Image Credit: Tatum: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.comSo you remember how after Titanic grossed the GDP of a small island nation, everyone began wondering if Hollywood could find the “next” historical romantic epic to captivate the world starring a puppy-dog-eyed man-boy and an impossibly beautiful British actress speaking in an American accent? And then Hollywood tried, and it was called Pearl Harbor, and it was an interminably long and cloying disaster even when Michael Bay wasn’t busy blowing things up?
Here’s hoping Ion avoids that same pitfall. News came out today that Channing Tatum is attached to star in the new sci-fi romantic epic that’s apparently given Hollywood Avatar fever, to the point where The Hollywood Reporter story about the casting news speculatively called Ion the “next Avatar?” in its headline. Ridley and Tony Scott are both attached to produce the film, which “revolves around a man who travels to different Earths and dimensions in order to find his reincarnated lover.” Screenwriter Will Dunn reportedly tried last year to sell Ion to studios to no avail, but now that Avatar has grossed the GDP of a medium-sized island nation, suddenly those same studios — including Avatar‘s own Fox, which is in the lead to pick up Ion — have decided sweeping sci-fi romantic epics are good business after all.
That is, of course, until the next sweeping sci-fi romantic epic doesn’t quite meet expectations at the box office. Which isn’t to say Ion would be that film, but just that perhaps the reason audiences worldwide were so captivated by Avatar wasn’t that it was a sweeping sci-fi romantic epic per se, but a visually stunning and emotionally involving cinematic experience that they’d never had before. Maybe finding the next that, whether it’s sci-fi or period western, should be the priority. Am I crazy, Popwatchers? Tell me I’m crazy — it wouldn’t be the first time.
Or they could just go back to an Joss Whedon and have the next space western. When it comes to SciFi the studios don’t know what to do with themselves. But they are trying to mainstream SciFi by making it SciFi-Horror, or Sci-Fi romance. I mean, look at Pandorum – it was billed as scary (which it was sometimes) but was really SciFi. Even TiMER is billed as romance, but is has its own SciFi edge. Avatar was an anomaly, but it can only do good things for SciFi.
p.s. check your THR link, i think you got it wrong.
The picture is awesome.
I hope his reincarnated lover ends up being a garden slug.
You just made my day!
Hollywood is NOT that original. LOL.
I like Channing Tatum, but I don’t much think he’s a good action star. I also hate to say it, but I’m a little bit over the Scott boys as exciting filmmakers. You never know though.
You’re right, but Hollywood will always be chasing the rainbow trying to do it the same but a little different and hoping it works.
This.
Well, he does have lifeless acting like Worthington from Avatar. There’s already that similarity.
Belive it or not Channing is great in romantic movies and should stick more to that, he was wonderful in Dear John
Actually I find Channing’s acting to be a little whiny, and not at all lifeless. More like, a little strained and child-like. So, I think Channing can do this film. He did those romantic films and he did the action film. Let’s just hope he sells it.
When i first read this i thought it sounded like a good movie. Then i went back and saw Channing Tatum was attached. so much for seeing that. Here’s hoping they recast. Chris Pine anyone?
Yes, Channing is not hot, at all. Chris Pine on the other hand, is sexy.
Sorry to disappoint the haters but Channing Tatum is not only the star of the movie but producing.
He and his production partner will be producing this movie through their company = clever move and not just pretty face (good actor).
Plus are you kidding me he is much HOTTER than Chris Pine.
Looking forward to this one.
By the way, I heard that he was up for Avatar but Sam got it (came very close) instead now he has this cool.
Wait for opportunities and they KNOCK = HIT.
Channing Tatum as the “action” lead — good luck with that. But I guess he can’t be much worse than Sam Worthington in Avatar. Why can’t Hollywood film makers come up with something new….and where are the new people to match the stars of yesteryear…Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, etc.
It’s hard to repeat yesteryear stars but time to welcome the new and show some respect.
I do believe the future is bright major talents will occur which includes Channing Tatum.
People might mock him now regarding his acting but he will shock and surprise everyone by winning a few oscars through his acting career and maybe even directing in the future.
The way he is planning his career the guy is not stupid even with amazing management behind him, it’s not all them.
I say this decade is going to be interesting, if he plays his cards right and again, more talent will happen maybe not exactly like yesteryear but something different but still strong.
Good luck to him and others.
Don’t torture yourself with thoughts of the stars of yesteryear. If only we had Humphrey Bogarts, Grace Kellys, Audrey Hepburns…
Anyway, it’s hard, but we need to stop dwelling on it.
Anyone else getting a The Fountain vibe?
I really like the Scotts, but then again The Fountain was directed by Darren Aronofsky, who is usually a win in my book.
I thought of The Fountain when I read the description too.
He could play a tree or something else wooden.
If the movie is not gonna be released in a couple yrs…could Seyfried play his reincarnated lover….
A lot of people watched Avatar to see Cameron’s crazy new technology, not for the actual story (which IMO was terribly trite). So unless this movie’s going to be the next new thing in tech there’s no way it’s going to be the “next Avatar.” Seriously the less I hear about Avatar, the better. I hate it the way most people hate Twilight.
oh my god guys whay is wrong with you for christ sake he is good enough and more than qualified to avatar if u donot believe me you can ask me