I think this author, Steven Rybin, makes a couple of interesting observations about Mann, Depp, and the gangster genre in this article dated February 12. Rybin is the author of the book The Cinema of Michael Mann.
http://rowmanblog.typepad.com/rowman/2008/...el-mann-an.html

Rose

This is a very interesting article Rose, thanks for bringing it here for us to read. We know that Shantaram was also put "on hold" but I think this next bit is something new for us. They are speaking about the postponement and cancellation of projects because of the strike.

Oh, yeah, we haven't heard about Alexander in a long time.
I'd forgotten about that one.

Thanks so much for a great article! I think the author got the Litvinenko details a bit skewed, though. Johnny's IN is in a partnership with Graham King's company and Warner Brothers to develop their own film called "Sasha's Story: the Life and Death of a Russian Spy". It was expected to be in direct competition with Mann's version. It's good news for the Johnny team if Mann's film is indefinitely delayed.

Remember this bit from the article on Gore Verbinski working with King on an animated feature?

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111798121...=gore+verbinski

Thanks Fan for pointing that out!

As aside: Ya know? I do wish journalists would be a bit more accurate in their reporting. ;)

You're right, of course, and it's possible there are other inaccuracies of that sort there in his blog, too. I think Rybin's area of expertise is in Mann's prior films. I just liked how he described the gangster genre and how Depp should be such a good match for Mann's sensibilities. :)
LOL Bet Rybin would be astonished to find out he's been busted by a JD fan forum! Live and learn, bloggers---JDR members are always alert! :lol:

Rose

Interesting article, thanks Rose! It will be interesting to see how Johnny/Mann "mesh" during filming. I forgot about the Russian spy story---there's so many projects in the pipeline, it's hard to keep them all straight.

-Donna