Alessandro Nivola and Parker Posey join "The Eye"

By: Karl Schneider
Date: Friday, February 02, 2007
Source: Variety

According to Variety, Alessandro Nivola and Parker Posey have signed on to star alongside Jessica Alba in The Eye.

The film, being made by Cruise/Wagner Productions for distribution by Lionsgate, will follow Allison (Alba), a woman who, after a cornea transplant, begins seeing disturbing images that send her on a quest to find out what happened to the eye's original owner.

Alba will receive $4 million for her role in the film while Tom Cruise is not expected to play a part.

French directors David Moreau and Xavier Palud are set to direct.

KJ's Take: Relatively no name casting with the exception of Alba and I don't understand why she decided this was the best career move to begin with. Smartest actors and actresses in Hollywood are the ones who don't simply take the role offering the most money.

Speaking of which, what would you rate Alba as ... a B-list celebrity? C-List? I would probably place her in the C-list, but an argument could be made for B, C or D.

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Comments/Responses

ponyboy76 • Feb 02, 2007, 04:03am •

I wouldn`t say Parker Posey would be considered no name casting. She is a supporting actress. She doesn`t do the lead role thing. I`d say Posey is actually C to lower B-list celebrity. Most people know her from one role or another. Alba right now is a B to lower A-List just based on her being in the spotlight due to FF,Sin City and basically being eye candy. As far as talent, she`s like a C-lister for sure. Maybe she`ll get that one role, like Jolie did with Gia and show people that she actually can act, but it will never happen as long as she keeps doing big blockbuster type flicks. She needs to do an Indie film.

drvertigo • Feb 02, 2007, 04:16am •

I can never understand why actors and actresses star in films that are guaranteed to be awful. Picking and choosing their scripts to star in quality films may mean less income in the short term, but it can considerably lengthen their careers. Not to mention how it must make them feel about themselves to read the reviews.

mosgza • Feb 02, 2007, 07:47am •

I'm a huge fan of the Pang Bros original movie - but this... ... I don't know.

fft5305 • Feb 02, 2007, 09:35am •

I've wondered about that too, drvertigo. Do actors *think* a shit movie is going to be good as they are making it? Or do they not care, as long as they are getting paid? The only actor I have heard address the issue is Michael Caine, who has been in more than his share of great movies and stinkers. He said that he alternates his film choices between doing it for artistic merit and for the film location, which explains Jaws: The Revenge...

fft5305 • Feb 02, 2007, 09:43am •

Oh, and with reference to placement on the list... I would place Jessica Alba as a solid B. She's a fairly big name and draw, but hasn't established herself solo - she can't carry a movie by herself. In terms of talent, I agree with ponyboy, C-list. She's ok, but she's definitely carried by her looks. Parker Posey, on the other hand, I also believe is a solid B, but on a completely different list. I think she has deliberately chosen a career path that emphasizes smaller, more creative roles. I think she's an A-list in terms of talent, but again, doesn't have the solo box office draw.

All that being said, placement on the A-list rarely means the most talented. Power and fame in Hollywood is so fleeting and ephemeral. There is often no rhyme or reason as to why one person rises to the top. Staying there is another matter. I think staying at the top (a la Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg) takes actual talent, as well as a number of other factors, not the least of which is luck.

bjjdenver • Feb 02, 2007, 10:33am •

Alba is definitely an A- list celeb. she is young and freakin' super-hot, she is making theatrical movies, has had her own TV series, has been acting for quite some time, graces all the top magazines as well as the tabloids, is a top search topic on the internet, has threatened a lawsuit and runs with a list stars at top parties AND she was on Entourage.(Yes, I love her and will be making my way to NM to stalk her if anyone wants to come along, lol).

I also love PP, she is a very good actress, but has mired mainly in indy films for most of her career. C-list?? no way! c list is for hanger ons and she is certainly not that. B-list? yes, at least until she hits a big nomination and becomes the new darling. Blade and Superman pay the bills, but that keeps you on the b-list.
As for the movie, if it is great it could be a career booster for JA to get better roles, if it is bad, I doubt it will hurt her, because she will be popular as long as her looks hold out and she doesn't run over any little kids, etc...

snallygaster • Feb 02, 2007, 12:06pm •

I'd call Alba A-list, but not a strong A-lister. Her only true starring theatrical solo vehicle to date was Honey, which did OK for a low-budget movie, but I don't think the studios would want to bet a large budget on her star power. Into the Blue made even less. Her role in Sin City was a small part in a large ensemble, and Fantastic Four has a pre-sold audience, so it's not a good measure of star power. On the plus side, she is quite in demand on magazine covers and tabloids, so clearly there is public interest in her.

She doesn't have the acting ability to be too picky about her roles. Her career is carried by her youth and looks, and as she gets older she'll get replaced by the next young "flavor of the month." Roles for women get scarcer as they get older, so I wouldn't be surprised if her agent is suggesting she take whatever roles she can get now, because the offers will eventually dry up.

Parker Posey, OTOH, is a solid B-actress with talent. She'll probably be getting steady supporting roles for decades to come.

muchdrama • Feb 02, 2007, 05:18pm •

I don't consider Jessica Alba an A-list star at all. What're her credits? Fantastic Four? She's just hot and...hot.

Now Parker Posey's an actress!

GentlemenDeath • Feb 02, 2007, 06:23pm •

Jessica Alba cant act and is for sure not a a-list celebrity. the only film i liked her in was sin city.
they need to stop making these pointless ass movies about ghosts who maybe kill one or two people on a pg-13 rating which are just rip-offs of the japenese films! sam raimis company needs to STOP making these nasty ass films!

aegrant • Feb 02, 2007, 06:42pm •

Isn't Parker Posey the one in that Pepsi ad with JImmy Fallon?

Anyway this movie sounds like something I have seen 3 or 4 times before. I will wait for the DVD and hopefully Jessica will be unrobed like all her other films

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