Tim Burton's New Movie: 9

What is 9 all about?

An action-packed adventure, director Shane Acker’s animated fantasy epic 9 is the feature-length expansion of his Academy Award-nominated 2004 short film of the same name.

The screenplay for the feature is by Pamela Pettler (Monster House); directors Tim Burton (Beetlejuice, Alice In Wonderland) and Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) are among the feature version’s producers.

The time is the too-near future. Powered and enabled by the invention known as the Great Machine, the world’s machines have turned on mankind and sparked social unrest, decimating the human population before being largely shut down.

But as our world fell to pieces, a mission began to salvage the legacy of civilization; a group of small creations was given the spark of life by a scientist in the final days of humanity, and they continue to exist post-apocalypse.

Another one of their own, #9 (voiced by Elijah Wood), emerges and displays leadership qualities that may help them survive and possibly even thrive. The conflicted but resilient tribe already includes #1 (Christopher Plummer), a domineering war veteran and the group’s leader; #2 (Martin Landau), a kindly but now-frail inventor; #3 and #4, scholarly twins who communicate non verbally and mostly with each other; #5 (John C. Reilly), a stalwart and nurturing engineer; #6 (Crispin Glover), an erratic artist beset by visions; #7 (Jennifer Connelly), a brave and self-sufficient warrior; and #8 (Fred Tatasciore), the none-too-bright muscle and enforcer for #1.

The movie 9 is a sublime, heart-warming adventure not to be missed. In Australian cinemas December 9.

Watch the 9 trailer below:

New Alice In Wonderland Movie Posters

These two new movie posters by Disney look beautiful, the anticipation is growing!

A few more months to go for the big date with the White Rabbit! Mark March 5, 2010 into your calendars if you haven't done that already.

[Image credits: The Walt Disney Company 2010] 

 

Alice In Wonderland Movie- Dream Come True For Michael Sheen

In an interview with Parade.com Michael Sheen has said that getting a role in Tim Burton's movie 'Alice In Wonderland' is a ''Dream Come True''.

He is playing the role of the White Rabbit and he is happy to have found his "inner white fluffy animal" and so the role fits him perfectly. Michael was a huge fan of Lewis Carroll's book when he was growing up and is now exited about the movie. He said:

"I'm doing the White Rabbit in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. Everyone has an inner white fluffy animal, it's just a question of finding it before it's too late. The White Rabbit is such an iconic character that I didn't feel like I should break the mould too much, so I just sort of went with it."Alice in Wonderland was one of the first stories I truly loved when I was growing up. It had a huge impact on me and it's stayed with me ever since. So to be part of Tim Burton's version is just like a dream come true."

Talking about recognition Michael explained to Parade.com:

"When audiences are not as aware of you personally, they just accept you as the character. I think it's quite tough for people like Tom Cruise to get beyond that because he's so familiar to people and they know so much about him. Funny enough, what attracted me to being an actor is that people don't see you, they see the character. Now, I'm afraid it's going to get progressively tougher for me, especially with 'New Moon' coming."

Michael is playing the powerful vampire Aro, the head of Volturi clan, in the upcoming movie of Twilight saga: New Moon.

"There's so much expectation about the sequel. People who are hooked on the stories have very definite ideas about the character from the second book. So it's a dilemma. You want to give them what they expect, what they want to see, but you also want to surprise them. My biggest concern has been that everyone would remember that I played a werewolf in Underworld. So it would be a stretch for me to become a vampire. But I just love Aro. I think he has a gentle side even though he's pretty scary. And I'm just very pleased to have a whole new generation of people I can scare."

New Alice in Wonderland Computer Game - Looking Great

Disney Interactive has released this screenshot of a new Alice in Wonderland game in the making.

This licensed computer game will be published at the same time as Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland movie in March 2010. The game's developer, a French computer game company Etranges-Libellules, will release this extremely interesting looking game for the PC, Wii and Nintendo DS. 

