I keep forgetting that Angelina Jolie is set to direct her fourth feature film, a bio-pic (sort of) called Africa (I hope it gets a name change). The project was announced last September, when Jolie attached herself to direct. It’s going to be a film about Richard Leakey and his battle with the ivory poachers in Kenya in the 1980s. The script is done, apparently, and Jolie will likely film this at some point this year. So, now we’ve got casting rumors. Who will play Leakey, the famed archeologist and elephant advocate? I’ll give you hint: the guy is sleeping with the director.
Oscar winner Brad Pitt is in negotiations to play Richard Leakey in Angelina Jolie‘s drama “Africa,” an individual familiar with the Skydance project has told TheWrap. Skydance declined to comment, while a representative for Pitt did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Pitt and wife Jolie recently teamed on her third feature as a director, “By the Sea.” They first worked together on “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” Oscar winner Eric Roth (“Forrest Gump”) wrote “Africa,” which is a biopic of Leakey, the famed archaeologist who became a staunch defender of elephants against poachers in Kenya in the late ’80s.
Jolie will reteam with her “Unbroken” cinematographer Roger Deakins on the project, which she’s also producing with Skydance’s David Ellison and Dana Goldberg, as well as Jon Peters. Production could begin as soon as this summer.
I’ve been looking through some photos of Leakey, trying to figure out what he looked like in the 1980s. He wasn’t really a handsome man, but it’s not a terrible stretch, looks-wise, for Brad Pitt to play him. My biggest concern would be that Leakey was born and raised in Kenya, which would mean Brad would have to do a Kenyan accent and Brad’s not great at accent work. I think a lot of people saw a British actor in this role rather than an American, but I don’t think that will end up being a big deal. If Brad wants to do it… eh, why not?
Photos courtesy of Joe Alvarez, WENN.
Ironically, both are terrible at accents.
Eh, that’s a matter of opinion. Many, many Brits have praised Jolie’s accent in the Tomb Raider films, Sky Captain, and in Maleficent. Her accent work in A Mighty Heart was AMAZING and such a complicated accent would have been a challenge for even Meryl. I’m not sure what she was doing in Alexander, but that may have been Oliver’s choice, not hers. Brad isn’t great most times, but hardly the worst- his accent in Snatch was AWESOME & I think got some critical acclaim. I loved that he spoke German in Fury- very well, IMO. I actually liked his accent in Seven Years in Tibet.
OK, I forgot about Snatch! That was good…
Angelina’s brit accent though — I’m not a fan. A good example of an actress who can do a great British accent is Maggie Gyllenhaal. I think Gwyneth’s is overrated.
@Jessa23, I have to disagree with you on that, I’m afraid. If I were Kenyan, I’d be worried he’d butcher it altogether. I mean, he admits himself that accents aren’t his thing.
That voice he did in Snatch – nobody else on Earth (certainly not in Ireland, which is what he aiming for) actually ever talked like that- he entirely made it up. He also totally butchered the Northern Irish accent in The Devil’s Own too.
Still, maybe it’s early days on the production, and they’ll make changes.
If I remember correctly, someone (may have been Guy Ritchie) said something about Brad being originally slated to play someone else in Snatch, but he ended up with that role because he couldn’t quite get the right British (gangster?) accent together. No matter, I really enjoyed him as Mickey.
her Maleficent accent was perfection.
The only person so far whose got our accent right in Hollywood is Leo in blood diamond.
Lilian, yes, I remember being so impressed with Leo’s accent in that film. Plus he was at his peak of hotness then, a very brief window, lol!
Esmom I don’t know why but I think he prefers not being hot. I think it bothers him because he thinks people don’t take him seriously so he actively tries to be less hot, which works.
@Lilian …
Did you see “Invictus?” Matt Damon’s Afrikaans accent was incredible. Then again, he has always been good with accents. 🙂
Not wrong there.
