So if you’re making a fantasy film and you know that Terry Gilliam is interested (see the recent interview with Coming Soon here to read him talking about this), what would you do? Why, hire the guy who did Shopgirl.
That’s not to say anything bad about Anand Tucker, whose Steve Martin comedy I haven’t even seen yet. But he’s the guy who looks to be the next director for the first His Dark Materials film, based on the novels by Phil "Not Bill" Pullman "Not Dining Car".
Chris Weitz had been on board to make the movie, but he dropped out, saying it was too epic. I don’t know how I feel about that – bully for Weitz for knowing his limitations and not fucking up the adaptation? Or is it Kevin Smith Syndrome, where a filmmaker just doesn’t step outside of his comfort zone? At any rate when Weitz left there was a massive vacuum at the center of the project, one which Tucker apparently filled with a detailed presentation and a 20 page "manifesto." Looks like all those reports you gave in grammar school were worth something after all.
Actually, I can understand why Gilliam is not being hired here. It’s the same reason I never wanted him to do Watchmen – any film Gilliam makes is a Terry Gilliam film, and will soon move away from the source material and be molded to fit his peculiar vision and style.
Of course Tucker may not yet be the final name on this film. I’m going to wait for an official announcement. Then I’ll wait for shooting to start. Then I’ll wait for the DVD. Then I’ll report back to you who directed it.