On Wednesday night at the Times Center, the Museum of the Moving Image checked in from its hiatus (its theater is currently in the midst of a major expansion) in order to host an informal tribute to actor Stanley Tucci. Featuring Tucci's friends Steve Buscemi, Hope Davis, Natasha Richardson and (randomly) chef Mario Batali, the tribute became something of a discussion of the life of beloved, moderately successful indie film actors.

"I'm still waiting to feel like I'll be a success as an actor," says Tucci. "I'm not kidding. When I finish a job, I always imagine that it is going to take a long time to get another job."

Buscemi backed him up, saying, ""I get paranoid when I imagine casting sessions, where if my name comes up, the director says 'Yeah, he's OK... who else?', 'yeah, we've seen him, but...who else?" That's the biggest fear I have, and I don't think it's paranoia, I think it's happening."

Tucci and Buscemi have recently started their own production company, Olive Productions, with the idea of funding small-to-mid budget films, particularly their own.

"You get frustrated that you aren't working consistently," explained Tucci. "The only thing you can do is to generate your own work. I think we all do it."

"I don't," chimed in Davis. "I sit at home and wait for the phone to ring... I prefer not to work. I have small children and I like to be at home."

Tucci further expressed concern about the perception of actors in Hollywood. "There's a tremendous amount of pressure actors when a movie bombs. That's my favorite. You know, there are a lot of other people involved."

Davis, was also wary about the danger of success. "Because there are so many people attached to all of us now, you're constantly being pressure to be out there working, making money for them. I feel like I'm always being pressured to take the next job."

The Museum of the Moving Image will continue to hold periodic programs at the Times Center.

by Charlie Olsky (May 22, 2008)

source : http://www.indiewire.com/ots/2008/05/ny_ny_momi_toas.html

An evening with Stanley Tucci and friends


photo : Museum of the Moving Image

Moderated by Gay Talese. With special guests Mario Btali, Steve Buscemi, Hope Davis and Natasha Richardson.

Wednesday, May 21, 7:00 p.m.

Presented by the Museum of the Moving Image at The Times Center, 242 West 41 Street Manhattan

Actor-director Stanley Tucci is one of the most accomplished creative figures in New York film, television, and theater. His films as director include Big Night, The Impostors, and the upcoming Blind Date. His memorable performances include Road to Perdition, Winchell, and The Devil Wears Prada. Tucci is also a remarkable collaborative artist; this special evening includes a conversation with Tucci and some friends and colleagues—the internationally renowned chef and resterateur Mario Batali, actress Hope Davis (who has worked with Tucci on five films including Joe Gould’s Secret and The Daytrippers), actress Natasha Richardson (who appeared with Tucci in Maid in Manhattan), and Steve Buscemi, who has formed a new company with Tucci, Olive Productions. The evening will be moderated by legendary author Gay Talese (Honor Thy Father, The Kingdom and the Power). In addition to the conversation, there will be scenes from Tucci’s films, including an exclusive look at his new movie Blind Date.

$15 Museum members/$25 Non-members/Free to Sponsor-level members and above. There is a $2 surcharge for tickets purchased at the door. Order tickets online at movingimage.us or call the Museum at 718.784.4520.

2008 Sundance Film Festival

Duo form TV, film production unit

   

  

Olive already has a number of projects in development, including “Unto the Sons,” an adaptation for HBO of Gay Talese’s book. Tucci and Nicholas Pileggi were working on the script before the writers strike began.

Olive Prods. wants to develop pics with budgets from $3 million to $12 million, drawing in part on private equity financing. Buscemi and Tucci plan to produce, write, direct and cultivate talent for the banner.

Wren Arthur, who worked for Robert Altman for 11 years, will run the company.

Tucci stars in “What Just Happened,” which will be unspooling at Sundance, as will “Blind Date,” which he directed and co-wrote. He’ll also appear in Peter Jackson’s “The Lovely Bones.”

Tucci is in negotiations to play the husband of Julia Child, to be played by Streep.

Film centers on a frustrated temp secretary (Adams) who embarks on a yearlong culinary quest to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." She chronicles her trials and tribulations in a blog that catches on with the food crowd. Story also covers the Childs' years in Paris during the 1940s and '50s, when Paul was a foreign diplomat who was eventually investigated by Sen. Joseph McCarthy for alleged communist ties.

Ephron adapted the screenplay from Julie Powell's book "Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen."

Studio is eyeing a March start date.

Laurence Mark, Amy Robinson, Eric Steel and Ephron are producing. Scott Rudin and Dana Stevens exec produce.

Source :  TATIANA SIEGEL Variety        Photo : rte.ie

Stanley Tucci has joined the cast of Peter Jackson’s film adaptation of The Lovely Bones.

He will join a cast that includes Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Saoirse Ronan, Susan Sarandon, Michael Imperioli, Rose McIver, Carolyn Dando.

The Lovely Bones is an adaptation of the novel by Alice Sebold that tells the difficult story of a 14 year-old girl (played by Ronan) who is murdered by her neighbour.
It unfolds as she watches over her parents (to be played by Gosling and Weisz) from heaven, while keeping tabs on her killer and the various attempts to capture him.

Shooting on The Lovely Bones is due to begin in October in New Zealand and Pennsylvania.