Brad’s accent worked really well for me in Snatch and Inglorious Basterds but i think that might have been because in the former he was supposed to be rather unintelligible and in the latter the character is supposed to be sort of cartoonishly over the top. I have definite doubts he could pull off a ‘serious’ accent. But I like Brad as an actor so I guess I’m open, I don’t think Angie would cast him just because.
Yes, he was great in Snatch!
Agree with you on both of those movies! He is at his best when he’s playing a little crazy (12 Monkeys, too). Not sure I want to see him as Leakey, though.
We can all agree that while these two are beautiful humanitarians- they are probably best suited as producers or directors.
I’m an anthropologist and I could not hate this more. I’m in the middle of one of the books written by their son, Richard Leakey. A documentary would be wonderful, but this… and they just want to call it “Africa”? Seriously, I guess they think that says it all??
Please let this die like Cleopatra… and stop using Africa as a prop for your egos, she’s been through enough.
+1
Please let this die like Cleopatra… and stop using Africa as a prop for your egos, she’s been through enough.
______________________________________________Errrm I don’t understand what you mean
I thought/hoped “Africa” was just a working title…..
What is your problem with the title? I really dont get it. If there is something that is identifiable with Africa , The Continent is the African Elephant.
@Paul
Because it’s just so basic, and doesn’t really tell me anything about the movie. Titles are really important, and need to grab your attention. A movie called “Africa” wouldn’t really grab my attention.
@paul my thoughts exactly!
@Paul
Well, it’s the second biggest continent on the planet, and this story takes place in just one country. Why not be more specific about it?
People in North America tend to think of Africa as some big homogenous mystery place, when it’s more vast and varied than Europe is. I think calling the film “Africa” panders to that sort of naivety.
I mean, I went to Africa in October when the Ebola epidemic was in full swing, but I was in *southern* Africa. I was faaaaaaar from the Ebola, and the travel restrictions were already in place. Regardless, people at home were all alarmed to hear where I’d been — they honestly had no grasp on the fact that Africa is BIG.
But the plight of the ‘African’ elephant is at the heart of the film … so Africa fits, doesn’t it? African elephant herds wander through 37 countries in Africa. Next to a Lion, what other animal is most easily identified with Africa? And no, you can’t confuse them with Asian elephants because a) they’re larger and b) their ears are larger and some say they are a similar shape to the African continent.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5YKBnGnXu8k/TyWOT_3BEOI/AAAAAAAAATA/LwcWENyvrfQ/s1600/1-elephant_comp.gif
Perhaps the title is meant to represent Richard Leakey’s passionate fight to save an iconic part of ‘Africa.’
It will be such amazing film experience as “Australia” 😉
+1
Why would a movie be so bad?
If you haven’t already seen this, Kathryn Bigelow just directed a documentary short about Elephant hunting/ivory poaching.
I’ve seen some of her interviews where she talks about the link between this horrific violence and funding terrorist groups. It was also interesting to hear that she chose to make an animated short because she felt the film had to be made ASAP and too many elephants would die in the time she would need to make a full-length documentary film.
http://time.com/3617282/kathryn-bigelow-last-days/#3617282/kathryn-bigelow-last-days/
Yeah. I don’t think a project like this should be going to someone like Angelina Jolie either. A more experienced and actual talented director would be a better fit for this. Oh and Brad Pitt as Richard Leaky??? Yep this is not looking good so far.
Exactly my thought. I know she’s a big deal in the Industry, probably a great human being and that she makes a lot of money, but I think she is not solid enough as a director. Not yet. She had an amazing story to tell (Unbroken) but I was not impressed with the result.
I’m truly disturbed that of all the great Kenyan conservationists Angie is chosing to highlight the white one. Dont get me wrong, his story will hit all the Hollywood tropes on Africa checklist. Lets see, white man who speaks the vernacular ergo good guy. One dimensional poor helpless noble Africans. One dimensional corrupt & violent African elite. And lots of elephants, of course. Cant have a film about Kenya without wildlife, dont you know. This sounds like yet another patronising wildlife film based in Kenya, I wonder why Hollywood hates us so much.
