Exclusive: Akiva Goldsman won an Oscar for A Beautiful Mind, his screenplay detoured from Sylvia Nasar’s biography to the story of her genius mathematician husband John Nash. Depicted deciphering Soviet-planted hidden media messages for the Defense Department, the duty turned out to be a symptom of schizophrenia. That was a mild foray into the human mind compared to The Crowded Room, the 10-part Apple TV+ series Goldsman created and was showrunner on. Tom Holland stars as a young man whose erratic behavior was the result of a false reality triggered by a mind that fractured into multiple alter egos. Inspired by the Daniel Keyes book The Minds of Billy Milligan, Goldsman changed facts to create a fictionalized story that would be hard to believe had it not happened. What Goldsman hasn’t discussed until now is how much of the narrative was informed by his own memories of being...
- 8/22/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
When TV critics are given screeners of upcoming series, the episodes are often accompanied by a letter from the showrunner asking us to not reveal certain plot points. Sometimes, these requests are eminently reasonable: Succession creator Jesse Armstrong didn’t want us telling our readers about the big thing that happened in this season’s third episode, and didn’t want us even hinting that it was a notable installment in any way, so that viewers would be as gobsmacked by it as we were. Sometimes, they are just silly,...
- 6/8/2023
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Rollingstone.com
Tom Holland may have happily swung from the tallest buildings and plundered ancient treasure, but the emotional toll of The Crowded Room was so gruelling that the actor has decided to take a full year off.
The psychological thriller series is set to debut on Apple TV+ on Friday and Tom Holland spoke with Extra about how the experience led to him needing time off. “It was it was a tough time for sure. We were exploring certain emotions that I have definitely never experienced before, and then on top of that being a producer dealing with the day-to-day kind of problems that come with any film set added that extra level of pressure,” Holland said. “I love the learning curve of becoming a producer. I’m no stranger to hard work. I’ve always sort of lived by this idea that hard work is good work. I really enjoyed it,...
The psychological thriller series is set to debut on Apple TV+ on Friday and Tom Holland spoke with Extra about how the experience led to him needing time off. “It was it was a tough time for sure. We were exploring certain emotions that I have definitely never experienced before, and then on top of that being a producer dealing with the day-to-day kind of problems that come with any film set added that extra level of pressure,” Holland said. “I love the learning curve of becoming a producer. I’m no stranger to hard work. I’ve always sort of lived by this idea that hard work is good work. I really enjoyed it,...
- 6/7/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
The opening minutes of Apple TV+’s The Crowded Room suggest a thriller.
In 1979 New York, a disturbed young man, Danny (Tom Holland), and his agitated companion, Ariana (Sasha Lane), open fire near Rockefeller Center. When only Thomas is captured — Ariana having disappeared without a trace — the cop in charge of his case (Thomas Sadoski) practically salivates at the idea that they might have nailed a serial killer.
But his colleague, Rya (Amanda Seyfried), isn’t so sure. Over long conversations with Danny, now in prison awaiting his trial date, she begins to weave together a picture of his life — how he got to where he is, why he did what he did. As his truth is revealed, The Crowded Room pivots from gritty crime drama to something altogether sadder and more sentimental, with unfortunately mixed results.
Part of the issue is simply that The Crowded Room, created by Akiva Goldsman,...
In 1979 New York, a disturbed young man, Danny (Tom Holland), and his agitated companion, Ariana (Sasha Lane), open fire near Rockefeller Center. When only Thomas is captured — Ariana having disappeared without a trace — the cop in charge of his case (Thomas Sadoski) practically salivates at the idea that they might have nailed a serial killer.
But his colleague, Rya (Amanda Seyfried), isn’t so sure. Over long conversations with Danny, now in prison awaiting his trial date, she begins to weave together a picture of his life — how he got to where he is, why he did what he did. As his truth is revealed, The Crowded Room pivots from gritty crime drama to something altogether sadder and more sentimental, with unfortunately mixed results.
Part of the issue is simply that The Crowded Room, created by Akiva Goldsman,...
- 6/6/2023
- by Angie Han
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Plot: Danny Sullivan is a man who is arrested following his involvement in a shooting in New York City in 1979. A captivating thriller told through a series of interviews with curious interrogator Rya Goodwin, Danny’s life story unfolds, revealing elements of the mysterious past that shaped him, and the twists and turns that will lead him to a life-altering revelation.
Review: Every person is the sum of their life experiences. That can lead some people to lead good, fulfilling lives while others succumb to the broken elements of their past to make decisions that can alter the course of their future. In the case of Danny Sullivan, he is caught in the act of a crime and must pay the price, which uncovers elements from his life that are revealed through the course of The Crowded Room. With a leading turn from Tom Holland that cements him as one...
Review: Every person is the sum of their life experiences. That can lead some people to lead good, fulfilling lives while others succumb to the broken elements of their past to make decisions that can alter the course of their future. In the case of Danny Sullivan, he is caught in the act of a crime and must pay the price, which uncovers elements from his life that are revealed through the course of The Crowded Room. With a leading turn from Tom Holland that cements him as one...
- 6/3/2023
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
“The Crowded Room” is a new period psychological thriller TV miniseries created by Akiva Goldsman, inspired by the 1981 non-fiction novel “The Minds of Billy Milligan”by Daniel Keyes, starring Tom Holland, Amanda Seyfried, Emmy Rossum, Sasha Lane, Will Chase, Lior Raz, Laila Robins, and Henry Eikenberry, streaming June 9, 2023 on AppleTV+:
“..‘Danny Sullivan’ (Holland) is arrested for his involvement in a New York City shooting in 1979. Danny unveils his life through a series of interviews with interrogator ‘Rya Goodwin’ (Seyfried), and slowly details to Rya, and the audience, his mysterious past that led him to the fateful incident.
“As Danny retrospectively examines his life, he reckons with his past and pivotal moments, thatleads him to uncover a life-altering revelation…”
Click the images to enlarge…...
“..‘Danny Sullivan’ (Holland) is arrested for his involvement in a New York City shooting in 1979. Danny unveils his life through a series of interviews with interrogator ‘Rya Goodwin’ (Seyfried), and slowly details to Rya, and the audience, his mysterious past that led him to the fateful incident.
“As Danny retrospectively examines his life, he reckons with his past and pivotal moments, thatleads him to uncover a life-altering revelation…”
Click the images to enlarge…...
