Francis Lawrence's unrealized projects
The following is a list of unproduced Francis Lawrence projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American filmmaker Francis Lawrence has worked on several projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell in development hell, were officially canceled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.
2000s
[edit]Awful End film
[edit]In March 2005, Lawrence was announced to direct a film adaptation of the children's novel Awful End.[1]
Snow and the Seven
[edit]On August 1, 2007, Lawrence was announced to direct Snow and the Seven for Walt Disney Pictures. The film was intended to be a Chinese-inspired take on Snow White, in which a British girl is trained by seven Shaolin monks in 19th-century Hong Kong. The film was written by Josh Harmon and Scott Elder, with rewrites by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. Yuen Woo-ping would serve as fight choreographer.[2] In February 2011, Michael Arndt was reported to be providing a new rewrite while John Myhre would be production designer.[3] A few months later, Lawrence left the film, now titled Order of the Seven, and was replaced by Michael Gracey.[4]
Survivor film
[edit]I Am Legend prequel
[edit]Delta Force prison film
[edit]On November 13, 2008, Lawrence was announced to direct an untitled film about the Atlanta prison riots for Warner Bros.. Michael De Luca and Mark Bowden were producers.[5]
Samson
[edit]On January 26, 2009, Warner Bros. Pictures won the bidding rights to a futuristic retelling of the Samson and Delilah story that was written by Scott Silver. The film was entitled Samson and would see Lawrence in charge of directing.[6]
The World Without Us
[edit]On April 2, 2009, Lawrence was announced to direct a film adaptation of the non-fiction book The World Without Us for 20th Century Fox. The film would be written by Mark Protosevich.[7]
The City That Sailed
[edit]On July 8, 2009, Lawrence was announced to direct a fantasy drama entitled The City That Sailed about a father who lives on the other side of the ocean from his daughter. Will Smith was signed on to star and produce through his Overbrook Entertainment company. The original script was written by Andrew Niccol, with rewrites by Brian Koppelman and David Levien.[8] Lawrence would later be replaced by Shawn Levy in 2013.[9]
Sgt. Rock film
[edit]In the Small
[edit]On November 23, 2009, Lawrence was reported to direct a film adaptation of the graphic novel In the Small by Michael Hague. The script was written by Laura Harrington.[10]
2010s
[edit]Marco Polo film
[edit]On March 3, 2010, Lawrence was announced to direct and produce a film about Marco Polo for Warner Bros. Pictures. The film was seen not as a biopic but as a fantasy adventure.[11]
Harry Houdini biopic
[edit]On March 23, 2011, Lawrence was set to direct a biopic of Harry Houdini with Jimmy Miller producing and Columbia Pictures was set to distribute.[12] Scott Frank was later reported to be writing the script.[13] As Max Landis was announced to provide rewrites, Lawrence was reported to have left the film to pursue The Hunger Games franchise.[14]
Untitled ghost film
[edit]On September 9, 2011, Lawrence was announced to direct a script written by Misha Green for Paramount Pictures. The film's premise was "a young man who, following a near-death experience, sees into a ghostly afterlife reality that helps him solve a haunting community mystery."[15]
The Dive
[edit]The Odyssey film and sequel
[edit]On April 8, 2015, Lawrence was reported hired to direct a feature film adaptation of Homer’s poem The Odyssey with Hugh Jackman set to portray Odysseus, Peter Craig writing the screenplay, and Nina Jacobson producing through Color Force for Lionsgate Films, with the possibility of at least one sequel.[17] The project was ultimately canceled because of the critical and commercial failure of Gods of Egypt and Lawrence's other commitments.[18]
The Last Duel
[edit]On July 10, 2015, it was announced that Lawrence was set to direct a film adaptation of Eric Jager's 2004 book The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France for Studio 8, with Shaun Grant writing the screenplay.[19] The book was eventually adapted as The Last Duel by director Ridley Scott and screenwriters Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Nicole Holofcener, and released in theatres on October 15, 2021.[20][21]
Q: A Love Story film
[edit]On August 20, 2015, Lawrence was set to produce the feature film adaptation of Evan Mandery’s novel Q: A Love Story with Matt Tolmach producing with Erwin Stoff through 3 Arts Entertainment and Pouya Shahbazian through New Leaf Literary and Media possibly for Lionsgate Films.[22]
Neverwhere TV series
[edit]On September 18, 2015, Lawrence was announced to direct and produce a television series adaptation of Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, which had previously been a miniseries and a novel. Mark Gordon and Erwin Stoff would both produce.[23]
House of Thieves TV series
[edit]On September 18, 2015, Lawrence was announced to direct and produce a television series adaptation of House of Thieves by Charles Belfoure. Mark Gordon and Erwin Stoff would both produce.[23]
Battlestar Galactica film
