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Heath Ledger and Matt Damon star in THE BROTHERS GRIMM.
© Dimension Films

Gilliam's PARNASSUS Shut Down for Now

By: Jarrod Sarafin, News Editor
Date: Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Source: US Magazine and Variety

There has been some question in the media on whether Gilliam will continue with his latest film now that one of its stars passed away and that seems to have been answered today. US Magazine has issued a report saying the production crew for Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus were sent home after the actor's death yesterday. Production has been rolling since only late December and the blue-screen work was set to begin next week in Vancouver.

"I just got the call [Tuesday] saying everyone was being let go," the on-set source said. "We were supposed to start this weekend, but obviously they fired everyone today. They don't know yet what they are doing with the footage that was already shot," the source added.

Variety gave some background on the film and Ledger's involvement with the project.

Ledger was the biggest name in an ensemble cast including Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole and Tom Waits. It's the story of an ancient travelling show which arrives in modern London with a magical mirror that can transport its audience into fantastical realms of the imagination.

Plummer plays the impresario Doctor Parnassus, and Ledger took the role of a mysterious outsider who joins the troupe on a quest through parallel worlds to save the doctor's daughter (Cole) from the clutches of the devil (Waits).

The movie is produced by Samuel Hadida, Bill Vince and Amy Gilliam, and largely financed through Hadida's Paris-based Davis Film.

Ledger's involvement in the project was a key factor in raising the finance. He had a strong relationship with Gilliam from their last pic together, The Brothers Grimm.

In November 2000, Gilliam was forced to abandon his $32 million indie project The Man Who Killed Don Quixote after just a week of shooting, when his star Jean Rochefort was too ill to continue.

Ledger's death also came as he was working on what would have been his feature directing debut, an adaptation of the Walter Tevis novel "The Queen's Gambit," with British writer/producer Allan Scott.

The leading role of a young female chess prodigy had been offered to Oscar nominee Ellen Page. Ledger, himself a highly rated chess player, was due to play a supporting role.

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Comments/Responses

animerocks5150 • Jan 23, 2008, 03:31pm •

""It's the story of an ancient travelling show which arrives in modern London with a magical mirror that can transport its audience into fantastical realms of the imagination."" It sounds a lot like his previous movie "Time Bandits"!! LoL They used a portal to travel in time in this case they travel to imaginary realms...quite similar.

Anyway is so sad to hear abouth Heath Ledger's death when his career was getting a big boost...Dark Knigt and now this other film.. back to back movie deals that he can't now enjoy it's success...Sad

Rest In Peace

madmanic999 • Jan 23, 2008, 04:39pm •

Hopefully Gilliam will be able to keep intersest and funding High enough to push on. I love Gilliams work. Just saw Tideland a few months ago, I thought it was brilliant.
As for Heath, still a sad day... I unfortuanately got a chance to read that God hates fags garbage.... unbelievable. Now if that doesn't make you angry nothing will.

gladatir • Jan 23, 2008, 05:08pm •

Terry Gilliam is one of those directors who's work I hate the first time I see it....then I come back, and I come back. The films stick in my head enough that they grow on me. I really hope this doesn't tarnish his chances at making more films. The hollywood gods are unforgiving and it doesn't take much for the suspicious types to start to steer clear of the director of 2 failed projects. That would be a shame. With all the pop bubblegum cookie cutter films out there, gilliam is a breath of fresh air....at least after I stop hating the film..

Heath Ledger is a true loss to film. While his body of work is impressive, I still think there was a role in him that would have put him over the top. Brokeback Mountain established him critically. Joker would have helped him comercially. I can only imagine what work he still had in him. What would have happened if he was put on a scorsese film, or a cohen bros film, etc. No we will get stuck with leonardo dicaprio in those roles.

exfan • Jan 23, 2008, 07:04pm •

Gillian is cursed ! really, all the time a project arrive in his hand, I mean not a small production, trouble arrive. Start with the Munchausen baron, Huge production with only problem during footing, a commercial failure. Don quichote project with Jean rochefort and johnny depp, during the footing, only troubles, and Rochefort get hurt and can t stand anymore to the horse, they have to stop the production in the middle of the movie. After Grimm brother, finally come back under the spot, and his favourite moment actor pass away.....teriible

woodwraith • Jan 23, 2008, 10:26pm •

This sounds like it could have been a really fun movie. It'll be near impossible for them to find someone to fill Heath's shoes for this movie. Having said that, will the show go on? Or is this whole movie scrapped?

RIP Heath Ledger, You'll be missed.

galaga51 • Jan 24, 2008, 12:17pm •

Best wishes to Terry... he has had some bad luck with making movies.

And agreed gladatir, some of his movies require several watchings to finally appreciate/comprehend - one exception for me being Twelve Monkeys; I've enjoyed every viewing.

woodwraith • Jan 24, 2008, 10:03pm •

12 Monkeys was a great flick, but way out there. I forgot he did that one.

Dazzler • Jan 25, 2008, 04:41am •

I don't know the story of the movie he was working on but just rewrite it into the script to save his work instead of scraping it. They could make up a similar character that takes over for Heath. Writers are starting to come around in trickles. Maybe to honor Heath the writers would do it for free? Yeah right.

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