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Reel News Tim Ryan |
Moanalua grad
may take HelmA film "inspired by" the life of Hawaiian political activist George Helm Jr. is on track for a motion picture, once about $8 million in financing is locked in. Some 40 days of filming statewide could begin as early as March, with a theatrical release before year's end, possibly to coincide with federal recognition for Hawaiians. The producer is Gary Foster ("Daredevil," "The Score," "Tin Cup" and "Sleepless in Seattle"), screenwriter Dana Gluckstein has completed the script and the executive producer is Anna Hamilton Phalen, who wrote "Healing," "Mask," "Into the Homeland" and "Gorillas in the Mist." No actors have signed on yet. Eric Byler, 30, a Moanalua High School graduate and director of the award-winning independent feature "Charlotte Sometime," is being considered as a director. ...
"Inside Edition" host Deborah Norville is in Hawaii through today to interview Bethany Hamilton on Kauai. Hamilton is the 13-year-old star surfer who lost her left arm in a recent shark attack. The interview will air Friday on KHON-TV at 10:30 p.m. ...
First it was "The Untitled John Hamburg Project," then "Captured," then "Risk," and now the Universal Pictures film starring Ben Stiller that was partly filmed in Hawaii this year is titled "Along Came Polly." It's scheduled to open nationwide on Jan. 16, pushed back from the originally scheduled Oct. 10. Hawaii film locations included Kualoa Beach, Sunset Beach and lots of Windward Oahu.
Stiller portrays risk-averse Reuben Feffer, whose plans careen off-track when his bride (Debra Messing) dumps him on their honeymoon for a scuba instructor (Hank Azaria). (The adultery scene -- with their flippers still on -- took place on a catamaran in Haleiwa Boat Harbor.) Back in New York City, Reuben then hooks up with an adventure-craving, childhood friend named Polly (Jennifer Aniston).
Production started Nov. 11 of last year in Los Angeles, and supposedly wrapped in February after the Hawaii filming, but more was shot this spring and summer. ...
It doesn't look like a January Honolulu press junket is part of the marketing plan for Warner Bros.' "The Big Bounce" and Adam Sandler's "50 First Dates," which is being rescheduled because of difficulties getting accommodations, what with the Sony Open golf tournament in full swing.
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Contact Tim Ryan at tryan@starbulletin.com.
