The Mask director Chuck Russell’s film adaptation of Arabian Nights has proven to be a delayed process: Russell first unveiled the film a staggering two years ago after pre-production had been completed. It was recently announced, however, that the movie will begin production in August, meaning that fans will not have to wait much longer to view the much-anticipated, 3-D adaptation of the classic adventure story.
Due to the tumultuous and delayed process the film has undergone so far, little is known about the adaptation in terms of synopsis and thorough cast details. Liam Hemsworth of The Hunger Games fame and Anthony Hopkins are said to be the film’s leads, and there are rumors that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will appear in the film as well. Johnson previously worked with Russell on the 2002 film The Scorpion King.
Russell is best known for his directorial work on The Mask, but his most recent film credit was as an executive producer on 2004’s Collateral starring Tom Cruise. After a nearly decade long hiatus from film work, it’s hard to imagine Russell isn’t the most enthused that his current project is speeding towards production.
One hurdle yet to be cleared is its stars’ schedules. While Hemsworth has been no slouch in terms of workload – he appears in Paranoia alongside Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman and in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, both due out later this year – Hopkins has a whopping 8 films in the works in addition to Arabian Nights. Thor: The Dark World and Red 2 will both be released this year, and he is currently filming Solace opposite Colin Farrell. Andy Garcia’s Hemingway & Fuentes (Hopkins will play Hemingway), Darren Aronofsky’s Noah, and Joe Johnson’s (Hidalgo, Captain America) Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father are among films those also on Hopkins’s slate.
Stay tuned to mxdwn Movies for more details on Arabian Nights as they become available.
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