Also, if you were making a film about England would you name it ”Europe” or a film about the US ”North America”? Africa is a large, heterogenous continent and the word Africa is not a synonym for Kenya or Uganda or Nigeria or Zambia. Silly, offensive title. I bet the film poster will be the picture of a sun setting behind an acacia tree with that orange tint thats supposedly tells Western viewers that they are looking at ”Africa”.
Yes I agree. Africa is a continent, is full of many different countries, how can you all group them in one identity? The countries each have their own individuals cultures and uniqueness. Very stupid title.
I love how you described the poster. How much do you wanna bet she will use the a similar opening like in the Lion King for this movie? Unbroken was so unoriginal. She copied too many different things from other movies . I could spot degrees of Forrest Gump, Life of Pi, Saving Private Ryan, Chariots Of Fire in that movie. She is an unoriginal director.
What are you even saying? We should no longer have names for continents because it contains individual countries?
Now we’re just getting plain silly.
The topic is elephant poaching and its effect on Africa. Are elephants restricted to one country?
+1
@RED +1
@Red who wrote: “Also, if you were making a film about England would you name it ”Europe” or a film about the US ”North America”? Africa is a large, heterogenous continent and the word Africa is not a synonym for Kenya or Uganda or Nigeria or Zambia. Silly, offensive title.”
and @Angoles … who wrote: “Yes I agree. Africa is a continent, is full of many different countries, how can you all group them in one identity? The countries each have their own individuals cultures and uniqueness. Very stupid title.”
The film is about Richard Leakey’s fight to save the African elephant from poachers. African elephant herds move through 37 countries in Africa. Do you think poachers care what country the African elephant is in when they kill them for their tusks? Ivory poaching is an ‘African’ problem, not just a Kenyan or Ugandan or Nigerian or Zambian or Tanzanian problem.
http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/african-elephant
@Katherine
First, Africa is massive get that in your head. And elephants are not even native to most parts of it. Elephants are Savannah animals and contrary to whatever Hollywood tells you, Africa is not one big grassland. And second if it werent for how familiar the Leakey family name is you may be hard pressed to even find anybody who knows the guy in Tanzania, which is right next door.
Richard Leakey is Kenyan. His advocacy work was in Kenya. Its impact was felt in Kenya. There are many more conservationists who had a more continental impact but then of course, they are black so they arent getting a feature story on NYT. Of course.
It would make better sense to name Theory of Everything,”Europe” than it does to name a biopic about Richard Leakey, Africa.
Google “How to write about Africa” by BInyavanga Wainaina which so perfectly points out the ridiculous insulting tropes that Westerners apply to tell our stories. I can only hope that Richard makes sure that he is not elevated over his black colleagues in the Wildlife Service, some of whom disappeared and are still missing today, as some kind of white messiah. Richard was always insulated from the real dirt, because he was white, his connections in the West and because of his surname. But then given the person who is making this film, I expect nothing short of a white Jesus story.
“and stop using Africa as a prop for your egos, she’s been through enough.”
ha, agreed!
““Africa . . . she’s been through enough.”
Wait! I thought the complaint was that Africa could not be referred to as one entity because it has individual countries – but now it’s a she? Are all the countries female?
I’m so confused.
I agree with you completely. This project sounds terrible.
if merely going by these pictures:
http://sciencemadefun.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Leaky-Young-Skull.jpg
maybe Alan Cumming
http://www.achievement.org/achievers/lea0/large/lea0-019.jpg
maybe David Mitchell
speaking of which: elephant conservation? imperialist undertones?
i hope she will team up with Prince William’s Tusk Foundation, and then Angelina can hang out with Duchess Kate, and the twins can hang out with George and baby. ALL THE GOSSIP! my eyes are ready.
