Woo editing Windtalkers

In an interwiew for Asiaweek John Woo was asked aout Windtalkers and the reasons for delay. Windtalkers, was put off until November and now June. Woo convices that delay is not for cencorship and cutting away the avtion or violence but studio executives believe that people are still crieving for tragic events in last September and don't want to go to cinema yet.. 

Woo: MGM is a little nervous, even though we had great test screenings. It's the studio's biggest budget movie ever — over $100 million. But it's a war movie, and I think people don't want to see something that reminds them of the [Sept. 11] attacks, to see people getting killed. Nobody's willing to go to the cinema right now, they don't want to risk it. I'd like to release the movie now. We've spent so much time and money, we've worked so hard. But when I look at Americans, they're still in sorrow, they're angry. I don't think they're ready yet. 

So this is really not so new but merely confirms what I've told in earlier news flashes. Reasons for a delay are mostly financial and not caused by problems in production. Here's some Woo's personal thoughts about terrorist attacks.  

Woo: I'm so sad about everything. Sad and angry. It's okay for myself, but I'm in such a bad mood about the attacks. I don't really care about my movies. I just don't want to see any more innocent people getting killed. It's too awful.

Windtalkers has been rumoured to be nearly complited. But Woo tells that editing process is still continuing and some changes will be made. Woo says that Windtalkers is supposed to show the cruel and violent nature of totally absurd and insane, horrible event what war really is. So there should be no reason to fear, Windtalkers will not be a movie about nice and love picknick trip at the battlefield. 

Woo: Yes. You know I've always wanted my action to look real, but not too violent. But this time I need to show the horror of war — some people need to die violently. And I'm worried about this. I'm reworking those scenes. Well, it's a war movie — it has to be violent. It involves a meeting of cultures, between the Navaho Indians and American soldiers in World War II. It's been a difficult project from the word go and I've already spent two years on it. I had a really tough time cutting it — it's taken seven months. Now we have more time. It's not a perfect film, but none of my movies are perfect.

(Source: Asiaweek)

Next Woo movie: Honor Among Thieves

Woo has been know as a action director and his movies are often considered quite violent. For some time Woo has dreamed about making different movies, not only action but also comedies, drama and even a musical. Now seems that his next movie really will be a comedy called Honor Among Thives. This could be same project which was previously known as King's Ransom but it is not confirmed. Anyway I almost believe it really is same one, also known as Kin'g Men. Terence Chang Christopher Godsick produces it for WCG Entertainment Productions and 20th Century Fox distributes it, at east in US. 

Not so much details are available yet but script for Honor Among Thives will be written by John McCormick, Lawrence O'Neil (as Larry O'Neil), Frederick Song and Mike Werb. Mike Werb also co-wrote earlier Woo hit Face/Off. Cast is supposed to include Ho Sung Pak and Michael Jai White. Quite unknown names, for me anyway but  they are not rookies. Ho Sung Pak has been in Mortal Kombat 1 & 2 and Jackie Chan's Drunken master 2 among few others. Michael Jai White has longer credit list from Toxic Avenger part 2 (1989) to Pandorra's Box (2001). He also was Sgt. Lewis Strutt in Steven Seagal actioner Exit Wounds (2001).

What kind of movies Woo e´will make after Honor Among Thives? According to his words for Asiaweek looks like he wants to continue to make less action oriented movies in near future. Some funnier storuies suitable for whole family as he says. Have the attacks given you second thoughts about the mayhem in your movies? Of course he can do that. I am very happy if he can show people that he really can do great movies without action or violence. I think he has already done that but ragardles I'm eagerly waiting for his next movies. I only wish that he would not completely leave action but would direct some actioners now and then.

Woo: Yes, I've thought a lot about that. I'm lucky that my next project, Honor Among Thieves, is a comedy. I've decided that from now on I'm going to make movies with hope, movies that are more encouraging. And I'm going to make the violence less realistic. I feel like I should do something for the family audience. I've done so much action in my time. I would like to do some happy things and that's another challenge. I think it's easy to make an action film but not easy to make a film that's good for the whole family.

I'll try to make more fun movies. I care about the messages my movies send out. And you know, it's good for me to get a little more depth in my movies. They've got to talk more about human relations. I would say I'm getting more serious, definitely.

Woo and Digital Rim (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

In September 2000, Digital Dream Studios (DDS), Rainbow Studios, John Woo and Terence Chang jointly established Digital Rim Inc. The new establishment will not only oversee the production of the CG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles but will also produce console games. 

Digital Dream Studios (DDS), Rainbow Studios, John Woo and Terence Chang have joined to form Digital Rim Inc.  Formed September 23, 2000 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Digital Rim plans to leverage its collective creative, technological, marketing and business prowess' by producing and distributing digital movies, video games, computer generated imagery for both films and TV and other entertainment based on digital technology among top-tier movie directors and worldwide computer games developers. Digital Rim is currently working on games for PlayStation 2 and X-Box.  Digital Dream Studios will earn 50% of all profits that are generated from any joint projects done in by Digital Rim. Projected earnings for the current film project "ArK", is estimated to be more than 50 million dollars in running guarantee alone for DDS.

 Digi Rim