- 6/2/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
The ‘Coming Soon to TV’ shelf in your local bookshop will be sagging under the weight of this lot – the thrillers, sci-fi stories, crime novels and non-fiction currently being adapted for television. If you prefer to read ahead before your imagination is sullied by the small screen version, then here’s where to start, from Apple TV+’s adaptation of 1950s-set revenge comedy Lessons in Chemistry and psychological thriller The Crowded Room, to Prime Video’s new Neil Gaiman show Anansi Boys and rumoured Kay Scarpetta series, via Netflix’s true-life opioid drama Painkiller, Itvx/MGM+ historical adventure series The Winter King and many more. Many many more.
It’s too soon to say when we’ll see those planned adaptations below which are yet to film, given the current WGA Writers’ Strike and earth-shifts taking place among the streaming networks whose pile ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap model is proving unsustainable,...
It’s too soon to say when we’ll see those planned adaptations below which are yet to film, given the current WGA Writers’ Strike and earth-shifts taking place among the streaming networks whose pile ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap model is proving unsustainable,...
- 6/2/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Apple TV+ will release an upcoming riveting crime series titled The Crowded Room. Starring Tom Holland as Danny Sullivan, the series will explore the story of Billy Milligan, known as “The Campus Rapist” in the 70s. Milligan’s crime story and trial became infamous as he was the first to plead insanity due to a dissociative identity disorder diagnosis. The Crowded Room will explore an interpretationof Milligan’s trial, crimes, and how his mother and family played a role.
Billy Milligan, his mother Dorothy, siblings, and Chalmer Milligan | via Netflix Emmy Rossum will star as Danny’s mother in ‘The Crowded Room’
Crime fans familiar with Milligan’s story will pick up on the differences the Apple TV+ series is going with for the storyline. The Crowded Room will not follow the exact story of Milligan but is a loose interpretation based on the 1981 non-fiction novel The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes.
Billy Milligan, his mother Dorothy, siblings, and Chalmer Milligan | via Netflix Emmy Rossum will star as Danny’s mother in ‘The Crowded Room’
Crime fans familiar with Milligan’s story will pick up on the differences the Apple TV+ series is going with for the storyline. The Crowded Room will not follow the exact story of Milligan but is a loose interpretation based on the 1981 non-fiction novel The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes.
- 4/5/2023
- by Gabriela Silva
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Crowded Room is scheduled to drop on Apple TV+ later this year, featuring compelling storylines and a list of A-list cast members to boot. The upcoming drama anthology TV series is created by Akiva Goldsman, who previously worked on Star Trek: Strange Worlds, The Da Vinci Code, and A Beautiful Mind, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. The first season of the upcoming series is inspired by the novel The Minds of Billy Milligan, written by Daniel Keyes. Here’s a description of the plot of the story, according to Deadline: “The Crowded Room is an anthology series that
Meet The Cast Of “The Crowded Room”...
Meet The Cast Of “The Crowded Room”...
- 6/23/2022
- by A.E. Oats
- TVovermind.com
Apple TV+'s new TV show lineup is stacked for 2022. The streaming service continues to grow its original content offering alongside competitor services like Netflix and Hulu, including shows like the acclaimed comedy series "Ted Lasso" and the upcoming historical drama series "Pachinko." A highly anticipated series coming to the streamer is "The Crowded Room," which is partially based on "The Minds of Billy Milligan," the true-crime novel by Daniel Keyes.
At the center of "The Crowded Room" is Danny Sullivan (Tom Holland), a character loosely based on the real-life Billy Milligan, who had dissociative identity disorder and was the first person to be acquitted of a crime for the reason of insanity. In real life, Milligan was arrested and charged with the robbery, kidnapping, and rape of three women in 1977. Following a lengthy psychiatric evaluation, it was determined that Milligan had 24 alternate personalities, which would eventually deem him not guilty of his crimes.
At the center of "The Crowded Room" is Danny Sullivan (Tom Holland), a character loosely based on the real-life Billy Milligan, who had dissociative identity disorder and was the first person to be acquitted of a crime for the reason of insanity. In real life, Milligan was arrested and charged with the robbery, kidnapping, and rape of three women in 1977. Following a lengthy psychiatric evaluation, it was determined that Milligan had 24 alternate personalities, which would eventually deem him not guilty of his crimes.
- 3/10/2022
- by Alicia Geigel
- Popsugar.com
Shameless vet Emmy Rossum is taking on a motherly new role: The actress has joined Tom Holland and Amanda Seyfried in the Apple TV+ anthology The Crowded Room, our sister site Deadline reports.
Written and executive-produced by Oscar winner Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind), the 10-episode drama explores inspirational stories of those who have struggled with mental illness and learned to live successfully with it. The first season, which is based on the biography The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes, will tell the story of Billy (played by Holland), the first person ever acquitted of a crime because...
Written and executive-produced by Oscar winner Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind), the 10-episode drama explores inspirational stories of those who have struggled with mental illness and learned to live successfully with it. The first season, which is based on the biography The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes, will tell the story of Billy (played by Holland), the first person ever acquitted of a crime because...
- 2/22/2022
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
Amanda Seyfried has been added to the cast of Apple TV+’s anthology series on mental illness, “The Crowded Room.” The Academy Award-nominee will star alongside Tom Holland, whose attachment to the project was previously announced.
“The Crowded Room” is an anthology series that will explore the true and inspirational stories of those who have struggled, and learned to successfully live with, mental illness. The 10-episode first season will be based in part on the life of the show’s creator, Akiva Goldsman.
The season will also be inspired by the biography “The Minds of Billy Milligan” by Daniel Keyes.
Seyfried will play Rya, a clinical psychologist faced with the most challenging case of her career. She cannot help but put her patients first, all the while trying to balance her life as a single mother.
Holland is set to portray Milligan, who became the first person to ever be...
“The Crowded Room” is an anthology series that will explore the true and inspirational stories of those who have struggled, and learned to successfully live with, mental illness. The 10-episode first season will be based in part on the life of the show’s creator, Akiva Goldsman.
The season will also be inspired by the biography “The Minds of Billy Milligan” by Daniel Keyes.
Seyfried will play Rya, a clinical psychologist faced with the most challenging case of her career. She cannot help but put her patients first, all the while trying to balance her life as a single mother.
Holland is set to portray Milligan, who became the first person to ever be...
- 2/17/2022
- by Katie Campione
- The Wrap
Tom Holland is reuniting with Apple TV+ for his next project.
Today, the streamer announced a series order for The Crowded Room, a seasonal anthology that will be produced by Apple Studios and New Regency, with Academy Award winner Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind) set to write and executive produce.
On the heels of the premiere of the global hit Apple Original film Cherry, Tom Holland will star in the lead role of the first season and will serve as executive producer alongside Goldsman.
The Crowded Room is described as "a gripping anthology series that will explore the true and inspirational stories of those who have struggled and learned to successfully live with mental illness."
