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[mm04]

Great teaser. I can't wait for this. It will be interesting since the Yul Brynner character scared the crap outa me when I was a kid.

 

[WeTeHa]

JJ Abrams?
Jonathan Nolan?
Anthaony Hopkins?


I am so in.

 

[Cornballer]

- HBO Drama ‘Westworld’ Adds Tessa Thompson As Series Regular

Tessa Thompson (Dear White People) has joined the cast of HBO’s upcoming drama series Westworld as a regular. Described as a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin, Westworld, from Jonah Nolan and JJ Abrams, is inspired by the 1973 feature from writer-director Michael Crichton.

Thompson will play Charlotte Hale, a mysterious and savvy provocateur with a unique perspective on Westworld. She joins previously cast Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Rodrigo Santoro, Shannon Woodward, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Ben Barnes, Jimmi Simpson, Clifton Collins, Jr., Simon Quarterman and Angela Sarafyan. The series is slated to debut in 2016.

 

[BlueTsunami]

JJ Abrams?
Jonathan Nolan?
Anthaony Hopkins?


I am so in.

+Ed Harris

 

[Jonm1010]

I really want this to be good. I just hope it isn't another HBO Hollywood name porn series that fails to deliver on quality.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

‘Westworld’ Extras Must Agree To Genital-to-Genital Touching; SAG-AFTRA To Monitor

Background players on HBO’s Westworld have had to sign consent forms agreeing to participate in “graphic sexual situations”, including “genital-to-genital touching” and posing “on all fours while others who are fully nude ride on your back”. SAG-AFTRA said it will have a representative on the set today to monitor the situation when the sex scene is being shot.

It states: “This document serves to inform you that this project will require you to be fully nude and/or witness others fully nude and participate in graphic sexual situations. By accepting this Project assignment, you may be required to do any of the following: appear fully nude; wear a pubic hair patch; perform genital-to-genital touching; have your genitals painted; simulate oral sex with hand-to-genital touching; contort to form a table-like shape while being fully nude; pose on all fours while others who are fully nude ride on your back; ride on someone’s back while you are both fully nude; and other assorted acts the Project may require. The Project will also include language and sexual situations that some may consider personally objectionable or uncomfortable.”

Push dat envelop HBO!

 

[Cornballer]

Hehehehe, I've been waiting all day for the Ratsky bump on this.

 

[chadskin]

SAG-AFTRA said it will have a representative on the set today to monitor the situation when the sex scene is being shot.

Where can I apply for that job

 

[yukonrye]

Sounds like confirmation that Roman World will be included.

 

[xxracerxx]

.

 

[The Lamonster]

Crichton is one of my favorite authors, and I loved the original movie.

This looks great.

edit: lol @ the sex stuff

 

[KingKong]

Reminds me when it was big news that True Detective s2 was hiring porn stars for an orgy scene that turned out to have as much nudity as an average cable drama

 

[RatskyWatsky]

Hehehehe, I've been waiting all day for the Ratsky bump on this.

 

[dead souls]

HBO: "We can't make a good drama anymore, but we can make a titillating one."

 

[Dan]

Reminds me when it was big news that True Detective s2 was hiring porn stars for an orgy scene that turned out to have as much nudity as an average cable drama

Stop thinking and refusing to jump to conclusions. Now is the time to declare HBO a pox on television.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

‘Westworld’ Extras Paid $600 For Simulated Sex Acts On HBO Set

More than 50 naked extras taking part in “graphic sexual situations” on the set of HBO’s Westworld today are being well-paid for touching one another’s genitals – up to $600, according to a source familiar with the shoot.

SAG-AFTRA scale for background performers is $157 a day, but sources say that adjustments bringing the pay to $600 are being tacked on because of the unprecedented amount of simulated sex the extras are being asked to perform.

Several background performers contacted by Deadline say they have never seen anything like what the extras are being asked to do on the show, and that it appears to be exploitative of the most easily exploited members of the cast.

“It’s very disheartening,” said one veteran background player.

“I was dumbfounded,” said another. “There’s been nudity in TV and film for decades, but I have never seen this kind of waiver before. I would be surprised if principal performers were handed a document like this. It appears kind of coercive. Background people want to work, and they will do most anything they are asked, even when it makes them uncomfortable. And when they’re handed something like this, they are not going to say no.”

