Bates Crowned 80 Days Queen for Walden Redo
March 31, 2003By IAN MOHR
The Hollywood Reporter
NEW YORK - Fresh off her recent Oscar nomination, Kathy Bates is getting the royal treatment from Walden Media. The About Schmidt star is set to play Queen Victoria in Walden's upcoming big-screen adaptation of the Jules Verne classic Around the World in 80 Days.
The project reteams Bates with Frank Coraci, who directed the actress as Adam Sandler's mother in The Waterboy.
"Kathy is the funniest dramatic actress ever," Coraci said. "No, actually, she is the most dramatic comedy actress ever. Either way, she is the best, and I cannot wait to work with her again. I feel extremely lucky to be working with this fantastic cast we've assembled."
The Days cast includes Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan, Jim Broadbent, Johnny Knoxville and Cecile de France (HR 3/14).
The film follows the highflying adventures of Phileas Fogg (Coogan) and Passepartout (Chan) and the characters they meet on their trip around the world.
Days began shooting last month, with locations planned in Thailand and Berlin. Hal Lieberman and Bill Badalato are producing.
Overseeing the project for Walden—which is headed by Cary Granat—are senior vp production Alex Schwartz and director of development Kisha Cameron.
Bates is repped by the Susan Smith Co.
