The 200 year anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe

Posted by Michael Pantazi Dec 10, 2008

Looking ahead to the coming year, I’ve recently come across two subject-related projects that couldn’t help but get my full attention.

The subject of these two projects is none other than esteemed 19th century writer and all-round – if slightly unhinged – genius, Edgar Allan Poe. The timing of these, of course, coincides with the 200th anniversary of Poe’s birthday on January 19th in 1809.

Firstly, there’s Edgar Allan Poe’s Ligeia, brought to us by Jeff Most Productions with virtual unknown director Michael Staininger. Screenwriter John Shirley has a more substantial resumé behind him, but with few productions of high quality. His best known script is probably that of 1994’s The Crow with Brandon Lee.

At this stage, however, it seems likely that there’ll be more than a fair degree of ‘artistic license’ with the source tale of Ligeia to fill out a movie, seeing as Poe’s work does not lend itself to feature-length adaptations. As has always been the case when any film has used his nomenclature, it feels somewhat more like a gimmick than a real tribute. We’ll just have to wait and see on that front.

The cast is promising: American Beauty’s Wes Bentley stars alongside Kaitlin Doubleday, Eric Roberts, Michael Madsen, Sofya Skya and Christa Campbell, but we all know a good cast can be easily undermined by fundamental factors in the script, direction, editing, etc.

If you want to learn more about this – and see a trailer – then head on over to the movie’s official website Here.

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The second Poe-related project is more intriguing and potentially more rewarding, being based not on any of Poe’s written works, but rather on the man himself. If, like me, you have a real interest in this development, then prepare yourself for a few shocking facts, recently reported in Variety magazine.

Firstly, the film is to be financed and produced (at this time) by none other than Nu Image/Millennium films – yes, the very company that gave us Shark in Venice!

As if that wasn’t strange enough, you’ll never guess who has written the script and is likely to be director – Sly Stallone! Who’d have thunk it? Stallone? Poe? The mind boggles. Apparently, Stallone has a lasting fascination with the cult American poet and short story writer and has been working on a script for quite some time.

However, the entire project seems to come to a glorious peak when we hear who exactly has made Stallone’s first choice for the role (though it remains to be seen if he takes the part) – Robert Downey Jr! Personally, I couldn’t imagine a better choice and if it happens then there has to be serious potential for this film (simply called, by the way, Edgar Allan Poe).

I shouldn’t write stuff like this, because of the near-invariable disappointment, but curiosity alone has got the better of me. I’ll enjoy it while it lasts. There’ll be updates on this one for sure and here’s to hoping that my future review of the film doesn’t have to be a mad rant about how there’s nothing in it to suggest the slightest understanding of one of history’s finest minds – the odds of which, let’s face it, are pretty good. Please prove me wrong, Mr. Stallone.

Both films are awaiting official confirmation for release dates, but a close eye will be kept open.