Tennant to play Burke (or possibly Hare)

[StCoop]

http://twitchfilm.net/news/2009/10/david-tennant-joins-simon-pegg-in-john-landis-burke-and-hare.php

It's a big step up from the St. Trinian's sequel but when was the last time John Landis made a good film? (Or any film for that matter.)

 

[Rarewolf]

Well he knows a little bit about the material - he played a character called Daft Jamie in Big Finish's Medicinal Purposes, which dealt with the characters with a Who twist.

 

[OmahaStar]

Having had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Landis at a screening of Animal House, I've got to say he is a very nice man, and one heck of a director. Combine him with Tennant and Simon Pegg, and you've got one talented group of filmmakers. I'll take a ticket now, please.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Tennant + Pegg + Landis = WIN. I can't wait.

 

[Starkers]

But Burke and Hare were Scottish. David Tennant is clearly some kind of cockney? Still at least they have cast an actual scotsman in Pegg...

 

[OmahaStar]

Having had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Landis at a screening of Animal House, I've got to say he is a very nice man, and one heck of a director. Combine him with Tennant and Simon Pegg, and you've got one talented group of filmmakers. I'll take a ticket now, please.

Strike that. Landis is one of the idiots who has signed a petition to free Roman Polanski. I will not spend one cent on anyone who supports a child rapist. I will not be seeing this movie.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Strike that. Landis is one of the idiots who has signed a petition to free Roman Polanski. I will not spend one cent on anyone who supports a child rapist. I will not be seeing this movie.

Just apply the "six degrees of separation" principle to that and you can justify boycotting everything!

 

[Sci]

But Burke and Hare were Scottish. David Tennant is clearly some kind of cockney? Still at least they have cast an actual scotsman in Pegg...

Just in case someone doesn't understand your humor:

David Tennant is actually Scottish, whilst Simon Pegg is English.

Having had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Landis at a screening of Animal House, I've got to say he is a very nice man, and one heck of a director. Combine him with Tennant and Simon Pegg, and you've got one talented group of filmmakers. I'll take a ticket now, please.

Strike that. Landis is one of the idiots who has signed a petition to free Roman Polanski. I will not spend one cent on anyone who supports a child rapist. I will not be seeing this movie.

I don't think that's fair. Landis might have any number of reasons for thinking that Polanksi should be freed, including the fact that he financially settled with his victim, Samantha Geimer, years ago; that Geimer has stated that she wants to move on and does not want Polanksi prosecuted; a personal belief that Polanski raped his victim because he was mentally disturbed at the time following the murder of his wife by the Manson family 8 years earlier; a personal belief that Polanski has since repented and should be forgiven; or a belief that it has been so long that the principle behind the statute of limitations should be brought into play.

I don't agree with Landis at all, but I'm not going to refuse to see a Landis movie just because of it.

 

[Starkers]

But Burke and Hare were Scottish. David Tennant is clearly some kind of cockney? Still at least they have cast an actual scotsman in Pegg...

Just in case someone doesn't understand your humor:

David Tennant is actually Scottish, whilst Simon Pegg is English.

Hey plenty of people understand my humour! They might not think it's funny, but they usually at least understand it

 

[Sci]

But Burke and Hare were Scottish. David Tennant is clearly some kind of cockney? Still at least they have cast an actual scotsman in Pegg...

Just in case someone doesn't understand your humor:

David Tennant is actually Scottish, whilst Simon Pegg is English.

Hey plenty of people understand my humour! They might not think it's funny, but they usually at least understand it

Sure! I'm not saying that's not true. But sometimes people get confused, so I just thought I'd be informative.

 

[TemporalFlux]

...but when was the last time John Landis made a good film? (Or any film for that matter.)

Well, Landis' career never really recovered after his part in Vic Morrow's death. It's not so much a reflection on his capability, he just doesn't get offered a chance on great material (except for those few things his close friends threw him such as "Spies Like Us").

 

[Captaindemotion]

Landis hasn't made any movies since 1998, I believe, and hasn't made any great movies since Trading Places (though Coming to America had its moments). But, boy, oh, boy, does this have the potential to be a great comeback or what?!

