Tarzan (2016 film)

Plot

It has been years since the man once known as Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgard) left the jungles of Africa behind for a gentrified life in London as John Clayton III, Lord Greystoke, with his beloved wife, Jane Porter (Margot Robbie) at his side. Now, he has been invited back to the Congo to serve as a trade emissary of Parliament, unaware that he is a pawn in a deadly convergence of greed and revenge, masterminded by the Belgian Captain Rom (Christoph Waltz).

Cast

Development

In June 2003, John August was paid to adapt/pen a modern day live-action big-budget feature version of Tarzan for Warner Bros. and Jerry Weintraub Productions On December 14, 2006, it was announced that Warner Bros. is developing a Tarzan film with the fictional character Tarzan created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jerry Weintraub will produce the film, Guillermo del Toro will direct the film while John Collee will write the script of the film. On September 2, 2008, Variety reported that director Stephen Sommers is in negotiations to direct the film, hell also co-write the film with Stuart Beattie. Later on December 3, 2008, Entertainment Weekly posted that the film will be most like Pirates of the Caribbean style. In July 2009, writer Beattie talked about Tarzan which he was working on, he said the film will be "big romantic action-adventure film" and it would involve parkour and other high energy action. Later in October 2010, news confirmed that Sommers, who was expecting to direct the film, has left the Tarzan film project. The project was on paused after Sommers left but later On May 6, 2011, Warner Bros. again started the development of the film, the studio hired two writers Craig Brewer and Adam Cozad to pen separate drafts of the script. On June 2, 2011 it Brewer confirmed that, he will re-write and direct the Tarzan film. In October 2011, Brewer was asked about the Tarzan trilogy, but he denied of it, and he has given the script to the studio. On June 18, 2012, David Yates, Gary Ross and Susanna White were circling around the director seat for Warner Bros. Tarzan. On August 1, 2012, it was in the news that director David Yates is in final talks to direct the Tarzan film. Later on November 7, 2012 David Yates confirmed that hell direct the film. On April 10, 2013 Deadline reported that the studio has shut down the production of the film this year due to high budget, and they will try again to start the production in 2014. In December 2013 the studio was reportedly close to give the film a green light. On February 11, 2014 Warner Bros. set the July 1, 2016 as a worldwide release date for the 3D film which has officially begun pre-production. Village Roadshow Pictures had a deal with WB to co-finance the film. An official synopsis was revealed along with some crew which includes director of photography Henry Braham, production designer Stuart Craig, editor Mark Day, and costume designer Ruth Myers would be collaborating with Yates behind the scenes.

Casting

On August 12, 2012, swimmer Michael Phelps was reportedly in talks to join the film to play lead as his debut to showbiz career. On November 7, 2012, the studio was eyeing Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill and Charlie Hunnam to play the title role in the film. On November 14, 2012, Alexander Skarsgard was added to the cast by the choice of director Yates, hell play the title role, while Samuel L. Jackson was also being eyed to play Williams in the film. On March 6, 2013, Yates wanted Jessica Chastain to play the female lead role as Jane Porter. On September 26, 2013, Christoph Waltz was in talks to play as a villain in the film; he was later cast as a Belgian soldier named Captain Rom who attempts to capture Tarzan in exchange for a ransom in diamonds.

The studio had eyes on Margot Robbie and Emma Stone to play the female lead character Jane Porter. On January 18, 2014, Robbie was confirmed to play the female lead as Jane in the Tarzan film along with Skarsgard, beating Stone to this role. On June 4, Djimon Hounsou was set to play Chief Mbonga in the film. On June 17, Osy Ikhile was added to the cast to play a supporting role but the character wasnt announced. Ella Purnell was cast as young Jane Porter. Casper Crump was cast to play Captain Kerchover.

Filming

The principal photography on the film commenced on June 30, 2014 at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, UK. The filming had begun on the day announcement was made for the expansion of the studio. The filming wrapped-up the same year on October 3.

Release

Warner Bros. has set the film for a July 1, 2016 release in traditional releases,3D and IMAX 3D.