Written by: Michael Hickerson (SoSF Journalist)
In a summer packed with sequels, sci-fi and fantasy fans can look forward to something fresh in August when the big-screen adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s “Stardust” opens.
“Stardust” is the story of a boy who pursues a fallen star that crashes outside in an enchanted realm outside his village.
Rupert Everett, who stars as a ghost in the film, recently promoted the film during the press-tour for “Shrek the Third.”
“‘Stardust’ is another kid’s movie,” Everett said. “It’s a fairy story, and it’s done by a man called Matthew Vaughn [director of Layer Cake]. It’s a really good movie, and I’m not just saying that because I’m here. It’s a film about the real world and a parallel universe alongside the real world. It’s got Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro, Claire Danes and tons of people.”
“Stardust” has an all-star cast, including Pfieiffer, DeNiro, Daines, Ian McKellen, Charlie Cox, Ricky Gervais, Sienna Miller and Jason Flemyng.
Everett said he has known director Vaughn since he was a child. “The director is someone I’ve known since he was 7 or 8 years old,” Everett said. “I’ve known him since he was a kid. It’s a beautifully made film.”
Vaughn adapted Gaiman’s graphic novel for the screen and co-wrote it with Jane Goldman. “I haven’t read the graphic novel,” Everett confessed. “But it’s a great story. Secondus, my character, is about to inherit the kingdom, and his brother pushes him off the side of the roof, and he comes back as a ghost.”
Everett wasn’t too thrilled about working as a visual effect in front of a green screen and not interacting with other actors. “I’m a special effect, and the ghost has fallen on the ground in a funny way, and my head is all splattered,” Everett said. “I was most bored standing in front of a piece of green screen in a studio. I know some people do it for months, and I did it only for a few weeks, but, boy, does it really get you down.”
“Stardust” opens in theaters on August 10.
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