http://www.variety.com/article/VR111798213...egoryid=13&cs=1

Shooting resumes on 'Parnassus'
Film went on hiatus after Ledger's death
By ADAM DAWTREY
Gilliam


Ledger

LONDON -- Shooting has restarted in Vancouver on Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law replacing Heath Ledger in the cast.
The pic went on hiatus after Ledger's sudden death Jan. 22, when the live action section of the production had just finished in London, and Gilliam was about to embark on several weeks of blue-screen work in Canada.

The decision to use several actors to replace Ledger was made possible because of the fantastical nature of the story, in which characters pass from contemporary London through a magic mirror into various parallel worlds of the imagination.

Ledger had completed the filming of the "realistic" sections, so Depp, Farrell and Law will play physically transformed versions of his character when he passes into the other worlds.

Gilliam commented, "I am grateful to Johnny, Colin and Jude for coming on board, and to everyone else who has made it possible for us to finish the film. I am delighted that Heath's brilliant performance can be shared with the world. We are looking forward to finishing the movie and, through the film, with a modicum of humility, being able to touch people's hearts and souls as Heath was able to do."

In a statement, the producers said, "Since the format of the story allows for the preservation of his entire performance, at no point will Heath's work be modified or altered through the use of digital technology. Each of the parts played by Johnny, Colin and Jude is representative of the many aspects of the character that Heath was playing."

"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" also stars Christopher Plummer, Verne Troyer, Andrew Garfield, Lily Cole and Tom Waits. Producers are William Vince, Amy Gilliam and Samuel Hadida.

Thanks for the news Karen.

This sounds really interesting. woohoo

very cool, I can't wait!

I can. Forever.

Aww Karen, don't be a sad panda.

I'm with Karen on this one. Not too thrilled about this movie.

Nicci
:angel

LOL Sorry y'all, this is one project that I won't get excited about. :( Can't stand anything that Terry Gilliam has ever done. Nothing. F&LILV is one of two Johnny films that I saw only once. And I won't be seeing this one at all.

But I know there are people out there who are excited and I hope they enjoy it! woohoo

Interesting--so they're filming this week then? Johnny's scheduled to start PE on Monday, so this seems the only time for him to do this. I'm not a huge fan of Gilliam, so will probably leave this one for a DVD rental. Maybe Johnny's feeling of debt to Gilliam after the LILM fiasco will now be settled and he can distance himself form TG.

-Donna

:crossfingers

Been a fan of Terry's since Monty Python and love his imaginative work. Looking forward to this. I know he is very Happy that Johnny is going to come onboard they like working together I believe.

Yvonne in LA :snoopy

I gotta admit, I dont know much about the film itself and what it is about, but I do love the fact that these three actors have stepped forward to make sure that Heath's last work is seen. I think I will be going to see it but at the moment my mind is focused on Public Enemies. Thats the one I am waiting for.

I'm absolutely with you on this Karen. I never really liked F&LILV. I wasn't even able to finish watching that movie and that really says a lot.

But anyway, I think Parnassus is a whole different story so it might be a bit more appealing to me. Also I think the fact that these three actors step in to help Gilliam to finish the movie and to in a way honor Heath Ledger is just beautiful. So therefor I guess I'll go and watch the movie to honor Heath in a way too and to show my appreciation for Johnny, Jude Law and Colin Farrell for doing this.

Either way it's Public Enemies that I'm looking forward to just now, anyway, so Parnassus is just a nice little tidbit along the way! :)

I agree, I'm not normally keen on terry gilliam's movies and don't particularly want to see this one either.

I think gilliam is turning Heath's death into the film's major selling point. Especially by getting such popular actors involved. They probably would never have done the film otherwise. I think they should have ceased filming and used the clips already shot to honour heath ledger in some way.

Oprahnoodlemantra said

I tend to agree with your thoughts about Gilliam and this film Oprahnoodlemantra! And another reason why I am not so sold on it.