Disney will also release mobile games on the iPhone and iTouch later in the year.

Alice in Wonderland Computer Game Trailer

The set up looks intriguing; why is the Mad Hatter in despair? Or is he sad? Where do these two paths lead to? And what is the White Rabbit up to?

The game will not be anything like the horror adventure game American McGee's Alice but will follow the new Burton's film plot in many ways.

Alice and other Wonderland characters will fight against the Red Queen and try and return the newly named 'Underland' back into peaceful 'Wonderland'.

The scenery looks beautiful; I hope the whole game will feature this kind of carefully drawn scenes. I'm not a big gamer but I've enjoyed 'Myst' and this game reminds me of that game.

I for one will be exited to explore it's surroundings when it hits the stores!

[Image credits: Disney Interactive 2010]

Alice In Wonderland Is The New Black?

"ALICE IS THE NEW BLACK" and "WHO WILL YOU WEAR TO THE TEA PARTY?"

These posters are the new teaser posters for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland 3-D movie. Silas Lesnick from Comingsoon attended the Disney’s D23 Expo, where these promos were showcased at the Alice in Wonderland tea party.

Is Tim Burton taking Alice too far in the dark? Or what can these posters otherwise mean?  

Black theme continues with news from Kerrang.com that Ville Valo, the frontman for the Finnish gothic metal rock band HIM is working on a sound track for the Alice in Wonderland movie.

Regardless these black themes, Tim Burton is claiming that his adaptation of Alice in Wonderland will be suitable for children. Many worried parents have voiced their concerns about the dark elements of the new movie, which is a cause of frustration for the director.
Defending himself Tim Burton told recently to AMC News that “It’s a Disney movie! We’re not doing anything in it that’s more than what’s already in Alice in Wonderland. The movie is meant for people of all ages to view.”

























The Alice in Wonderland Movie, starring Johnny Depp is opening on March 5, 2010.

CORALINE – A 3-D Movie With Snippets of Alice in Wonderland and Pinocchio

A couple of weeks ago when Henry Selick’s movie “Coraline” finally had reached the big screens of Australia I had a chance to go and see it as a 3-D version. It gave me a glimpse of what Tim Burton’s Alice will be like. Since Coraline is a fully animated movie the 3-D glasses made the film seem more realistic and vivid. 

Neil Gaiman’s story of Coraline tells the tale of Coraline Jones, who moves to a new town and a house where several strange characters live. Coraline's parents don’t seem to have much time for her, so Coraline must explore her new environment by herself.

In the house she uncovers a small door, which seems to lead to nowhere with a brick wall behind it. But upon following a tiny mouse to the door late at night, it suddenly opens onto a parallel world that is much more colourful and fun than the real world. It is easy to compare the scenes with Alice in Wonderland. Coraline crawling through a tunnel under ground reminds of Alice tumbling through the rabbit hole following the White Rabbit.

The world that opens in the other end of the tunnel is basically similar as Coraline’s real house but that’s where the similarities end. In this ‘Other World’ Coraline has ‘Other Parents’ who look the same as her real parents but who act very much differently. They have all the time in the world for Coraline; they spoil her, feed her favourite foods and cakes, give presents etc.

 

The only visible difference with the parents is that the ‘Other Parents’ have buttons for eyes. Actually most inhabitants there have buttons instead of eyes. And this is creepy for Coraline who learns that the ‘Other Parents’ are hoping for her to stay with them forever. But in doing so she must have her eyes replaced with big black buttons as well!

All this with the extraordinary circus at the neighbour’s place actually reminds me more of Disney’s other movie Pinocchio more than Alice. Pinocchio was also lured to a world where he didn’t have to go to school but was allowed to do what he wanted but in the exchange he began to turn into a donkey. Buttons… donkey’s tail.. you see what I mean?

 

Still there are other hints to Alice’s stories. The real parents being locked behind a big glass window– two things come to mind: Alice climbing Through the Looking Glass and Harry Potter’s parents in the special Mirror of Erised.

