[Jayomatic]

Here is a story that is in yahoo today.

NEW YORK (Variety) - Actor Mark Wahlberg is set to star in "The Italian Job," a high-octane heist drama that will begin shooting Aug. 3 at Paramount Pictures.

F. Gary Gray is directing the film, a remake of the 1969 caper that starred Michael Caine, Benny Hill and Noel Coward.

That film, though considered something of a stylish classic because of its clever use of the tiny, high-speed Mini Cooper cars for a memorable chase sequence, was much more of a comedy than the new version will be.

While the original was a gold heist set entirely in Europe, the new version -- scripted by Donna and Wayne Powers -- will begin in Italy, but with the robbery taking place in Los Angeles.

Automaker BMW bought the Mini Cooper and is releasing the first new models of the automobiles in 2003. That's good timing, because the cars will figure prominently in the revamped plot.

Wahlberg will play Charlie Croker, a career criminal who heads the crew that masterminds a massive gold bullion take. It is made possible when they create the largest traffic jam in L.A. history.

While that disables the populace, the criminals are empowered by their use of the Mini Coopers, which are incredibly fast but small enough to travel on sidewalks and the subway system while the city and the cops are immobilized.

That plays to the strength of director Gray, who completed the Vin Diesel picture "Diablo" for New Line, and previously directed the logistically complicated action films "The Negotiator" and "Set It Off."

For Wahlberg, the film marks the second high-profile remake he's toplined in Europe, as he starred with Thandie Newton in the Jonathan Demme-directed "Charade" remake, which Universal is calling "The Truth About Charlie."

[Dom]

Link to story here:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp..._wahlberg_dc_2

Oh, the classic mini owners are gonna love this one...

Dom

[Damo]

The Fur will fly now with the IJ run

[Damo]

Just think we'll have classic Mini's and MINI's

And then Classic Italian Job's and ITALIAN JOBS!

[Jayomatic]

I am sure it will be really stupid and try to be like fast in the furious style. but i do think it will be a great way of marketing the mini here in North America. Most people don't even know of the Italian Job over here and a new movie might make people take notice of the original. I hope they have Michael Caine in the new one. It just won't be the same without him in it somehow.

I just hope they don't try to change "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off" to "Yo Man, Your only supposed to blow the ****ing doors off dude." :P

It will be nice getting all the attention in our minis while the movie comes out though.

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jayomatic
.... I hope they have Michael Caine in the new one. It just won't be the same without him in it somehow.
....

I said the other day that Michael Caine would make a great Mr. Bridger!

While I thrilled new MINI Coopers will be in this movie, the idea of setting it in LA and with Mark Wahlberg in another remake (re: Planet of the Apes) causes some concern.

[SomeBlondeGuy]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jayomatic
Here is a story that is in yahoo today.


Automaker BMW bought the Mini Cooper and is releasing the first new models of the automobiles in 2003. That's good timing, because the cars will figure prominently in the revamped plot.

2003? They should have said late 2001.

[KarmanS]

Quote:

Originally posted by BruceK

While I thrilled new MINI Coopers will be in this movie, the idea of setting it in LA and with Mark Wahlberg in another remake (re: Planet of the Apes) causes some concern.

the idea of Wahlberg as the main actor doesn't stir an entertaining thought (especially after POTA as Bruce poited out) , but at least we can expect to see some MINIs taken to their limits.

[Damo]

I was thinking how in the hell are they going to do the things with the Mini's in the MINI's? I mean the car is a lot bigger. Anyway on deliberation for the last hour or so I now know the reason that its being shot in Los Angles and not Milan or wherever it was (bad memory sorry!) Its because in America everything is Bigger than Europe, so the Mini is still to the same scale as its surroundings

[smartbomb]

Oh great another Hollywood re-hash of a film which should be left untouched !
The Italian Job is a cult British film, which performed terribly in the US.
I mean if the heist is in LA how is it Iatlian ? Tenuous plot line coming, and Mark Wahlberg, wow that has my pulse racing.....hardly.
I think it is a miscarriage of British cinema and Hollywood's inability to be as creative and imaginitve that it is even touted as a re-make.

The film is by no means perfect, but come on be original ! Using the MINI suggests it is going to be a big - screen commercial as much as a badly acted film !

Leave Blighty alone, BMw have done a decent job of the car, we don't need another re-made film starring a naff ex-popstar.

No where did I put that Planet of the Apes DVD ?

[Der Blue Potato]

There are rumors floating around that there will be a "very serious" '68 Mini in the new film that will have some serious power - now that woudl be cool to see the old and new go neck and neck.

Very cool - cannot wait.

-Peter

[Mon]

As an original Mini fan I'm sort of pleased that there is gonna be a remake. Now all you MINI fans will be able to go on an Italian Job charity run without getting any grief from original Mini owners like me.
Just one problem, your Italian Job run will be a trip from Italy to LA...have fun on your MINI run

Mon

[Paul]

As opposed to from Italy to off the side of a hill as in the original Mon?

Anyway, I hear it's to be called THE ITALIAN JOB and come in a bigger box when released on DVD so we all know the difference!

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by Mon
As an original Mini fan I'm sort of pleased that there is gonna be a remake. Now all you MINI fans will be able to go on an Italian Job charity run without getting any grief from original Mini owners like me.
Just one problem, your Italian Job run will be a trip from Italy to LA...have fun on your MINI run
Mon

So, the current run follows the script of the original movie and at the end of the run all the Minis get pushed over a cliff in the Swiss Alps?

(Red ones suddenly bursting into flames on the way down?? )

[BruceK]

D'oh! Paul beat me to the punchline by one minute???

[Damo]

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul_Mullett
As opposed to from Italy to off the side of a hill as in the original Mon?

Anyway, I hear it's to be called THE ITALIAN JOB and come in a bigger box when released on DVD so we all know the difference!

Hehe, how did you know! I was keeping that a Secret!

[Mon]

Hey, while the Minis don't follow the script to the letter at least they go to the correct country...see you in America

Mon

PS You may have shot yourself in the foot there people, I'm almost certain the modern version of the film will wreck the MINIs in an even bigger way than the original film. Are you infering that you will do the same to your MINIs once you reach LA???

[Sejanus]

You know as much as I hate to see a classic (in a twisted kinda way) British film Americanized, I have to admit the idea of a MINI chase scene in LA is pretty appealing. Perhaps through Universal Studios with CHP Impalas and the Jurasic Park Dinosaur in hot pursuit.

[rich]

I am setting my expectations suitably low for the remake in the vain hope they will be exceeded by the finished article

Would have preferred to see it remade by the makers of Lock, Stock & 2 Smoking Barrels and Snatch (Guy Ritchie, is it?), and with Michael Caine as Mr Bridger

As for Croker... There are no stand out choices, but I would have given it to Jack Dee, personally

...Basically anyone but Chris Evans

All academic now I guess. Tsk

[Sejanus]

Check out this article on the new Italian Job movie from the Daily Telegraph.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main