Setting the Tone for the Actors: “They played it as neither. I think they played it actually as a real character piece. I think what’s interesting is that’s what allows it to move both into comedy and action, because the characters are taking their lives seriously.”
A Different “Mr and Mrs Smith” if Nicole Kidman Had Remained Onboard: Nicole Kidman was the first star to express an interest in the film. Kidman signed on but had to back out when the filming of "Stepford Wives" made it impossible for her to star in "Mr and Mrs Smith." Had Kidman stuck around, the finished product would obviously have been very different. Goldsman said, “Probably quite different, as is always the case. You know, when you think about Ronald Reagan almost having been cast in ‘Casablanca,’ it’s impossible to imagine once something is fixed in celluloid – or very difficult to imagine once something is fixed in celluloid – what it would have been. (Laughing) For example, what would I have been with Brad Pitt’s looks?”
Akiva Goldsman on the Deleted Baby Scene: “We shot a scene in Italy. It was our 3rd or 4th reshoot and there’s a scene where… I’m not going to spoil it for you because it really will be on the DVD and it’s a cute scene. It’s about Mr and Mrs Smith and the little Smith.”
Bettany Signs on to “The Da Vinci Code:” Goldsman is the man responsible for adapting Dan Brown's best-selling novel "The Da Vinci Code." Very hands-on both as a writer and as a producer, he's looking forward to being on the set of "The Da Vinci Code" with his "A Beautiful Mind" and "Cinderella Man" director, Ron Howard.
Things are really starting to get busy as the start of principal photography on "The Da Vinci Code" draws near. Goldsman confirmed the major players are all in place. “That’s the last of the principal casting. Paul Bettany is playing Silas and that’s fantastic.”
Akiva Goldsman on “The Da Vinci Code” Script: “I’m almost never done with scripts. I mean, we’re certainly getting close to production. I believe that scripting is an ongoing process.”
His Thoughts on “Cinderella Man” Taking in $18 Million Its Opening Weekend: Goldsman wrote the screenplay for “Cinderella Man” starring Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger. The touching drama follows the true story of boxing champion Jim Braddock, a heavyweight fighter who gave America something to cheer about during the Great Depression. Reacting to the film’s box office performance, Goldsman said, “What I’m hoping is that people continue to see the movie because they like it. I don’t really worry about opening numbers, I worry about ending numbers. I mean, I’ve been very lucky in my life and career. Neither ‘A Beautiful Mind’ nor ‘A Time to Kill’ were ever number one and I’m very proud of both of those movies, and I’m very proud of ‘Cinderella Man.’
