The Wachowski Brothers' take on Alan Moore's V for Vendetta was the subject of a press conference last week in Berlin as production started. Stars James Purefoy and Natalie Portman accompanied director James McTeigue and producer Joel Silver.
The Web site MyMovies.net described it this way: "But what can we expect visually from a film that's based on images already burned into fans minds courtesy of David Lloyd's stunning artwork. Well director James McTeigue explained he intends to use Lloyd's graphics as 'leaping off points' and wants to give London a 'neo–futuristic' look that will compliment the dark tone of the script.
"Will Moore himself be involved? Well apparently Larry Wachowski has spoken with him and the hope is that 'V For Vendetta's' co–creator will take a more hands on role when the production moves to the UK. But one things for sure – 'V For Vendetta' is a one shot deal and there will be no sequel as Silver confirmed, saying 'This is it, it doesn't go past this'."
Meanwhile the official movie Web site features pictures from Friday's start of production, a transcript, a press release and bios of the cast and crew.
Meanwhile, Interview With a Vampire's Stephen Rea joined the cast in an as-yet unnamed part.
Here's how the plot is described:
"Set against the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, V For Vendetta tells the story of a mild-mannered young woman named Evey (Portman) who is rescued from a life-and-death situation by a masked vigilante (Purefoy) known only as 'V'. Incomparably charismatic and ferociously skilled in the art of combat and deception, V ignites a revolution when he detonates two London landmarks and takes over the government-controlled airwaves, urging his fellow citizens to rise up against tyranny and oppression. As Evey uncovers the truth about V's mysterious background, she also discovers the truth about herself -- and emerges as his unlikely ally in the culmination of his plot to bring freedom and justice back to a society fraught with cruelty and corruption."
V For Vendetta debuts Nov. 4, 2005.