Scorsese invents Hugo Cabret in 3D London

by Naman Ramachandran

01/07/2010 - Martin Scorsese has begun production on his latest film and his first film in 3D, Hugo Cabret, in London. Young British actor Asa Butterfield (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas [trailer]) plays the title role.

The all-star British cast includes Ben Kingsley (Shutter Island), Sacha Baron Cohen (Bruno), Jude Law (Sherlock Holmes [trailer]), Ray Winstone (London Boulevard) and Christopher Lee (Lord of the Rings).

Also featuring in the cast are Chloë Moretz (Kick-Ass) Frances de la Tour (Alice In Wonderland), and Richard Griffiths (The History Boys [trailer]).

Based on Brian Selznick’s bestseller The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the screenplay is by John Logan (The Aviator) and Scorsese, Graham King, Tim Headington, and Johnny Depp produce the film. Executive producers are Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Charles Newirth and Christi Dembrowski.

Hugo Cabret is the tale of an orphan boy living a secret life in the walls of a Paris train station. When he encounters a broken machine, an eccentric girl, and the cold, reserved man who runs the toyshop, he is caught up in a magical, mysterious adventure that could put all of his secrets in danger.

GK Films, a US entity founded by British producer King and American billionaire Tim Headington, recently completed production on The Tourist, directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (The Lives of Others [trailer, film focus]) and starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.

Hugo Cabret will be filmed at London’s Shepperton Studios as well as on locations in London and Paris. It is scheduled for a December 2011 release.