The character of the ‘Other Mother’ has some similarities with the Queen of Hearts who is constantly yelling

“Off with her head!” 

 

in “Alice in Wonderland”; especially in the end of the film where the ‘Other Mother’ has transformed into a horrifying bony creature who is after Coraline and her eyes.

We all know that Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was just a dream, but how about Coraline? Was it all just a dream or more like a nightmare?

Those who haven't seen Coraline yet, check out this trailer:

One thing is for sure, “Coraline” is not for young children. ‘The Other World’ becomes too dark and creepy towards the end of the film. Adults and older children instead can enjoy the beautiful scenery and clever setting of a dream world with hidden dangers.

 

I had the best time watching it and now I’m waiting even more for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland in 3-D of course!

Interview With Tim Burton at the Alice in Wonderland premiere

It seems that what we saw in the Alice in Wonderland trailer is pretty much what has been finished so far of the anticipated movie.

Enormous amount of work is still to be done. Tim Burton was horrified at the suggestion that the Alice movie should be released before Christmas 2009 to take part in the award season. 

His comment was:  

"No, no, no. It'll be tough to make the March date!" 

Apparently Tim Burton has to work hard right up till the end to get the Alice in Wonderland movie released on March 5,2010.

Well, you can never wait too long for something excellent! By the way is it just me or is Tim Burton's hair beginning to look more and more like Mad Hatter's?

Alice In Wonderland 2010 Trailer Released

Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland trailer has just been released by Disney.

The movie, which will be in 3D is directed by Tim Burton and stars the utterly amazing Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, the always exotic Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, the elusive Anne Hathaway as the White Queen, and the surprise actress Mia Wasikowska as Alice.

Alice In Wonderland, the movie is scheduled to be released March 5, 2010. >>> Read the book before you see the movie.

Mia Wasikowska in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

New pictures from the next year's sensational Tim Burton movie Alice in Wonderland are emerging quite frequently at the moment.

Now we have the pleasure to see Mia Wasikowska playing Alice in a lush Wonderland garden.

Alice looks so confused that she probably has just entered the Wonderland after running off from the huge party she was attending until she found out that she was going to be proposed to. (Check the previous post for the plot.)

It is getting more and more exiting to get the feel of this movie! Tim Burton is really mastering the atmosphere of Wonderland.

[Image credits: The Walt Disney Company 2009] 

The Casting List of Alice in Wonderland Movie with Pictures

Here we have Mia Wasikowska as tiny Alice with a cup and a saucer:

Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter:


The gorgeous Anne Hathaway as The White Queen with red lips and dark eye brows:

The sexy Helena Bonham Carter as even sexier Red Queen:

Here we have Matt Lucas in person:

...and here he is the twin characters Tweedledee and Tweedledum:

Here we have the official casting list:

Mia Wasikowska -Alice Kingsley
Johnny Depp -Mad Hatter
Michael Sheen -White Rabbit
Anne Hathaway -White Queen
Helena Bonham Carter -Red Queen
Stephen Fry -Cheshire Cat
Alan Rickman -Caterpillar
Crispin Glover -Knave of Hearts
Matt Lucas -Tweedledee / Tweedledum
Christopher Lee -The Jabberwock
Noah Taylor -March Hare
Barbara Windsor -Dormouse
 

... and a bit more casting:

Timothy Spall -The Bloodhound
Marton Csokas -Charles Kingsley
Eleanor Tomlinson -Fiona Chataway
Annalise Basso -The May Pole Dancer
Jemma Powell -Margaret Manchester
Frances de la Tour -Aunt Imogene
John Hopkins -Lowell Manchester
Austin James Wolff -The May Pole Dancer
Lindsay Duncan -Helen Kingsley
Eleanor Gecks -Faith Chataway
Tim Pigott-Smith -Lord Ascot
Geraldine James -Lady Ascot
Leo Bill -Hamish Ascot

The photos are from USA Today (Photo: AP Photo/Disney).

