If you thought Johnny Depp was the world’s unlikeliest buccaneer, just wait’ll you get a load of Dakota Fanning in “The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle,” enthused director Danny DeVito.
The movie, an adaptation of the book by author Edward Irving Wortis (better known by his pen name Avi), centers on the adventures of a 19th Century 13-year-old girl, who must forswear her ladylike upbringing when confronted by intrigue and danger on the high seas.
“[Dakota] is a very proper girl who is thrust into a situation where she has to take this ship and there’s a mutinous crew on board — all sorts of intricate loyalties, and storms, and gunfights,” DeVito excitedly revealed about the set-up for the upcoming flick, for which he is currently “working on storyboards,” he said. “It’s really cool stuff.”
Many daring escapades follow (which we wouldn’t dream of ruining for those not familiar with the book). DeVito says he plans on including all of them. “I’ll be pushing the envelope as usual,” he declared. “It’s a movie I’d love to take a kid to [but] it’s not just for a kid. It will probably be a PG movie - edge of your seat PG.”
Joining Dakota in her journey across the Atlantic will be an Oscar winner and a super-spy, DeVito revealed. “Morgan [Freeman] is the captain, captain Jaggery [and] Pierce Brosnan is Zachariah, the ship’s cook, surgeon, and carpeneter,” he said.
The book won just about every children’s literature award known to man. Have you read it? Think it’ll make a good flick? Sound off below.
It sounds reversed.Zachariah is suppose to be an old black man. I loved this book when I was younger and I hope Fanning doesn't ruin it.
I've always wanted Dakota to do High Adventure. This will be a great role for her she get's to wear pretty dresses and climb the rigging! I was worried after the anouncement of PUSH that DOYLE was on the back burner. Now it seems that Doyle is a deffinate go.
Go Dakota!
I got your post on my site, but was unable to find your email message. By the way, did you know that you get a website when you register on Xanga? Guess what?! I left you a message there.
While Dakota may not look like a budding Miss America right now, she may still prove a "late bloomer". It must be noted that her aunt is gorgeous sportscaster Jill Arrington. Beauty does fun in her family! Besides, though, aetherial loveliness isn't as necessary for an actress as it once was in Hollywood. That may be the only good thing that can be said FOR Hollywood!
Dakota was a capable little actress who once had the fantastic opportunity to work directly with top actors in major productions, enjoyed the sponsorship of Steven Spielberg, was phenominally loved and commanded a $3 million salary. There's not much left of any of that, now. And it all comes back to one key event: "Hounddog". It hangs over her like a storm cloud. And, when that film next emerges from the sewer, the tempest will re-erupt. Until she or her parents deal with it openly, her prospects are frankly bleak.
That's why the only real makeover she needs right isn't of the physical variety. It's been 14 months since "Hounddog" wrapped and the story broke and 8 months since her humiliation at Sundance. Her public appearances are now both rare and tightly controlled. She likely doesn't even have the option of appearing unscripted on a radio or TV talk program. After all, a careless word from her could still land some people in jail. There's no statute of limitations for crimes against children.
But if she's going to have any chance at all of reconnecting with her young fanbase (and, more importantly, with her heart) she's going to have to find a way to tell her story; fully and honestly. Nothing else will suffice.
I personally consider her to be the victim of unscrupulous handlers and rationalizing parents. That's hardly a new story in Hollywood... except in it's extent. Dakota Fanning was once a genuinely fine kid and seemed destined for a great legacy that might have even transcended her film career. It may well be too late to salvage that. But she may still be able to salvage her life. The longer it's delayed, though (or is prevented) the tougher that redemption is going to be.
From what I've noticed, Hollywood execs seem to look for the *hottie* factor quite early---especially when it come to teenage females. Just take a look at Disney & Nickelodeon's roster of present/future teen talent, & you'll see what I mean. It's not just the inner *talent* that counts with studio suits--it's the ENTIRE package---the *LOOK* that they believe sells to teen peers also. Her kindergarten audience won't be the sole targets when this film is released.
