“Copperhead” Official Trailer and New Movie Poster Released

Just this past week, the official trailer and updated poster for Ron Maxwell’s Copperhead, which will hit theaters on June 28th, was released, much to the excitement of fans, who have waited nearly 10 years for another Civil War film from the director of Gettysburg and Gods and Generals. The trailer, amongst fans, has generated a lot of discussion and rave reviews. Also garnering excitement is the new movie poster, which I must say is much better than the original, and really captures and essence and intensity of what this film is about—the American flag backdrop was totally necessary, to convey the point that even with all the strife and how this country was torn apart, we were all Americans in the end. It also includes the tagline, “Patriot to some. Traitor to others.”, which is central to the main character of Billy Campbell, as well as the entire Copperhead political movement as a whole, due to their anti-war feelings.

Here’s to a Happy and Healthy 2013!

I’ve always felt that the “fresh start” and “clean slate” as promised by the start of a new year was a bit cliched, but given all that has happened in the past year, especially here in the northeast, with so much damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, and most recently, the school shooting in Connecticut, there are many people in search of just that. I sincerely hope that all of those who had a disappointing 2012 will have a very happy and healthy 2013! There are so many wonderful people out there who have gotten the short end of the stick, and deserve much better.

Thoughts After a Private Screening of “Copperhead”

Greg with “Copperhead” director Ron Maxwell.

I have just returned from the Broadway Screening Room, located in the Brill Building in New York City, after having been invited by director Ron Maxwell to a private showing of his film Copperhead, the last time it will be viewed before the picture is locked. I am very limited in what I can say about the film, but I will give you a few tidbits below. I am actually going to write my full review in the next few days and save it for the late May/early June 2013 release, since it is so fresh in my head. Before I get to some details, I just want to say it was great getting a chance to sit and chat with Ron for a few minutes before the film, and also to see actor Brian Mallon again, after we met in the summer of 2011 at the Gods and Generals Extended Director’s Cut world premiere in Virginia. However, in contrast to that film, and Maxwell’s other Civil War work Gettysburg, Copperhead is one that is going to stand alone in terms of films made about the War Between the States. Simply put, it is unlike any other made about the subject ever.

Exclusive “Copperhead” Photo Update #4: Shots of Kauffman, Brown, Arnaud, and More!

Here is our biggest photo update yet, fresh from the set of Copperhead. We now have our first up-close look at some of the actors/actresses as well some of the crew-members. These were taken by their wonderful still-photographer, and I must say, they are outstanding shots! Enjoy! (Please click for a higher resolution; I tried posting them with a larger size but it would slow down your page loading time.)

Screenwriter Bill Kauffman:

“Copperhead” Interview: Actor Josh Cruddas

When the producers of Copperhead signed Josh Cruddas, they probably did not realize they were getting someone with so many talents. A 21-year-old up-and-coming actor of many different mediums like theater, radio, television, and film, as well as writing music, the Canadian-born Cruddas now finds himself involved in the biggest project of his young career, fresh off a performance in the critically acclaimed Discovery Channel production Titanic: The Aftermath. For his latest venture, in Ron Maxwell’s Civil War epic, he plays the character of Jimmy, through which the story is told. I had the pleasure of speaking to Josh about his filming experiences so far, and he elaborated on his role, acting method, and much more in our interview below!

Upcoming Interview: Actor Josh Cruddas

With the New York Rangers now eliminated from the NHL Playoffs, we will now be resuming our full-throttle coverage of Copperhead. As promised, we will hopefully be bringing you some interviews of cast and crew members, and our first one will be with actor Josh Cruddas, who will be playing the role of “Jimmie”. We just spoke by email a few hours ago, and I have sent him the questions. I do not know how long it will take, given the shooting schedule, but I am looking forward to hearing what he has to say!

“Copperhead” Press Release: Actor Josh Cruddas in a Supporting Role

Here is the latest press release, regarding Canadian actor Josh Cruddas, who has landed a very important role in Copperhead:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Canadian Actor Josh Cruddas Lands Supporting Role in American film, Copperhead, Starring Jason Patric and Angus MacFadyen.

Halifax actor Josh Cruddas has landed a supporting role in Ron Maxwell’s Civil War film, Copperhead, currently filming in King’s Landing, New Brunswick.

A story of the violent passions and burning feuds that set ablaze the homefront during the Civil War, Copperhead is an examination of the price of dissent, the place of the individual amidst the hysteria of wartime, and the awful cost of war—a cost measured not in dollars but in fractured families, broken loves, and men dead before their time.

For those who have read the book by Harold Frederic which the film is based upon, you will be interested to know that Cruddas plays Jimmy, who is the book’s narrator – we see the story through his eyes and embark on Copperhead’s journey with him.

Cruddas, also an award-winning film score composer and singer, has worked as an actor with Atlantic Canadian regional theatres such as Neptune Theatre (Oliver, The Sound of Music), and Halifax Theatre for Young People (The Gravesavers). He has also played principal roles on television productions including HBO Canada’s Call Me Fitz and Discovery Channel’s Titanic: The Aftermath. A resident of Halifax, Nova Scotia, he trained at Dalhousie University’s Acting Programme.

Copperhead, directed by the man behind Gettysburg and Gods And Generals, is expected to be released in 2013.

You can visit his IMDB page by clicking here.

And of course, please visit the special page we have dedicated on the blog for this film, and always remember to check it out for the latest Copperhead information!

“Copperhead” Behind the Scenes Video (Week 1)

For all those eager for some early behind-the-scenes shots, below is a short video hosted by Bill Kauffman, who wrote the screenplay for Copperhead, who talks a little bit about the story (and emphasizes the point that this is a Civil War story unlike any other ever put to celluloid), as well as shows off some of the absolutely stunning scenery of Kings Landing, where filming began on Wednesday. If anyone had any doubts about the location not being right, they will all be nixed with a quick viewing of this. There is also a brief interview with one of the supporting cast members, Josh Cruddas, who has appeared in multiple Canadian short films and TV shows, as well as having been a theater actor in Halifax for several years. Enjoy!