UPDATE:

HBO Denies Racy ‘Westworld’ Casting Notice Came From Them

“The document that the background actors were given was created by an outside extras casting vendor,” said HBO today of a controversial day on the set of Westworld that had over 55 extras in the buff and taking part in “graphic sexual situations” before the cameras. It was not requested, written or approved by HBO, Warner Bros. Television, or the producers, and contains situations that we do not require of any actor. We are rectifying immediately the discrepancies in this vendor’s document with our actual on-set practices, which provide a professional and comfortable working environment for all performers.”

 

[RatskyWatsky]

Westworld is going on a two month hiatus so they can finish the final 4 scripts:

HBO confirmed the delay today, saying in a statement, “As we head into the final phase of production on Westworld, we’ve made the decision to take a brief hiatus in order to get ahead of the writing.” Individuals close to the production tell Deadline that they are told things will start up again in mid-February.

Source

 

[Aselith]

‘Westworld’ Extras Must Agree To Genital-to-Genital Touching; SAG-AFTRA To Monitor





Push dat envelop HBO!

Who doesn't love a good swordfight?

 

[The One and Done™]

HBO doing werk

 

[Cornballer]

THR on recent HBO problems. Of interest:

HBO is in a period of challenge. It hasn't had a breakout drama hit since Game of Thrones launched in 2011, and in recent months, it has seen several troubled shows go expensively into and then out of production. Those include the mega-budgeted futuristic Westworld, which was halted in December with several episodes shot but needing additional work. The series now might be pushed into 2017 despite an initial plan to have it ready last year.

Late last year, HBO stopped work on the pricey J.J. Abrams-produced Westworld, based on a popular sci-fi book series and with an enormous cast including Anthony Hopkins and Ed Harris. Initially produced with Warners' TV production arm, HBO took back control after what sources call clashes with creator Jonathan Nolan, whose TV credit is the WBTV-produced Person of Interest on CBS. (HBO usually makes its own programming but works with Warners on The Leftovers.) Nolan is said to be every bit as controlling as his filmmaker brother Chris. Sources say cuts came in slowly, scripts started running behind, and it became apparent that episodes already shot needed tweaks requiring additional filming. Since stopping production, HBO persuaded Nolan to "put aside his ego," one source says, and has brought in two additional producers and two more writers. Production is set to resume in March.

"Westworld is wildly ambitious — on the page and on set," says Nolan. "In broadcast TV, it's been routine for us to write and shoot at the same time. This is a completely different animal. As we got closer to the final episodes, we realized we needed to take a break from shooting to catch up on writing. HBO and WBTV have been incredibly supportive throughout the process. It would have been literally impossible to make this show anywhere else."

 

[Blader]

Damn, I didn't know they had scrapped the McQueen miniseries completely. What a waste.

 

[dead souls]

Damn, I didn't know they had scrapped the McQueen miniseries completely. What a waste.

At this point it's more newsworthy when HBO actually gets a show to air. It's not even worth getting hyped for their announced projects since they seem to have such a low chance of coming to fruition.

 

[shortsFortallPeople]

I wonder how much of watching True Detective go down the drain influenced them to take a chance and talk Jonathan down from being the main person behind WW and allow for others to help.

 

[LegendofDragoonLives]

Jonathan Nolan writing, in one other words top 3 best new shows of 2016. Probably going to be #1. Show us the light Nolan Jr.

 

[biosnake20]

THR on recent HBO problems. Of interest:

 

[karmaforgotme]

The article states they stopped work last year, but didn't they just start up production again on the final 4 episodes of this season?

Shame about the Fincher project. Still as long as I can get Leftovers Season 3 in 2016 I will be happy.

 

[ChubbyHuggs]

Damn, that 30 seconds got me hyped for this.

 

[LegendofDragoonLives]

Late last year, HBO stopped work on the pricey J.J. Abrams-produced Westworld, based on a popular sci-fi book series and with an enormous cast including Anthony Hopkins and Ed Harris. Initially produced with Warners' TV production arm, HBO took back control after what sources call clashes with creator Jonathan Nolan, whose TV credit is the WBTV-produced Person of Interest on CBS. (HBO usually makes its own programming but works with Warners on The Leftovers.) Nolan is said to be every bit as controlling as his filmmaker brother Chris. Sources say cuts came in slowly, scripts started running behind, and it became apparent that episodes already shot needed tweaks requiring additional filming. Since stopping production, HBO persuaded Nolan to "put aside his ego," one source says, and has brought in two additional producers and two more writers. Production is set to resume in March.

What the fuck is this? Welp. Well hype has officially fallen off quickly. I trust Nolan to make a great series, HBO on the other hand... I really hope they haven't changed too much.