[edit]On June 9, 2016, Lawrence was considered to direct the feature film adaptation of Battlestar Galactica with Lisa Joy writing the script.[24] In 2018, Lawrence stated that he was still working on it with Joy, and that he wanted to show visual nods to the previous series.[25]
Basilisk
[edit]On September 7, 2016, Lawrence and Curtis Gwinn were to develop a horror television series for FX entitled Basilisk. The show's premise was described as "a gritty horror series that follows an atheistic college therapist and her computer-genius patient as they find themselves pulled into a plot to awaken a malevolent, god-like artificial intelligence."[26]
Five Faces Of Maria
[edit]On November 14, 2017, it was announced that Lawrence would direct the World War I film Five Faces of Maria, about the life of soldier Maria Bochkareva and written by Gina Welch, for MakeReady, to be released by Entertainment One and Universal Pictures; Lawrence would also produce the film alongside Erwin Stoff.[27]
Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue
[edit]On June 11, 2018, Lawrence was set to direct and produce Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue, with Charles Randolph writing the screenplay and David A. Neuman producing the film.[28] It was later announced that Gus Van Sant would direct the film, now titled Killing Gawker.[29]
2020s
[edit]Vulcan's Hammer film
[edit]On November 8, 2021, Lawrence was set to direct the feature film adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s novel Vulcan's Hammer with Brian Oliver and Bradley Fischer producing through New Republic Pictures, Cameron MacConomy through Lawrence's About:Blank and Isa Dick Hackett through Electric Shepherd Productions.[30]
Stalag-X film
[edit]On March 17, 2022, Lawrence was set to direct the feature film adaptation of Kevin J. Anderson & Steven L. Sears’ novel Stalag-X with Joy Wilkinson writing the script and Brian Oliver and Bradley Fischer producing through New Republic Pictures and Cameron MacConomy through Lawrence's About:Blank.[31]
Untitled Sublime biopic
[edit]On September 15, 2022, it was announced that Lawrence had signed on to direct a biographical film about the ska punk band Sublime for 3000 Pictures from a screenplay by Chris Mundy, with Lawrence's about:blank co-producing alongside Chernin Entertainment, Surfdog/DKM, and KHPS, with surviving band members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh, and Bradley Nowell's widow Troy Nowell and son Jakob Nowell, among the executive producers.[32] On September 19, 2024, Justin Chon was announced as the new director, with Lawrence still involved as executive producer.[33]
Offers
[edit]Logan's Run
[edit]Lawrence was rumored to have been offered to direct a remake of Logan's Run.[34]
Gangster Squad
[edit]In October 2010, Lawrence was on the shortlist to direct Gangster Squad, which Ruben Fleischer would eventually direct.[35]
Unbroken
[edit]On January 4, 2011, Lawrence was offered to direct the film adaptation of the biographical novel Unbroken, which Angelina Jolie would eventually direct.[36]
References
[edit]- ^ Russell, Jamie (March 10, 2005). "High Noon - 10th March 2005". BBC. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (August 1, 2007). "Lawrence on 'Snow' patrol". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (February 1, 2011). "'Toy Story 3' Writer to Take on Disney's Snow White Project (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (August 3, 2011). "Disney's 'Order of the Seven' Lands Director (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (November 13, 2008). "WB locks up deal for prison riot tale". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Michael (January 26, 2009). "WB's strong on 'Samson'". Variety. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (April 2, 2009). "Fox eyes life 'Without Us'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike (July 8, 2009). "Will Smith and Francis Lawrence Plot a Reteaming". Variety. Archived from the original on July 12, 2009. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Armitage, Hugh (November 15, 2013). "Will Smith, Shawn Levy unite on 'The City That Sailed'". Digital Spy. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ "Exclusive: Francis Lawrence Set to Direct In the Small". Pajiba. November 23, 2009. Archived from the original on November 26, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ McNary, Dave (March 3, 2010). "Warner on the road with Marco Polo". Variety. Archived from the original on March 8, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Stewart, Andrew (March 23, 2011). "Sony reviving Houdini pic with Lawrence". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ "Scott Frank To Write 'Houdini' For Director Francis Lawrence". /Film. May 24, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ Armitage, Hugh (January 14, 2014). "Max Landis rewriting Sony Pictures' Houdini film". Digital Spy. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ Abrams, Rachel (September 9, 2011). "Par buys untitled teen ghost pic". Variety. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin. "Jennifer Lawrence Dives Into James Cameron-Produced Biopic". Variety. Retrieved 2015-01-16.