The anthology’s 10-episode first season is a captivating thriller, inspired by the award-winning biography “The Minds of Billy Milligan” by Daniel Keyes.
It tells the story of Billy Milligan (Holland), the first person ever...
Today, the streamer announced a series order for The Crowded Room, a seasonal anthology that will be produced by Apple Studios and New Regency, with Academy Award winner Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind) set to write and executive produce.
On the heels of the premiere of the global hit Apple Original film Cherry, Tom Holland will star in the lead role of the first season and will serve as executive producer alongside Goldsman.
The Crowded Room is described as "a gripping anthology series that will explore the true and inspirational stories of those who have struggled and learned to successfully live with mental illness."
The anthology’s 10-episode first season is a captivating thriller, inspired by the award-winning biography “The Minds of Billy Milligan” by Daniel Keyes.
It tells the story of Billy Milligan (Holland), the first person ever...
- 4/8/2021
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Tom Holland is weaving quite the web at Apple TV+. After headlining the streamer’s original film Cherry (from Avengers directing duo The Russo Brothers), the Spider-Man actor is set to executive-produce and star in The Crowded Room, a 10-episode drama from Oscar-winning filmmaker Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind).
The series is described as a “gripping anthology” that explores “the true and inspirational stories of those who have struggled, and learned to successfully live with, mental illness.” The first season, which is based on the biography The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes, will tell the story of Milligan...
The series is described as a “gripping anthology” that explores “the true and inspirational stories of those who have struggled, and learned to successfully live with, mental illness.” The first season, which is based on the biography The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes, will tell the story of Milligan...
- 4/8/2021
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
Tom Holland is definitely best known for his role as Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, in the various Marvel Studios productions. And since his debut was the Webslinger, he’s landed roles in a ton of high-profile projects including “Chaos Walking,” “Uncharted,” “The Devil All the Time,” and the recently released film, “Cherry.” Well, it appears that he’s not slowing down anytime soon, already lining up a new TV gig for Apple TV+, titled “The Crowded Room.”
Read More: The Russo Brothers Recall Sony Being Hesitant To Casting Tom Holland As Spider-Man
According to Variety, Holland is set to star in the first season of the new anthology series for Apple, “The Crowded Room.” The first season of the new series, which is produced by Akiva Goldsman, is expected to be inspired by the biography “The Minds of Billy Milligan” by Daniel Keyes.
Continue reading Tom Holland To Star In Apple TV+ Anthology Series,...
Read More: The Russo Brothers Recall Sony Being Hesitant To Casting Tom Holland As Spider-Man
According to Variety, Holland is set to star in the first season of the new anthology series for Apple, “The Crowded Room.” The first season of the new series, which is produced by Akiva Goldsman, is expected to be inspired by the biography “The Minds of Billy Milligan” by Daniel Keyes.
Continue reading Tom Holland To Star In Apple TV+ Anthology Series,...
- 4/8/2021
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Tom Holland is set to star in “The Crowded Room,” an anthology series from Akiva Goldsman that has been ordered at Apple.
The first season of the series will be based on the biography “The Minds of Billy Milligan” by Daniel Keyes. It tells the story of Billy Milligan (Holland), the first person ever acquitted of a crime because of Multiple Personality Disorder (now known as Dissociative Identity Disorder). Apple has ordered a 10-episode first season.
Goldsman will adapt the book for the screen and will executive produce under his Weed Road Productions banner, with Holland set to executive produce in addition to starring. Alexandra Milchan of Emjag Productions and New Regency’s Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan and Michael Schaefer will also executive produce. The series will be a co-production between Apple Studios and New Regency.
This is not the first Apple project in which Holland has starred. The streamer...
The first season of the series will be based on the biography “The Minds of Billy Milligan” by Daniel Keyes. It tells the story of Billy Milligan (Holland), the first person ever acquitted of a crime because of Multiple Personality Disorder (now known as Dissociative Identity Disorder). Apple has ordered a 10-episode first season.
Goldsman will adapt the book for the screen and will executive produce under his Weed Road Productions banner, with Holland set to executive produce in addition to starring. Alexandra Milchan of Emjag Productions and New Regency’s Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan and Michael Schaefer will also executive produce. The series will be a co-production between Apple Studios and New Regency.
This is not the first Apple project in which Holland has starred. The streamer...
- 4/8/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Apple is expanding its relationship with Tom Holland.
The tech giant and streamer has tapped the Cherry star to topline The Crowded Room, a 10-episode, straight-to-series anthology from writer Akiva Goldsman.
The anthology will explore the true and inspirational stories of those who struggled and learned to successfully live with mental illness. The first season of the anthology will be based on the Daniel Keyes biography, The Minds of Billy Milligan. Holland will star as Millilgan, who was the first person ever acquitted of a crime because of Multiple Personality Disorder (now known as Dissociative Identity Disorder).
The tech giant and streamer has tapped the Cherry star to topline The Crowded Room, a 10-episode, straight-to-series anthology from writer Akiva Goldsman.
The anthology will explore the true and inspirational stories of those who struggled and learned to successfully live with mental illness. The first season of the anthology will be based on the Daniel Keyes biography, The Minds of Billy Milligan. Holland will star as Millilgan, who was the first person ever acquitted of a crime because of Multiple Personality Disorder (now known as Dissociative Identity Disorder).
Apple is expanding its relationship with Tom Holland.
The tech giant and streamer has tapped the Cherry star to topline The Crowded Room, a 10-episode, straight-to-series anthology from writer Akiva Goldsman.
The anthology will explore the true and inspirational stories of those who struggled and learned to successfully live with mental illness. The first season of the anthology will be based on the Daniel Keyes biography, The Minds of Billy Milligan. Holland will star as Millilgan, who was the first person ever acquitted of a crime because of Multiple Personality Disorder (now known as Dissociative Identity Disorder).
The tech giant and streamer has tapped the Cherry star to topline The Crowded Room, a 10-episode, straight-to-series anthology from writer Akiva Goldsman.
The anthology will explore the true and inspirational stories of those who struggled and learned to successfully live with mental illness. The first season of the anthology will be based on the Daniel Keyes biography, The Minds of Billy Milligan. Holland will star as Millilgan, who was the first person ever acquitted of a crime because of Multiple Personality Disorder (now known as Dissociative Identity Disorder).
1968: Dark Shadows' Joe & Guthrie tried to break into Laura's tomb.
1984: Guiding Light's Mindy considered an abortion.
1990: General Hospital's Julian pulled a gun on Paget ("Duke").
