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[Andy]

A recent article on the Times of India suggests that Depp has demanded a huge fee from Warner Brothers for staring in the film. In addition, it seems the film is likely to be shelved by Mira Niar due to the budget concerns.

An announcement is expected from Warner Brothers next week. 

Here's the link to the full article
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_Buzz/In_Depp_trouble/articleshow/2566975.cms.

[Andy]

So what are your thoughts people? Do you think if Depp's costs are too high he will release rights to the film for someone else to star?

I have to say I'm quite dismayed by this turn of events - if they are true and are not refuted by WB next week.

Looks like those of you who disliked Depp in the role had good reason to - but for entirely different reasons to this! I didn't see this one coming.

[Matt]

To be quite honest, I don't believe it.

I do believe that Johnny Depp commands an exorbitant amount of money to star in a film and although I maybe don't agree with the figures, I do agree that being a Depp movie he'll single handedly bring in the crowds to see the movie.

In this instance, I would say that they're trying to stir up some much needed media interest for Shantaram and even though on the surface it looks like bad news, it can only be a good thing.

[KatieJ]

I was slightly worried by this report - however Matt has a good point. You can see this kind of orientated-turmoil in this Movie industry perhaps no more so than when a huge star like Depp is involved. Still, I'll keep fingers crossed for now.

[Andy]

Could be that Depp is out of the project?

I came across this report in the hindustan times website
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=05f11813-4a1c-4944-b0c0-1eed0af334ae&&Headline=Meera+Nair+moves+over+to+another+story

[purplefish]

I've just joined here, having finished the book and been absolutely blown away now totally obsessed lol however i must admit, altho i love johnny depp and he is without a doubt a brilliant actor, he never really grabbed me as playing our hero, honestly i cant imagine anyone so well known and mainstream in the role, i think they should go for someone completely unknown, specially if holding out for johnny depp is going to delay the project even further
ronda
 

[Infernal Lubber]

Haven't we already heard the director explaining that the only delay is due to the writers' strike? Otherwise everything is hunky dory.
I'm on record disapproving the choice of Depp as Lin, but I'm getting over that and I'm prepared to accept him in the role. In such cases (where I care a lot about the story that's being made into a movie), I strive for a certain detachment, and try not to care too much about the film interpretation however it turns out. The book is the thing that matters and that endures, world without end, amen.
Which reminds me: has anyone read Ken Follett's 'Pillars of the Earth' sequel, 'World Without End?'

[purplefish]

time will tell i guess, i just wish they would hurry up, im hanging out for the movie. pillars of the earth was one of my favourite books ever and i was recently given world without end but havent got around to reading it yet, however a friend with very similar taste whose opinion i trust said its very slow and 'days of our lives' so im prepared for disappointment. another example is the recent dragging out of retirement (not to mention death) of thomas convenant, also one of my favourite series of all time, but the latest effort is utter crap and an insult to the first six books (steps off soapbox
 

[Infernal Lubber]

Hey, fish, what do you mean about Thomas Covenant being dragged out of retirement? Are you saying the author (Donaldson?) has written another book?

As for 'World Without End', I didn't find it as good as 'Pillars of the Earth', but Follett spins a good yarn and it was agreeable reading for the most part.

[purplefish]

hiya lubber yeah theres a whole new trilogy called The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, first book Runes of the Earth, then Fatal revenant, which i plowed thru waiting for something cool to happen because i loved the original 2 series so much i felt like i had to read the new books, but really it was a complete waste of time and i was very disappointed. i havent started world without end yet, ill give it a go...have an awesome new years
 

[Andy]

Hey if anyone wants to discuss other authors please do so, in fact I'd recomend you start a thread in the literature & film boards or even in 'Leopold's bar'- as we like to call our general chat area. I think it entirely within the realm of this forum not to be exclusive in its orientation, only insofar as that which brings us all to the table is Shantaram itself.

I've yet to read Ken Follett actually, but I have friends who have recomended it. Maybe i'll give them a go.

[Infernal Lubber]

Ken Follett might be your neighbour, Andy. I'm pretty sure he lives in Wales.

I've read a lot of Follett books. He's good at developing tension and is also well known for spicing up the action with pretty graphic sex scenes. The books are lively and fun, but not deep, and in some cases a bit hard to believe, I've found. But mostly quite enjoyable. I'd recommend Pillars of the Earth above the others.

[Infernal Lubber]

Getting back on topic here, I see that Imdb now does not name Helena Bonham Carter as the 'Karla' actor. In fact, the info has been scaled back quite a bit, and has only two actors, Depp and Babchan. This I take as a positive sign, because for me, Bonham Carter is not and should not be Karla.
Somebody on the site suggests Jennifer Connolly, who would be much better for the role in my opinion. I wouldn't mind a complete unknown either, provided she was dark, beautiful, green-eyed and of course a convincing actor.