If you were a casting Director Nicole Kidman would never be Virginia Woolf and Charlize Theron is not the type of Aileen Wuornos.
Imperialist undertones? are you joking right?
Alan Cummings would be perfect!!
Yes, Alan Cummings was my first thought as well! Also, although they don’t per se look alike Domhnall Gleeson might fit?
Yeah the accent makes me nervous. He even admitted his accent in Snatch was because after months of trying he didn’t have the ear for the cockney and just said f it.
Cockney? He was playing an Irish Traveller, who are known for their deliberately unintelligible speech, intended to foil outsider interest. That’s why he had his boys to translate for him!
Hahahaha I love this line:- the guy is sleeping with the director!
🙂 😉
Ruh roh! Great off screen couples generally do not equal good project mates in Hollywood!
I’d like to see more of “District 9” Sharlto Copley, didn’t he act alongside Jolie in “Maleficent”?
Besides, isn’t there a saying that couple actors or musicians shouldn’t work together?
LOL @ “the guy is sleeping with the director”. Africa sounds great, I like the name and the subject.
Brad can’t do accent? Are you kidding? Mickey in Snatch..dags yeah dags, hilarious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQSnua3M2lo&x-yt-ts=1422503916&x-yt-cl=85027636
If By The Sea doesn’t live up to my high expectations, I’ll be disappointed. But I will see it.
I’m curious as hell to see them together on screen again. I could hardly wait to see Jolie in Maleficent after missing her on screen for 4 years. So Pitt and Jolie, please deliver.
I’m with you!
🙂
I’m guessing it’ll be interesting….Angelina described it as “experimental”. And Universal/Donna Langley bought the script/rights to the project, before “Unbroken” even came out and made money. But I see it as a movie that will probably make decent money (the budget + a little extra–“The Tourist made $278 million, and she and Johnny were so stiff toward another) and (hopefully) score with the critics. On EW’s article (when they released the stills from the movie), Donna Langley said she was impressed with the script because it was so provocative, and that she was impressed that Brad and Angelina would “go there”……..so we’ll see if it makes the cut.
As a Brangeloonie, it’s definitely going to be up there with “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”, even if it’s awful, lol. It’ll be like Brangeloonie Law–you HAVE to pay to see this movie.
By The Sea will almost definitely be interesting, even if its not good, I’m extremely curious about it, it sounds way more unique and original than her first 2 movies. I’m mainly just apprehensive about her screenwriting abilities.
@Catelina
Based on “In The Land Of Blood And Honey”—I don’t think she’s terrible, but I don’t think she’s a Emily Bronte either (lol, had to throw in my 2nd favorite author–“Wuthering Heights” wrecked me for days after I read it for the first time, and I used to read it at least twice a year, along with Jane Eyre for a good five years)…..there’s something very….efficient about her script writing to me. Which sort of fits in with her personality, I think (her handling all of her press, etc).
I definitely don’t see this movie as a couple hiding from their problems–I think they’ll be confronting it head on, and THAT will be their problem, lol.
And I recently read an interview with her (I think one of her Vogue/Vanity Fair articles from the past), and she said that she HATES reading scripts, and that she picks movies based on the story (and that Brad is better at reading scripts than her because he has to read so many as a producer). Which I totally believe. When she did “Tomb Raider”, she said she was talked into it by the idea of traveling, and the adventure of the whole thing.
@Virgilia
the loonie in me really wants this movie to be good, but based on the kind of movie she seems to want this to be, i dont know that her efficiency will serve her well. this doesnt seem like a particularly plot driven movie, but more of a character study, which means theres going to need to be a lot of rich detail and nuance in the script for it to work. on the other hand, it might lend a sense of structure and momentum to an otherwise potentially aimless-feeling story. So we’ll see. Its all very intriguing, when combining that with seeing them onscreen together again.
The title is giving me an eye twitch. I really hope it’s just a working title.