1992: Days of our Lives' Vivian arrived in Salem."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1952: Radio serial Whispering Sheets premiered. The show was a "serial with a twist." Each new episode presented the story from one character's perspective, and the character that was being focused on changed each day. The fictional narrator--and principal expositor--for the program was "Hope Winslow,...
1984: Guiding Light's Mindy considered an abortion.
1990: General Hospital's Julian pulled a gun on Paget ("Duke").
1992: Days of our Lives' Vivian arrived in Salem."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1952: Radio serial Whispering Sheets premiered. The show was a "serial with a twist." Each new episode presented the story from one character's perspective, and the character that was being focused on changed each day. The fictional narrator--and principal expositor--for the program was "Hope Winslow,...
- 3/2/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1968: Dark Shadows' Joe & Guthrie tried to break into Laura's tomb.
1984: Guiding Light's Mindy considered an abortion.
1990: General Hospital's Julian pulled a gun on Paget ("Duke").
1992: Days of our Lives' Vivian arrived in Salem."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1952: Radio serial Whispering Sheets premiered. The show was a "serial with a twist.
1984: Guiding Light's Mindy considered an abortion.
1990: General Hospital's Julian pulled a gun on Paget ("Duke").
1992: Days of our Lives' Vivian arrived in Salem."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1952: Radio serial Whispering Sheets premiered. The show was a "serial with a twist.
- 3/4/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
If you win an Academy Award for playing a role with multiple personalities, do they award each one of them? If so, that would make up for the snubs so far in Leonardo DiCaprio’s career.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the star of The Wolf of Wall Street and Inception is set to take on 24 personalities in his next film, The Crowded Room. The film comes from writers Jason Smilovic and Todd Katzberg.
DiCaprio will play Billy Milligan, who was the first person to successfully use multiple personality disorder as a defense in a court of law. THR adds that the actor has been eyeing the role since 1997 with the project moving forward as a whole finally with New Regency.
Published in 1981, Daniel Keyes’ book chronicles Milligan’s story, including his court trial in the late 1970s in Ohio after being charged with robbery and raping three women on the Ohio State University campus.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the star of The Wolf of Wall Street and Inception is set to take on 24 personalities in his next film, The Crowded Room. The film comes from writers Jason Smilovic and Todd Katzberg.
DiCaprio will play Billy Milligan, who was the first person to successfully use multiple personality disorder as a defense in a court of law. THR adds that the actor has been eyeing the role since 1997 with the project moving forward as a whole finally with New Regency.
Published in 1981, Daniel Keyes’ book chronicles Milligan’s story, including his court trial in the late 1970s in Ohio after being charged with robbery and raping three women on the Ohio State University campus.
- 3/2/2015
- by Zach Dennis
- SoundOnSight
With Friday's news that his company, Appian Way, has signed on to co-produce "The Crowded Room," not to mention a starring role in "Birdman" helmer Alejandro González Iñárritu's upcoming "The Revenant," Leonardo DiCaprio is set to appear in several juicy titles. Can the four-time Academy Award acting nominee ("What's Eating Gilbert Grape," "The Aviator," "Blood Diamond," "The Wolf of Wall Street") finally parlay his taste for eccentric characters into an Oscar statuette? As The Hollywood Reporter notes, DiCaprio has wanted to play "The Crowded Room" protagonist Billy Milligan for nearly two decades. In the 1970s, Milligan, who had 24 personalities, was acquitted on charges of robbery and rape by reason of insanity after pretrial evaluations diagnosed him with multiple personality disorder, the first such defense in American legal history. Based on the nonfiction title by Daniel Keyes...
- 3/2/2015
- by Matt Brennan
- Thompson on Hollywood
Lifelong Oscar bridesmaid Leonardo DiCaprio is moving ahead with The Crowded Room, an extremely buzzy biopic in which he’ll play Billy Milligan, the first person to successfully use multiple personality disorder as a legal defense.
Milligan, who died in December of 2014, was charged with robbery and raping three women on the Ohio State University campus in the 1970s. While preparing his defense, Milligan was diagnosed with multiple personality disorder. He and his lawyers pleaded insanity, contending that two of Milligan’s alleged 24 personalites committed the crimes without his knowledge. He was the first to use this defense and be acquitted because of it.
Some of the man’s personalities included Adalana, a lesbian who admitted to the rapes; Ragen, a Yugoslavian communist who admitted to the robberies; and Arthur, a high-strung but proper Englishman. Perhaps the most fascinating part of Milligan’s story is that Hollywood has not yet...
Milligan, who died in December of 2014, was charged with robbery and raping three women on the Ohio State University campus in the 1970s. While preparing his defense, Milligan was diagnosed with multiple personality disorder. He and his lawyers pleaded insanity, contending that two of Milligan’s alleged 24 personalites committed the crimes without his knowledge. He was the first to use this defense and be acquitted because of it.
Some of the man’s personalities included Adalana, a lesbian who admitted to the rapes; Ragen, a Yugoslavian communist who admitted to the robberies; and Arthur, a high-strung but proper Englishman. Perhaps the most fascinating part of Milligan’s story is that Hollywood has not yet...
- 3/2/2015
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
Remember when Leonardo DiCaprio said he was planning to take a long break from acting after "Django Unchained" and "The Great Gatsby"? Well, that didn't really seem to happen. He's currently shooting Alejandro González Iñárritu's "The Revenant," his slate as a producer is massive, and now he's just tacked on another gig that will seem both producing and starring. DiCaprio is taking the lead in the true story tale, "The Crowded Room," a project he's been trying to get off the ground for years, and one that other filmmakers have tried to make too. In fact, James Cameron, Joel Schumacher, and David Fincher toyed with it at various points, and the subject matter is intriguing. Based on Daniel Keyes' book "The Minds of Billy Milligan," it tells the story of the titular man, who became the first person to use the legal defence of multiple personality disorder successfully.
- 3/2/2015
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Leonardo DiCaprio has signed on to star in The Crowded Tale, the story of Billy Milligan, the first person to successfully use multiple personality disorder as a defense in a court of law. Thing is, DiCaprio has reportedly been eying this role for the better part of 20 years and now it seems it may be coming to life as it has found a home at New Regency with Jason Smilovic (Lucky Number Slevin) and Todd Katzberg writing the screenplay. The film is an adaptation of Daniel Keyes' nonfiction "The Minds of Billy Milligan, which tells the story of Milligan and his 24 personalities as well as his court trial in the late 1970s in Ohio after being charged with robbery and raping three women on the Ohio State University campus. amz asin="0553263811" size="small"In preparation for his defense he was diagnosed with multiple personality disorder and would later become...
