Burke and Hare: behind the scenes

Take John Landis, Simon Pegg and the true tale of two murderous labourers – and what do you get? ‘Burke and Hare’, the darkest Ealing comedy yet.

On a grey, wet morning in February, the director John Landis is sitting in front of a monitor in the stables of Knole House, Kent, gripping a can of Diet Coke. He’s talking – or rather, shouting – over the opening titles of his new film, Burke & Hare. It’s a retelling of the notorious tale of the eponymous Irish labourers who discovered the profit in supplying cadavers to ambitious anatomists and started murdering people to keep up with demand.

Landis says the film is a romantic comedy. ‘So we fade up to this shot of Edinburgh Castle,’ he begins, ‘although there’ll be lots of smoke and s—, and it says “Edinborough” or whatever, 1828. There’ll be lots of Scottish voices, saying things in Scottish accents. Lots of activity. Lots of arguing.’ A little boy darts across the screen: ‘There’s Oliver Twist making a guest appearance. Continuous action. Appropriate sounds. Directed by me. Cut, and then on we go.’

Landis swivels off his chair and stalks into the courtyard, which, filling in for an Edinburgh marketplace, is brimming with mud, vegetables, cows and glum extras, and is soundtracked with the honking of a flock of caged geese. ‘Why aren’t you following me?’ he shouts. ‘Come with me!’

Landis, whose previous films include The Blues Brothers and Trading Places is effervescent. This is the first feature film he’s made in a decade. But he despises the idea that this is a comeback. ‘I keep reading this thing – “he hasn’t worked in 10 years”. Bulls—, I’ve been working constantly! I guess I haven’t made a big regular movie. And people will say whatever they want and they always do, so who cares?’

Continue reading Burke and Hare: behind the scenes

Tidbit: Jonah Hill on Isla

– From a new interview with CNN.com:

And while there’s a long list of people Hill would like to work with, at the top for female costars are Anne Hathaway, Natalie Morales and Isla Fisher.

“I really like Isla Fisher; I think she’s hysterical and really talented,” Hill said. “Anne Hathaway is the best out there right now.”

Isla and Sacha welcome 2nd baby?

Following on from reports and candid photos earlier this year suggesting Isla was pregnant again, new candid photos have emerged that appear to show Isla has given birth to her second child! People.com has posted a photo of Isla, Sacha and Olive taking a stroll in London last Friday, with Isla pushing a baby pram. Reports are saying the baby was most likely born at the end of August/beginning of September. Isla and Sacha “likely won’t be commenting on the birth of the new baby,” a rep for the actress told People.

If these reports are correct, then Isla Fisher Web would like to send a big congratulations to the Cohen-Fisher family! I hope they get to enjoy their new bundle of joy in peace 🙂

New Owner!

Hi everyone! Isla Fisher Web has undergone a change in owners, so I want to introduce myself, Jess, as that new owner! I’ve been a fan of Isla for around 15 years – being a big Home & Away fan, I watched and loved her as Shannon on the Aussie soap, and have followed her career ever since. She’s kind of a face I’ve grown up with, and it’s great seeing what she’s doing in Hollywood now. I’d been considering making my own fansite for her, but when the opportunity came to take over this one I had to take it.

Mycah & Riikka have of course done a fabulous job on this site, and I hope to continue that whilst also adding in an extra bit of Isla ‘spark’ to the site. I’ll be converting the content pages to a new format (which makes no change for you, but makes it easier for me to update) and updating them and adding new content soon. I’ll also be working on the Gallery and probably splitting the Gallery and Video section into two separate places. I’m pretty sure I have some photos that aren’t already in the Gallery, so stay tuned for some great additions and rarities.

As always, Isla news is slow at the moment. For now, though, I’ve added a new photoshoot to the Gallery, which was taken for Isla’s Flare magazine spread last year. I love the fiery look Isla has in them!

Studio Photoshoots > 2009 – Session #009 x6



Wayne McClammy considers ‘Desperados’

Wayne McClammy, best known for directing the Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel viral videos “I’m F**king Matt Damon” and “I’m F**king Ben Affleck,” respectively, is in negotiations to helm Universal’s comedy “Desperados.”

The project is being developed as a potential star vehicle for Isla Fisher. Production is expected to begin by year’s end.

Written by Ellen Rapoport, “Desperados” is described as a female-oriented “The Hangover.”

The story is about a woman who sends an indignant email to her new beau, who has gone silent after they have sex, only to discover he’s comatose in a Mexican hospital. Panicking, she races south of the border with her friends in tow to intercept the email before he recovers.

Mark Gordon and Jason Blum are producing. Universal executive vp production Tracy Falco and director of development Maradith Frenkel will oversee the project. Shara Senderoff and Allyson Seeger are supervising for the Mark Gordon Co.

McClammy is repped by Paradigm and Beth Stine of Rain Management Group.

The Hollywood Reporter