And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: http://www.ndonline.com/TribWebPage/dec1998/12219875235.html Oliver Stone signs on to direct Custer movie VICKI VOSKUIL, Bismarck Tribune __________ Director-producer Oliver Stone has agreed to take over a movie about Custer that had been given up for dead after Brad Pitt pulled out of the lead role last year. Stone, whose credits include "Platoon" and "JFK," will lead the charge with his Illusion Entertainment partner Dan Halsted to resurrect "Marching to Valhalla," a film based on a book and screenplay by Michael Blake. Blake wrote "Dances With Wolves," which became a blockbuster movie starring Kevin Costner that revved the economy of South Dakota, where it was filmed. North Dakota tourism officials have long hoped for a similar windfall and may get it if Stone decides to film at Custer's actual embarkation point for the disasterous Little Bighorn military campaign -- Fort Abraham Lincoln south of Mandan. As an enticement, photos of the reconstructed Custer house were sent to Blake in 1996, when the project seemed imminent. New Line Cinema had bought Blake's unpublished manuscript for $3 million with the understanding that Pitt wanted to play Custer. "I don't know, but it must have helped visualize scenes after seeing the interior of the home. I'd have to say it didn't hurt," said Tracy Potter, executive director of the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation. After Pitt changed his mind, "Valhalla" was rudderless until Stone committed to the movie. "We sat down and decided," Blake said. "Stone and I agree it would be interesting and fun to give our version of what happened." Blake's book was told in Custer's first person voice and ends as he was going into battle. "So it gives me a chance to express my opinions (on the Bighorn battle) and I'm looking forward to that," Blake said. "It's not gospel. The battle has never been shown in detail and this (film) will." There is controversy over what happened in 1876 between the 250 7th Cavalry horsemen and Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. But best estimates are that the confrontation lasted about a half-hour. Blake is writing that sequence now, which will be unusual in a movie, he said. "You can only imagine the horror of being overwhelmed. That's going to be on the screen and that will be new. What happened and when isn't important. Nothing matters more than getting the feeling of those men. "The film that Stone will make will probably not please people who are very close to this story or who know all the ins and outs," Blake said. "But with Stone directing, there's a chance to tell the Custer story as it's never been told before, so I'm pretty happy about it." In Custer fan circles such as the Little Big Horn Associates, deviation from known facts is cause for concern. Stone also is known for having a dark view of things and may move away from the positive image Blake left in "Marching to Valhalla," Potter said. "We're just praying it doesn't turn into some conspiracy thing that Stone's famous for," said Tom O'Neil, newsletter editor in Brooklyn for the Little Big Horn Associates, a 1,000-member organization devoted to studying and preserving the Custer legacy. The group meets regularly around the country to present and discuss information. A recent rumor about Brad Pitt returning to the project has circulated for weeks among members, O'Neil said. "I heard the rumor, too," Blake said, "but no one has signed on. Oliver Stone decides who's going to be in his movies." Blake said he's sure Pitt will be considered, as will others, but thinks Leonardo DiCaprio would be great as Custer. The megastar of "Titanic" has expressed interest in working with Stone in the past, Blake said. Stone has plenty of war movie credits but has never done a period movie or a western theme. Blake said it will be interesting to see Stone apply his talents to this story. "A movie about Custer needs a provocative director. My main hope is that it will be embraced," Blake said. "But everybody has to realize that Hollywood is Hollywood and about creating illusion on the screen." The script is very visual and covers three main pieces of Custer's life: the Civil War, the Battle of the Washita in 1867 and the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Blake said the story is mainly about Custer, but the Indian presence will be strongly presented. Scenes at Fort Abraham Lincoln will be in the movie, but where they'll be shot isn't known. Blake said he favors Fort Lincoln, but has no power to make it happen. Delivery of the "Marching to Valhalla" script is expected in January when Stone begins production of "On Any Given Sunday," the Warner Bros. football film that stars Al Pacino, Dennis Quaid, Cameron Diaz and Lauren Holly. Daily Variety reported that Stone has several projects waiting, but Blake said Stone told him he wants to produce "Valhalla" after the football movie. After submitting the Custer script, Blake said he plans to get back to writing his sequel to "Dances With Wolves." <<<<=-=-=FREE LEONARD PELTIER=-=-=>>>> If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito.... African Proverb <<<<=-=http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ =-=>>>> IF it says: "PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW...." Please Check it before you send it at: http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blhoax.htm