- 3/2/2015
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
A long-gestating flick about the first person to successfully use the insanity defense at a U.S. trial is finally getting off the ground, with a major star attached.
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Leonardo DiCaprio is set to star in "The Crowded Room," the story of Billy Milligan, who was charged with robbery and rape in the 1970s. Milligan was subsequently diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, claiming that two of his 24 personalities committed the crimes without his knowledge.
Per THR, "Milligan's various personalities included Adalana, a lesbian taking responsibility for the rapes; Ragen, a Yugoslavian communist who admitted to the robbery; and Arthur, an uptight Englishman." He was the first person to use -- and be acquitted for -- this defense.
Milligan's story was told in a 1981 book by Daniel Keyes, on which the film will be based; screenwriters Jason Smilovic...
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Leonardo DiCaprio is set to star in "The Crowded Room," the story of Billy Milligan, who was charged with robbery and rape in the 1970s. Milligan was subsequently diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, claiming that two of his 24 personalities committed the crimes without his knowledge.
Per THR, "Milligan's various personalities included Adalana, a lesbian taking responsibility for the rapes; Ragen, a Yugoslavian communist who admitted to the robbery; and Arthur, an uptight Englishman." He was the first person to use -- and be acquitted for -- this defense.
Milligan's story was told in a 1981 book by Daniel Keyes, on which the film will be based; screenwriters Jason Smilovic...
- 3/2/2015
- by Katie Roberts
- Moviefone
Not everyone is in a position to pursue a project across 20 years in their career, but Leonardo DiCaprio is taking full advantage of his ability to do just that. Like a dog that will not stop chasing a speeding car, he’s inching closer to a film he’s wanted to work on for many moons, making a deal with New Regency for The Crowded Room. It’s based on Daniel Keyes’ 1981 non-fiction book about Billy Milligan, who became the first person in Us court history to successfully argue a defence of multiple personalities, alleging that one of the 24 other distinct personas in his head committed robbery and the rape of three women, and that he was unaware of the crimes. New Regency has had the book’s rights for years now, and DiCaprio first became interested back in 1997. Since then, it has largely sitting on a shelf at the...
- 3/2/2015
- EmpireOnline
Leonardo DiCaprio has long been interested in playing the role of Billy Milligan, the first person to successfully use multiple personality disorder as a defense in the courtroom, in The Crowded Room. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project has been dormant for nearly a decade, but now has renewed life as Jason Smilovic and Todd Katzberg have been hired to adapt the script from Daniel Keyes's nonfiction book about Milligan and his court trial where he was charged with robbery and raping three women at Ohio State University. Milligan's various personalities included Adalana, a lesbian who took responsibility for the rapes, and Ragen, a Yugoslavian communist who admitted to the robbery. DiCaprio is going to be doing a lot of Acting.
- 3/1/2015
- by E. Alex Jung
- Vulture
Later this year, we'll probably see Leonardo DiCaprio enter the awards race again with the lead role in Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's The Revenant (get a first look right here). But it sounds like he's got another potential awards contender finally coming together after trying to get the project off the ground for nearly two decades. The Crowded Room is a real life drama about Billy Milligan, the first person to successfully use multiple personality disorder as a defense in a court of law. Sounds like a compelling enough story, and making the story more rich is the fact that Milligan had 24 different personalities for DiCaprio to portray. THR reports the script will be written by Jason Smilovic (Lucky Number Slevin), who is coming off the forthcoming Arms and the Dudes at Warner Bros., and Todd Katzenberg, based on Daniel Keyes' non-fiction book about Milligan from 1981. The trial sees Milligan...
- 3/1/2015
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
Leonardo DiCaprio has signed on to both star in and produce a film adaptation of "The Crowded Room," New Regency's long in gestation film adaptation of the acclaimed 1981 book "The Minds of Billy Milligan" by Daniel Keyes.
Billy Milligan was a man tormented by twenty-four distinct personalities battling for supremacy over his body. It was a battle that culminated when he awoke in jail, arrested for the kidnap and rape of three women on the Ohio State University campus in the 1970s.
In a landmark trial, Billy was acquitted of his crimes by reason of insanity caused by multiple personality - the first such decision in history. The personalities included a petty criminal, a drug dealer, an affection-starved lesbian, an eight-year-old sadist, a con man, a snobby Englishman, a Yugoslavian communist, and an escape-artist. Each of the people play a distinct role in this often shocking true story.
The likes...
Billy Milligan was a man tormented by twenty-four distinct personalities battling for supremacy over his body. It was a battle that culminated when he awoke in jail, arrested for the kidnap and rape of three women on the Ohio State University campus in the 1970s.
In a landmark trial, Billy was acquitted of his crimes by reason of insanity caused by multiple personality - the first such decision in history. The personalities included a petty criminal, a drug dealer, an affection-starved lesbian, an eight-year-old sadist, a con man, a snobby Englishman, a Yugoslavian communist, and an escape-artist. Each of the people play a distinct role in this often shocking true story.
The likes...
- 2/28/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Leonardo DiCaprio is to play a character with multiple-personality disorder in The Crowded Room.
The Wolf of Wall Street star will play Billy Milligan, who was the first person to be acquitted for a crime using multiple personality disorder as a defence.
The story of Milligan, who was said to have 24 personalities, is adapted from the Daniel Keyes book The Minds of Billy Milligan.
Jason Smilovic and Todd Katzberg have penned the script, while DiCaprio will produce alongside Jennifer Davisson and Alexandra Milchan.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, DiCaprio has been eyeing the role for 20 years.
DiCaprio can next be seen in western thriller The Revenant, which is directed by Birdman's Alejandro González Iñárritu.
The Wolf of Wall Street star will play Billy Milligan, who was the first person to be acquitted for a crime using multiple personality disorder as a defence.
The story of Milligan, who was said to have 24 personalities, is adapted from the Daniel Keyes book The Minds of Billy Milligan.
Jason Smilovic and Todd Katzberg have penned the script, while DiCaprio will produce alongside Jennifer Davisson and Alexandra Milchan.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, DiCaprio has been eyeing the role for 20 years.
DiCaprio can next be seen in western thriller The Revenant, which is directed by Birdman's Alejandro González Iñárritu.
- 2/28/2015
- Digital Spy
Leonardo DiCaprio has signed on to star in "The Crowded Room," a film that the actor has been interested in starring in for nearly twenty years. Jason Smilovic (Lucky Number Slevin) and Todd Katzberg have been hired to write the script. The movie is based on a book by Daniel Keyes about Billy Milligan, who was the first person to successfully use multiple personality disorder as a defense in a court of law. The book chronicles Milligan's story, including his court trial in the late 1970s after being charged with robbery and raping three women on the Ohio State University campus. In the preparation of his defense, Milligan . who died in December 2014 . was diagnosed with multiple personality disorder. Pleading insanity, he and his lawyers contended that two of his alternate personalities committed the crimes without his knowledge. He was the first to use this defense, and the first to be acquitted for this reason.