I'd read the synopsis and it just isn't something that I want to see. I know others are really excited about it and I am happy for them. I was sold on ST when alot of people weren't so I've been on the other side of it too. ;)

Here's the synopsis from imdb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1054606/synopsis:

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantastical morality tale, set in the present day. It tells the story of Dr Parnassus and his extraordinary 'Imaginarium', a travelling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom. Blessed with the extraordinary gift of guiding the imaginations of others, Dr Parnassus is cursed with a dark secret. Long ago he made a bet with the devil, Mr Nick, in which he won immortality. Many centuries later, on meeting his one true love, Dr Parnassus made another deal with the devil, trading his immortality for youth, on condition that when his first-born reached its 16th birthday he or she would become the property of Mr Nick. Valentina is now rapidly approaching this 'coming of age' milestone and Dr Parnassus is desperate to protect her from her impending fate. Mr Nick arrives to collect but, always keen to make a bet, renegotiates the wager. Now the winner of Valentina will be determined by whoever seduces the first five souls. Enlisting a series of wild, comical and compelling characters in his journey, Dr Parnassus promises his daughter's hand in marriage to the man that helps him win. In this captivating, explosive and wonderfully imaginative race against time, Dr Parnassus must fight to save his daughter in a never-ending landscape of surreal obstacles - and undo the mistakes of his past once and for all...

Well, actually, F&LILV is one of my favorite Johnny film!!! :P

and i'm waiting for this 'Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus' a lot!

but, i don't really like the scenario... :unsure:

Ironic, isn't it? :rolleyes:

We all have our personal likes and dislikes! And that's why US' legendary ice cream company "Baskin - Robbins" always offers 31 flavors! :D

They report this on Entertainment Tonight around 8 min. into the show tonight.

Gilliam was always my least favorite of the Monty Python group (fave? that would have to be Michael Palin-just looking at him gives me the giggles). His animations never did anything for me. :huh:

His movies do tend to be just plain weird. But sometimes they manage to be entertaining as well. I'm sure I will see this film, if not in the theaters then eventually on dvd or cable. Whatever his reasons I can't blame him for wanting to save the project.

Regarding with guarded enthusiasm. Cuz it's Depp. ;)

Thank you for the synopsis Karen. It certainly sounds like a Terry Gilliam film :blink:

Im not dwelling too much on this one. Public Enemies is where my focus is at the moment.

That Vancouver-based gossip columnist Laineygossip.com reported today that Johnny, Colin Farrell, Tom Waits and others from the cast and crew had dinner at a fancy Vancouver restaurant last night.

and she posted these photos of Colin with Jerry Judge outside the restaurant:
(click)

Interesting info, thanks FAN--so he's in Vancouver(or was) and maybe his bit is done? Could be why they had the very "late" dinner.....

-Donna

As always, thanks again Fan for the up to date news on Johnny! Sounds like this will be a fast shoot for him!

Thanks a lot for the info, Fan! Oh it must have been quite special for Johnny to go back to Vancouver for shooting some scenes...like walking down the memory lane. :)

This says that Johnny, Van and the kids were seen at the Vancouver airport

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/Columnists/StarringVancouver/

Interesting---maybe the family will be traveling with him to the midwest then......

-Donna

Didn't I read sometime back that Vanessa was going to be filming a movie around the same time as Johnny in New York (I think)? Is that still going to happen does anybody know?

Debbie

Yep, she will be filming in New York starting in September. The movie is called "The Midwife Crisis." It will her first English language film.

Nicci :angel

It's killing me that Johnny's in Vancouver!!! Well, it's killing me that I'm not there with him. haha :P I visit Vancity so often and I'm just DYING that I can't be there to show support! Him being in Van is the closest I'll probably ever get to saying hello to him personally. :(

Thanks Nicci. I wonder what will be happening with Shantarum by then and if Johnny will be in NY with her or in India. Time will tell I guess.

Debbie

I feel your pain, FeerlessJD. It's killing me that he has been and will be in Chicago and I'll probably never see him!

Terry