Official News: Bad News!

[garry]

Here's the good news - Dallas The Movie is expected to be greenlighted by 20th Century Fox within the next few weeks with also an announcement on casting. John Travolta is still attached to the project but no official word until the press release from Fox. Filming is expected to start in spring/summer this year with the script by Robert Harling and Sacha Gervasi. Director is Robert Luketic.

Now the bad news - Dallas The Movie may not be filmed in Dallas, Texas after all. Co-producer, Michael Costigan has announced that due to a lack of financial incentives offered by the state of Texas, the movie may be filmed elsewhere, such as Florida, New Mexico and even Canada.

Costigan said, "Honestly, Dallas was never high on the list, because it didn't seem like a feasable, economic place to do the movie."

Negotiations are ongoing between Fox and The Dallas Film Commission to try and work out a compromise and have the movie shot in Texas but due to legislative laws, time is runnig out for Dallas to be filmed in Dallas.

[Tessie]

There's an article about the movie in tomorrow's Dallas Morning News. Said the film is expected to start filming this summer, but they don't know if they'll film at Southfork. Also, it said that John Travolta is pretty much a lock for JR; Catherine Zeta Jones as Pam, and Matthew McCanaughey as Bobby.

[garry]

I've always been a supporter of this movie because we cannot judge until we see it - the movie deserves a fair chance. However I would be a little disappointed if the film doesn't have the familiar Dallas locations, which could add so much to the production.

[JR_fan]

I've always been a supporter of this movie because we cannot judge until we see it - the movie deserves a fair chance. However I would be a little disappointed if the film doesn't have the familiar Dallas locations, which could add so much to the production.

I agree totally. it wouldn't seem like DALLAS when it's being filmed elsewhere. If they DO film at other locations I guess they won't even bother with a faithful recreation of Southfork and instead put a modern spin to it.

[PT Freakin' G]

I'm anxious to hear the casting. That is a bit disappointing that there might not be filming in Dallas

[ChrisSumnerMatheson]

Well i don't think they were ever going to use original Southfork or anything like it so I won't be too disappointed. I'm just glad they've made some progress. I think the three cast members announced are all very good if they turn out to be true.

[Sonya in Tx]

John Travolta as JR????

He wasn't a convincing southerner when he played the president in Primary Colors.

I for one, will not watch this movie. Grrr....

[eaejr]

Yes!! At least there appears to be some moving along with this movie project. It is a little disappointing that its not going to be filmed in "Dallas".

If true, I think Matthew McCoughany would make a great Bobby Ewing. Being a "Dallas" fanatic, I will purchase a ticket to see the movie as well as buy it when it comes out on dvd.

[CarlD]

Yes, the article in the Dallas Sunday 2-12 edition also said Southfork may be "too teensy" for the big screen.

It also said it would be a 2007 release. PRE-Production is scheduled to start in May of 2006.

[garry]

If the producers decide to film in Florida and John Travolta is playing JR Ewing, then the obvious choice for the new Southfork will be..... John Travolta's real home - complete with jumbo jet!

[eaejr]

Can someone (CarlD,Garry,etc.) link this article for us to read. I got on the newspaper website but I could not find it. I would appreciate it.

[Garrison]

I wouldn't expect it to film at Southfork. It's so drap and boring.

[garry]

Here's a link

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/entertainment/13819650.htm

[Sarah]

Personally although I'm annoyed at them maybe not using authetic Dallas locations..I didn't want them anywhere near Southfork, unless of course Southfork were to benefit from it!! I feel really funny about that. I find Southfork to be a very special, wonderful place - reserved only for the original show. I certainly don't find it boring - I've been 4 times!! Do they intend the Ranch to be the same Ranch as in the show?

Maybe it's a sign that it shouldn't happen? How will it work without the Dallas skyline?? On a more positive note - they can always insert images - don't forget much of Dallas was filmed in California originally.

I'm not really keen on the movie, in fact everytime I hear about it I feel a tad ill. I just have a horrible feeling it will not be successful.

(On a side note - really sick of hearing about CZJ - one minute as Sue Ellen, the next as Pam!!!)

[Possum]

I live in Florida and say, "come on down!" The land formations are very similar to Texas, so it would look authentic. There are some lovely ranches around the Ocala area, known as "horse country". More and more film shootings are being done in the Central Florida area, and we've always heard excellent comments from filmmakers.