Funny that this movie will feature Dr Who and Scotty. Anyone remember the movie The Doctor and The Devils, which was loosely based on Burke and Hare. It featured James Bond and Jean Luc Picard, Timothy Dalton and Patrick Stewart, though the Burke and Hare characters were played by Jonathan Pryce (who has played The Master) and Stephen Rea. It was directed by Hammer veteran Freddie Francis - I suspect Landis is a fan of his, if not the movie.

 

[23skidoo]

But Burke and Hare were Scottish. David Tennant is clearly some kind of cockney? Still at least they have cast an actual scotsman in Pegg...

Just in case someone doesn't understand your humor:

David Tennant is actually Scottish, whilst Simon Pegg is English.

Having had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Landis at a screening of Animal House, I've got to say he is a very nice man, and one heck of a director. Combine him with Tennant and Simon Pegg, and you've got one talented group of filmmakers. I'll take a ticket now, please.

Strike that. Landis is one of the idiots who has signed a petition to free Roman Polanski. I will not spend one cent on anyone who supports a child rapist. I will not be seeing this movie.

I don't think that's fair. Landis might have any number of reasons for thinking that Polanksi should be freed, including the fact that he financially settled with his victim, Samantha Geimer, years ago; that Geimer has stated that she wants to move on and does not want Polanksi prosecuted; a personal belief that Polanski raped his victim because he was mentally disturbed at the time following the murder of his wife by the Manson family 8 years earlier; a personal belief that Polanski has since repented and should be forgiven; or a belief that it has been so long that the principle behind the statute of limitations should be brought into play.

I don't agree with Landis at all, but I'm not going to refuse to see a Landis movie just because of it.

You should see what people are posting about this at TrekWeb.

The fact is if we disowned every entertainer who did something unsavory we'd have no entertainment left! I mean, I lose loads of respect to actors I learn are into drug use but that won't stop me from watching their movies. To use a topical example (because the issue has been in the news lately), Eleanor Powell, one of the greatest film dancers of all time, who appeared in some of the best pre-Oz musicals ever made, did a routine in blackface in one movie. So do I stop watching her movies because 70 years ago she did something unsavory (even though 70 years ago no one cared)?

Besides, frankly there are about 5 people on this planet who really care about the directors of the movies they see. Quick, name the director of the last Harry Potter film. The last Bond film. Now name the actor who plays Potter, who played Bond. I'll be going to see this out of support for David Tennant and Simon Pegg. I could care less about the extracurricular activities and opinions of its director.

Alex

 

[OmahaStar]

The fact is if we disowned every entertainer who did something unsavory we'd have no entertainment left! I mean, I lose loads of respect to actors I learn are into drug use but that won't stop me from watching their movies. To use a topical example (because the issue has been in the news lately), Eleanor Powell, one of the greatest film dancers of all time, who appeared in some of the best pre-Oz musicals ever made, did a routine in blackface in one movie. So do I stop watching her movies because 70 years ago she did something unsavory (even though 70 years ago no one cared)?

This isn't just unsavory, or something that they are being paid to do. As far as I have heard, no filmmaker is being paid to support the child rapist. They are doing it on their own. There is no connection between that and Eleanor Powell being paid to do blackface on screen. I have no idea how anyone could even think it's the same thing.

Besides, frankly there are about 5 people on this planet who really care about the directors of the movies they see. Quick, name the director of the last Harry Potter film. The last Bond film. Now name the actor who plays Potter, who played Bond. I'll be going to see this out of support for David Tennant and Simon Pegg. I could care less about the extracurricular activities and opinions of its director.

HP - director David Yates.
Bond - director ... No idea. Connected with DW somehow ... Foster, maybe?
HP - actor - Danny Radcliffe
Bond - actor - Dan Craig.

 

[Captaindemotion]

FWIW, I think that support of Polanski is profoundly misguided at best. If you read the transcript of the victim's evidence, you will see what a horrible ordeal it was and how lucky he was to get the plea-bargain of statutory rape.

But there seems to be an attitude among some that when an artist does something, that's okay or less culpable when a dirty old man in a grubby mac does it. Witness the veneration of Michael Jackson, the defenders of Irish poet Cathal O'Searcaigh (who was having sex with vulnerable teenaged males in Katmandu) or writer Colm Toibin writing a letter in support of another writer Desmond Hogan, who had sex with a 15 year-old boy (and who escaped prison as a result).

