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News
Cannes 2009: Don Quixote Rides Again
Terry Gilliam's passion project is revived, but will Depp return?
by Chris Tilly | May 15, 2009
Discuss Article
Terry Gilliam's seemingly cursed adaptation of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote is set to be revived, nearly 10 years after his first crack at the material was abandoned.

The announcement was made in Cannes this week, where Gilliam is presenting latest film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, and means we may finally get to see the director's vision for Miguel de Cervantes' 17th century tome.

Gilliam has apparently been working with original co-screenwriter Tony Grisoni on a new script, which substitutes a filmmaker for an ad executive as the lead character. According to Variety, said character is charmed into joining Don Quixote's eternal quest for his lady love, becoming an unwitting Sancho Panza.

Grisoni told The Hollywood Reporter "Nearly 10 years on, I find myself lending a hand to get that crazed giggling bedlamite back in the saddle. I'm talking Don Quioxte. In spite of God and the devil, he shall ride again."

The director's original 2000 effort was plagued with problems, from bad weather destroying the sets to leading man Jean Rochefort's falling ill. Production was eventually shut down, although Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe crafted the brilliant documentary Lost in La Mancha from behind-the-scenes footage, which became a hit in its own right in 2002.

Gilliam is now in talks with Johnny Depp to reprise his role from the original attempt, although scheduling conflicts mean he may have to look elsewhere for his Panza.

Related Items
Movie: Lost in La Mancha
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Celeb: Terry Gilliam
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Comments (1-10 of 10 posts) | Reply
rt_hire_me
rt_hire_me writes:
on May 15 2009 08:30 AM

If it's anything like Fisher King, count me in. If it's more like Brothers Grim, I prefer what Walt Disney did with the material.

(Reply to this)
Bob S.
Bob S. writes:
on May 15 2009 09:50 AM

The premise doesn't sound all that interesting, but I'll give anything Terry Gilliam does a chance. I can't wait to see THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS.

(Reply to this)
Confounded
Confounded writes:
on May 15 2009 11:44 AM

It's too bad the original attempt got bogged down with so much bad luck and financial struggles. Jean Rochefort would have made a perfect Don Quixote if he hadn't injured himself horseback riding and then gotten sick. I loved Lost in La Mancha and you could see how much Gilliam truly wanted to make this movie.

I do agree with rt_hire_me though, we need the Gilliam that doesn't give a crap about hollywood or mainstream. Depp was a hilarious Sancho Panza in the footage I saw though. He's so creepy and bizarrely morbid in everything these days, it's good to see him wrestle a small fish.


(Reply to this)
unbreakable_samurai
unbreakable_samurai writes:
on May 15 2009 11:52 AM

Sweet, I've been hoping this would happen. Hopefully Depp does come back though.

(Reply to this)
unbreakable_samurai
unbreakable_samurai writes:
on May 15 2009 11:53 AM

Yes Grimm did have some problems but I still rather enjoyed it.

(Reply to this)
HectorMoran91
HectorMoran91 writes:
on May 15 2009 12:06 PM

God...I hope Gilliam can finally make this film happen, after always seeing this film on the list on greatest films never made, maybe we can finally see it on a list of greatest films ever made.

(Reply to this)
tomwaitsjr
tomwaitsjr writes:
on May 15 2009 01:51 PM

One of the best documentaries ever.

But, Don Quixote is cursed. I wonder how Gilliam will get this funded. Especially after Brothers Grimm and. . gasp. . . TIDELAND. Now, I love Gilliam, but Tideland was one of the worst films I've seen.


(Reply to this)
gm1200
gm1200 writes:
on May 15 2009 02:24 PM

The original novel and musical are fantastic, but is this supposed to be a modern retelling? Not sure if that would work, but I'd give it a shot...even if they did the unthinkable and put Depp in it...although I don't see how he could do anything but ruin it.

(Reply to this)
John N.
John N. writes:
on May 15 2009 03:18 PM

In reply to this comment (#2477861)
Gm1200

You know the original novel is actually a "Fish out of the water" story? It is just so long ago we tend to pull together both "Knight" times and "Don Quijotes" time. I see what you see as a problem, but done correctly It could be a great story.

Who knows.


(Reply to this)
Basilides in Alexandria
Basilides in Alexandria writes:
on May 16 2009 02:42 PM

Now that's great movie news! I've been praying for this to happen...

If it looks anything like the footage they showed in Lost In La Mancha, then it's going to be awesome. I really hope Depp will reprise his role!

I can't wait!


(Reply to this)
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