Beastly

Film

Beastly is an upcoming 2010 fantasy romance feature film, based on Alex Flinn's 2007 novel of the same name. The film is written and directed by Daniel Barnz and stars Vanessa Hudgens, Alex Pettyfer, Mary Kate Olsen, Neil Patrick Harris and Lisa Gay Hamilton. The plot focuses on Kyle Kingson, a handsome man with an evil streak, who disses a classmate who is a witch in disguise during an environmental bash. The witch, then, casts a spell on Kyle and physically transforms him into a grotesque monster. It was ealier reported to be distributed to theaters by CBS Films on July 30, 2010. However, according to the official Facebook account of the movie, they announced a push back with an unknown date.

Plot

Kyle Kingson (Alex Pettyfer) has it all – looks, intelligence, wealth and opportunity – and a wicked cruel streak. Prone to mocking and humiliating “aggressively unattractive” classmates, he zeroes in on Goth classmate Kendra Hilferty (Mary Kate Olsen), inviting her to the school’s extravagant environmental bash. Kendra accepts, and, true to form, Kyle blows her off in a particularly savage fashion. She retaliates by casting a spell that physically transforms him into everything he despises. Enraged by his horrible and unrecognizable appearance he confronts Kendra and learns that the only solution to the curse is to find someone that will love him as he is within one year – a task he considers impossible. Repulsed by his appearance, Kyle’s callous father (Peter Krause) banishes him to Brooklyn with a sympathetic housekeeper (Lisa Gay Hamilton) and blind tutor (Neil Patrick Harris).

As Kyle ponders how to overcome the curse and get his old life back, he chances upon a drug addict in the act of killing a threatening dealer. Seizing the opportunity, Kyle promises the addict freedom and safety for his daughter, Lindy Taylor (Vanessa Hudgens) if she will consent to live in Kyle’s Brooklyn home. Thus begins Kyle’s journey to discover true love in this present-day retelling of the classic “Beauty and the Beast” story.

Cast

• Vanessa Hudgens as Lindy Taylor, the "beauty" of the story. Hudgens remarked that she fell for this project from the moment she read Barnz's screenplay. Hudgens' involvement was first heard in early April. Hudgens sported a 'messy' hair look in the early scenes of the film. She reveals, "On the first day of shooting, I would not stop fidgeting with my hair. I was trying to make it look messier and messier and messier and messier!"
• Alex Pettyfer as Kyle Kingson/Hunter, the handsome man with an ugly streak who gets transformed when he ditches a girl at his school. The producers released a statement that they were seeking a teen actor in the vein of Robert Pattinson for the role of Kyle. Pettyfer was cast in late April 2009. Pettyfer had gained 12-15 pounds of muscle for the role and had to shave his hair.
• Mary-Kate Olsen as Kendra Hilferty, the eccentric girl behind Kyle's transformation. Olsen was cast in early June, 12 days prior to filming.
• Neil Patrick Harris as Will Fratalli, Kyle's blind tutor Harris says "I'm the tutor that's hired to teach him things, and I'm blind. Therefore, I can't see his deformities."
• Lisa Gay Hamilton as Zola, the Kingson's maid
• Peter Krause as Rob Kingson, Kyle's father
• Dakota Johnson as Sloan Albert
• Erik Knudsen as Trey Madison
• Roc LaFortune as Lindy's father
• David Francis as Dr. Davis
• Gio Perez as Victor

Production

Development

I was very inspired by 'Say Anything.' I thought there was this kind of rawness and visceral qualities of those years. Being 18 and 19 and what those years are like. So, I wanted to translate that into this film as well. —Daniel Barnz, director of Beastly on writing the screenplay

The film is based on Alex Flinn's 2007 supernatural romance novel of the same name, and has been in production since CBS Films bought the rights in December 2007. In February 2009, it was announced by CBS Films President and Chief Executive Officer Amy Baer that Daniel Barnz would direct and write the screenplay. This is one of the first projects to be put into development by CBS Films. Susan Cartsonis is producing the film through Storefront Films, and Roz Weisberg is co-producer. Initially, the executives hoped for a late 2008 theatrical release; however, the WGA strike delayed that possibility.

Baer expressed excitement about the director, saying, "Daniel’s fresh vision makes him one of the most exciting directors of his generation. We are thrilled to partner with him as he brings his unique voice to arguably the most universally resonant myth in storytelling." Barnz anticipated bringing an indie sensibility to Flinn's story. "It's a very commercial idea that I get to tell in a highly artistic fashion," he said. Barnz stated:

There was this sort of hyper-modern version of this story and that it was told from his perspective, which we'd never seen before and thematically, because it's all about beauty and how you look and inner beauty that this was such a great story set in the teenage world and for teenagers, because it has such a great message to it.

In writing the script, Barnz was inspired by the films Say Anything and Twilight, keeping the experiences of teenagers in mind while still basing the screenplay on the novel. He "immediately fell for it, because I saw that there was an amazing opportunity to tell a modern version of this fairytale and I loved the idea of it." Barnz remarked that he was happy to see the story told through the beast's perspective and that it focused more on the romance than the supernatural.

Design

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Alex Pettyfer in prosthetics as the beast. The makeup includes 67 pieces, and 60 tattoos and individual scars in his whole body. It took 6 hours to apply the full-body makeup.

Pettyfer's appearance in the film mostly features him wearing heavy makeup and prosthetics. The prosthetics differ from what is described in the book. Having no fur or fangs, Pettyfer was pleased with the revision:

I was very happy to know I wasn't going to be furry. Question is, were you happy I wasn't furry? Well, I think the audience will be happy. This beast make-up is phenomenal. You're talking to someone who is a fanatic about it [prosthetics and movie make-up] and I've never seen anything that looks remotely similar to this.