What’s wrong with the title Africa? yeah, its not the most interesting or original, but is there something else I’m missing here?
Good question. I don’t get the fuss about the tittle either.
Nothing says Africa like the struggle of
a white man LOL
Pretty much Lea.
They need to change the title, period.
Yes, there are elephants in parts of Africa, but it’s an eclectic and diverse continent with so many cultures and nations- it’s not just wilderness and safaris (I’m not saying that’s how it would be portrayed, i just hope the title is more specific than that, unfortunately there people who have no clue about the metropolitan cities and beautiful countryside/beaches there). Also, there are actual African archaeologists & animal right activists who’ve been doing what Leakey did since the beginning of time…
I would find THAT story far more appealing.
“Nothing says Africa like the struggle of a white man”
How about the struggle of the elephant – does that say “Africa”? And, yes, I know there is more than one elephant in Africa. I respect their individuality. 😉
Might as well call it Imperialism.
Actually, that title would suit a film about the scramble for Africa. Now that’s a subject, with this title, that I can get behind.
When it comes to Angelina Jolie’s work, everything matters and gets serious. That’s what you’re missing, my dear. 🙂
I won’t be able to watch a movie like this. Like Gorillas in the mist, that kind of dramas involving conservationists and cruelty towards animals leave me devastated. Like, there is enough “real” drama involving this issue, I don’t need to see it in movies too although world needs to be aware about them.
I enjoyed Brad’s accent in Snatch, but I’m no english speaker so I can’t judge. AJ has a especial sensitivity so I’m sure she would do a great job.
Me either, I find the subject matter too upsetting and depressing. I’m all for raising awareness and telling the story, but it’s one I won’t want to watch.
I would actually love to see this one. I don’t get the fuss over the title if it stays the same (but then again, I have no ties to Africa so I probably “can’t” get it) and I think any movie that raises awareness towards poaching and the ecological disasters happening anywhere is a good thing. I see some commenters saying it’s depressing – well, yes, just like war movies and so on, but to me it’s worth the discomfort watching to see it.
For the simple reason that unless You happen to be a very involved supporter of a cause, You (and I use a generic you here) won’t really know much about it… I fully admit that while I consider myself eco-conscious and have been closely following everything to do with the food industry, clothing industry and petrochemicals in general, poaching is not on my radar. Not because I don’t care, but there are only so many things I can support both financially and emotionally. I would love to be more educated on the topic. And I rarely watch documentaries, those would almost never register for me – dry and boring (for me) and non-fiction books are limited to my work related areas… but a biopic? Bring it on.
I also understand that there is some objection to the fact that it’s a “white man’s” biopic, but again, if it raises awareness, why is that a bad thing? I am sure there is more than one movie in a topic this huge, and other unsung heroes of any colour we can celebrate.
+1000000000000
“but again, if it raises awareness, why is that a bad thing?”. Sigh
You completely missed the point.
Title should be ” NO to Ivory”…
Dear Anjie,
People go to movies to escape. Even students aren’t eager to learn such subjects. Yes, we know the subject is serious, but I don’t see it being a huge hit, unless the topic is included in twist. Documentaries, even when they are made into movies, aren’t too popular with the majority of folks that go to the movies. Why not include the topic, but add an Indiana Jones type ambiance, mystery, drama, twists.
Even teachers have to make serious topics fun so students so interest. I don’t mean fun in a bad sense, but convey the message with games, puzzles, competitions, etc.. Make a drama/ mystery/ adventure, include the subject matter, but in a way that will bring in movie goers.
I say all this because I really care that, she has a great heart and means well, and Unbroken was an excellent topic, but it won’t make billions unless something else is going on.
Real stories are like reading the newspaper, and going to the movies is trying to escape the newspapers if for only an hour or two. By the Sea, I can already tell it will make more money then Unbroken and the Africa one, why it sounds like an escape movie. People want entertainment, that’s one of the reasons why robots, and fairy Godmother movies do well.
