The Aviator
CREW ENLIST FOR HOWARD HUGHES BIOPIC AVIATOR
- June 4, 2003
By Chris Gardner and Zorianna Kit
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Martin Scorsese is continuing to line up co-stars for Leonardo DiCaprio in the Howard Hughes biopic "Aviator," enlisting Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale and singer Gwen Stefani to join the cast, sources confirmed.
The project, due to start shooting next month in Montreal, centers on the life of billionaire Hughes, to be played by DiCaprio. The film is a co-production of IEG, Warner Bros. Pictures and Miramax Films
Among the actors who are close to finalizing deals to join the cast, Blanchett will star as Katharine Hepburn; Beckinsale as Ava Gardner; and Stefani, making her feature film debut in the project, would depict Jean Harlow.
Adam Scott would play Hughes' press agent, Johnny Meyer, and Kelli Garner is in line to portray Faith Domergue, a young actress who was discovered by Hughes.
Barry Pepper, who was on board to portray engineer Glenn Odekirk, has dropped out because of scheduling conflicts with his current project, "Ripley Under Ground." Pepper's part is expected to be filled within several weeks, with casting sessions scheduled for week's end.
IEG, which is taking the lead on the John Logan-penned production, declined comment on the talent deals Tuesday. Miramax and Warner Bros. are partnering on the domestic release, with IEG handling foreign territories.
Gazette - Montreal June 29, 2003. DiCaprio suits up as Howard Hughes
Spotted out and about, in town early for costume fittings for Scorsese's The Aviator
Montreal's most mega movie of the year, Martin Scorsese's The Aviator, doesn't start shooting here for two weeks, but the film's star - Leonardo DiCaprio - has already been spotted walking along Ste. Catherine St. and eating at restos on St. Laurent Blvd.
Spies say the handsome lad is back in town - he was here last year shooting a few scenes for Catch Me If You Can - for costume fittings before the scheduled official July 7 start date.
The Aviator is based on the early life of colourful billionaire legend Howard Hughes (played by DiCaprio), who broke ground in the aviation and film industry. (I presume the end of Hughes's life - he locked himself up at home and shot morphine all day - is too boring for celluloid).
I hear one of the reasons Scorsese decided to make The Aviator in Montreal is he found the perfect airplane hangar at the St. Hubert airport base. The hangar is one of the few in the world that has no interior supporting columns and the perfectionist director wants to use it for some pivotal scenes involving Hughes's beloved plane, the Spruce Goose.
Nicole Kidman was originally slated to be co-star, but because The Aviator was pushed back so many times, it created a scheduling conflict and she had to bow out. Instead, the up and coming Kate Beckinsale will play the role of Hughes's lover Ava Gardner. Cate Blanchett will play Katharine Hepburn and Scorsese chose blond bombshell Gwen Stefani to act the part of Jean Harlow.
DiCaprio seduced in Parc Safari by Jessica Nadeau - Journal de Montreal August 19, 2003.
Since some days ago, Leonardo DiCaprio is in
SHAKA became a true Hollywood Star, that everyone wanted to see on stage of the film THE AVIATOR. Even Leonardo stopped the limousine between the cages to see the lion cub. Leonardo left the limousine and hurriedly called a friend to say how fantastic this lion is and it is him that had the idea to have the lion in the scene. He was very proud, explained yesterday night, Serge Lucier - the director of Parc Safari according to him.
The famous 28 year old actor, who has seen many renew in company of many beautiful women, who are coming to visit him in Montreal equally to take photos with SHAKA but he doesn't take the arms nor the flatter continues Dany Roy of Parc Safari.
The popularity of SHAKA went its presents is on stage, the producers has asked Serge Lucier to the leave the baby lion because the infactuations arises with the 500 locals extras and will disrupts the shooting.
THE GIFT OF THE LION CUB
The role of SHAKA is not complicated, and he doesn't need to put up with anything in particular. He will appear in one scene in the gala in tribute to Howard Hughes that takes place in
The scene is filmed at night in front of a huge hotel with 30 vintage cars and huge giant palm trees. The eccentric aviator brought the lion as a gift to Howard Hughes responded Serge Lucier.
In the scene Leonardo presents in the arms of singer Gwen Steffani, who incarnates and illustrates Jean Harlow.
In the role of the AVIATOR, it is a professional Quebecer who addresses the speciality of cinema to take charge of the Lion. SHAKA doesn't have a big role, but he has to pass all the stops of castings. He feels he has alot of character and wants Royal treatment.
SHAKA and his faithful guards has a right for Royal treatment during the 3 nights of shooting at Mel's Studio insures Serge Lucier. SHAKA has a proper cabin and everything he needs, the same enclose personal supervisors and guards for security. It is the greatest luxury.
When, Leonardo Dicaprio the star...Serge Lucier and Dany Roy both ensures the newspaper that Leonardo is very nice, not pretentious at all, at the same time generous, the same with autographs.
City hall gets starring role
And Scorcese gets a bargain.
PHILLIP TODD
The Gazette
CREDIT: TYREL FEATHERSTONE, THE GAZETTE
Film crew members from The Aviator carry ladders and lighting equipment from city hall
yesterday. City hall is standing in for the U.S. Senate in the film.
A big-budget
be charged a cent to use the building, a municipal official said yesterday.
Martin Scorcese's -million
from Sept. 8 to 10.
"They pay for everything. For the municipal government and for the citizens, it's a no-cost
operation," said Jonathan Sauve, a spokesperson for council speaker Marcel Parent,
who is responsible for city hall operations
Access Montreal and other municipal services won't be affected and all evidence of the
production, which began setting up on Friday, will be gone as of Sept. 15. "It's business
as usual," Sauve, said, noting that during filming, employees and Montrealers will have to
use the side doors to enter the building.
Since the Jean Drapeau era, city hall has not been rented out, though the building is loaned
under very special circumstances, Sauve said. "We evaluated it considering there's going to
be lots of money pumped into the local economy and lots of people assured of a job . . .
and there's also the international visibility it gives to
"Every body knows Martin Scorcese is in town for this major production."
The hall of honour was chosen for its likeness to the U.S. Senate's caucus room, where
a Senate committee investigated the film's protagonist, aircraft pioneer and pilot Howard Hughes.
Access to the building was a major factor in Scorcese's decision to shoot here, Sauve said.
Montrealers in the area said loaning city hall for a high-profile movie is a good idea.
"It's good publicity, why not? As long as they don't lock the public out," said
resident Larry Kendall, touring Old Montreal with his granddaughters.
"If it's going to put
