Next Major Studio Pool Movie - Star?

[nathandumoulin]

Why is it always the responsibility of Fox or Paramount to come out with this fantastic pool movie? I believe several regular posters have written much about the subject of pool. One even has a script written and ready to go. Instead of sitting around talking about what the major studios need to do, why not film it by ourselves. I happen to know there are script writers, video editors, photographers, and investors who post regularly on this site and are very devoted to the game of pool...We even have a celebrity with, I assume, plenty of connections in the film and tv industries.

I mean no disrespect, but it takes far more to make a movie than you might have assumed. There's a reason why movies these days take 2-3 years in production time, using dozens of high skilled and highly trained workers (sometimes 100+). Even a B-movie takes an obscene amount of time and money to make.

Don't get me wrong though, the idea is a nice one. The concept is great, but....it's just not very practical.

Oh, and Speaking of Basavich, what's the status on that movie anyway? I've been out of the loop for awhile now.

 

[nathandumoulin]

Also, I feel that one of the primary reasons why the Color of Money was so successful, was because Tom Cruise is a very capable pool player. To make another pool move of the same caliber would require a lead role who is equally capable at the table.

Does anyone know which celebs are handy with a cue?

 

[Texas Prez]

I think the best movie would be one with a no name actor(s) and a great director/producer. And mainstream hollywood would not be good for pool; there is way too much stereotyping to accomodate to the mass consumers. If you can get an independent director to somehow show pool in an artistic fashion that gives not only pool, but the people playing it some kind of identity that is what would be best for pool. Make the movie about a character who happens to play pool (beyond the bar-box in some redneck bar) and integrate pool into the movie that way. Find a way to make pool benefit a good movie and pool will benefit from that movie. IMO

 

[cueaddicts]

....Does anyone know which celebs are handy with a cue?

I doubt any.....as with everybody else, they've given it up to sit across from the big dogs at the POKER table.

 

[Burns]

From what ive heard, cruise was a terrible player and the scenes where he had to shoot balls required many retakes.

 

[GordonRamsay]

Ed Norton.........and Robert Downey Jr. as hustlers

 

[Burns]

also, I remember hearing somewhere sean connery was a pretty good player

 

[Drew]

I mean no disrespect, but it takes far more to make a movie than you might have assumed. There's a reason why movies these days take 2-3 years in production time, using dozens of high skilled and highly trained workers (sometimes 100+). Even a B-movie takes an obscene amount of time and money to make.

Don't get me wrong though, the idea is a nice one. The concept is great, but....it's just not very practical.

Oh, and Speaking of Basavich, what's the status on that movie anyway? I've been out of the loop for awhile now.

Tell that to those kids that made The Blair Witch Project. Tell that to Mars Callahan who made Poolhall Junkies...there are complete festivals just for independently produced movies. One of my favorite movies of all time, Primer, was filmed and produced independently with a price tag of 100 grand. The list is endless.

The only reason why an AZBilliards produced movie is not possible is inaction. You don't need the big studios to make a movie. There's more than enough talent on this site to do it.

 

[Njhustler1]

how about steve buschemi as johnny archer?

 

[SJDinPHX]

Gleason could give either one the 5 out, and win !

From what ive heard, cruise was a terrible player and the scenes where he had to shoot balls required many retakes.

Thats true. Both Newman and Cruise were non-players. But due to the magic of Hollywood, no one in the audience even noticed. They were no more pool players than Robert Downey Jr. was "Ironman"
Speaking of Downey Jr., theres another big draw actor who can do anything very well. I suppose Joe Rogan has been hit up with dozens of potential plots, due to his love for pool. Its a tough business to get to the right people, even if you have a "can't miss" project.

Dick

 

[SJDinPHX]

Gleason could give either one the 5 out, and win !

From what ive heard, cruise was a terrible player and the scenes where he had to shoot balls required many retakes.

Thats true. Both Newman and Cruise were non-players. But due to the magic of Hollywood, no one in the audience even noticed. They were no more pool players than Robert Downey Jr. was "Ironman"
Speaking of Downey Jr., theres another big draw actor who can do anything very well. I suppose Joe Rogan has been hit up with dozens of potential plots, due to his love for pool. Its a tough business to get to the right people, even if you have a "can't miss" project, much less a very risky one.

Dick

 

[CrownCityCorey]

Out of curiosity...

This thread circulates once every few months. Edward Norton is always the actor of choice....Do you guys realize how much it costs to get Norton? He got paid 8 million for Death to Smoochie. That was 6 years ago. The last few movies he's done, he has also co-produced. To top it off, you guys are talking about Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, etc...These are not cheap actors. What studio is going to fund a $100M project about pool?

Well Fox, I think, did do this in the past with The Color of Money. That was a big budget major motion picture with huge stars of the time: Scorsese (Directing), Newman, Cruise, Turturo, Shaver, Mastrantonio, and Whittaker.

