So, I go on vacation for a small eternity and come back to a very full inbox because The Hoax has managed to become a critic's favourite within a week. (Nice welcome home. I'm not going to pretend I didn't do a little happy dance around my computer chair )

Here's what Lasse himself has to say about that:

These are the best reviews I ever had in the states. It's a success among the critics. Fantastic.

Full article, sent to me and translated by Anton.

A breakdown of all the new articles and interviews:

» Lasse Hallstrom Interview, The Hoax

» Close-Up: Lasse Hallstrom on 'The Hoax' |

» Director Lasse Hallstrom on how 'The Hoax' came together

» H is for Hoax

» Hollywood, Etc.: Gere tackles complex tale in 'The Hoax'

I also uploaded the most interesting parts from the production notes (really really worth reading):

» Inside The Hoax: About the film's origins

» Probing The Hoax: Lasse Hallström comes on board

» Playing out The Hoax: Richard Gere, Alfred Molina and Marcia Gay Harden as the Hoaxsters

» Believing in The Hoax: About the supporting cast

» Designing The Hoax: About the film's style

» Fact v. Fiction v. The Hoax

Reviews will follow within the next few days.

The Hoax premiered in New York last night, and Lasse actually managed to attend and even brought his wife along!
(One should never expect snow to keep a Swede or two home-bound for long)

Anyways, I uploaded some pictures over here.



(The lovely Sarah wants me to add that she's impressed that Lasse's tie matches his eyes and names it the best fashion choice of the evening )

I also found a few interviews, lots of reviews and the whole production notes for The Hoax, but I (obviously) have a guest right now and am leaving for Venice on Friday, so I won't be able to update all of this before April 11.

So, Lasse could neither make it to the Q&A session on Friday nor to the premiere on Sunday - he was apparently snowed in in New York (that's also why this update is delayed, it was snowed in too. - Okay, just kidding).

But, the first reactions of the American press to The Hoax are pretty positive.

Then, there was a press junket at the weekend (where Lasse apparently did show up, which is confusing, but let's just accept that as a fact). Someone wrote a report about it here.

The most interesting part is probably this here:

Screenwriter Bill Wheeler had a good angle on the whole "Why is this movie only coming out now, instead of Oscar season?" dilemma. He said that in December, it was crazy, what with stuff like Babel and The Departed coming out within weeks. And so it's actually good that Hoax was delayed, because now it has a stronger chance to grow. And it gives people something fun and smart to do in March.

But, Lasse is using his time in New York to do better things, it's pilot season and they're shooting New Amsterdam right now, this week.

A few set pictures here

Also, Fox has published it's tentative fall schedule, and NA is mentioned:

New Amsterdam/drama

Regency Television and Scarlet Fire Productions, Allan Loeb, David Mason, Lasse Hallstrom, Leslie Holleran and Steven Pearl, Executive Producers

Cast: Alexis Gilmore, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Stephen Henderson and Zuleikha Robinson

A brilliant NYC homicide detective is cursed with immortality and has the ability to recall history and facts because he has already witnessed it in his lifespan. While this curse has helped solve cases, he soon realizes that his life may be changing when he finally discovers his true soul mate.

I hope this means we might be getting some flashbacks to things that have happened over the past few centuries....that could be so awesome, even though it's probably too expensive budget-wise.

But, let's wait and see.

In light of the Hoax premiere today, Miramax has finally set up an official site:

http://www.thehoaxmovie.net/



I added another bunch of pictures from there to the gallery, view them here.

I also updated a lot of general stuff, removed Boone's Lick and Sammy from the rumours section, the latter one now has it's own section in the movie vault here.

Since the Hoax premiere is tonight, you might want to check back tomorrow for pictures and reviews and, if we get lucky, maybe even one or two interviews.

Be the first on your block to see The Hoax, Lasse Hallström’s new film about Clifford Irving, who wrote a famous, though completely fabricated, autobiography of Howard Hughes. Hallström and screenwriter William Wheeler give a Q&A after the screening.

AFI’s Directors Screening at ArcLight Hollywood, 6360 Sunset Blvd., Hlywd.; Fri., March 16, 8 p.m.; $11. (323) 464-4226.

This makes me want to move to LA.

Source

I just found out that the Hoax [USA] premiere is on Sunday, March 18 in LA.



I also added another four new pictures over here a few days ago.

I'm horribly late with this, but I spent the last week in Sweden and was unable to update.

A quick run-down of what happened:

- Barry Levinson has been confirmed as director for Boone's Lick, so Lasse is obviously out of the picture.

- Lasse is officially attached to direct Sammy (starring Reese Witherspoon), they're already in pre-production.

Lasse Hallstrom is attached to direct Columbia Pictures' romantic comedy "Sammy."

Penned by Delia Ephron, the story kicks off when a woman who can sense what animals are thinking meets a man who claims to have the same relationship with dead people.

Laurence Mark is producing through his Sony-based shingle alongside Ephron. Hallstrom's producing partner Leslie Holleran also is set to produce, contingent upon Hallstrom directing.

Matt Tolmach, Amy Baer and Adam Milano are overseeing for the studio.

Source

- The Pelham Picture House is hosting a screening of The Hoax on March 12, followed by a Q&A session with Lasse, Richard Gere and Leslie Holleran. Tickets and more info here. Should be completely awesome, so if you live anywhere near to NY, don't miss it!

Thanks to Anton for keeping everyone up-to-date over in the forums!