On the basis of the poll we conducted, most of you are very keen on the Cloud Atlas rumour having some truth to it. I’ve poked around a bit but haven’t been able to find anything that backs up the rumour or contradicts it. We’ll just have to wait and see.

In the mean time, here are two links that talk a bit about the rumour.
411mania…

I am a big fan of Tom Tykwer’s work, from Run Lola Run to his segment on Paris, je T’aime. I am skeptical of The International, but hopefully it rises above a standard bank thriller. This news however, is very intriguing. Tykwer’s style, combined with the Wachowski’s style, could be groundbreaking, and I mean that seriously. Both are known for memorable visuals, so imagine what the talents would conjure together! And I’m all for Natalie Portman as the lead.

Now here’s an interesting recipe: take one of Europe’s most promising directors in the 90’s, Tom Tykwer (who made Winter Sleepers, the slightly vacuous Run Lola Run, Perfume, and the upcoming thriller The International), add acting producers Wachowski brothers (The Matrix trilogy, V for Vendetta), and leave them in a room to simmer over the era-spanning David Mitchell novel ‘Cloud Atlas’.

The novel deals with six stories across six eras, as early as the seafarers of the 1850s, to mid 70’s California, to a post-apocalyptic future, all linked under the theme of, according to the author, “predacity”.

Natalie Portman is rumoured to be involved, which isn’t surprising considering her relationship with both the Wachowskis (V for Vendetta) and Tykwer (his segment of Paris Je T’Aime). Yet… will this be the best relationship. Tykwer has talent, but he often opts for pace over character. And the Wachowskis are responsible for the most over-rated (in my humble opinion) popcorn blockbusters over the last few years. It will be an intriguing challange for both to grasp the book’s seeming complexity, especially when the story involves a number of different genres as well as eras.

Bit harsh on Tykwer. Many considered Perfume an impossible book to adapt but, imo, he was incredibly successful.