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A live-action Aeon Flux film has been kicked around almost since its debut on MTV - Elizabeth Hurley was often mentioned as a suitable actress for the role, but it seemed like one of the cool ideas which would never happen. However, with the announcement last week that Oscar-winner Charlize Theron has been signed up for a hefty $10m pay-day, the concept would appear to have been given the green light to escape from development hell. Filming should start in Berlin this July, with the aim a release some time in the summer of 2005.
Theron is an interesting choice; as a blonde, she never even crossed my radar as a possibility. But Monster has shown her chameleon-like abilities, physically as well as mentally, and at 5'11", she certainly has the height for it. In addition to Theron, Karyn Kusama has signed up as director - given her debut was Girlfight, she seems to have the necessary attitude [Michelle Rodriguez might have been an interesting Aeon!]. The film is to be written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfred, who co-wrote The Tuxedo, but let's not hold that against them, as long as they promise to do better here.
The premise, as reported on Greg's Movie Previews, bears a distinct resemblance to the original shorts which were part of Liquid Television: "In the 25th century, a rampaging virus has forced the remnants of humanity into the seclusion of a final city surrounded by a disease-proof bubble. There is great political conflict within, however, and this is the story of an acrobatic assassin, Aeon Flux (Theron), whose latest target is the government's top leader."
Mind you, some people seem less than happy at the prospect: the Montreal Gazette's Doug Camilli described it as "a brainless role", implying Theron was only in it for the money. Chris Gardner of The Hollywood Reporter sneered, "Stepping away from the serious dramatics of Monster...Charlize Theron could next find herself playing a franchisable vixen," and goes on to describe Aeon Flux as, "known for her extreme style, cool attitude and tight clothes." For some so-called journalists, it appears that 'research' begins and ends with the stills from MTV.
I do fear, however, that the beautifully impenetrable setting and narrative of the TV show will be dumbed down for the popcorn-sucking masses. Given the budget - uncertain, but with $10m to the leading lady, it's not going to be cheap - appealing to the lowest common demoniminator seems almost inevitable. So I'm not getting my hopes up too high at the moment, since the potential for another luke-warm heroine (hello, Elektra!) is obvious. However, at the very least, it should mean I'll be able to find a replacement for my cherished Aeon Flux T-shirt.
Source: collated from various
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