- 2/28/2015
- WorstPreviews.com
Leonardo DiCaprio is looking to plead insanity in one of his upcoming projects. The Crowded Room will be adapted from Daniel Keyes' 1981 non-fiction book "The Minds of Billy Milligan" and will star DiCaprio in the lead role. The book chronicles the true experiences of Milligan as the first person to use mental illness as a defense against his crimes of robbery and the rape of three women in the 70s. He was eventually acquitted by saying that the crimes were committed...
- 2/27/2015
- by Graham McMorrow
- JoBlo.com
From his psychological thriller to Spider-Man to Battle Angel, here's a look at the James Cameron-directed projects that never happened...
In the summer of 1977, James Cameron, like lots of other people that year, went to the cinema and watched Star Wars. But unlike so many others, Cameron didn't feel elation as the room went dark and the first space ship soared overhead - he felt a shiver of mild panic.
"My reaction to it was not, 'Oh, wow, that's cool. I want to see more,'" he later recalled. "It was, 'Oh wow, I better get off my butt because somebody is doing this stuff, you know, and they're beating me to it.'"
Within one year, the 24-year-old Cameron had borrowed some money from a consortium of dentists looking for a tax break, and with it, made the short film Xenogenesis. That film and its title (which could...
In the summer of 1977, James Cameron, like lots of other people that year, went to the cinema and watched Star Wars. But unlike so many others, Cameron didn't feel elation as the room went dark and the first space ship soared overhead - he felt a shiver of mild panic.
"My reaction to it was not, 'Oh, wow, that's cool. I want to see more,'" he later recalled. "It was, 'Oh wow, I better get off my butt because somebody is doing this stuff, you know, and they're beating me to it.'"
Within one year, the 24-year-old Cameron had borrowed some money from a consortium of dentists looking for a tax break, and with it, made the short film Xenogenesis. That film and its title (which could...
- 2/3/2015
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Daniel Keyes, the author whose novel Flowers for Algernon was turned into an Oscar-winning film, died Sunday at the age of 86. He died from complications of pneumonia, his daughter Leslie told The New York Times. Photos Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2014 Keyes published the novella Flowers for Algernon in 1959. He turned the story, which centers on a low-iq man who becomes a genius, into a novel in 1966. It tied for the Nebula Awards' novel of the year and went on to sell 5 million copies. Photos 35 of 2014's Most Anticipated Movies The film adaptation, Charly,
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- 6/18/2014
- by THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Various outlets report that Cliff Robertson, the versatile actor and star of six decades of films and television shows, passed away on Saturday. He was 88 years old.
Robertson won an Academy Award in 1969 for his lead performance in "Charly," the big-screen adaptation of Daniel Keyes' novel "Flowers for Algernon." But to people of my generation and younger, he's best known as Uncle Ben in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy. And with good reason: Robertson was amazing in the role, making a huge impression in a small amount of screen time.
In the original Stan Lee - Steve Ditko "Spider-Man" comic books, Uncle Ben dies off-panel. Peter Parker, newly imbued with the proportionate powers of a spider, is so wrapped up in himself and his newfound stardom, that he can't be bothered to stop a thief who's stealing money from a wrestling promoter. By the time he returns home that night,...
Robertson won an Academy Award in 1969 for his lead performance in "Charly," the big-screen adaptation of Daniel Keyes' novel "Flowers for Algernon." But to people of my generation and younger, he's best known as Uncle Ben in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy. And with good reason: Robertson was amazing in the role, making a huge impression in a small amount of screen time.
In the original Stan Lee - Steve Ditko "Spider-Man" comic books, Uncle Ben dies off-panel. Peter Parker, newly imbued with the proportionate powers of a spider, is so wrapped up in himself and his newfound stardom, that he can't be bothered to stop a thief who's stealing money from a wrestling promoter. By the time he returns home that night,...
- 9/12/2011
- by Matt Singer
- ifc.com
Cliff Robertson passed away Saturday in Stony Brook, NY. The Oscar winner was 88. In 1969, Robertson took home the gold beating out Alan Arkin ("The Heart is a Lonely Hunter"), Peter O'Toole ("The Lion in Winter"), Alan Bates ("The Fixer), and Ron Moody ("Oliver!"). But Robertson's performance in "Charly" was deemed the best of the year (see clip below).
In 2002's "Spider-Man," Robertson, playing Uncle Ben, uttered the famous line that became the crux of the franchise -- "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility."
Here's more on the brilliant life of Cliff Robertson from the NY Daily News:
Robertson, a native of La Jolla, California, had already won an Emmy when he had his moment of big-screen recognition in 1968 -- 13 years after his feature debut in "Picnic." Though he played JFK as a young naval officer in "Pt 109 " - released five months before Dealey Plaza -- and gave an icy...
In 2002's "Spider-Man," Robertson, playing Uncle Ben, uttered the famous line that became the crux of the franchise -- "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility."
Here's more on the brilliant life of Cliff Robertson from the NY Daily News:
Robertson, a native of La Jolla, California, had already won an Emmy when he had his moment of big-screen recognition in 1968 -- 13 years after his feature debut in "Picnic." Though he played JFK as a young naval officer in "Pt 109 " - released five months before Dealey Plaza -- and gave an icy...
- 9/12/2011
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Actor Cliff Robertson, known by the majority of our readers as the Uncle Ben Parker to Tobey Maguire‘s Peter Parker in director Sam Raimi‘s trilogy of Spider-Man movies, died of natural causes this past Saturday, just one day after his 88th birthday. Robertson starred in over 70 films during his career spanning almost seven decades.
Robertson previously stated on his own website,
“Since Spiderman 1 and 2, I seem to have a whole new generation of fans. That in itself is a fine residual.”
Robertson was personally chosen by John F. Kennedy to portray the president in the 1963 movie P.T. 109, which was the story of then Lt. John F. Kennedy’s heroic World War II exploits as the Captain of a P.T. Boat. He also won an Academy Award for his starring role in the 1968 film Charly, which was an adaptation of the Daniel Keyes novel Flowers for Algernon.
Robertson previously stated on his own website,
“Since Spiderman 1 and 2, I seem to have a whole new generation of fans. That in itself is a fine residual.”
