Movies
Aronofsky Takes on the Supernatural in ‘Black Swan’
I’m dying for Darren Aronofsky to do something mainstream. While I have high hopes for RoboCop, it’s pretty exciting to see him developing something original as well. Some good news hit the Hollywood Reporter last night as they broke the news that Aronofsky’s long-gestured Black Swan could soon be taking flight – thanks to Natalie Portman. Read on for the skinny.
After being set up in early 2007 at Universal, the project — a supernatural thriller set in the world of New York City ballet — has been reconstituted after being put into turnaround by the studio. It has been making the rounds to studios and specialty divisions, several of which are keenly interested.
Among the elements giving it a boost: Natalie Portman is attached to play the lead.
Several other changes have occurred since the Aronofsky-helmed project was first developed by Universal.
Mark Heyman, a development exec at Aronofsky’s Protozoa Pictures, has done a rewrite of John McLaughlin’s original script for the pic, which Mike Medavoy’s Phoenix Pictures and Protozoa are producing.
Aronofsky, meanwhile, has gone on to helm the critical and commercial favorite “The Wrestler,” putting him in high demand.
“Swan” centers on a veteran ballerina (Portman) who finds herself locked in a competitive situation with a rival dancer, with the stakes and twists increasing as the dancers approach a big performance. But it’s unclear whether the rival is a supernatural apparition or if the protagonist is simply having delusions.
Those who’ve read the script say it’s a spine-tingler with elements of “The Others,” the Nicole Kidman breakout in which viewers are left to discern what’s real and what’s imagined.
If a sale happens imminently, “Swan” could begin shooting as early as this year. Aronofsky has not committed to a movie that’s ready to go, though he has been developing the “Robocop” reboot at MGM.
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland are reteaming for the long-awaited 28 Years Later horror sequel trilogy, and the first film in that new trilogy now has a release date.
28 Years Later arrives in theaters on June 20, 2025 from Sony.
Jack O’Connell (Amy Winehouse: Back To Black) has joined the previously announced Jodie Comer (Alone in the Dark, “Killing Eve”), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kraven the Hunter), and Ralph Fiennes (The Menu) in the upcoming 28 Years Later.
Alex Garland will write the first film and Boyle will return to direct. Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels) will direct the second installment in the trilogy from Sony Pictures.
Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) is on board as executive producer.
The original movie in 2002 starred Cillian Murphy and was written by Alex Garland and directed by Danny Boyle. In the smash hit horror film, “Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the UK, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary.”
A sequel, 28 Weeks Later, arrived in 2007. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo took over as director. In the sequel, which starred Jeremy Renner, “Six months after the rage virus was inflicted on the population of Great Britain, the US Army helps to secure a small area of London for the survivors to repopulate and start again. But not everything goes according to plan.”
Talks of a third installment in the franchise have been coming and going for the last several years now – at one point, it was going to be titled 28 Months Later – but it looks like this one is finally getting off the ground here in 2024. Stay tuned for more updates soon!
Party City Releasing Life-Size ‘Terrifier 2’ Art the Clown & Little Pale Girl Animatronics!
6 Other Experimental Slashers to Watch Before ‘In a Violent Nature’
‘It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This’ Review – Found Footage Movie Won ‘Best Feature’ at Salem Horror Fest
“Crystal Lake” – A24 Has NOT Pulled the Plug on Their ‘Friday the 13th’ TV Series [Exclusive]
‘The Substance’ – First Look at ‘Revenge’ Director’s Body Horror Movie
