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The Iron Giant is a 1999 animated science fiction film
produced by Warner Bros. Animation, based on the 1968 novel The Iron
Man by Ted Hughes. Brad Bird directed the film, which stars a voice
cast of Eli Marienthal as Hogarth Hughes, as well as Jennifer Aniston,
Harry Connick Jr., Vin Diesel, Christopher McDonald and John Mahoney.
The film tells the story of a lonely boy raised by his single mother,
discovering a giant amnesiac "iron man" that fell from space. Hogarth,
with the help of a beatnik named Dean, has to stop a military force
and an egotistical federal agent from finding and destroying the Giant
out of paranoia. The Iron Giant takes place during the height of the
Cold War and deals with many pop culture festivities.
Development phase for the film started as far back as the mid 1990s,
though the project finally started taking root once Bird came in to
sign on as director and writing a story treatment, hiring Tim
McCanlies to write the screenplay. The script was given approval by
Ted Hughes, author of the original novel, and production continued on
a strenuous struggle (Bird even enlisted the aid of a group of
students from CalArts). The Iron Giant was released with high critical
praise (scoring a 97 percent approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes),
but was a commercial failure when released by Warner Bros. in the
summer of 1999. It was nominated for awards that most notably included
the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation and the Nebula Award
from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
Box Office for The Iron Giant
The Iron Giant opened on August 3, 1999 in the United
States in 2,179 theaters, accumulating $5,732,614 over its opening
weekend. The film went on to gross $23,159,305 domestically, making it
a financial failure based on US sales. Analysts at IGN feel it "was a
mis-marketing campaign of epic proportions at the hands of Warner
Bros, they simply didn't realize what they had on their hands."Tim
McCanlies felt, "I wish that Warner had known how to release it."
Lorenzo di Bonaventura, president of Warner Bros. at the time,
explained, "People always say to me, 'Why don't you make smarter
family movies?' The lesson is, Every time you do, you get
slaughtered."[7] Stung by criticism that it mounted an ineffective
marketing campaign for its theatrical release, Warner Bros. revamped
its ad strategy for the video release of the film, including tie-ins
with Honey Nut Cheerios, AOL and General Motors and secured the
backing of three U.S. congressmen (Ed Markey, Mark Foley and Howard
Berman)
Iron Giant Cast * Eli Marienthal
as Hogarth Hughes: An energetic, curious nine year-old with an active
imagination. Hogarth befriends the Giant and teaches him to speak and
tries to satisfy his appetite for metal objects. Hogarth hides the
giant from his mother, the townspeople and the government.
*
Jennifer Aniston as Annie Hughes: Hogarth's mother works hard as a
waitress in the local diner. As a single mom, Annie is somewhat
cautious over her sons activities.
*
Harry Connick Jr. as Dean McCoppin: A Beatnik, artist, junk yard
owner who "sees art where
others see junk". Dean has laid-back attitude and helps protect the
Giant with Hogarth.
*
Vin Diesel as The Iron Giant: A 50-foot, metal-eating robot that
enters Hogarth's life and changes everything. With eyes that change
color according to his mood, parts that transform and reassemble, he
becomes best friend and hero to Hogarth. He learns to use his strength
for good rather that destruction, proving to the world that he
recognizes the value of life.
* Christopher McDonald as Kent Mansley: A manipulative, ambitious
government agent sent to investigate the Iron Giant. With a secret
agenda to boost his own career, Kent is on simultaneously Hogarth's
trail to get information. Believing he has proof of the Iron Giant's
existence and eager to make his reputation, Mansley calls in the
military to protect the townspeople from the threat he perceives in
the Giant.
* John Mahoney as General Rogard: Military leader in Washington, D.C.
who strongly dislikes Mansley and his attitude.
Cloris Leachman, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, M. Emmet Walsh and
James Gammon all have cameo appearances. |
