Development News & Starts

It's impossible to keep track of all the scripts and films in development (well, not impossible but a full-time job and not all of them are noteworthy). So here's a little collection of recent development deals and production starts. I love studying the market this way because projects always take their cue from the box office and point to trending topics.

So here we go...

I AM NUMBER FOUR - A new sci-fi adventure series is now in development at Dreamworks. Steven Spielberg is involved as Executive Producer. It's based on the up-coming book series by the infamous novelist James Frey (A Million Little Pieces). Story centers around nine alien teens who escape their dying planet to settle on earth only to find that they're being pursued by their alien nemesis. D.J. Caruso is set to direct with James Frey and Jobie Hughes writing the script(s) - (I believe Jobie Hughes is also co-author of the books).

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2 - We knew this was coming. From Paramount Pictures, the sequel to Oren Peli's extreme low-budget/blockbuster Paranormal Activity now has the budget it needs to compete with the big dogs. Oren Peli, Jason Blum and Steven Schneider are producing. Michael R. Perry is writing the script. Kevin Greutert will direct.

EARTHBOUND - A tragic romance for Oscar nominated Kate Hudson (she was also wonderful in last year's musical biopic Nine as well in case you haven't seen it) and Gael Garcia Bernal. It's about a woman with terminal cancer who falls in love with her oncologist. This co-production from The Film Department and Davis Entertainment began shooting last week. It sounds like Autumn in New York from the female POV but I don't have enough information about it to say.

JOHN CARTER OF MARS - A Disney/Pixar collaboration for Andrew Stanton's live-action, directorial debut. Described as an epic sci-fi fantasy about a Civil War officer who is transported to Mars, where he becomes the greatest warrior of all time. Taylor Kitsch stars. The concept reminds me of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court -set in space. Leave it to Disney to use a classic novel in the public domain as a springboard. It isn't the first time.

UNTITLED GEORGE LUCAS ANIMATED MUSICAL - Lucasfilm is working on a new animated feature. It's a musical fantasy based on the life of fairies. The script is by David Berenbaum. Kevin Munroe is set to direct.

PASSENGERS - You've probably heard about this one. A futuristic space opera starring Keanu Reaves. Story is about a centuries long inter-stellar journey in which the rocket man hero wakes up from his cryo-sleep 90 years early and, facing the prospect of aging faster than his fellow passengers, wakes a beautiful woman to keep him company. Gabriele Muccino is set to direct. Benjamin Button in space?

DRACULA YEAR ZERO - Universal Pictures and Michael de Luca Productions have just signed Sam Worthington to star in a new feature about the origins of the mythical monster vampire - who grew from the legend of the real life Slovakian Count, Vlad the Impaler. It's being directed by Alex Proyas. This should satisfy those of use who are underwhelmed by The Twilight Saga films.

BURKE and HARE - A period horror comedy about a pair of 19th century grave robbers who supply cadavers to a medical school in Edinburgh. Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis star. John Landis is directing. The film went into production two weeks ago. Good follow-up to Guy Ritchie's 2009 feature film hit Holmes. I'm guessing there will be lots of murder and mayhem.

Although I don't usually cover TV (unless it's a standout long-form project) I couldn't help noticing that the return of the "space opera/thriller" has found it's way to TNT by way of Steven Spielberg. The Untitled TNT Project is written by Robert Rodat. Story is based on a post-alien/apocalyptic invasion of earth and how the handful of human soldier/survivors fight back. Sounds like an I Am Legend ensemble piece. No word yet on the cast.

Invictus

Invictus ... is the Victorian poem by William Ernest Henley that inspired a nation under Nelson Mandela and a movie directed by Clint Eastwood (which is now playing in a theatre near you). I was watching Charlie Rose interviewing Morgan Freeman on cable today and was so moved by Henley's poem I've posted it here.

Although Avatar is a must see, its massive release numbers and multi-million dollar worldwide marketing campaign has overshadowed other Oscar worthy films that came out at the end of 2009. Invictus is obviously one of them. Guess who's going to see it tomorrow? If you don't have time/money for that read the poem to inspire yourself and check out Charlie Rose's interview with Morgan Freeman - here.

Invictus
by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Another great reason to see this is the wonderfully talented and versatile Matt Damon plays the rugby captain Francois Pienaar.

Elizabeth Gilbert on Creativity

One of the best Ted Talks I've heard yet on being a channel for creativity by the author of Eat, Pray, Love , Elizabeth Gilbert's best-selling memoir on finding her feet again after a painful divorce.



The screen adaptation, produced by Brad Pitt and starring Julia Roberts, is set to be released in theatres August 10, 2010. Can't wait.

Up in the Air

I'm on the fence about Jason Reitman's new "comedy". On the one hand, it's dead-on in terms of capturing the rampant isolationism of the post modern era - a place where sex with strangers and hard-line opportunism pass for hip but both are cover-ups for the desperation that's buried deep inside. I loved it for that and for the stellar performances.

On the other hand, it takes us on an ironic, soul searching journey and then literally leaves us up-in-the-air without any catharsis. Since when did dropping the ball become "sophisticated" screenwriting? This could also have been done on the small screen because there is very little "theatrical" about it. Lots of sitting around talking in hotel rooms and airport bars. Don't see it on a "down" day. I didn't get the feeling of world travel so much as just soul numbing emptiness.

The screenplay is based on the book by Walter Kim so one COULD place the glaring lack of closure on a slavish adaptation. How the script got nominated for a Golden Globe is beyond me. Had the story bothered to complete Ryan Bingham's unexpectedly tragic character arc instead of leaving him (and us) in limbo about how to resolve his ultimate dilemma I'd put this movie on the top of my list because it does such a stellar job of capturing the zeitgeist of a lost, soulless generation but the truncated last act is a huge disappointment.

Still, it's worth seeing George Clooney in a role that seems tailor made for him and his leading lady Vera Farmiga turns in an Oscar worthy performance playing the role reversal part of his "casually detached girlfriend" (a woman who is adept at using her lovers for extramarital fun and games without letting them anywhere near her heart). Anna Kendrick is also wonderful as the ambitous young generation Y woman who also plays a traditionally male role.

Up in the Air has been nominated for numerous Golden Globes. Hollywood is touting it as a sophisticated romantic comedy. Whatever. The Golden Globes awards will be presented January 17th on NBC at 8 pm eastern time (5 pm pacific).