Robert, Brad and George at ShoWest in 2005
Because it's always interesting to hear what's going on with him and because his name probably gets mentioned by someone in our industry 83.2 times a day in some context or other, I was very happy to read this exclusive by Nikki Finke at the head of her Deadline Hollywood blog tonight:
From Deadline.com/Hollywood by Nikki Finke: I hear that, after a hot pursuit by all the major Hollywood agencies, formerly rep-less Brad Bird has signed with UTA's Tracey Jacobs and David Kramer. The writer-director is currently prepping to helm Paramount's Mission: Impossible IV for producer J.J. Abrams, with Tom Cruise starring. But Deadline has reported previously that Paramount is currently rethinking MI4. I hear the script that came in is very good, but the studio is still trying to figure out the budget as well as Cruise's role in light of the lackluster Knight And Day grosses. There's talk that Tom's character will mentor a young operative this time out if the pic proceeds. I just hope Bird is pay or play.
He's also attached to direct 1906 for Warner Bros. Bird won two Academy Awards for directing the Pixar hits The Incredibles and Ratatouille, both of which he also wrote. Bird's first major animated feature came with Warner Bros' The Iron Giant, which he wrote and directed. In addition to working at Pixar, Bird has also had a prolific television career, having worked on shows such as The Simpsons, King Of The Hill, and The Critic. Bird will continue to be represented by attorney Jake Bloom.
Any news such as this is good news. Everyone I know wants to see whatever he does next as soon as may be.
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8 comments:
I hope Brad Bird finds success in the medium of live-action film, just like Frank Tashlin did over 60 years ago with films like "The Girl Can't Help It" and "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" He's worked very hard to get to this point in life.
Very true.
(Huh - I'm surprised Knight and Day fell short of financial expectations. Even though I can take or leave Tom Cruise, as an escapist summer romp it was pitch-perfect, and I don't mean in a soulless, calculating way. Almost had a golden age Hollywood spirit in spite of the modern high stakes.) Ok sorry for sidetracking, carry on! Bird awesome? Why yes he is!
I just can't wait for his next movie !
but, isn't he .......
we should have lunch grrrl -
What does being "repped" by a Hollywood agency do for someone like Brad Bird?
I'll be eager to see a Brad Bird live action film, but directing MI4 to someone else's script didn't seem like they were taking full advantage of him.
A few years ago he was in town speaking and noted that he's had projects in development "all over town" for years but the animation ones were the only ones to get off the ground.
Who a director is repped by means a hell of a lot in live action. Top agents earn their fees.
I believe that Brad probably did his own pass on any script for MI4 as is his custom and as plays to his strengths. He is always a writer-director.
I presume they screen offers, that sounds like an agent thing to do.
But is it a cliquish thing, like certain actors will only work with a director if he's with a certain agency?
I am truly looking forward to seeing his live action debut. I think he is going to knock it out of the park, but why do I feel that everyone is treating this as a step up for him? In a sense it is because he will be respected as a director in both mediums, but I really hope it is not people thinking he graduated out of animation. As if one medium is superior to the other.
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