News (May - November 1999).
click here to see Gus' upcoming projects
October 4, 1999: Finally, Drugstore Cowboy is due to receive its release on DVD. I've known about this for a little while, but was finally able to confirm the release date, which has been set for October 26, 1999. In a somewhat rare, but definitely cool move, the DVD will include a bunch of cool extras (I say "rare" because older DVD titles aren't usually getting the "special" treatment when released). It will be available in a widescreen format, with audio commentary by both Matt Dillon and Gus Van Sant (ten years after the fact), and will also include production notes, the theatrical trailer, and a "making of" documentary. Basically, it's similair to the DVD release of both Psycho and Good Will Hunting, and marks Van Sant's third stab at audio commentary (Good Will Hunting, with Damon, Affleck and Gus was great, but Psycho with Anne Heche, Vince Vaughn and Gus definitely left something to be desired). We can only hope that this means My Own Private Idaho will eventually make it onto the DVD format, and maybe an Even Cowgirls Get the Blues disc with audio commentary by Tom Robbins and Gus Van Sant would probably wind up being better than the movie itself (I wish the distribution companies read this page!). If anybody knows when either of these "remaining" movies will be released on DVD, email me. In other news, a woman from New York has reportedly been brought in to work on the script for Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot. Not a whole lot of other news is available on the film, since it's still at the script development level. Apparently Gus isn't doing all that much right now, despite the previous months of rumor and speculations on his next film.
June 28, 1999: A week or so back, the Ultimate Robin Williams Website had this update to report: "According to this month's Startled Pig, Gus Van Sant is bringing in
another writer to tighten up the screenplay. Everyone, including John and Robin, wants to
get started on this. As John told Robin over the phone, "Let's hurry up and do this
movie before we're all in wheelchairs ('Don't Worry... NOBODY Gets Far On Foot')." If someone from that page happens to read this, I hope they won't mind that I've been quoting them lately :) Have a nice day.
June 9, 1999: Psycho was just released on VHS and DVD. The DVD Special Edition of the film contains "Psycho Path", a making of documentary. It also contains audio commentary throughout the film with Gus, Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche. You should be able to pick up either version now at local video stores.
June 7, 1999: More information on Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot: the excellent "Ultimate Robin Williams Website" had this to say recently..."In the first issue of the "Startled Pig," Callahan's online newsletter, he wrote briefly about the film. According to him, he's "working with writer and director Gus Van Sant to develop the screenplay for the film, in which Robin will star. Gus has been great in encouraging me to come up with dialog." For the best available source so far on this film, click here. To visit John Callahan's hilarious homepage, click on his cartoon below... As you might have noticed by now, I have no idea what Van Sant's next actual film will be.
June 1, 1999: I just came across something i'd never heard about and since there's been no news for so long, i thought i'd post this. Apparently there's a project in the works entitled Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot, set to be directed by Gus Van Sant, and produced by and starring Robin Williams. The film is "the life story of author John Callahan, who was in a car accident at the age of 21 and restricted to a wheelchair..." according to the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com). They also report that it's scheduled to be shot in and around Portland, Oregon. I guess this would be shot after Standing Room Only, or possibly before hand if that film keeps getting postponed (it's now set for October 1999). Stay tuned.