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The Aviator
SYNOPSIS One of the 20th century’s most compelling figures, Howard Hughes was a wily industrialist, glamorous movie producer and an unstoppable American innovator — but he thought of himself first and foremost as an aviator. In this spectacular epic, director Martin Scorsese focuses on the most prolific period in the life of Hughes (played by Best Actor Golden Globe® Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio): the mid-1920s through the 1940s. It was a time of brilliant aeronautical invention, turbulent love affairs (including one with Katharine Hepburn, played by Cate Blanchett) and savage corporate battles. Prepare yourself for the ride of the lifetime of this billionaire, genius, madman. |
| About Howard Hughes
Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. (December 24, 1905 – April 5, 1976) was an American aviator, industrialist, film producer and director, philanthropist, and one of the wealthiest people in the world. He gained fame in the late 1920s as a maverick film producer, making big budget and often controversial films like Hell’s Angels, Scarface, and The Outlaw. As an aviator, Hughes set multiple world air-speed records (for which he won many awards, including the Congressional Gold Medal), built the Hughes H-1 Racer and H-4 “Hercules” aircraft, and acquired and expanded Trans World Airlines. Hughes is remembered for his eccentric behavior and reclusive lifestyle in later life, caused in part by a worsening obsessive-compulsive disorder. Hughes’ legacy is maintained through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He remains one of the most influential aviators in history. Relationships Katherine Hepburn Ava Gardner Jean Peters Kathryn Grayson Billie Dove Jean Harlow Terry Moore |
| Main Cast
Leonardo DiCaprio …. Howard Hughes |
| Movie Information Release Date: Fall, 2004 (wide) Distributor: Warner Bros. Distributor Note: (12/16/02) This is a coproduction between Warner Bros., Miramax and international distributor IEG. WB is handling the domestic distribution, with Miramax handling the marketing. Production Company: Forward Pass (Gates of Fire; this is director Michael Mann’s new production company), Appian Way Productions, Initial Entertainment Group, Cappa Production (Gangs of New York, Baz Luhrmann’s Alexander the Great, A History of British Cinema), Miramax Films, Warner Bros. Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio (Howard Robard Hughes, Jr.), Barry Pepper (Glenn Odekirk); other cast not announced yet. Cast Notes: (2/24/03) Page Six is reporting that Nicole Kidman may be in talks to costar as actress (and girlfriend of Howard Hughes) Ava Gardner. The only thing that seems to conflict with this scoop/rumor is that Kidman is likely to be very busy with The Stepford Wives when this movie is filming, as both projects start shooting in June, 2003. (3/15/03) As expected, Kidman had to turn down the offer, and casting continues for that and other roles, according to FilmJerk.com. Other golden era film celebrities that are being cast include Jean Harlow, MGM boss Louis B. Mayer and Spencer Tracy (who will appear in one scene involving the world premiere of Hell’s Angels and Errol Flynn, who will appear in that scene plus one other. (4/17/03) Barry Pepper is the first actor to sign on besides DiCaprio, playing engineer Glenn Odekirk, who built the Hughes HR-1 Racer, designed to be the fastest plane in the world. Director: Martin Scorsese Screenwriter: John Logan Director Note: 4/01/02 – This project was started by Michael Mann, who originally was hoping to direct DiCaprio himself. Scorsese will instead be at the helm, making it two movies in a row that he’s done with the star, after Gangs of New York. Based Upon: This film is based upon the early career of tycoon Howard Hughes (1905-1976), whose career spanned across everything from oil (which he cared little for), film, casinos, and aviation, as he turned millions of dollars into billions… Similar Projects: (4/1/02) This is just one of several Howard Hughes biopics that have lingered in development over the years. The other one that seems to have the most life would be directed by Christopher Nolan (Memento, Insomnia), with Jim Carrey playing the tycoon, based on Hughes: The Private Diaries, Memos and Letters. Other combo’s that have been possibilities over the years are: Edward Norton and his The People Vs. Larry Flynt director Milos Forman; Johnny Depp and his From Hell directors, the Hughes Brothers; Nicolas Cage and his Snake Eyes director, Brian de Palma; and finally, once upon a time, Warren Beatty as both director and star. Past movies about Howard Hughes have included (loosely) 1964?s The Carpetbaggers (an underrated drama starring George Peppard), and again, loosely, Melvin & Howard, a tale of his final, “crazy” years. (12/16/02) With Warner Bros. also distributing the Nolan/Carrey project, which covers the later part of Hughes life after 1946 (when this film ends), it’s possible that project may end up becoming a “sequel” of sorts. Either that or… the Nolan/Carrey project might just be shelved altogether. Premise: Focusing on his early years (from the 1930 production of ‘Hell’s Angels’ to 1946, when he was 41), this is the story of how young Howard Hughes transformed a small fortune into a massive one. The son of the Texan inventor of an amazing drill bit who died when he was 18, leaving him with 75% of the “Hughes Tool Co.”, Howard Hughes (DiCaprio) quickly moved to Los Angeles to become a Hollywood film producer, where he helped launch the career of Jean Harlow and other starlets, and producing such classics as Hell’s Angels, The Front Page, Flying Leathernecks, and Scarface (the 1932 original), eventually owning RKO Pictures. Hughes’ legend came not from focusing on just Hollywood, however, as he simultaneously branched into industry after industry, including aviation in 1932, and during WWII, defense, leading to the creation of the (infamous) Spruce Goose, a flying boat of immense size. After WWII, Hughes’ expansions continued, with an electronics company that was integral to the evolution of the satellite, and Hughes’ several Las Vegas casinos (though this film may be ending before he moves there). (5/17/02) Specifically, this film focuses on Hughes’ interest in aviation (see the title). (12/16/02) This film will also focus on Hughes’ romances with Hollywood starlets like Ava Gardner and Katherine Hepburn. Sexuality Note: 4/01/02 – Back when Michael Mann was to direct, there was a bit of a hubbub in some publications that Leonardo Dicaprio would be playing Howard Hughes as bisexual, as has been suggested in some accounts of his life (most famously, Howard Hughes: Secret Life, by Charles Higham). There’s no word yet about whether a) this was true or b) Scorsese would also go this route, but it is worth noting that the screenwriter remains the same, so the script may as well. Filming: Production is scheduled to start in early July, 2003 (originally scheduled for late 2002) in Los Angeles on a budget of $100+ million, with some filming also being done in Canada. Genre: Biography, Drama, Historical Script Reviews: Jeffrey Wells (positive and extremely detailed) Official Subject Sites: HowardHughes.com, Hughes.com (or rather, that of The Howard Hughes Corporation and Hughes Electronics; the Corporation site, in particular, has a nice biography section) |
| Trailer
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| DVD
DVD ELEMENTS The two-disc DVD release of “The Aviator” will inspire with bonus features including: Disc 1:
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Soundtrack
Track Listing:
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