John Travolta may not be the best choice for JR, but at least he is likable. Matthew McConaughey would be a great Bobby. Catherine ZJ, on the other hand, comes across to me as a bit too haughty and would be tough to root for. Since Pam is the key to the story, I hope they choose someone more fitting who the audience can identify with and, ultimately, root for.

[Jock Og]

Where is the spaceship, at this possible new Southfork? Will ET make a guest appearance? Dallas 'The Star Ship Enterprise'.


Pamela has returned home to Southfork, after seeing Digger. He had just gone back to his sister’s (Maggie Moynihan) house, from being in a detox ward, (a scene from season 1, 1978-79):

Jock: “Pam. Digger ok?”

Pam says sarcastically: “Fit as a fiddle.”

Bobby: “He’s over the worst daddy.”

Jock: “Well that’s good! Where is he?”

Pam continues her sarcasm: “You gonna send him a get well card?”

Bobby: “He’s at Pam’s aunt Maggie’s house.”

Jock: “Well if I can do anything at all let me know.”

Pam: “You’ve done more than enough already.”

Jock: “If it helps you to keep this up, keep it up but I have a feeling it doesn’t help at all.”

One scene later, Jock goes outside to read his newspaper. He hears a car screeching at speed and sees it swerving. A drunken Digger is in it.

Jock: “Barnes what in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Digger staggers over to the Ewing patriarch and says, “Returning gifts to the lady. There they are magazines, quarter books, jigsaw puzzles, whatever. Gifts for the poor and infirmed.”

Pamela: “Daddy!”

Digger: “Cease! I have business to discuss. Now Sir I refuse charity.”

Jock: “So you refuse. Now get offa this ranch.”

Digger: “I refuse charity but those things which are rightfully mine I accept.”

Jock: “Well now what’s rightfully yours this time?”

Digger: “Something there’s no doubt about.”

Jock: “What do you want?”

Digger: “Now you took my oil wells and gave me nothing in return.”

Jock: “I’m sick and tired of hearing that.”

Digger: “You took my oil wells and my money and my sweetheart and I never got a cent for them. Well that’s ancient history.”

Jock: “Well what do you want?”

Digger: “Money!”

Jock: “For what?”

Digger: “The only thing I had that you could get.”

Jock looks around at Pamela standing, with Bobby.

Jock: “Do you mean to tell me that you want money for Pamela?”

Digger: “Well she was a Barnes and now she’s a Ewing, just like the oil wells.”

Jock: “You’re unbearable Barnes. How much do you want?”

Digger: “10,000.”

Jock s******s while saying, “10,000, there’s a 100.”

Jock throws the $100 note at Digger. It falls to the ground. The drunken Digger picks it up and says, “Sold!”

[CarlD]

If they don't film in Texas, don't think they'll go all the way to Florida, but somewhere in Ca. where it's not hot and uncomfortable for the stars, like Texas and Florida summers are.

"Dallas" always did film ranch scenes in the second half of their seasons in Cal, and IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS they weren't in Texas, especially to someone who knows what the Dallas area looks like.

I think this will be something to attract a younger, hip audience and won't be the "Dallas" of the 1980's.

[JR-Fan #1]

I'm glad that there seems to be some progress regarding the movie.

I hope that the location will be Dallas and Southfork, but I wouldn't really mind if they shoot the movie elsewhere and just re-build that ranch.

I'm much more interested in casting.

John is not that bad, IMO! I mean, if there has to be another JR...hell...I can live with Travolta.

Matthew is okay. I think he'd be a good "teens going crazy" 21st century Bobby.

I don't like CZJ tho. I can't picture her as Pamela. CZJ doesn't look like "the girl next door-Pam" at all.
She is more of a diva.
Another thing: Isn't she a little too old for Matthew? She doesn't actually look like she's in her 20s, she rather looks like she is 40 years old or something...
Wait a minute...she really is 40!!! LOL.

[garry]

The characters of Pam and JR are the most important roles as far as casting is concerned - JR is the villan and the movie will be seen through the eyes of Pam Ewing as she marries into a new way of life. Can't wait to see who they come up with to play these parts!

[Sarah]

Is it your feeling then Garry that these two will be the two biggest names?