Dickensblog

New 'Twist' film coming to theaters and TV

The adaptations just keep on coming! Britain's Sky is planning a modern-day version of Oliver Twist, to be simultaneously released in theaters and on pay TV. Michael Caine is set to play Fagin, with Raff Law as Oliver, "reinvented as a streetwise artist living on the streets of modern-day London." Lena Headey and Rita Ora will play female versions of Sikes and "Dodge," respectively. Variety has more.

Apple picks up Ferrell and Reynolds's 'A Christmas Carol'

. . . which appears to mean that it will go straight to streaming, rather than having a theatrical run. Collider has the details.

Casting complete for 'A Christmas Carol' on Broadway

In addition to Campbell Scott as Scrooge, the show will feature beloved Broadway veterans Andrea Martin as the Ghost of Christmas Past and LaChanze as the Ghost of Christmas Present/Mrs. Fezziwig. Click here to see the rest of the cast list! And check out the show's website for more.

A different 'Copperfield' trailer

This one's for Public History, a Web series that updates David Copperfield. Look for it in December!

'Copperfield' trailer and poster

At long last we have a trailer for The Personal History of David Copperfield!

 

And a poster! 

Another 'Christmas Carol' in the works

Add one more to the lengthy list of Christmas Carol films that are said to be in the pipeline! The latest is a "musical reimagining" being developed by Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds.

'Copperfield' reviews from TIFF

The first round of critical reactions to The Personal History of David Copperfield has been generally positive. (Its rating on Rotten Tomatoes currently stands at 92 percent Fresh -- which, in case you're not familiar with Rotten Tomatoes, is excellent.)

As I tracked critical responses on Twitter immediately after the premiere, descriptions that kept popping up included "whimsical," "quirky," "imaginative," and "charming." The consensus was that Dev Patel fit the lead role perfectly (and had amazing hair, to boot). The interactions between Hugh Laurie as Mr. Dick and Tilda Swinton as Aunt Betsey were frequently singled out for praise, and Peter Capaldi's Mr. Micawber and Ben Whishaw's Uriah Heep got a couple of shoutouts as well.

A few samples from the full-length reviews:

• "Choosing to follow up his rapturously received festival hit The Death of Stalin with an adaptation of a novel so well known, Iannucci tasks himself with refreshing rather then revising. From the outset, he employs some unexpected stylistic touches and adds racial diversity to his colour-blind cast – but stops short of anything that would drastically modernise the text. Instead, he finds a way of transposing his rhythm on to the source material, creating the sort of well-choreographed, well-timed group comedy that makes his narrative work so distinctive. It’s a deceptively delicate art of his, one that comes to life with sharp dialogue and canny direction. But it wouldn’t work without a cast of actors who complement each other’s performance styles so perfectly." (Benjamin Lee, The Guardian)
• "The wild characters and up-and-down power dynamics of Charles Dickens are an unexpected but ultimately natural home for Iannucci and his co-writer, Simon Blackwell, who breeze through a massive novel with a particular attention to its comedy and its exploration of class and ambition. But rather than doing something as garish as updating David Copperfield with Iannucci’s modern, expletive-laced vernacular, the director has proven how modern David Copperfield has felt all along." (Katey Rich, Vanity Fair)
• "Iannucci’s version of 'DC' is so splendid, fun, layered, and smart that I urge Fox Searchlight to issue it in time for the Oscars rather than waste it next winter. Iannucci’s movie is destined to be a masterpiece I think, it’s so fresh and unique, able to entertain on many levels at once. It’s actually a very subversive family film, perfect for the holidays." (Roger Friedman, Showbiz411)

And finally, Deadline has an interview here with director Armando Iannucci; Patel talks about the scene where he accidentally elbowed Swinton in the face; and Laurie tackles a question about the colorblind casting. Next stop, London!

'David Copperfield' premieres tonight at TIFF

Director Armando Iannucci and several of the film's stars will walk the red carpet before the 9:00 p.m. premiere. I'll be on the lookout for reviews and reactions to the film!

Fox Searchlight has picked up North American rights and is expected to release the film in 2020 -- which, frankly, makes no sense, as there's already been some Oscar buzz, which would quickly fizzle out if it weren't eligible for another year. Here's hoping they rethink that.

'A Christmas Carol' back on Broadway

Campbell Scott will follow in the footsteps of his father, George C. Scott, when he plays Ebenezer Scrooge on Broadway. This particular adaptation, which was written by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and premiered in London in 2017, will be the first version of A Christmas Carol to appear on a Broadway stage since 2001, according to Broadway database IBDB. It will run from November 7 through January 5. Tickets are on sale now!

R.I.P. Richard Williams

The 86-year-old animator, who passed away on Friday, won an Academy Award for his 1971 adaptation of A Christmas Carol, in which Alastair Sim reprised his role as Ebenezer Scrooge.