3D Tarzan Reboot is Ready to Swing into Production
Ryan Smythe ‘15 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
Joining him are Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, The Avengers), and Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained, Inglourious Basterds). Robbie is cast as Jane, while Jackson and Waltz’s characters have not yet been announced.
Directed by David Yates (Harry Potter 5, 6, 7 part 1, 7 part 2), it is slated for release on July 1, 2016.
After many development problems and a few casting changes (originally, Jamie Foxx and Jessica Chastain were set to play the third lead and Jane, respectively), the movie seems to be pushing forward into production.
Jackson or Waltz will most likely be filling the third lead role, seemingly that of the Hunter. The debate over the better candidate makes the casting very interesting. Would the movie flow better if the Hunter were a loud, philosophical gun-for-hire like Jackson in Pulp Fiction? What about a calm, methodical snake like Waltz in Basterds?
Alternative possibilities for each actor include the roles of Terk and Tantor. Details have been scarce, so a reprisal of the 1999 version’s duo may have crossed producers’ minds. While CGI animals might be against the film’s vision, Jackson and Waltz tagging along with Skarsgard for an adventure is an entertaining idea.
The movie’s summer release date indicates the studio’s confidence in its success. Slotting it in the week of July 4th lends some breathing room after the highly anticipated Finding Dory and cautiously optimistic How to Train Your Dragon 3 (both set to be released June 17, 2016), and pits it directly against Independence Day 2 and Angry Birds (both set to be released July 1, 2016). If production goes well, Tarzan could have a strong opening week and potentially hold momentum through July 8th, when an untitled Marvel movie is set to be released.