Robertson was personally chosen by John F. Kennedy to portray the president in the 1963 movie P.T. 109, which was the story of then Lt. John F. Kennedy’s heroic World War II exploits as the Captain of a P.T. Boat. He also won an Academy Award for his starring role in the 1968 film Charly, which was an adaptation of the Daniel Keyes novel Flowers for Algernon.
- 9/12/2011
- by Jason Moore
- ScifiMafia
Cliff Robertson, who won an Oscar for playing mentally disabled man in the 1968 film Charly and later played Ben Parker in the Spider-Man films, has died. He was 88.
Robertson died of natural causes on Saturday in Long Island, one day after his 88th birthday, Evelyn Christel, Robertson's secretary for 53 years, told The Associated Press.
See other celebrities who have died this year
Besides his Oscar-winning role in Charly — which was adapted from Daniel Keyes' short novel, Flowers for Algernon, and told the story of a mentally disabled man who becomes a genius after medical treatment — Robertson is also remembered for playing President John F. Kennedy in 1963's Pt-109. The film...
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Robertson died of natural causes on Saturday in Long Island, one day after his 88th birthday, Evelyn Christel, Robertson's secretary for 53 years, told The Associated Press.
See other celebrities who have died this year
Besides his Oscar-winning role in Charly — which was adapted from Daniel Keyes' short novel, Flowers for Algernon, and told the story of a mentally disabled man who becomes a genius after medical treatment — Robertson is also remembered for playing President John F. Kennedy in 1963's Pt-109. The film...
Read More >...
- 9/11/2011
- by Adam Bryant
- TVGuide - Breaking News
New York — President John F. Kennedy had just one critique when he saw photos of the actor set to play him in a World War II drama.
The year was 1963 and actor Cliff Robertson looked convincing in his costume for "Pt-109," the first film to portray a sitting president. Kennedy had favored Robertson for the role, but one detail was off.
Robertson's hair was parted on the wrong side.
The actor dutifully trained his locks to part on the left and won praise for a role he'd remain proud of throughout his life.
Robertson, who went on to win an Oscar for his portrayal of a mentally disabled man in "Charly", died of natural causes Saturday afternoon in Stony Brook, a day after his 88th birthday, according to Evelyn Christel, his secretary of 53 years.
Robertson never elevated into the top ranks of leading men, but he remained a popular actor...
The year was 1963 and actor Cliff Robertson looked convincing in his costume for "Pt-109," the first film to portray a sitting president. Kennedy had favored Robertson for the role, but one detail was off.
Robertson's hair was parted on the wrong side.
The actor dutifully trained his locks to part on the left and won praise for a role he'd remain proud of throughout his life.
Robertson, who went on to win an Oscar for his portrayal of a mentally disabled man in "Charly", died of natural causes Saturday afternoon in Stony Brook, a day after his 88th birthday, according to Evelyn Christel, his secretary of 53 years.
Robertson never elevated into the top ranks of leading men, but he remained a popular actor...
- 9/11/2011
- by AP
- Huffington Post
What would you do if you could fully tap your brain’s capabilities? Every generation or so, the question is pondered, thanks to the latest breakthroughs or studies in neuroscience. It makes for an interesting discussion and sometimes, brilliant works such as Flowers for Algernon (the great book by Daniel Keyes, and Charly the movie with Cliff Robertson). The most recent addition to this sub-genre of fiction is The Dark Fields, a novel by Alan Glynn, which became the basis for the movie Limitless, which was released on DVD this week by Twentieth-Century Fox Home Entertainment.
If you were Eddie Morra, you apparently turn into something unlike yourself. We meet him teetering atop a high-rise as people bang on his security door to enter his apartment fortress. Flashing back, we learn what happened to turn a slacker into a genius. Leslie Dixon’s screenplay, which makes huge changes from the novel,...
If you were Eddie Morra, you apparently turn into something unlike yourself. We meet him teetering atop a high-rise as people bang on his security door to enter his apartment fortress. Flashing back, we learn what happened to turn a slacker into a genius. Leslie Dixon’s screenplay, which makes huge changes from the novel,...
- 7/20/2011
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
A good, if limited, thriller in which Bradley Cooper's no-hoper discovers the pills that turn him into a mega-iq superman
Bradley Cooper continues his eerily bland metamorphosis into early-70s Robert Redford in this entertaining Manhattan thriller, a little like the Daniel Keyes story Flowers for Algernon. And as executive producer and star, Cooper makes sure we never lack for unobstructed closeup views of his lovely chops. He plays loser and no-hoper Eddie Morra; once a promising writer, Eddie has blown the advance on his first novel by drinking and goofing off. His publisher girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) leaves him and just when his life hits rock-bottom, Eddie runs into his ex-wife's sleazy drug-dealing brother who gives him an experimental new brain-enhancing pill. Taking one of these a day turns Eddie into a mega-iq superman with boundless mental power and mentored by Robert De Niro's financial honcho, Eddie...
Bradley Cooper continues his eerily bland metamorphosis into early-70s Robert Redford in this entertaining Manhattan thriller, a little like the Daniel Keyes story Flowers for Algernon. And as executive producer and star, Cooper makes sure we never lack for unobstructed closeup views of his lovely chops. He plays loser and no-hoper Eddie Morra; once a promising writer, Eddie has blown the advance on his first novel by drinking and goofing off. His publisher girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) leaves him and just when his life hits rock-bottom, Eddie runs into his ex-wife's sleazy drug-dealing brother who gives him an experimental new brain-enhancing pill. Taking one of these a day turns Eddie into a mega-iq superman with boundless mental power and mentored by Robert De Niro's financial honcho, Eddie...
- 3/25/2011
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Will Smith will probably star in and produce a remake of “Flowers For Algernon” an adaptation of Daniel Keyes 1959 novel of the same name which focuses on Charlie, a man with mental disabilities and a limited Iq who takes part in an experiment that turns him into a genius.
Charlie Gordon is a 37 year old man with an Iq of 68 who works as a cleaner…and all he wants in life is to be a genius.
Wanting to improve himself, Charlie attends reading and writing classes taught by Alice Kinnian.
Professor Nemur and Doctor Strauss are looking for a human subject to test out an experimental procedure for increasing intelligence. The procedure has already been successfully carried out on Algernon, a laboratory mouse.
Alice recommends Charlie for the procedure and his motivation to learn make him the prime candidate.
The story has been turned into a feature film several times before,...
Charlie Gordon is a 37 year old man with an Iq of 68 who works as a cleaner…and all he wants in life is to be a genius.
Wanting to improve himself, Charlie attends reading and writing classes taught by Alice Kinnian.
Professor Nemur and Doctor Strauss are looking for a human subject to test out an experimental procedure for increasing intelligence. The procedure has already been successfully carried out on Algernon, a laboratory mouse.