The film budget was $10 Million. Other films that had a $10 Million budget in the 80's were: King Kong Lives, Stripes, and Rumble Fish.

According to Measuring Worth - Relative Value of US Dollars at best 1986's $10million is worth $31million today.

Edit: That $10million figure was only for the film production. Touchstone Pictures (distributor) no doubt spent many, many more millions to get it in theaters and to get you and I to go see it!

One more thing
Why is it always the responsibility of Fox or Paramount to come out with this fantastic pool movie? I believe several regular posters have written much about the subject of pool. One even has a script written and ready to go. Instead of sitting around talking about what the major studios need to do, why not film it by ourselves. I happen to know there are script writers, video editors, photographers, and investors who post regularly on this site and are very devoted to the game of pool...We even have a celebrity with, I assume, plenty of connections in the film and tv industries.

The reason the responsibility falls on the major studios is the bottom line, MONEY!!!

Even a shi* movie with money behind it makes money. Notice that we all know who Adam Sandler is and he keeps making movies - they are all dog shi* for movies. It's because he has $$$ behind him. By now, we are all so saturated and marketed to, that we think he's good (yeah Happy Gilmore is kinda funny!)

Anyway, back to the point. The major outfits can advertise, market, and get the film shown (worldwide) to have an impact. A great (the best ever) movie that does not have the $$$ and networks behind them, at best will only be seen in art house theatres and hardly anyone will have heard of them.

 

[CrownCityCorey]

Tell that to those kids that made The Blair Witch Project. Tell that to Mars Callahan who made Poolhall Junkies...there are complete festivals just for independently produced movies. One of my favorite movies of all time, Primer, was filmed and produced independently with a price tag of 100 grand. The list is endless.

The only reason why an AZBilliards produced movie is not possible is inaction. You don't need the big studios to make a movie. There's more than enough talent on this site to do it.

Primer may be great and your favorite, but it has no impact and hardly anyone has heard of it.

The Hustler was also a major studio film.

 

[Stones]

I've always thought the best thing for pool, instead of a full length movie, would be a weekly sitcom along the line of Cheers. An old skanky bar maid, an obnoxious bartender, a house pro, pool groupies,a cast of railbirds and an poolroom owner trying to hold it all together.

Also, have real pros do guest parts as road players traveling through each week.

Keith would have to be one of the regulars on the show as a lot of people would remember him from COM and just because Keith is Keith. LOL

Stones

 

[Mike the Bike]

Nothing new under the sun....

It is possible that a remake of the Hustler will come about. It is not like it is unusual for Hollywood to go back to the well. Although knowing pool's luck if they remake The Hustler they will change pool to poker.

<-----hates poker. A lot.

This is so likely it's scary.

 

[Renegade]

I've always thought the best thing for pool, instead of a full length movie, would be a weekly sitcom along the line of Cheers. An old skanky bar maid, an obnoxious bartender, a house pro, pool groupies,a cast of railbirds and an owner trying to hold it all together.

Also, have real pros do guest parts as road players traveling through each week.

Keith would have to be one of the regulars on the show as a lot of people would remember him from COM and just because Keith is Keith. LOL

Stones

Now this is a good idea! Unfortunately, how many good TV writers (who IMO are what makes good sitcoms) are there that can capture the feel of the world of pool? At best, it would end up being exactly like Cheers, with the pool only serving as background....

 

[Drew]

Primer may be great and your favorite, but it has no impact and hardly anyone has heard of it.

The Hustler was also a major studio film.

That's why I mentioned Blair Witch Project. How about a couple other unsuccessful independent movies?

Reservoir Dogs
The Usual Suspects
Dr. Strangelove
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Little Miss Sunshine
Memento

Perhaps you've never heard of Stanley Kubrick and Quentin Tarantino. Both are critically acclaimed directors who produced their movies without major studio backing.

 

[SJDinPHX]

...as Peer says "put up, or shut up".

There may be others besides Joe Rogen here on AZB, that have a working knowledge of the industry. But before we start picking actor's, don't we need a best selling novel, adapted to a screenplay (or a remake of same)
Lots of work to do, and major $$$$$ to post on the light.

Dick

P.S. Speaking of Peer, isn't he involved in music and imagery. I know he has a very classy web site. and its common knowledge hes a pool degenerate.

 

[Mark Griffin]

i agree with 'Stones'

I have ALWAYS thought Cheers ina pool hall could be a great weekly TV show. The possibilities are endless.

Mark Griffin

 

[Stones]

Now this is a good idea! Unfortunately, how many good TV writers (who IMO are what makes good sitcoms) are there that can capture the feel of the world of pool? At best, it would end up being exactly like Cheers, with the pool only serving as background....

If you got Jay, Freddy, ironman and a few other ol' road dawgs from this forum together as technical advisors to work with some good comic writers, I think it would work.

Oh, the war stories that bunch could come up with. LOL

Stones