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FIRST LOOK

First Look: Saoirse Ronan in Peter Jackson's Lovely Bones

by Alex Billington
April 19, 2009
Source: Empire

First Look: Saoirse Ronan in Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones

One of the other (besides Avatar) highly anticipated December movies this year is Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones, an adaptation of Alice Sebold's book of the same name. It stars Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Stanley Tucci, Susan Sarandon, and a handful of other great actors. There's a bit of controversy surrounding the production because Ryan Gosling was originally cast in Wahlberg's role, but left due to creative differences. Later on in the year, production shut down when Peter Jackson and his art director disagreed on the way heaven should look, which is certainly an important part of the movie.

The Lovely Bones is directed by Peter Jackson and written by Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.

The photo (obviously) comes from Empire, where they've been debuting an extensive amount exclusives as part of their 20th anniversary. The plot of The Lovely Bones follows Susie, a 14 year-old girl raped and murdered by her neighbor. From heaven, she watches her family deal (or not) with her death, and watches her murderer as he tries to hide the evidence. I don't think there's any question that this photo shows Susie in heaven, however due to Empire's excruciatingly large logo, I can't tell if there is something she's looking at off in the distance or if it's just part of the logo. I'm sure we'll hear a lot more about this starting soon.

Update: Another first look photo was revealed on USA Today showing Stanley Tucci - you can check it out here. Peter Jackson says, "I found the book to be curiously optimistic. I felt inspired by Susie's struggle to come to terms with her own death. In the face of overwhelming grief, she finds hope. She holds on to love, and by doing so, she transcends the horror of her murder." And as for that photo you see above, it's not exactly heaven. "It's God-less in the sense that when Susie dies, she finds herself caught in a place between Earth and heaven - she is in an 'In-Between'." When she moves on, they leave the interpretation open.

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Related categories: First Look, Hype, Photos

d

first. nice kinda sad
Timothy

Interesting. Does anyone have any idea what the budget for his is? It's obviously not a big blockbuster like LOTR or King Kong, but creating heaven has gotta take some money.
Sean

I've read figures ranging from 65 - 90 million.
Timothy

# 3 Mmmmh, it'd be interesting if the budget really is close to 90 million. I mean, a drama about a girl who was raped and murdered and is watching her family from heaven with a nearly 100 million dollar budget
Scott McHenry

I think she's looking at some red thing in the distance
Curtis

it would be a little shocking if it really did cost them 100 million dollars to make a drama, yes heaven should look good cause im guessing half the the movie takes place up in heaven but does it really have to look that good. Sounds like a great concept and with Peter Jackson in charge should be a great movie, looking forward to more on this.
janet

I've really been looking forward to this (loved the book) but I don't really like this picture.
Seductive Flamingo

I had no idea that is what that book is about.
Timothy

Wait a minute, _who_ plays the girl. NO way it can be Rachel Weiz, right, cause she's like, what, 25 or so.
Sean

Saoirse Ronan plays Susie Salmon...she was nominated for an oscar as the youngest Briony in Atonement.
Stacia

I've been looking forward to this adaption since I heard about it a few years ago. I read the book when it came out, when I was 14, and I absolutely LOVE it. One of my favorites. I'm really excited for this film, thanks for posting the pic/update!!
tacoscat

The subject manner is so difficult, but I really want to see what Mr. Jackson does with this.
Jaybear

I HATED this book. I don't think its going to do well in theatres honestly. I would say this is almost unfilmable. The ending was morbid too. Also VERY weird. idk this was one of the books in our book club during highschool and I regret reading it still to this day.
http://evilnik.blog.com evilnik

its funny to know that creating heaven requires money
Tahnee

This was an AMAZING novel, and I'm so glad Saoirse Ronan is playing Susie - she's a brilliant little actress!
kevin

she isnt raped lol it says nothing about that also i have seen the movie and i love it, she isn't raped.
James

Only way this movie cost sooo much has to be.... Peter Jackson writing off for Tax purpose, Guessing Actors over charged him too. But still he owns the Special Effects studio that did LOTR and King Kong. Still i can't believe this movie cost 100 million. Cost of film,cast,Special Effects,Marketing won't be over 50 million period. None of those actors get paid over 2 million expect for Mark Wahlberg. But like i stated Jackson owns Effects studio could have charged whatever amount he wanted. Movie studio and producers are dumb to pay that much and should have keep him in check. Haven't heard no buzz for this film and surely be box office disaster. Not saying movie is bad, but over charged! Would make same amount of money without the 100 million dollar price tag.