- ^ Dave McNary (May 22, 2015). "'Hunger Games' Team Developing Multiple 'Odyssey' Movies for Lionsgate". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Laman, Lisa (February 13, 2024). "Hugh Jackman's Sprawling Odyssey Franchise We Never Got to See". Collider. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 10, 2015). "Studio 8 Sets Shaun Grant To Adapt 'The Last Duel' For 'Hunger Games' Helmer Francis Lawrence". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (July 22, 2019). "Ridley Scott, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Nicole Holofcener Team on 'The Last Duel'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (July 23, 2020). "'Star Wars' Films, 'Avatar' Sequels Pushed Back a Year in Disney Release Calendar Shakeup". Variety. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Dave McNary (August 20, 2015). "Lionsgate in Talks for 'Q: A Love Story' Movie Adaptation". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (September 18, 2015). "Francis Lawrence To Produce & Direct 'Neverwhere' & 'House Of Thieves' Series Projects Financed By Mark Gordon Co". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (June 9, 2016). "'Battlestar Galactica' Movie Sets 'Westworld's Lisa Joy To Write; Director Francis Lawrence Orbiting". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Evry, Max (February 23, 2018). "Exclusive: Francis Lawrence Talks Battlestar Galactica Movie & More!". Comingsoon.net. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 7, 2016). "FX Developing AI Horror Drama 'Basilisk' From Francis Lawrence & Curtis Gwinn". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 14, 2017). "MakeReady Sets 'Five Faces Of Maria'; Francis Lawrence To Direct Epic WWI Tale". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Dave McNary (June 11, 2018). "'Hunger Games' Director Francis Lawrence to Helm Hulk Hogan-Gawker Movie". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Stephan, Katcy (August 5, 2024). "Hulk Hogan 'Killing Gawker' Film in Active Development With Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Artists Equity". Variety. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ Jackson, Angelique (November 8, 2021). "Francis Lawrence to Adapt Philip K. Dick's 'Vulcan's Hammer' With New Republic and Electric Shepherd Productions". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 17, 2022). "Francis Lawrence To Direct 'Stalag-X' For New Republic Pictures, About:Blank Producing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (September 15, 2022). "Sublime Biopic In The Works At 3000 Pictures With Francis Lawrence Directing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (September 19, 2024). "KJ Apa To Star In Sublime Biopic From 3000 Pictures And 'Blue Bayou' Director Justin Chon". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ Dunkley, Cathy; Fleming, Michael (July 18, 2004). "Supe's on with 'X' man". Variety. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Fischer, Russ (October 6, 2010). "Director Shortlist For 'Tales From The Gangster Squad' Reportedly Includes Francis Lawrence, Paul Greengrass And More". /Film. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (January 4, 2011). "Universal Buys Laura Hillenbrand WWII Bestseller 'Unbroken' For Francis Lawrence". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
