Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee) To Direct Movie about the Galveston Hurricane-Samwise's Big Storm

Cinematic Happenings Under Development (CHUD) ^ | February 20,2003 | Devin Faraci

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Plump hobbit actor Sean Astin has been interested in directing for some time, having tried his hand at a couple of short films and an episode of TV's Angel recently. Now he's ready to hit the big time, and has optioned a book that he plans to turn into a movie. And Sean's not starting small - he wants to tell the story of the worst natural disaster in American history (and no, we don't mean the TV show AfterM*A*S*H).

"I optioned a book called 'Issac's Storm' by Erik Larson," he told MTV. "It's a story about the Galveston, Texas, storm in 1900. September 8, 1900, there was a huge storm that killed over 6,000 people. It's the biggest natural disaster ever in the history of the United States. And I want to re-create that storm onscreen, and I want to tell a love story set against that backdrop."

Adding a love story to a tale of disaster? What a revolutionary concept! Look out, Cecile B DeMille, this kid is going places!

Whether or not the Savage Dragon appears to battle the storm is not known at this time

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I've read the book this will be based on. If Astin is as good a director as he is an actor, a movie based upon this will be outstanding. The story in the book, "Issac's Storm", is absolutely wrenching.

BTW, Mr. Astin is a conservative who supports the President.

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PING! This looked interesting, and worthy of a post. looks like one to check out, should it ever get made.

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Photo posted with article:

Sean Astin

Sure doesn't look like Sam any more, does he?

[HairOfTheDog]

Sure, I will check it out!

Did you see his little short film about teamwork, "The Long and Short of it"?

You will recognize some of the players, if you have watched the Special Features on the FoTR DVD.

The Long and Short of it (To Download page)
It's about 5 minutes long, and you can download variable resolutions, depending on your connection and patience.

[HairOfTheDog]

Sure, I will check it out!

Did you see his little short film about teamwork, "The Long and Short of it"?

You will recognize some of the players, if you have watched the Special Features on the FoTR DVD.

The Long and Short of it (To Download page)
It's about 5 minutes long, and you can download variable resolutions, depending on your connection and patience.

[HairOfTheDog]

oooops


oooops

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Thanks, I'll give it a look-see.

This article is good news, especially for Texican history buffs. I'm presupposing that Mr. Astin learned a thing or two at Peter Jackson's knee.

[2Jedismom]

When I was in junior high...long long ago, a very old woman came to our class and told about the 1900 storm. She was just a little girl then, very young and she said the storm literally swept her and her family out to sea. She was rescued from a pile of debris that she was floating on. He mother's body was part of the debris pile.

It was horrible.

[2Jedismom]

I grew up in Alvin.

I'd be very interested in seeing this movie.

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Yeah, that's about what the book is like, only on a MUCH larger scale. Certainly, such a tragedy deserves a respectable film treatment, and having seen Mr. Astin's short film a minute ago, I feel confident in his abilities. It was wonderful!

I liked the Peter Jackson cameo, too.

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Have you read the book?

[2Jedismom]

No I haven't! I'll have to. It sounds great.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Isn't that the storm where all the coffins floated up out of the cemetaries?

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It is. It sort of reminded me of "The Perfect Storm", but it got a bit more personal. It WAS harrowing, however. The carnage must have been unbelievable.

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That, and then some. It was pretty bad. I couldn't really do it justice in words.

[Ditter]

I have not heard about this movie. I hope they do it. My grandfather survived this storm & I grew up on stories about it. The things I heard from my GF are the same as the accounts in the book Issac's Storm.

[Ditter]

I lived in Angleton from 1963 to 1979. (then i was able to escape)

[Mamzelle]

Cool! Will be interested to see where it will be filmed. Wonder if he'll use the miniatures artists from WETA? The setting will be tough...could try Charleston, SC, maybe some New Orleans as well as what's left of Old Galveston.