The Three Stooges (2012)

Overview

The Three Stooges is a comedy film by The Farrelly brothers based on the classic comedy trio of the same name. The film which was originally going to star Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn, and Jim Carrey as Moe, Larry, and Curly stars Chris Diamantopoulos, Sean Hayes, and Will Sasso as the trio instead.

Creation

The Farrelly brothers had been interested in making a film about The Three Stooges since the mid 1990's but it wasn't until 2008 that any development actually began on the film. They originally intended for Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro and Jim Carrey to play Larry, Moe, and Curly respectively but Carrey then dropped out after not being gain the sufficient weight necessary to play Curly Howard. Sean Penn then dropped out and Del Toro followed suit some time afterwards. The Farrelly brothers then faced difficulties in finding actors capable of the skill that was required to play The Stooges and be willing to physical comedy which involved being slapped and really being hit with objects.

The film was originally supposed to be set in the 1930's and in Black & White but was then changed to modern times and the film would be shot as every other film was-in color.

Marketing

The first trailer for the film was released on December 9, 2011. The trailer received mainly negative reactions aimed the inclusion of the "cast' of MTV's Jersey Shore whom all filmed cameos as they self proclaimed fans of The Three Stooges. A second and final trailer was released on 3/21/2012 in which Fox placed a disclaimer similar to the one on the TV Show Jackass though the one in the trailer was used for humorous effect. The trailer received almost universal negative reactions and fans were divided with many feeling the film did justice to the original Three Stooges while others felt the opposite. Much criticism was aimed at the Jackass style disclaimer that proclaimed to the Stooges the "next Jackass".

Production

Development

In 2000, Bradley Thomas of Conundrum Entertainment became attached to the project with Columbia Pictures whom the Stooges worked for, for 25 years until they were unceremoniously fired. In March 2001, Warner Bros. purchased the rights from C3 Entertainment, and The Farrelly brothers then became attached to direct the project; which they had been wanting to do since the mid 90s. Then writer Mike Cerrone became attached to the project and completed the script around the middle of the following year. They shopped around to various studios but with no success. In 2004, the rights expired and First Look Studios acquired them along with C3 Entertainment due to no cast having been attached to the project. Four years later in 2008, MGM picked up The Farrelly's script and the rights from C3 Entertainment, and a budget of $40 Million was given to the film along with the film's release date November 20, 2009. In March 2009 however the film was pushed back due to casting delays, the release date was pushed back to 2010 but the filmmakers still had no actors attached to the project. In November 2010, MGM filed for Bankruptcy and the next month, the project was taken over by 20th Century Fox who set a release date of March 14, 2011 for the film.

The Farrelly's said the film wouldn't be anything like a biopic or a remake but would be set in modern day with three individual 27 minute long shorts, each with an individual story. They said the film would still have slapstick and they were aiming for a PG rating from the MPAA.

Casting

Benicio Del Toro was originally in talks in march 2009 for the lead role of Moe Howard but later dropped out from the project for unknown reasons. His replacement, Chris Diamantopoulos was cast in April 2011. Famed voice actor Hank Azaria was considered for the role but ultimately did not get it. Sean Penn was set to play Larry Fine but dropped out to focus on his work in Haiti, providing aid relief for earthquake victims. His replacement was Sean Hayes of Will & Grace fame.

Jim Carrey was originally set to play Curly Howard and gained 40 pounds for the role but later dropped out as he didn't want to endanger his health by putting on 60 to 70 pounds and the role went to Will Sasso instead. The role of Mother Superioer went to Jane Lynch of Glee fame. Both Richards Jenkins and Cher were considered for the role before Jane Lynch's casting. Larry David, the creator of Seinfeld and star of Curb Your Enthusiasm, was cast as another Nun called Mother Mengele. Sofia Vergara was cast as a Femme Fatale, Stephen Collins as Mr. Harter,and Carly Craig as Mrs. Harter.

Filming

On a budget of $30 Million the filmi commenced principal photography on May 9, 2011 in downtown Atlanta, Georgia and filming wrapped on July 20, 2011. They shot scenes at the Fairlie-Poplar Historic District around the 5 Points Sports Building on the corner of Peachtree St., Edgewood Ave, and Decatur St on the evening and ruing the night of May 13. The next day they wrapped filming and moved onto the Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta on May 26. Other filming locations included Piedmont Park and Colonny Square. In June, production continued onto Cartersville where scenes were shot near Woodland High School. The cast of Jersey Shore arrived on July 18, where they shot scenes at the Atlanta Civic Center. The last two days of filming were shot at a home in Ansley Park. Filming then wrapped on July 20th.

Catholic League Complaint

The Catholic League, the most prominent organization devoted to defending Catholic civil rights and promoting awareness of anti-Catholic defamation, was displeased by The Three Stooges marketing campaign featuring a nun in a promiscuous bathing suit (a scene that is also in the movie). A few days before the picture's opening, Catholic League President Bill Donahue said "In the 1950s, Hollywood generally avoided crude fare and was respectful of religion. Today it specializes in crudity and trashes Christianity, especially Catholicism. Enter The Three Stooges. The movie is not just another remake: It is a cultural marker of sociological significance, and what it says about the way we've changed is not encouraging." A Fox spokesman mocked the League's complaint by responding "I think we did the audience a favor by letting Kate Upton wear the nun-kini rather than Larry David — it could have gone either way."