4 Friday, January 6, 2012 THE PRESS, Christchurch GO Eddie’s tall tale JOHN HORN uncovers a long-planned heist that began as an idea by veteran funny- man Eddie Murphy.

ddie Murphy had a Griffin, with whom Ratner simple suggestion about collaborated on Ocean’s Eleven six years ago: Why not before Steven Soderbergh make an all-black version replaced Ratner as that film’s of Ocean’s Eleven? director. EDirector Brett Ratner and ‘‘I have good news and bad producer Brian Grazer loved the news,’’ Ratner recalls Griffin comedian’s idea and, before long, telling him. ‘‘The good news is the trio were throwing around that I am going to do this. ideas about who could star ‘‘The bad news is that I’m opposite Murphy: Jamie Foxx, going to throw away your Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, script.’’ Tracy Morgan and Chris Tucker In reading the Tower Heist headed the list. screenplay, Griffin was The resulting movie, Tower stumped by a fundamental Heist, has arrived in New Zealand question: ‘‘I couldn’t figure out cinemas but, after more than five a motivation for the heist other years of development, Murphy’s than profit.’’ original pitch has been Then Madoff’s massive transformed into a different film, Ponzi scheme hit the news. ‘‘It with the all-black conceit provoked this idea – you could replaced by an ensemble cast led pull off this heist if you have by Ben Stiller and including the world’s most hated man Casey Affleck and Matthew living in your penthouse,’’ Broderick. Griffin says. While Murphy still has a In Griffin’s rewrite, the prominent role in Tower Heist,as Madoff character (called does black actress Gabourey Arthur Shaw and played by Sidibe (Precious), the basic story also has changed, with the Black and white comedy: From left, Ben Stiller stars in Tower Heist with Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick and Gabourey Sidibe. original villain (imagine Donald Eddie’s original Trump) replaced by a Bernie Madoff-type character. idea was a The evolution of Tower Heist ‘ comedic idea – illustrates how even a seemingly straight-forward idea can go guys who don’t through countless modifications know how to rob from concept to screen. have to learn how While Tower Heist is credited to screenwriters Ted Griffin to rob. (Ocean’s Eleven), Jeff Nathanson (Ratner’s last two Rush Hour movies) and writing partners Adam Cooper and Bill Collage Alan Alda) has looted the (Accepted), the script also was pension fund of the high-rise’s revised by Russell Gewirtz (Inside staff and has hidden some of Man), Rawson Marshall Thurber the proceeds in his penthouse. (Dodgeball), Leslie Dixon (The Later, in Nathanson’s Thomas Crown Affair) and Noah hands, Tower Heist became a Baumbach (The Squid and the bit more comic, and the key Whale). hotel staff members were fired In its long path to the screen, from their jobs, meaning they Tower Heist remained organised not only had to break into around the same basic idea: a Shaw’s apartment but also the group of thieves tries to steal building itself. money from a rich man who lives Rather than open the film’s in a ritzy New York high-rise. final act, the heist now begins But the very thing that made earlier in the film, and Murphy’s idea intriguing – the Nathanson also added Sidibe’s all-black cast – was ditched years comic part. ‘‘Eddie’s original ago. The film-makers say it idea was a comedic idea – guys wasn’t Murphy’s recent flops, who don’t know how to rob such as Meet Dave and Imagine have to learn how to rob,’’ That, that prompted the change Nathanson says. but, rather, a desire for With Nathanson’s revisions authenticity: a modern apartment in hand, Ratner visited Stiller building would have an on the set of Little Fockers. The ethnically diverse staff. actor said yes, but the tougher As the film’s racial profile pitch was to Murphy, whose changed, another question part – not to mention his loomed: who are these bandits, original pitch – had been and what is their motivation? transformed. The earliest plot held that the ‘‘It was still a movie about protagonists worked in a building the haves and the have-nots,’’ owned by someone such as says Grazer. Trump. ‘‘My question was, would he ‘‘It was a fun movie, a classic still like the character we underdog story,’’ Ratner says. created for him?’’ Ratner says. ‘‘But the problem was, you The answer was yes, and couldn’t distinguish the apparently Murphy was characters apart. Even more equally happy with the knotty, it wasn’t clear what finished film. Los Angeles Times provoked their thievery.’’ Ideas man: Eddie Murphy came up with the original concept for the film. After two years of screenplay ❏ Tower Heist (M) is now revisions, Ratner called up screening.