We now have some concrete, and more official, news concerning Terry Gilliam’s next film which is now simply titled “Carnival.” Gilliam had previously mentioned that this would be his “swan song,” but he needed around $30M to make it happen.
Italian producer Guglielmo Marchetti confirms that the film has indeed found financing, via Italian money, and that Gilliam’s “Carnival,” from Italian company Notorious Pictures, has employed 3000 people in Cinecitta for an imminent shoot. I gather the sets are currently being built for the film.
Not just that, but Marchetti also confirms that the originally announced cast is still intact. “Carnival” is set to star Adam Driver, Johnny Depp, Jeff Bridges, Jason Momoa and Asa Butterfield. In addition, Emma Laird has joined the ensemble, she will probably be playing Eve to Butterfield’s Adam. Depp will portray Satan.
In a recent French interview, Gilliam revealed that he co-wrote the ‘Carnival’ screenplay with newcomer Christopher Brett Bailey, 34. The project was recently shopped around at EFM Berlin where it lured the interest of numerous buyers. However, the film still has no U.S. distribution — hopefully we hear some good news about that in the coming weeks.
I’ve narrowed down the hundreds upon hundreds of films that will screen this fall to 34 titles—vote for your most anticipated.