 

[shortsFortallPeople]

What the fuck is this? Welp. Well hype has officially fallen off quickly. I trust Nolan to make a great series, HBO on the other hand... I really hope they haven't changed too much.

Given that the last time they gave a creative a hands-off approach we got True Detective season 2, i'd like to think the opposite, that they can spot a troubled production and try to save it before it's too late

 

[LegendofDragoonLives]

Given that the last time they gave a creative a hands-off approach we got True Detective season 2, i'd like to think the opposite, that they can spot a troubled production and try to save it before it's too late

It might turn out exceptionally well no doubt. But comparing TD's writer with J Nolan is a joke lol

 

[RatskyWatsky]

Sad, but not surprised, to see HBO continue to drop the ball. I guess we'll get Westworld when we get it.

The article states they stopped work last year, but didn't they just start up production again on the final 4 episodes of this season?

Production is set to resume in March.

.

 

[biosnake20]

Last time they talked about tax credits for Westworld they said they were still very confident it would make 2016. Hopefully they can pull it off. Or whatever just cancel it like everything else.

 

[wanderingprostheyltite]

Didn't know HBO had shelved so many projects. Thank Christ Twin Peaks didn't go there.

 

[iPaul93]

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/14/westworld-trailer-sxsw-2016

During his SXSW conversation with The Jinx director Andrew Jarecki about technology and humanity in storytelling, J.J. Abrams showed some never-before-seen footage from one of his upcoming television series that is the literal meeting of the two, HBO’s Westworld.

Last we heard about the ambitious sci-fi Western, the premium cable show had stopped production in January so that executive producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy could catch up on the final four scripts, with things expected to start back up in the spring.

The short sizzle reel took place largely in the underground laboratory of the futuristic West-theme amusement park. Anthony Hopkins’ character, Dr. Robert Ford, watches on as synthetic muscle fiber is printed onto a robot shaped like Da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man.”

Other synthetics are shown dressed as cowboys and drawing their six-shooters within containment cubes, and there’s even a robotic buffalo.

 

[Cornballer]

- Deadline: Lili Simmons Joins ‘Westworld’ As HBO Drama Series Resumes Production

Lili Simmons (Banshee, True Detective), has joined the cast of new HBO drama series Westworld in a recurring role. Production on Westworld, which was halted in January, has resumed.

A reimagening of the classic Michael Crichton film, Westworld, a mash-up a theme-park setting and animatronics with science fiction and Wild West iconography, is described as “a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin.” Simmons will portray Abigail, who works in the park and uses her good looks and charm to lure Westworld guests into the saloon. She is currently filming, having started her stint just as production was being stopped so the writing team led by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy can work on the remaining four scripts.

Simmons has been on the radar of HBO casting executives for awhile with her guest arc on the first season of True Detective and her co-starring role on Banshee for sibling Cinemax. She also has Wild West credentials with her role in the 2015 feature Bone Tomahawk. Simmons is repped by UTA , manager Kate Linden and attorney Stuart Rosenthal.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

Cool, I like her.

 

[Spikematic]

So in! Looks fantastic.

 

[awilliams213]

Every time I see this thread I hope an actual trailer is out.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

I guess that casting explains a lot of things.

 

[biosnake20]

Hopefully it makes 2016.

 

[Cornballer]

- io9 interview: Jonathan Nolan: 'Nothing That I Have Done Prepared Me' for the Challenge of Westworld

What was behind Westworld’s production shutdown? And is it true that the show needed to be recalibrated in order to get it back on track?

“No recalibration required,” insisted Nolan, who said the shutdown was purely logistical. “We needed to shut down in order for [co-creator] Lisa [Joy] and I to write the rest of the scripts.”

Everything is apparently back on track, and they’re in the final two weeks of shooting as you read this.

“This was strictly a question of our ability to write, produce and direct,” Nolan added.

“We came out of the gate very, very, quickly, because we wanted to get on the air as early as possible, and so we started shooting with only a handful of episodes in hand,” explained Nolan. And he soon discovered that this was a much crazier undertaking than anything else he’d been involved with—even the Batman films or Interstellar.

“Nothing that I have done prepared me for the sheer avalanche [of production requirements],” added Nolan. “The truth is, what we’re doing there is a 10-hour movie. It’s not really a TV series. "

“We’re doing a period Western, and a science fiction [movie],” said Nolan. “Basically, we’re shooting Alien, Days of Heaven and Unforgiven simultaneously, and then cutting them all together... It’s just a massive, massive undertaking.”