The makeup was composed of 67 pieces. There were 7 pieces on his head, as well as 60 tattoos and individual scars applied following application of full-body makeup. The facial prosthetics and tattoos took almost three hours to apply, and to put on the full body makeup took the artists 6 hours to finish. Pettyfer commented on his 'transformation':

It really affected me because as soon as I shaved my head it kind of put me in this weird place, the same place [Kyle is in after his transformation] which really helped me with the role a lot. But at the same time, it kind of is a challenge because you are fighting personally with your own problems off set, but then onset you have a great resource to go to.

Tony Gardner and Alterian, Inc. were responsible for the design and creation of the prosthetics and tattoos. Their work also includes John Travolta as Edna Turnblad for the "Hairspray (2007 film)" movie, as well as the more recent "Zombieland." Jamie Kelman handled Pettyfer's makeup application from day to day. Hudgens described the beast's look as "crazy" and that it moved her in "a really weird and peculiar way." Several days before the announced production date, several members of the cast were photographed while headed to a wardrobe studio for fittings. The costumes and the wardrobes used in the film were designed by Suttirat Anne Larlarb.

Filming

Beastly is one of the first feature films to be produced and distributed by CBS films. It has a budget of $20 million for filming and marketing. Production began on June 13, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. and ended in August of the same year. The first clip of the official "Beastly" trailer was filmed in Chicago, shooting Walter Payton College Prep High School as Buckston Academy High School. Old Montreal and Laval were used as filming locations, as well as the Mount Royal Park in Montreal, which served as Central Park in New York and other outdoor locations. Local Montreal diner Place Milton is also featured as Cafe Santiago.

The Quebec government announced on June 12, 2009 that it was increasing its tax credit for foreign producers making films and TV shows here from 25 per cent of labour expenses to 25 per cent of the entire budget of productions shot here. Beastly was one of the film productions who chose to film in Montreal before the announcement of tax-paying increase.

Hudgens left for Montreal to film following the MTV Movie Awards. "I'm laid-back about it," she said. On June 4, 2009, Hudgens and Pettyfer arrived in Montreal. Neil Patrick Harris also went to Montreal to shoot his scenes, and at the same time, for his lead role in an independent film. Hudgens was the first to wrap shooting in order to promote the film Bandslam.

Music and soundtrack

The score of the film was composed by Marcelo Zarvos. Songs by Swedish indie band Marching Band will be featured in the film. The film's soundtrack will be released on June 29, 2010.

Marketing

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Promotional logo released.

The first teaser trailer was released on November 20, 2009 during the previews of New Moon. The 23-second teaser received reactions and comments from commercial sites. Annie Barrett of Entertainment Weekly remarks that "Alex Pettyfer is giving off more of a (Disney pretty-boy) Gaston vibe than the Beast here. A holographic poster was posted in some selected theaters before. The first official poster was then released in early April 2010. A featurette video which includes clips from the film was released in early February 2010. The full-length trailer premiered last April 19, 2010.

Merchandising

CBS Films has announced that Beastly will have apparel and accessories, social expressions and gaming produced for the film's marketing. Among the products planned are proprietary and co-branded games and puzzles for release worldwide by Fundex; figures and bobbleheads worldwide by Bif Bang Pow!; costumes, masks and accessories for the US and Canada from Rubie’s; and video games worldwide from Storm City, among others. CBS Consumer Products has rallied a number of partners for movie-inspired merchandise.

The latest signings include:

• Accessory Innovations for tote bags, wallets, bag clips, messenger bags, cross-body satchels, key chains and bookmarks (U.S.)
• Bif Bang Pow for figures and bobbleheads (worldwide)
• C&D Visionary for stickers, patches, magnets, buttons, key chains and (non-lenticular) bookmarks (U.S.)
• Fundex for games, co-branded games and puzzles (worldwide)
• Genki Wear for fragrances (U.S.)
• Hallmark for greeting cards and other social expressions (U.S.)
• Harper Collins for an original novel (worldwide)
• Jerry Leigh for fashion T-shirts and hoodies (U.S.)
• LTL Prints for removable wall art (North America)
• Philcos for fashion T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, mood jewelry, blankets, headwear, glassware, buttons and wallets (Canada)
• Rubies for costumes, masks and accessories (U.S./Canada)
• Rock Paper Pencils for lenticular journals, bookmarks, pens and stationery (U.S.)
• Storm City for a video game (worldwide)
• Scorpio for posters (U.S.)
• Sticker You for stickers, decals, static clings and appliqués (U.S.)

Release

Beastly is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for language including some crude comments, drug references and brief violence. Alliance Films, based in Montreal, will release the film in Canada under a deal done by Alliance and CBS films. Sony Pictures will be handling all international distribution. It was earlier reported to have a July 30, 2010. But, a few weeks after Charlie St. Cloud moved to a July 30 release, CBS films released a statement saying that they will be moving Beastly because it will cause a "real dilemma" to some of the fans of Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens' relationship, via Beastly's Official Facebook account. Due to this, fans became furious. Fans have called the announcement in a Facebook post "completely inappropriate and unprofessional" and said it shows CBS Films has a "lack of faith in Beastly."

Critical reception

It ranked #45 in The Times' 50 Biggest Movies Of 2010. Hudgens and Pettyfer are honored as ShoWest stars of tomorrow for their roles in Beastly. The film was screened at the ShoWest and it drew enthusiastic reactions from the luncheon crowd of exhibition officials.

External links

• Vorlage:Imdb title
• Vorlage:Mojo title
• Official website