The competition she'll be up against in the movies is FIERCE---not just the females either, but young MALE talent as well. Crying on cue just won't work as is anymore. Fanning is most likely going to be "groomed" into *hottie mode* during (and maybe even before)the media blitz/publicity tour for this film, because of that. She HAS NO CHOICE due to who she'll be competeing with at the movies---that includes her ADULT competition. Fanning is in a sort of a "danger zone" at present,due to the fact that she IS not a "budding teen Miss America" right NOW, & is at an "awkward" stage physically. If she's not considered *appealing* to her peers (who will become her target audience soon), her career may stall a bit. HW execs don't take time to wait for "Late Bloomers". They want results right NOW. I recalled during an interview for TIME Magazine some fluff brained reporter brought the matter of her "awkwardness" to her attention. Let's just say Fanning didn't take it well...The *suits* who are paying her this extraordinary amount of dough EXPECT results. If she's going to be paid as a $3 million starlet, she'd better LOOK the part also. It's just part of the deal. At present, "Hound-DUD" is the LEAST of her worries. It's whether or not she can SELL herself as a *serious* teen talent to her peers that will really count. As I stated previously, period films with teenage FEMALE talent is a VERY hard sell. Especially since, as you brought out, the "Pirate" & "Hero" type films may be out of "Vogue" by the time these are released. If these future films bomb, Fanning may have to plan on buying an umbrella. She'll need one.
Good looks will ALWAYS be a factor, certainly. I was just saying that it's not as big a factor as it once was... at least in the adult realm. No one ever called Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchette or (ironically!) Jodie Foster "beautiful". Not with a straight face, anyway.
But your remarks on Dakota's "danger zone" are well taken. However, I can't quite agree on your idea that "Hounddog" is not a liability. As you've mentioned, her peer-aged fanbase will have to be won over. Yet, that's the very base that she once had and was beloved by... and the one which she (or her handlers) consciencelessly threw away to adultize her at the age of twelve.
"Burning bridges lost forevermore."
Dakota Fanning was never the precocious and supernaturally mature child actress that her agent hyped her to be... and almost from the beginning. That she was capable and reliable was enough for filmmakers. Nor was she a preternaturally lovely one, a la AnnaSophia Robb. Her little ugly duckling "awkwardness" and bad baby teeth (!) were actually part of her appeal.
But what made her so successful was her personal dearness. It shone through in her characters and in her public appearances. Kids the world over loved her like a sister... and their parents like a daughter. And they did so for the best of reasons.
That's what made her precipitous fall from Grace in "Hounddog" not only saddening, but actually terrifying. Somewhere along the line, the heartless decision was made to take her in a new and utterly immoral direction. How and why they did that- and how they twisted her child's heart and soul to win her compliance- is a story that needs to be told. It's a story that impacts her entire generation- the very ones who almost placed her name and face ON that generation.
With all that this story entails and with all the threatening consequences to America's kids, the state of Dakota Fanning's movie career is of little importance... except where it may further magnify that danger. It's ending, though, would likely be the best thing for all of them... Dakota included. Those kids needed a good role model from their own ranks. Now, they've seen the best aspirant to that role pitifully cast down before her adolescence. They really deserved better.
P.S. I recall that "Time" magazine interview. Dakota's supervisors obviously believed that "Time" was a safe venue and failed to insist on reviewing the "Ten Questions For Dakota Fanning" before they were asked. Bad mistake! Check out especially Question #3 and her pathetic answer. That's in the December 10, 2006 issue.
It's based on a fine book and it has a good adult cast. There are just two major questions. Is the "pirate" genre overstocked since the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films and can Dakota Fanning hold down the title role effectively?
In fact, Dakota herself may be the biggest question mark. Her following, box office and, likely, her own personality have fallen dramatically since the "Hounddog" disaster. Frankly, this looks like a job for AnnaSophia Robb... or even Miley Cyrus! As I said before, the financers will likely have the final say in what child actress performs in that critical role.
Still; it sounds like a good film for kids. With those at such a premium these days, I therefore wish it success.
i cant wait!
However, I do have to point out that it has nothing to do with pirates. It does take place on the sea on a ship and all, but it's not going to be a pirate movie with lots of swashbuckling. I'm really curious, though, how Dakota will portray the Charlotte charachter...
I've been waiting for news of the casting of Charlotte having written about this novel in part of a grad school theory and having done it with my students for 8 years running. It is one of the most brilliant reads, adult or children's lit I've ever read, and Avi, the author, refused to sign over the rights until he was assured a faithful adaptation where they wouldn't change the ending. I have faith in DeVito; Matilda is one of the better book adaptations out there.
That said, I'm extremely disappointed in the casting of Dakota Fanning, if she is indeed, doing this movie. She's never lived up to the hype around her as an actress, IMO, and she's getting too old for the part. I'd have liked to have seen Annasophia Robb (Winn Dixie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) or a newcomer be considered.
Don't you dare ruin this movie, Fanning!
P.S. What is the expected release date?
Haley Hull