Nolan also pointed out that Westworld is “a period piece and a science fiction film,” said Nolan. “Literally everything you put in front of the camera has to be built, designed, [or] bought. So it’s just an extremely complicated show to mount and put together. The network’s been extremely supportive.”

Nolan praised the incredible group of writers they got to work on Westworld (who include Charles Yu, author of Sorry Please Thank You.) He said J.J. Abrams, who set the whole project in motion by reaching out to him and Joy about Westworld years ago, is not heavily involved at this point. According to Nolan, that’s just because “he’s a very busy dude.” Nolan is directing the season finale right now, while Michelle MacLaren is directing the penultimate episode. “We’re shooting some pretty cool stuff,” said Nolan.

More via the link.

 

[ezekial45]

Glad to see this back on track. I really loved the teaser, and they seem confident about what they've got.

Though I'm wondering if HBO is feeling super nervous about this show's chances, especially after how Vinyl turned out. Since Nolan said this was more like a 10-hour movie, I'm wondering if HBO will try to turn this into a mini-series event, rather than a series.

 

[berzeli]

“I’ve read a lot of bullshit about this show,” said Nolan. “I’ve read more fucking nonsense about this project than anything I’ve ever been involved in—which is kind of amazing, given how much nonsense I read about the Batman movies.”

lol.


Really hope that they're pulling it together.

I'm kind of tempted to give the original films a whirl. Do they hold up well?

 

[biosnake20]

An HBO show actually completing production? That's a sight for sore eyes.

Glad to see this back on track. I really loved the teaser, and they seem confident about what they've got.

Though I'm wondering if HBO is feeling super nervous about this show's chances, especially after how Vinyl turned out. Since Nolan said this was more like a 10-hour movie, I'm wondering if HBO will try to turn this into a mini-series event, rather than a series.

I'd be surprised if they made it into a mini-series especially with the money it looks like they're putting into it.

 

[ThePrequelsSuck]

This looks great, can't wait to see the whole thing.

 

[Dan]

Glad to see this back on track. I really loved the teaser, and they seem confident about what they've got.

Though I'm wondering if HBO is feeling super nervous about this show's chances, especially after how Vinyl turned out. Since Nolan said this was more like a 10-hour movie, I'm wondering if HBO will try to turn this into a mini-series event, rather than a series.

With this kind of investment, Vinyl's disappointment, The Leftovers ending this year, and Game of Thrones vaguely going into its final stretch, I think HBO would be very eager for a high profile, big concept show. If they turned it into a miniseries, that'd look like they had no faith in it and were writing it off, and making the next couple years even harder for them.

I'm sure HBO is as worried as with other launches, but Westworld has so much more built-in intrigue than Vinyl ever had.

 

[Cipherr]

“I’ve read a lot of bullshit about this show,” said Nolan. “I’ve read more fucking nonsense about this project than anything I’ve ever been involved in—which is kind of amazing, given how much nonsense I read about the Batman movies.”

lol.

DAMN! lol. Whelp anyways. Nolan involvement of any kind + Sci Fi of any fucking kind == day 1. GIVE ME IT!

 

[El Topo]

With this kind of investment, Vinyl's disappointment, The Leftovers ending this year, and Game of Thrones vaguely going into its final stretch, I think HBO would be very eager for a high profile, big concept show. If they turned it into a miniseries, that'd look like they had no faith in it and were writing it off, and making the next couple years even harder for them.

I'm sure HBO is as worried as with other launches, but Westworld has so much more built-in intrigue than Vinyl ever had.

Nothing screams hit show more than a series based on a somewhat successful movie from the 70s. Okay, that is completely unfair, I admit that.
I'm sure the show will be fine, the idea is intriguing and the cast is great, there is enormous potential, but I think they might have to work hard to sway the public. Then again, can't be less appealing than Vinyl.

 

[Dennis]

After True Detective Season 2 I am worried that HBO can't pull this off.

This is by far my most anticipated show. But I am concerned.

 

[Dan]

Nothing screams hit show more than a series based on a somewhat successful movie from the 70s. Okay, that is completely unfair, I admit that.
I'm sure the show will be fine, the idea is intriguing and the cast is great, there is enormous potential, but I think they might have to work hard to sway the public. Then again, can't be less appealing than Vinyl.

They don't need awareness of the movie to get attention. The sci-fi premise, the cast, namechecking Michael Crichton, Nolan, etc. If they feel the need, get Abrams to do his typical glorified PR rounds where he pretends he did anything more than set up the pitch meeting.

I don't think this will take too much effort to get subscribers to give it a look. Whether they like it from there, we'll see.