[Image credits: The Walt Disney Company 2009] 

The New Pictures Of Wonderland And The Movie Plot

Disney has released new movie photos of Burton's Alice In Wonderland for us to savour and build up some excitement!

 

The landscape looks inviting but a bit dark as you can expect from Tim Burton.

The topiary in the first picture looks creepy, the danger there is imminent.

The second picture is from the rose garden where Alice encounters talking flowers. It looks magical!

This is a picture of Alice with Tweedledee and Tweedledum at the gates in Wonderland.

In this new Burton's movie Alice is already 17 years old and the plot tells that she is invited to attend a huge party at a Victorian estate.

 

But when Alice finds out that she is about to be proposed to in front of hundreds of society snobs, she flees and again runs after the White Rabbit and through the hole into the Wonderland. 

 

Curiously she doesn't remember her previous encounters in Wonderland where her old acquaintances are waiting for her to help them. 

 

The Cheshire Cat, the March Hare and Tweedledee and Tweedledum are ready to rebel against the Red Queen who has taken the throne from her sister, the White Queen, and in doing so transformed the previously peaceful kingdom of Wonderland into a world of deceit and disagreements. Very interesting screenplay from Linda Woolverton.

 

[Image credits: The Walt Disney Company 2009]

Want To See A Preview Of Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland Movie?

If you’re impatiently waiting for the next Tim Burton movie, you can actually have an early peek at the Alice in Wonderland movie for only $37!

Disney is presenting a D23 EXPO in Anaheim Convention Center on September 10-13, 2009. This will be the ultimate Disney Fan Experience. The four days will be full of live events, interactive pavilions and entertainment. 

Visitors will get to preview many upcoming movie events, including Alice in Wonderland, Toy Story 3, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, TRON, Disney’s A Christmas Carol and Rapunzel.

You can buy the tickets now from D23Expo

I sure wish I could make a trip to Anaheim, California on September.

Alice In Wonderland Makes It To The Great IMAX 3D Theatres

The Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and IMAX Corporation have decided that Burton’s Alice in Wonderland will be perfect for an IMAX Experience.

The film starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska and several other stars (see earlier posting for casting details) will be released to IMAX 3D theatres simultaneously with the film’s release on March 5, 2010.

The top management of both Walt Disney Studios and IMAX Filmed Entertainment seem to be very exited about this movie-event of the year:

Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group, said,

"If ever there was a film that cried out to be presented in Disney Digital 3D(TM) and the premium IMAX 3D format, Tim Burton's fantastic interpretation of 'Alice in Wonderland' is that film." 

This is going to be an eye-popping cinematic experience as Tim takes moviegoers down the rabbit hole and into the dimensional world filled with incredible characters, sly humor, and wild adventures.

Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment is equally exited: 

"Alice in Wonderland' is a fantastic addition to our 2010 film slate". "Combining a beloved Disney classic re-designed through the imagination of Tim Burton's creative vision with these incredibly outrageous characters and world class actors certainly makes for an event-status film, and we're pleased to add another level of excitement to this highly-anticipated movie."

“Way down the rabbit hole”

The new Alice in Wonderland film is being brought to the screen using a combination of live actors, motion capture, fully animated CG characters and CG environments.

“The way it’s being done is a mutation of things.” 

says Tim Burton who was filming in Cornwall, England for two weeks. Back in Los Angeles’ Culver City Studios the filming continued in strange looking sets: actors on sound stages were completely surrounded by green screen. 

“It’s not like Beowulf. It’s not a motion-capture movie. It’s kind of a mixture of some distorted live action and animation. I can’t relate it to anything because I’m not sure what to relate it to. It’s kind of new territory for me, so we’ll see.”

At The Jameson Empire Awards Tim commented on the style and progress of filming Alice in Wonderland:

"I like the 3-D aspect of it, I think it fits the material very well, and it doesn’t give me a headache like it used to."

