteenth-century Polynesian voyage: and aspiring composer who insinuates himself to the home of a syphilitic genius: a journalist investigating a nuclear plant: a publisher with a dangerous best-seller on his hands: and a cloned human being created for slave labour. These five stories are bisected and arranged around a sixth, the oral history of a post-apocalyptic island, which forms the heart of the story.

Some have said the book is un-filmable as it spans thousands of years and over several genres, but Tykwer has been working on adapting the novel into a screenplay for over a year so he should have worked it out by now. The Wachowskis are currently looking for a studio to provide the budget which stands at around $80-$100 million, but with big names attached it shouldn’t be too difficult.

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Earlier this year Tom Hanks, Natalie Portman and Halle Berry all signed up to star in Cloud Atlas, to be directed by Run Lola Run director Tom Tykwer. James McAvoy still has an offer on the table but Ian McKellen, who was also offered a role, may have to pass as he’ll be needed in Middle Earth.

Now new details have emerged from Vulture who say The Wachowskis, who directed The Matrix trilogy, may direct some parts of the movie as well as produce.

Here’s the synopsis of the book by David Mitchell:

The story presents six narratives that evoke an array of genres, from Melvillean high-seas drama to California noir and dystopian fantasy. There is a naive clerk on a nineteenth-century Polynesian voyage: and aspiring composer who insinuates himself to the home of a syphilitic genius: a journalist investigating a nuclear plant: a publisher with a dangerous best-seller on his hands: and a cloned human being created for slave labour. These five stories are bisected and arranged around a sixth, the oral history of a post-apocalyptic island, which forms the heart of the story.

Some have said the book is un-filmable as it spans thousands of years and over several genres, but Tykwer has been working on adapting the novel into a screenplay for over a year so he should have worked it out by now. Vulture says The Wachowskis are currently looking for a studio to provide the budget which stands at around $80-$100 million, but with big names attached it shouldn’t be too difficult.

..what may be difficult, however, is for The Wachowskis to get financing for their other project Cobalt Neural 9 which is set in the future and centers on a love affair between a U.S. soldier and an Iraqi solider (both male) who become convinced that the only way to rid the world of evil is to kill the architect of the invasion, the then-president of the United States, George W. Bush. And so, during one of the president’s secret sorties to Iraq, they attempt to assassinate him.

The budget may only be around $20 million or so, but it is unlikely any studio will get behind it. Luckily for The Wachowskis The Matrix trilogy made a lot of money, so they could finance it themselves if they decide to go the independent route.

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Warner Bros have finally chosen a solid release date for the Wachowski brothers Ninja Assassin. According to Dark Horizons:

Ninja Assassin
The James McTiegue-directed action-thriller starring Korean pop messiah Rain has been scheduled for November 25th 2009

That is 5 days after The Twilight Saga’s New Moon is released, so hopefully it won’t be consumed by the vampire frenzy. The new release date means we probably won’t be getting a trailer for a while, so it looks like we’ll have to wait before we get our first look.

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In a post about Keanu Reeves possibly becoming Plastic Man or some crap, a reader sent Latino Review some updates on Ninja Assassin that is currently filming under the guidance of the Wachowski’s brothers.

- James McTeigue is having a blast directing Ninja Assassin. Says its going to be an old school Hong Kong influenced fight fest whilst keeping with the traditional Japanese style.

- Looking to be a R rated movie with no exceptions being made to the integrity of choreography prepped by David Leitch and Chad Stahelski with insight on behalf of fight consultant Yuen Woo-ping.

- The Wachowski’s are involved with blocking all the complex fight scenes with James taking lead on dialogue related scenes.

- Says he loves working in Berlin and is looking to move to London shortly to begin prep on the post production.

The Wachowski’s have gone from working on family friendly flop Speed Racer to an R rated fight fest which is where they belong.

If your interested in the Plastic Man news then click here to find out more.

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The Hollywood Reporter have announced that Naomie Harris and Rick Yune have joined Ninja Assassin. The film is apparently filming as you read this, and is being produced by Speed Racer directors, the Wachowski Brothers. V for Vendetta director James McTeigue will be sat in the directors chair, for what apparently is an original film. No comic books, no graphic novels, no novel, no anything. A writer has actually been paid to use his imagination for once!

The title of the film is a good indication of what we may get, producer Joel Silver has described it as a “full on martial arts movie.” He also says it’s has the theme of revenge running through it.

It certainly sounds interesting. Naomie Harris is best known for her role as Tia Dalma in the Pirates of the Caribean trilogy. She has also appeared in the amazing 28 Days Later and more recently, Street Kings.
Rick Yune is best known for being a Bond villain in Die Another Day, who had the unfortunate (or fortunate depending on how you look at it) accident involving diamonds blowing up in his face, and embedding themselves there.

Rick Yune spoke of his role:

“Not to give too much away, (but) my character stays within what he was brought up with, and they go up against each other,” Yune said. “I’m not a heavy. The characters are ninjas, they are assassins, and there’s this mix of morality the Wachowskis are exploring.”

Warner Brothers have yet to announce a release date, but I’m guessing we will see this sometime in 2009.

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