John Cleese Joins Keanu Reeves on The Day the Earth Stood Still

“Hey, little girl. Want to buy a lemur?”

One film that no one around here seems curious about sans me is December’s remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still. I’ve read some recent interviews with Keanu Reeves and he seems to think this movie is going to drastically change the world for the better. Not only do I like sci-fi films that are crazily ambitious, I dig them even when they fail miserably. Unlike most, I am glad to live in a world where a $75 million Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000 gets the green light, complete with a star push on Oprah. And I want to see Keanu land on Earth in a UFO as an alien named Klaatu, even if he’s not wearing a suit accessorized with giant, rubber appendages. Even if it’s just Keanu in an American Apparel hoodie, I want to see that movie. Bring it on, like Dunst.

To a cast that also includes Oscar Winner Kathy Bates, Oscar Winner Jennifer Connelly, and Afro Winner Jaden Smith, we can now add A Fish Called Wanda’s John Cleese. The Monty Python legend will play a physicist named Dr. Barnhardt who is pivotal in communicating to the world why Klaatu’s arrival on Earth is important. If you’ve never seen the 1951 original film, Klaatu tells humankind that unless we stop the violence, the E.T. peace keepers of which he is a member will destroy the planet. Wow, thanks Klaatu, you sound like every Earth-bound warlord ever.

On IMDB, it says that in the film “Laptop Woman” will be played by actress Alison Down. Now I can sleep soundly. In related news, did any /Film readers purchase a MacBook Air yet? Heard they are kind of womp womp, but I still might pillage my bank account anyway.

Jaden Smith Joins The Day the Earth Stood Still Cast<

Jaden Smith Joins The Day the Earth Stood Still Cast
January 15, 2008
Source: Hollywood Reporter
by Alex Billington

One of the most interesting casting announcements has just hit and it's making the rounds as big news, something which only the Smith family could pull off. 9-year-old Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, son of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, has been cast in The Day the Earth Stood Still as 8-year-old Jacob. He joins alongside of Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, who plays his mother Helen Benson, Kathy Bates and Jon Hamm. Is this still the most hated Hollywood remake or has it finally gained some credibility casting lil' Jaden?

The Day the Earth Stood Still is a "contemporary reinvention", as it's now being officially referred to, of the 1951 classic sci-fi thriller, and is being directed by Scott Derrickson (of The Exorcism of Emily Rose). Jaden, who you may remember from The Pursuit of Happyness, will play the rebellious Jacob, the stepson of scientist Helen Benson (played Jennifer Connelly) who first makes contact with the humanoid alien Klaatu (played by Keanu Reeves). Jacob and stepmother Helen get caught up in Klaatu's mission, coming to understand the ramifications of his being a self-described "friend to the Earth."

Back when the news of this remake first broke, the reaction was tremendously negative. I don't think anyone thought it was a good idea. However, as this has been developing, things have honestly started to sound a bit better. Keanu Reeves, well, let's not talk about him. But Jennifer Connelly and now Jaden Smith, both of them are great casting choices. Am I wrong? Unless the trailer looks terrible, I'm still fully interested in this.

Jaden Smith Joins Cast Of The Day The Earth Stood Still

January 15th, 2008 by Lucy

Following in his daddy’s footsteps, Jaden Smith is set to go sci-fi as he’s joined the cast of The Day The Earth Stood Still. I wonder if mini-smith will be handing out scientology cards on set like his daddy? Smith will join a cast which already consists of Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Kathy Bates and Jon Hamm.

Jaden’s character has been describes as “the rebellious Jacob, the 8-year-old stepson of scientist Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) who first makes contact with the humanoid alien Klaatu (Keanu Reeves)”

Jaden Smith is a fantastic little actor, he won me over in The Pursuit of Happyness and I’m sure he’ll be brilliant in the film.

The Day The Earth Stood Still is being directed by Scott Derickson and will hit theaters in late 2008.

Will Smith's son down to "Earth" for sci-fi redo

By Leslie Simmons

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Will Smith's 9-year-old son has landed a part in Fox's remake of the sci-fi thriller "The Day the Earth Stood Still."

Jaden Smith will play Jacob, the rebellious 8-year-old stepson of scientist Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) who first makes contact with the humanoid alien Klaatu (Keanu Reeves). Kathy Bates and newly anointed Golden Globe winner Jon Hamm ("Mad Men") also star.

Klaatu's arrival on Earth triggers a global upheaval as governments and scientists race to unravel the mystery behind his appearance. Jacob and Helen get caught up in Klaatu's mission, coming to understand the ramifications of his being a self-described "friend to the Earth."

Scott Derrickson directs the contemporary reinvention of the original 1951 movie. It is filming in Vancouver.

Jaden Smith co-starred in 2006 with his father in "The Pursuit of Happyness," for which he won a Teen Choice Award and an MTV Movie Award.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Stars in Orbit: Ryan, Ricci, Lopez and Gunn

FLY GUYS: Keanu Reeves, waiting in American Airlines’ Admirals Club lounge at Los Angeles International Airport at the same time as Willie Nelson.