Iconic director and cinema visionary Martin Scorsese has astonished both industry and fans alike by announcing that not only is he adapting a childrens book for his next film but that it’s also to be in 3D. When one discovers that the book on which the film is to be based is in fact the magically gorgeous ‘The Invention of Hugo Cabret’ by Brian Selznick its not quite such a surprise afterall. The book is a strange amalgam of lyrical prose and beautiful drawings that look like stills from a silent movie.
It’s subject matter any film buff would die for. Orphan, clock keeper and thief twelve-year-old Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric girl and the owner of a small toy booth in the train station, Hugo’s undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message all come together…in The Invention of Hugo Cabret.
The toy booth owner is based on turn of the century cinematic pioneer Georges Méliès who made the worlds first science fiction movie called ‘A Trip To The Moon’. At the end of his life Méliès became all but destitute and did indeed end up working in such a toy booth, so the story is based on much historical fact. The word on casting is that Asa Butterfield (star of Boy In The Striped Pyjamas) is due to play Hugo, girl of the moment Chloe Moretz (Kick Ass) is to star as Isabelle with the mighty Ben Kingsley taking on the Méliès role.
Filming begins next month and is due for late release next year.