3-D may be a way to go in some of Burton’s future films as well if this one proves to be a success:

"I think it’s good for anything. There are other uses than having spears stuck into your face - I think there are more visceral, emotional uses, especially if you use lots of textures.”

The filming is going 

“Way down the rabbit hole. There's a long way to go."

The Plot of the Alice in Wonderland movie 2010

This new Alice in Wonderland movie will not be a remake of the old Disney movie. 

 

Linda Woolverton’s has written the script with the two Lewis Carroll books on mind but the story is completely new. The Disney magazine D23 reports that the plot will be about Alice’s return to Wonderland when she is 17 years old of age.

 

Many lovable but queer characters like Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, White Rabbit, Red Queen, King of Hearts, White Queen and of course Tweedledum and Tweedledee from the original books will be joining Alice in Wonderland, or Underland as some say about this new setting.

 

Here is Tim Burton’s comments about Alice in the film:

“Alice had this adventure as a little girl and now she’s going back all these years later, it’s a bit overgrown, the topiaries aren’t as nicely cut as they once were. There’s a slightly haunted quality to Wonderland, even though it’s got strong elements of color.”

Alice’s journey in Wonderland will be kind of a rite of passage, where she will grow and discover herself and, in the end, her late father as well.

The part of Alice will be played by Mia Wasikowska. She is 19 years old and she was born in Australia.

Tim Burton found her after an extensive search:

“We met a lot of people, but she just had that certain kind of emotional roughness, standing her ground in a way that makes her kind of an older person but with a younger person’s mentality.”

This will be the famous grin of the Cheshire Cat

Stephen Fry has confirmed in the interview with BBC News on 18/2/09 that he will indeed play the part of the Cheshire Cat in Tim Burton’s Alice movie. I think this is a really good choice, I can already see the grin in the air. Can you?

Another casting news that finally looks certain is Michael Sheen as the White Rabbit. Many sources are confirming this, Brendon Connelly from /film being amongst the first to put that rumor out and now even Wikipedia states it as a fact.

One more rumor is going around and that is that Christopher Lee will be playing the Jabberwocky, kind of a monster whom Alice will have to fight against.

Also known is that Jemma Powell will be Alice’s sister and Lindsay Duncan will be Alice’s mother.

The casting seems to be nearly finished, which is about time since the film is set to be released in 12 months.

In the meantime, have you ever read the Jabberwocky poem? You can can check it our here: https://alice-in-wonderland-quotes.com/jabberwocky/

Michael Sheen not the Cheshire Cat

The final casting for the Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland movie seems to be a big secret. 

Earlier it was rumored that Michael Sheen would play the part of the grinning Cheshire Cat, but now it has been revealed that it is not the case. 

Michael Sheen is still going to be in the film but the part that he will be playing is a secret. Watch this to hear it from Michael himself:

Personally I think Michael Sheen might be quite good in the important role of White Rabbit!

Well, we can't do much more than have a guess. Which part do you think would be best for Michael Sheen?

"Well! I've often seen a cat without a grin; but a grin without a cat! It's the most curious thing I’ve seen in my life!" 

-Alice after seeing the Cheshire Cat

Here some great pictures from the Book Launch Party!

Thanks to everybody! We all had a great time!

If you missed the party, you can get your copy of the 101 Famous Quotes from Alice in Wonderland here.

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY 101 Most Famous Quotes from Alice in Wonderland

Dear Friend,

I have finally published my long awaited Alice Quotes –book.

The official "101 Most Famous Quotes from Alice in Wonderland" -Book Launch Party is 2pm at the Gilhooley’s Irish Pub at 295 Gympie Road, Strathpine, Qld this Friday. Come and join me and other Alice fans!

I know that some of you guys are not living in Australia, so if you wish to get a copy of my book, here’s what you can do:

If you can't make it to the party,

1) you can grab yourself a copy of the Paperback here.
2) or Download here.

Hope to see you at the party!

Best regards,
Tuula

“The adventures first… explanations take such a dreadful time.”