Superhero tale set for the big screen

Source: The Dominion Post
By: Tom Cardy

Cinema's obsession with superheroes is to get a Kiwi twist with a new movie to be shot in New Zealand this year.

The film will be based on Kiwi writer Anthony McCarten's 2005 novel Death of a Superhero. McCarten, best known for the hit play Ladies Night, will write and direct the film, a New Zealand and German co-production. Shooting is likely to begin in March. McCarten's latest film, Show of Hands, starring Melanie Lynskey, was shot in New Plymouth late last year.

The $2.4 million film opens in New Zealand next month after a premiere in New Plymouth on November 4. Show of Hands is McCarten's first feature since Via Satellite, based on his play, was released 10 years ago. McCarten said he was pleased Death of a Superhero was going into production so soon after Show of Hands. "I'm really excited about the fact. It shouldn't be 10 years between projects, it shouldn't be a year between projects ... "We are hoping to start shooting in March in New Zealand with an international cast and a much bigger budget [than Show of Hands]."

McCarten's novel, much of it written in the style of a movie script, centres on 14-year-old Donald Delpe, who is dying of cancer. Donald is a virgin who wants to have sex once before he dies. Rather than face the real world, he escapes into a fantasy world of superheroes and villains. A psychologist, Adrian King, tries to help the teenager, but instead becomes involved with his fantasies. McCarten said the film would have a strong visual effects component. He also expected interest in who would land the pivotal roles.