Entertainment sells, Tabloids sell, newspapers and documentaries, unfortunately are depressing, yes needed, but not big money makers, and there’s a time for those. I’m educated, but when I go to the movies it’s not about learning, but about trying to solve the case. Good luck!!!
Movie goes want to be challenged/ entertained, not go to school/ informed. Anjie, your not a journalist, but a movie maker. Make fun stuff, write the morbid stuff for the newspapers. Good luck…
Do you want to win awards, or do you want to make money?
I would go for the money, not because I want or need a big home, but the freedom to give. Awards are to show off, and would be meaningless to me. Can’t feed a country, or give to charity, with a naked gold man.
You need to chill a bit.. she didn’t write the book nor did she write the script. Since the film has not bee shot why are you so critical of something that has not happened..
if you don’t like the title or subject matter then go talk to the man the book/script is based on.
all this over the top critical analysis and the film has not been shot yet. some of you need to pull your claws in. You attack so early it becomes an agenda and not just making a comment.
Well let’s hope it won’t look like Unbroken – lots of animal torture and a little postscript saying “animals were fine and found their religion in the end”
Haha. God Unbroken was a mess. No wonder the reviews were horrible and she got no awards for it. I just love how she kept changing what the movie was about. She first marketed as a movie about forgiveness, then changed it to a movie about religion, to try to cater it to the christian audience. Louis religious views were barely shown in the movie . Lets hope there is no powerpoint presentation slide at the end of the movie telling us what happened.
I heard its not getting released in Japan. What will she to try to cater to the Japanese audience? That its a movie about forgiving Japan? LOL
The reviews were not all horrible. It still was recognized by AFI, NBR etc.
I do not think she will do anything to “cater” to the Japanese.
You sure are pressed.
@lily. Isn’t it funny?
I make a point of not watching films of people I don’t like. I even try to stay away from their posts (I sometimes fail at that, haha).
Surely it seems that some people give it too much thought. Really nitpicking.
Next Week Unbroken will be the fourth highest grossing War/World War 2 in domestic gross surpassing IB. Congrats to Angie, cast and crew.
I can’t wait to see BTS.
Stay Pressed LMAO
oh no !
Africa? There are doing a movie on the entire continent of Africa or focusing on a few countries /stories in Africa. Africa is not one giant country, it is made up of 50+ countries, all carrying their own culture.
I can’t even listen to JLO’s song on the floor: Brazil, Morocco, London to Ibiza, Straight to L.A. New York,Vegas to Africa. She does know she was in Africa, when she landed in Morocco right?
Just saying, people need to educate themselves and stop referring to Africa as if all the countries are exactly the same, have the exact same issues.
Africa has countries in it? Thank you, I had NO idea. Since when?
Could you explain how water freezes now?
i hope she goes with an unknown or up and coming.
I was kinda hoping that Ewan McGregor would play Leakey. I wonder if the people putting up the money for this movie insisted on casting Brad.
His accent in Snatch was spot on. All of us Irish cringe when we hear most Hollywood versions of the Irish accent. We, like most countries, have different accents depending on what part of the country you are from. Brad Pitt’s accent in Snatch was an Irish gypsy’s accent. It was absolutely amazing. He was praised throughout the country and the media for getting one of our hardest accents absolutely perfect. It was the most accurate Irish accent by any (non-Irish) actor I have ever heard. I don’t think you will find an Irish person who would disagree.
Since Angie, Brad and kids will all be together when Angie films the movie, so Brad might as well be part of the movie.
I want Sir.DDL for this leading role!!
I want the BIG name for this role!!
I just want to see Angelina work with DDL who is my no.1 favorite actor except Brad. 🙂
If this turns out to be another stunningly simple minded movie about a white conservationist’s brave and lonely battle against evil black poachers — with no history, no context, no economic insight into the relationship between the ivory trade and the China market — my head will explode. FFS does the story HAVE to hang on Leakey? Criminey.