Terry Gilliam’s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Trailer Starring Heath Ledger
We’ve got our first decent look at Terry Gilliam’s upcoming film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus this week in the form of a new international trailer. The movie will have its North American Premiere at the Toronto Film Festival next month, and will no doubt be attracting attention based on the fact that it features Heath Ledger’s final on-screen performance. However, Gilliam has never been the most accessible director and this certainly looks like it could be a little too trippy for mainstream audiences.
The story involes a traveling theatre troupe who guide audience members through the fantastical realms of their imaginations using a magical mirror. Unfortunately, the troupe made a deal with the devil in order to gain this ability, and he has decided that it’s time to collect. Since Ledger’s scenes were unfinished at the time of his death, they decided to recast his character with multiple actors (Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell) all portraying alternate versions of him. It sounds like it could potentially get a little confusing, but it’s an interesting choice, and based on the visuals alone this looks pretty awesome. My only question is, why wasn’t it shot in 3-D?! Move over Tim Burton, there’s another rabbit hole in town. Check out the trailer after the jump and see what you think.
Comments (9)
Looks like this could be Terry Gilliam’s redemption for the last few disappointments (Brothers Grimm, Tideland). It looks so strongly surreal, and the Ledger substitutions seem seamless.
Posted by Senor G on August 10th, 2009Looks fantastic! And as Senor G commented,the substitutions are seamless. I’m very much looking forward to this one.
Posted by Megan on August 10th, 2009Move over Tim Burton? Gilliam has always been a better director than Burton. That’s not to say I don’t love Burton’s films, but Gilliam’s definitely in a higher league.
And @ Senor G – I’ll give you Brothers Grimm, but Tideland was fucking amazing.
Posted by Alex on August 10th, 2009it would be cool if they, with a little CG magic, have the first actor stepping in for Heath actually appear on screen with Heath and give him a little bow before taking over. I mean you aren’t fooling anyone, and it would be a nice nod to his final performance. It would also make the transition easier as your aren’t trying to hide it.
Posted by rus in chicago on August 11th, 2009“it would be cool if they, with a little CG magic, have the first actor stepping in for Heath actually appear on screen with Heath and give him a little bow before taking over.”
Yeah, lets fuck up our movie for all time, to make a pop culture reference.
Posted by Henrik on August 11th, 2009It’s not in 3D because 3D sucks and is a retarded ass fad, just like it was the first time around.
Posted by Ben on August 11th, 2009Really Henrik, and the “taking you out of the moment transition to a different actors” isn’t already doing that. In all creative situations like this, architecture, advertising, whatever, you have two choices 1) try your best to hide the mistake, or 2) acknowledge it and move on. My idea is a valid if the other choice can’t be managed You euro trash, no imagination puss
Posted by rus in chicago on August 11th, 2009I’m not sure I’d call it a mistake. It’s an unfortunate set of circumstances that you’re first and intended actor could not finish the film, but that doesn’t make it a mistake. And if it’s not a mistake why would you try to cover it up? I agree with Henrik, there’s no reason to plug in that extra little quip to a piece of pop culture. The man won an Oscar after his death, that in itself is kind of a nod at him. He was a great actor who gave a great performance. It’s actually kind of cheapening what he did if you were to plug into his last movie ‘and let’s do this just so everyone knows he’s dead now.’
Posted by Ame on August 11th, 2009@rus dont call henrik euro trash you american pig dog!!!
Posted by cronenfly on August 11th, 2009Leave a Reply