Mike Fleming sent the websphere into orgasmic spasms of geek delight last night by reporting on Universal's long-awaited commitment to finance
Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's horror yarn
At The Mountains of Madness, which we are told is definitely his next movie. It begins pre-production in weeks and films Summer 2011. Good for del Toro, he deserves it. This is his Rosebud, his Holy Grail. In a way every story he has ever told has been to elevate himself to a point where he could helm this book and for those who love his real-world, R-Rated, horror fantasy films
The Devil's Backbone and
Pan's Labyrinth - boy, I can't imagine this film not being at the top of your future must-see lists right now. As everyone is saying, Del Toro owes a great debt to
James Cameron, who has jumped on board as producer on the 3D movie. Universal had been humming and harring for three years on whether to give Del Toro the
$130 million he needed to make an
Alien-sized tentpole horror, and there's no doubt in my mind
he would never have been given the money without the most profitable director of all time backing him. It also of course means Del Toro's unique vision - which includes the period 1930's Antarctica setting, it's R-Rated gore, no love interest and downer ending is likely to be secure.