We haven’t heard much of writer-director Andrew Niccol lately. He‘s best known for his Oscar-winning “The Truman Show” script, but he’s also directed 2005’s underrated “Lord of War” and the great ‘90s sci-fi “Gattaca.”
These last ten years, Niccol has been struggling to make a good movie, his last few have been mediocre: “In Time,” “The Host,” “Good Kill” and “Anon” all came and went without much buzz.
All of a sudden, Niccol now has two projects that he’s supposed to be shooting this year. There’s a “Lord of War” sequel with Nicolas Cage, but, before that, he’s delving back into sci-fi with “I, Object.”
Shooting has officially begun in New Zealand on “I, Object.” Here are some plot details:
A live-action/animation hybrid, “I, Object” centers on Tom, a 10-year-old grieving the loss of his father. Unable to relate to the people in his life, Tom takes refuge in the everyday objects around him. Pop can lids, suitcases and untold numbers of everyday objects reveal their true faces and speak to him, helping him on his healing journey.
Niccol, directing from his own script, has assembled a cast that includes Anna Faris, Karl Urban, Thomasin McKenzie, and Jemaine Clement. The shoot on this one is very short, it’s supposed to end sometime in February.
As mentioned, Niccol has another film in the works, the “Lord of War” sequel, and that is supposed to begin production this coming March in Morocco. Nicolas Cage is set to reprise his role from the 2005 film.
Of course, we all know the rule: take these reactions with a grain of salt rather than treating them as gospel. Still, I will say that the film tested like gangbusters earlier this year, and Lionsgate clearly has confidence.