Having said that, Polanski has been supported not only by Landis but by Michael Mann, Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen (and you'd think he'd want to steer clear of any sex scandals ...), The Coen Brothers, Terry Gilliam and many, many others. If you want to boycott anyone who's supported him, you're going to miss out on an awful lot of movies.

 

[Starkers]

But Burke and Hare were Scottish. David Tennant is clearly some kind of cockney? Still at least they have cast an actual scotsman in Pegg...

Just in case someone doesn't understand your humor:

David Tennant is actually Scottish, whilst Simon Pegg is English.

Strike that. Landis is one of the idiots who has signed a petition to free Roman Polanski. I will not spend one cent on anyone who supports a child rapist. I will not be seeing this movie.

I don't think that's fair. Landis might have any number of reasons for thinking that Polanksi should be freed, including the fact that he financially settled with his victim, Samantha Geimer, years ago; that Geimer has stated that she wants to move on and does not want Polanksi prosecuted; a personal belief that Polanski raped his victim because he was mentally disturbed at the time following the murder of his wife by the Manson family 8 years earlier; a personal belief that Polanski has since repented and should be forgiven; or a belief that it has been so long that the principle behind the statute of limitations should be brought into play.

I don't agree with Landis at all, but I'm not going to refuse to see a Landis movie just because of it.

You should see what people are posting about this at TrekWeb.

The fact is if we disowned every entertainer who did something unsavory we'd have no entertainment left! I mean, I lose loads of respect to actors I learn are into drug use but that won't stop me from watching their movies. To use a topical example (because the issue has been in the news lately), Eleanor Powell, one of the greatest film dancers of all time, who appeared in some of the best pre-Oz musicals ever made, did a routine in blackface in one movie. So do I stop watching her movies because 70 years ago she did something unsavory (even though 70 years ago no one cared)?

Alex

I think there's a difference between something that was accepted practice, even whilst reprehensible, 70 years ago, and the drugging and rape of a 13 year old girl 30 odd years ago. As far as I'm aware raping 13 year olds wasn't accepted practice back then anymore than it is now?

Frankly I don't care for any of the excuses for why he shouldn't be prosecuted now; it was a long time ago, she doesn't want it brought up, he was suffering mental illness over Sharon Tate, he gave her money etc...frankly I doubt any of those mitigating circumstances would prevent an ordinary joe in the street from doing time. Ok they might parlay down his or her sentence somewhat but I doubt Hollywood glitterati would be queueing up to defend him.

Frankly I do think Polanski situation stinks insofar as the authorities have had ample opportunities to arrest and extradite him over the years, and the fact that they didn't then and are now suggests this is less about justice and more about politics.

 

[Sci]

I think there's a difference between something that was accepted practice, even whilst reprehensible, 70 years ago, and the drugging and rape of a 13 year old girl 30 odd years ago.

I completely agree.

Frankly I don't care for any of the excuses for why he shouldn't be prosecuted now; it was a long time ago, she doesn't want it brought up, he was suffering mental illness over Sharon Tate, he gave her money etc...frankly I doubt any of those mitigating circumstances would prevent an ordinary joe in the street from doing time. Ok they might parlay down his or her sentence somewhat but I doubt Hollywood glitterati would be queueing up to defend him.

I agree on this, too. I think Polanski deserves whatever he gets -- both for raping a 13-year-old girl, and for fleeing justice.

Having said that, I also don't think it's reasonable to equate seeing a movie by Polanski's defenders with supporting child molestation. I think Polanski's defenders are dead wrong, but that doesn't mean that it's supporting child molestation to see a John Landis movie.

 

[Starkers]

^I agree

 

[Classic Fan]

This sounds cool.

I remember reading about the Twilight Zone deaths a few years back. Tragic, both to the families and the career of a very talented director.

Landis may have his big comeback opportunity, finally.


Pegg and Tennant, could be a good, if not explosive combination.

 

[Kira's Mom]

Tennant and Pegg in the same movie- cool.

I'm reading a Kathy Reichs "Bones" novel right now that has Burke and Hare's history as a plot point. I was just thinking about the movie as I read this part of the book...and now I keep thinking "David!" as I read the rest of it.