Strange things coincidences. It’s been less than a week since I made my post on Tim Burton and I just read on the BBC that an actress has been picked to play the role of Alice in his adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s fantasy novel. As an added coincidence I was thinking of adapting it to a screenplay myself, but I’ll simply have to console myself by saying that great minds think alike.
So, this is the last chance this fan is giving Mr. Burton. I have gone over how I have been disappointed by his recent films and hopefully, he has realized that just because you have singing and Johnny Depp does not necessarily mean that you have a decent film on your hands. But back to the question at hand, who is playing Alice?
Mia Wasikowska is apparently very very close to landing the role, which is due to start filming in November. She has been having an exciting year so far, as she has just finished her part in Amelia, a biopic about the life of Amelia Earhart starring Richard Gere and Hillary Swank, directed by Mira Nair.
This film will be a huge break for the 18-year-old actress, as it will surely be a cinema hit with youngsters and parents, although I cannot guess whether it will be a decent film. Apparently it will be a combination of live action and performance capture footage and presented in 3D.
Once again, the project seems to be ideal for Tim Burton, who can give the story an eerie tone to scare and excite children, and their parents. There is no question the film will be a hit. It’s a famous enough story and the potential for cameo appearances is incredible, what with the White Rabbit, the Ceshire Cat, the Mad Hatter and the Hare, the Queen of Hearts and a host of other small but iconic characters. Actors will probably be falling over themselves to audition for the parts. I wonder who will play who? Obviously Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter will feature in there somewhere (Mad Hatter and Queen? Caterpillar and the Cat?). In fact, he could cast them to play the whole thing but that would be too much even for him.
I apologize for ranting but whenever I hear about a new Burton film I am overwrought with excitement and I want to believe that this time it won’t be a disappointment. So, yes, filming starts in November and we are sure to hear announcements about the rest of the cast over the summer. I will follow you down the rabbit hole Tim, but this is the last time…