Alice recommends Charlie for the procedure and his motivation to learn make him the prime candidate.
The story has been turned into a feature film several times before,...
- 11/11/2009
- by Fiona
- Filmofilia
Following the news that Smith’s Oldboy remake has fallen through, the erstwhile Fresh Prince has returned to more familiar territory – finding an Oscar-baiting role to alternate around his action projects.
With an I Am Legend prequel in development, and potential sequels to I, Robot and Hancock in the works, Smith has set his sites on an almost fool-proof project to finally nab the elusive Oscar he so clearly covets.
Pajiba are reporting that Smith is set to produce and star in an adaptation of Daniel Keyes 1959 novel Flowers for Algernon. The story focuses around a mentally retarded man named Charlie who, after experimental surgery, sees his Iq rocket from 68 to 185. His newfound intellect effects his ability to interact with those around him and proves far more of a burden than a blessing.
The story quite famously provided inspiration to an episode of The Simpsons and seems to tick all...
With an I Am Legend prequel in development, and potential sequels to I, Robot and Hancock in the works, Smith has set his sites on an almost fool-proof project to finally nab the elusive Oscar he so clearly covets.
Pajiba are reporting that Smith is set to produce and star in an adaptation of Daniel Keyes 1959 novel Flowers for Algernon. The story focuses around a mentally retarded man named Charlie who, after experimental surgery, sees his Iq rocket from 68 to 185. His newfound intellect effects his ability to interact with those around him and proves far more of a burden than a blessing.
The story quite famously provided inspiration to an episode of The Simpsons and seems to tick all...
- 11/11/2009
- by Kieron
- ReelLoop.com
Will Smith will star in and produce a remake of Flowers For Algernon, reports Pajiba. Based on Daniel Keyes's short story and subsequent novel, the project focuses on Charlie, a man with mental disabilities and a limited Iq who takes part in an experiment that turns him into a genius. The story has been turned into a feature film several times (more)...
- 11/11/2009
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
What should Will Smith aim for, if he wanted to combine the sci-fi smarts of an I, Robot or an I Am Legend with the tearjerkery of a Seven Pounds of a Pursuit of Happyness? Well, he could do a lot worse than Daniel Keyes' novel Flowers For Algernon.Clearly he's already realised this, as the project is being set up at Sony by Smith's own production company Overbrook Entertainment. Tracy Nyberg, behind the scenes on I Am Legend and Hancock, is on hand to produce.The story, which began life as a short piece in 1959 and was expanded to full-length in 1966 (winning the Hugo and Nebula awards respectively), is narrated in epistolary form by Charlie, a man with a below average Iq who undergoes experiments that make him into a genius. The cost is alienation from everything and everyone he knows, before it's revealed that the process was...
- 11/11/2009
- EmpireOnline
There’s no doubt that Will Smith is one of Hollywood’s biggest power players: he’s one of Tinseltown’s highest paid actors, and if his name is put on a project, chances are pretty good that film is going to do well at the box office.
However, Smith is not one to rest on his laurels and go for easy roles just to bring in the cash. Instead, he’s ever pushing himself forward as an actor, working to expand his repertoire and make his name receive equal accolades for both his comedic and serious work.
His next role will certainly require him to take his acting to the next level.
Smith has signed on with Sony Pictures to produce and star in a modern-day adaptation of Daniel Keyes’s novel Flowers for Algernon. Now, I’m going to have to step aside from the movie part of...
However, Smith is not one to rest on his laurels and go for easy roles just to bring in the cash. Instead, he’s ever pushing himself forward as an actor, working to expand his repertoire and make his name receive equal accolades for both his comedic and serious work.
His next role will certainly require him to take his acting to the next level.
Smith has signed on with Sony Pictures to produce and star in a modern-day adaptation of Daniel Keyes’s novel Flowers for Algernon. Now, I’m going to have to step aside from the movie part of...
- 11/11/2009
- by Carly
- Atomic Popcorn
It's not too hard to pick up on Will Smith's acting pattern. Usually he'll star in some big-budgeted affair, and then follow that up with a smaller, awards-type movie. Sometimes he'll wedge a comedy in between, though Smith tends to like two kinds of movies: really Giant blockbusters and really sappy awards contenders. This latest rumored Smith film falls into the latter sappy awards contenders' category, somewhere along the lines of The Pursuit of Happyness and Seven Pounds. In fact, that same director, Gabriele Muccino, may once again collaborate with Smith on Flowers for Algernon, based on the book by Daniel Keyes that has gone through several adaptations over the years – most notably with Ralph Nelson's Charly, which nabbed Cliff Robertson an Academy Award in...
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- 11/10/2009
- by affiliates@fandango.com
- Fandango
Will Smith may be the world’s biggest movie star, but he’s still chasing that elusive Oscar. Nominated twice and coming up empty-handed, Smith has set his sights on the next awards-grabber and it isn’t the dreaded Oldboy remake (more on that at the bottom).
Smith is attached to star in Flowers for Algernon, a science fiction story that tugs at your heart strings based on the beloved 1959 novel by Daniel Keyes. According to Pajiba, the movie is being set up at Sony Pictures and Smith will produce under his Overbrook Entertainment banner.
Gabriele Muccino, director of Smith’s latest two Oscar bids (Seven Pounds and The Pursuit of Happyness), may direct.
In the story I was forced to read in school, Algernon is a lab mouse subjected to experimental surgery to increase its intelligence. The protagonist is Charlie, a mentally disabled man and the first human test subject for the same procedure.
Smith is attached to star in Flowers for Algernon, a science fiction story that tugs at your heart strings based on the beloved 1959 novel by Daniel Keyes. According to Pajiba, the movie is being set up at Sony Pictures and Smith will produce under his Overbrook Entertainment banner.
Gabriele Muccino, director of Smith’s latest two Oscar bids (Seven Pounds and The Pursuit of Happyness), may direct.
In the story I was forced to read in school, Algernon is a lab mouse subjected to experimental surgery to increase its intelligence. The protagonist is Charlie, a mentally disabled man and the first human test subject for the same procedure.
- 11/10/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
Will Smith is apparently looking to produce and star in an adaptation of Daniel Keyes' beloved Sf novel Flowers For Algernon. Keyes' book follows Charlie, a mentally impaired man who becomes the guinea pig for an experimental surgery to boost intelligence. He's not the first test subject - the procedure is successfully used on Algernon, a lab mouse. But while Charlie's intelligence triples, he becomes estranged from those around him. And then he discovers that the procedure has a serious downside... The story has been adapted for...
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- 11/10/2009
- by James White
- TotalFilm
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