Whiteout (2009 film)

Infobox Film
name = Whiteout


caption = Theatrical poster
director = Dominic Sena
producer =
writer =
narrator =
starring = Kate Beckinsale
Gabriel Macht
Columbus Short
music =
cinematography =
editing =
distributor = Warner Bros.
released = April 24, 2009
runtime =
country = United States
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0365929

"Whiteout" is a 2009 feature film adaptation of the 1999 comic book "Whiteout" by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber. The film is directed by Dominic Sena and stars Kate Beckinsale and Gabriel Macht in the lead roles. "Whiteout" is slated to be released on April 24, 2009. [cite news | url=http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=7099 | title=SDCC '08: "Whiteout" Release Date | work=ShockTillYouDrop.com | publisher=Coming Soon Media, L.P. | date=2008-07-26 | accessdate=2008-07-26 ]

Premise

A U.S. marshal (Kate Beckinsale), the only one assigned to Antarctica, must investigate a murder on the frozen continent within three days before the dark winter begins. She crosses paths with a U.N. operative (Gabriel Macht), also investigating the murder.

Cast

*Kate Beckinsale as Carrie Stetko, a U.S. marshal.cite news | first=Ryan | last=Rotten | url=http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/comicconnews.php?id=898 | title= Comic-Con '07: Warner Bros. Preview | work=ShockTillYouDrop.com | publisher=Coming Soon Media, L.P | date=2007-07-27 | accessdate=2007-07-30 ]
*Gabriel Macht as Robert Pryce, a U.N. operative.cite journal | first=Pamela | last=McClintock | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117961198.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | title=Macht lights on 'Whiteout' | journal=Variety | publisher=Reed Business Information | date=2007-03-14 | accessdate=2007-05-03 ]
*Alex O'Loughlin as a brazen pilot who gets in trouble with the marshal.cite journal | first=Tatiana | last=Siegel | coauthors=Borys Kit | url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i56b3e1536d8623e92239c57a3410fd43 | title=Duo warm up for Silver's 'Whiteout' | journal=The Hollywood Reporter | publisher=Nielsen Company | date=2007-03-19 | accessdate=2007-05-02 ]
*Columbus Short as a novice pilot who helps the marshal in the investigation.

Production

In November 1999, Columbia Pictures acquired feature film rights to the comic book "Whiteout" by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber.cite news | first=Jonah | last=Weiland | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=1677 | title=WITHERSPOON AND UNIVERSAL ICE 'WHITEOUT' | work=Comic Book Resources | publisher=Boiling Points Production | date=2002-11-05 | accessdate=2007-05-03 ] An adapted screenplay for the film was written by Jon and Erich Hoeber.cite journal | first=Jonathan last=Bing | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117875467.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 | title=U picks up snow job pic | journal=Variety | publisher=Reed Business Information | date=2002-11-04 | accessdate=2007-05-03 ] The script was written to have a male character star opposite the female lead, since the studio was hesitant on how large of a film audience that the original setup of two female leads would draw. By November 2002, the studio placed the project on around after a lack of production, and the rights were acquired by Universal Studios. The studio cast Reese Witherspoon to star in "Whiteout", which would be based on the screenplay written by the Hoebers. By May 2004, a second draft of the script had been written, and a director was still being sought. [cite news | first=Jericho | last=Wilson | coauthors=Matt Brady | url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12626 | title=BRU, COOKE, RUCKA: WRAPPING UP WONDERCON COVERAGE | work=Newsarama | publisher=Imaginova | date=2004-05-04 | accessdate=2007-05-03 ] Ultimately, rights over the film changed ownership, detaching Witherspoon from the project. [cite news | first=Jonah | last=Weiland | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9768 | title=NYCC, DAY 1: “WHITEOUT” RETURNS! RUCKA & LIEBER TALK | work=Comic Book Resources | publisher=Boiling Point Productions | date=2007-02-23 | accessdate=2007-05-03 ]

In October 2006, "Whiteout" entered development at Dark Castle Entertainment with production slated to begin in the coming winter for a release date in the first quarter of 2008. [cite journal | first=Jill | last=Goldsmith | coauthors=Pamela McClintock | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117951959.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | title=Silver slots solo slate | journal=Variety | publisher=Reed Business Information | date=2006-10-15 | accessdate=2007-05-03 ] Dominic Sena, a fan of the graphic novel since its '99 debut, had sought to acquire the rights to direct a film adaptation, and when rights were acquired by Dark Castle, Sena petitioned to producer Joel Silver, president of the company, for the opportunity to direct "Whiteout". [cite news | first=Eric | last=Moro | coauthors=Scott Collura | url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/808/808985p1.html | title=SDCC 07: Exclusive: Whiteout Helmer Chat | work=IGN | publisher=News Corporation | date=2007-07-28 | accessdate=2007-07-30 ] In February 2007, with Warner Bros. signed on to distribute "Whiteout", Sena was hired to direct the film, based on the adapted screenplay by the Hoebers. In the same month, Kate Beckinsale was cast in the lead role.cite journal | first=Pamela | last=McClintock | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117958909.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | title=Sena to direct 'Whiteout' | journal=Variety | publisher=Reed Business Information | date=2007-02-07 | accessdate=2007-05-03 ] Production began on March 5, 2007 in Manitoba, with latter footage being shot in Montreal. [cite news | first=Eric | last=Moro | url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/770/770138p1.html | title=WonderCon 07: "Whiteout", "Haunted Hill" | work=IGN | publisher=News Corporation | date=2007-03-03 | accessdate=2007-05-03 ] A set was also constructed on the shore of Lake Winnipeg. [cite news | first=Rebecca | last=Murray | url=http://movies.about.com/od/thereaping/a/silver040107.htm | title=Producer Joel Silver Talks "Speed Racer" and "Whiteout" | work=About.com | publisher=The New York Times Company | date=2007-04-03 | accessdate=2007-05-03 ] The film was primarily set in a bright world of ice and sunlight, an unconventional approach to the murder mystery genre. Both real and fake snow were used in production. The author of the graphic novel, Greg Rucka, applauded the film adaptation of his source material. Filming concluded a few weeks before Comic-Con in July 2007.

References

External links

* [http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=22878 Audio interviews]
*imdb title|id=0365929|title=Whiteout