winterbird

The news we have been waiting for, THR is reporting that it was confirmed that Rachel is set to be the female lead in "Passengers" at the AFM earlier this week:

It's an article about how big names get buyers more interested in buying the rights to movies. I have to admit that I find it a bit odd that this article gives the impression buyers were so eager at the Cannes market because Reese was attached. From what I understood of the articles from May is that the script was the main reason there was so many interest.

Anyway, excited about this confirmation. Although, like the article points out back in May Witherspoon was confirmed and presented at the Cannes market so I guess, like before, still things can happen?

nick1982

I was just browsing the Hollywood Stock Exchange page for Passengers, and came across a link to the My Entertainment World website, which suggests that filming might also take place in Montreal:

PASSENGERS - January, 2014 - Montreal, Canada and/or Germany; Details Are only Available By Subscription.. STORY: The film is set in the future and it is about Jim Preston, a mechanic on a 120 year journey to a distant colonized planet in another galaxy is prematurely thawed from a cryogenic slumber a century before anyone else. (Posted: October 29, 2013)

This information was posted a few days after news of Rachel's involvement broke, however I'm not sure how accurate it is, and given that filming was originally scheduled for Montreal anyway, this could just be an amalgamation of all the previously reported information that has been released. I don't know what sort of additional detail is provided for somebody with a subscription to the website, but I'm assuming it's probably very little given how scarce these type of specifics have been thus far.

Hopefully we get an official press release soon to clarify these details for us.

winterbird

That's interesting Nick, thanks for posting! It does make sense to me if it's going to be Germany and Montreal/Canada because that would mean Rachel is also able to spend some time back home maybe. It's kind of unlike her to film movies back-to-back.

I think it's safe to say they are filming in Germany since that was reportedly the reason Reese dropped out of the project.

amanda s.

Thanks for all the new info, guys! I'm SO EXCITED!!! I mean, I know things can always happen~ but I am ssoooooo pleased that this one seems like it's for real going to go down. UGH. SO PUMPED.

winterbird

Variety still mentions Reese in their AFM market article:
This actually worries me a little bit, since Variety usually gets their information straight

winterbird

From The Film Stage:
And Box Office Mojo confirms it, so no 2014 anymore but I guess that makes sense since they are expected to start production in February/March.

ETA: Filmstage replied to someone saying the TWC was the source for the release date announcement, I wonder if this means a press release is under it's way

nick1982

Thanks for the news, Lindsey! Very exciting! Setting a release date is probably just further confirmation that the project and Rachel's involvement is pretty much confirmed.

Although it is strange to note that Passengers is Rachel's only upcoming film that actually has a release date - yet it's the only one which hasn't yet started shooting!

Kind of glad that it isn't being released next year, as Rachel's year would have been pretty hectic otherwise (assuming AMWM, Untitled Hawaii, ETWBF and Little Prince all still get 2014 releases), and she might not have had any time to attach herself to other projects. Is that selfish?

Rikayla

What an awkward time to push a movie though. It's like that bit when it's not so summer blockbuster, but sort of the time for semi-award-worthy indie-ish movies... o__O

amanda s.

Maybe they're hoping for the awards thing??

winterbird

I'm feeling the same way Nick I do think Little Prince will get a 2015 release since the production is suppose to be until September 2014 unless they are going for a Christmas release? I still think Little Prince would be perfect for a Cannes 2015 release though

I agree with everyone on the release date. It gives the impression TWC is aiming for a box office success and not really an award season one. Harvey himself said recently if you want award season buzz you have to have festival exposure, and only Berlinale is before April.

But maybe they are just going for a box office success for now, and they might change the date again when the test screenings go well? Like Universal did with About Time, they pushed it back months to the fall to get festival exposure. I mean setting a date this early, still a lot can change. And a movie like this probably also needs more time in post-production so a late 2014 seems impossible.

amanda s.

I was thinking that too, that it does seem quite early to take the release date that's been announced as gospel. Any number of things can happen to change that.

winterbird

I thought this paragraph from Coming soon was interesting:

nick1982

Box Office Mojo have confirmed that Insidious Chapter 3 will also be released alongside Passengers on April 3, 2015.

The second Insidious movie was a surprise hit a few months ago when it opened to just over $40 million at the US box office, so it will definitely offer some competition.

Having said that, this is almost a year and a half away, and neither movie has commenced filming, so lots could change before then.

winterbird

Thanks for the update Nick I agree, lots can happen but I'm happing we have a date for now. It's funny that this one has a date but AMWM, Little Prince and even the Cameron Crowe project are still without one

amanda s.

That IS funny, Lindsey! And thanks for the info, Nick!