10.07.08
In A Shockingly Unpredictable Move, Burton Casts His Wife In ‘Alice,’ Anne Hathaway Gets A Role Too
A while back, I reported that Tim Burton had found his Alice for his upcoming take on the beloved Lewis Carroll novel in the form of Mia Wasikowska down under, and later it was reported that the Mad Hatter role had been given to Burton’s long time collaborator Johnny Depp. Today, it appears that Burton had to look no further than in his own home in terms of casting the Red Witch. Once again, in a bid to cut casting costs, Helena Bonham Cater will join forces with her husband, portraying the ghastly witch whose vocabulary is pretty much limited to “Off with their heads!” in his live action/performance capturing enhanced film, their idea of erotic foreplay I assume. On a less predictable note, he cast Anne Hathaway to play the White Witch, the kind and caring sister of the Red Bitch, who needs Alice to slay a creature known as the Bandersnatch, apparently. The film is rumoured to open on the 5th of March 2010, in 3D. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Jerry said,
October 7, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Oh lord, let’s hope she’s better in this than she was in Sweeney Todd, yikes.
Mike M said,
October 7, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I thought she was quite good in Sweeney Todd
Nick Plowman said,
October 7, 2008 at 4:48 pm
As did I, I totally should have reviewed that movie UGH, her singing was kinda bad, but I too thought she was good.
k said,
October 7, 2008 at 5:05 pm
You beat me too it, Nick.
And, I’m going to say, I thought Helena Bonham Carter gave one of her best screen performances in Sweeney Todd. I’m in the minority here, but I really feel she was overlooked for an Oscar nod.
I think her singing worked for the character. I mean, I don’t want her to release an album, and I don’t expect her to appear in a Broadway musical, but for that film, for that character, her voice worked very well.
Nick Plowman said,
October 7, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Yes, it did suit her role, for sure. I found her completely watchable, and her comic timing was great too. It was a very good performance on her part, and I think that working with her hubby seems to be working for her, as predictable as it may all be, I must say that I actually look forward to their collaborations. Same goes for Depp.
Miranda Wilding said,
October 7, 2008 at 6:14 pm
The Red Bitch,,,,
Ha ha ha ha…
Matthew Lucas said,
October 7, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Is it bad that I’m suddenly really excited about this?
The original Disney version will always have a special place in my heart, but the material here is perfectly suited to Burton’s sensibilities.
Nick Plowman said,
October 7, 2008 at 6:59 pm
It’s the furthest thing from bad Matty, coz I feel exactly the same way. It has the potential to be spectacular, I have no doubt about that! Like you, the original version is permanently seared into my memory and my heart, but a little revamp featuring a great cast and a genius of a director could be great.
fadedsilverscreen said,
October 7, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I’m interested to see what Tim Burton will do with his adaptation of Alice and Wonderland. I liked the whimsy and innocence of the Disney version, but a dark, Burton-esque version would also be fun to watch.
J.D. said,
October 7, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I loved her in Sweeney Todd, dang it.
And yeah, while this is so OMG SHOCKING!, I’m excited for it. It really might be interesting. And nepotistic.
Sam Juliano said,
October 8, 2008 at 6:31 am
I completely agree with K, Mike and Nick. Helena was quite good in SWEENEY TODD, a splendid musical film that I inexplicably left off my recently posted revisitation Ten Best list for 2007. SWEENEY TODD is there.
Sarge said,
June 26, 2009 at 1:32 am
No one seems to be mentioning that it’s the red and white QUEENS not witches. If they’re not queens, then the whole chessboard symbolism falls apart. I notice the Knave of Hearts is also listed, so it appears to be a mix of Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.
LMB said,
July 5, 2009 at 12:32 am
Thank you Sarge!
Nick Plowman said,
July 5, 2009 at 11:37 am
Actually, that’s what The Hollywood Reporter had up, and this story isnt that interesting that I would want to revise it, so feel free to fix whatever you like. And then we can all sit around and congratulate each other! Nice.
Lacy V. said,
November 12, 2009 at 2:49 am
I think it was excellent to cast HBC again–she was great in Sweeney Todd, she’ll be great in this. And since she and Tim are partners it’ll be easier to commnicate during filming haha.