Paul Greengrass' unrealized projects
The following is a list of unproduced Paul Greengrass projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, British filmmaker Paul Greengrass 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]Watchmen film
[edit]They Marched into Sunlight film
[edit]On January 31, 2005, Greengrass was hired to direct and write the feature film adaptation of David Maraniss’ non-fiction book They Marched into Sunlight, with Playtone producing and Universal Pictures set to distribute.[1]
2010s
[edit]Fantastic Voyage remake
[edit]On March 31, 2010, Greengrass was set to direct a 3-D remake of Fantastic Voyage for 20th Century Fox, with Shane Salerno writing the screenplay and James Cameron set to produce through Lightstorm Entertainment.[2] On May 19 of that same year, Greengrass dropped out of the project.[3]
Treasure Island adaptation
[edit]On May 19, 2010, Greengrass was hired to direct an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island with Lionel Wigram producing for Warner Bros., but the project never materialized.[3]
Untitled Jimi Hendrix biopic
[edit]Greengrass was set to direct a biopic about Jimi Hendrix for Legendary Pictures, with Max Borenstein writing the screenplay, and Anthony Mackie set to star, but on December 15, 2010, it was announced the project had been stalled over objections from the Hendrix estate.[4] On May 7, 2015, it was announced that the project was back in development, with Experience Hendrix now on board with the project, Scott Silver set to write the screenplay, and no actor attached to play Hendrix.[5][6]
Memphis
[edit]On January 12, 2011, Greengrass was set to direct and write Memphis, about the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., with Scott Rudin producing and Focus Features distributing.[7] In April of that same year, Universal canceled the project.[8] On November 23, it was reported that Access Industries' Icon UK outfit were in talks to back the project.[9] On November 16, 2012, it was reported that Greengrass and Rudin had revived the project, with Wild Bunch and Veritas Films in talks to finance the project.[10]
The Fear Index film
[edit]On August 25, 2011, Greengrass was set to direct a film adaptation of Robert Harris’ novel The Fear Index with Peter Chernin, Dylan Clark and Jenno Topping producing, and 20th Century Fox distributing. The novel was eventually adapted into a television miniseries without Greengrass’ involvement.[11][12]
Joe Weisberg’s CIA TV series
[edit]On November 17, 2011, Greengrass was set to executive produce Joe Weisberg’s CIA drama series with Brian Grazer producing through Imagine Entertainment and Fox set to air the series.[13]
Barca documentary
[edit]On May 17, 2012, Greengrass was going to direct “Barca,” a documentary about FC Barcelona, with Richard Brown & John Carlin producing through Anonymous Content.[14]
Untitled Chris Terrio crime script
[edit]On November 28, 2012, Greengrass was set to direct and produce an untitled crime script by Chris Terrio for Columbia Pictures, with George Clooney producing and set to star.[15]
The Trial of The Chicago 7
[edit]On July 24, 2013, Greengrass was set to direct a movie about the Chicago 7, with Aaron Sorkin writing the screenplay, Scott Rudin producing with Thomas Augsberger and DreamWorks Pictures set to distribute,[16] but in September of that same year, Greengrass dropped out as the director; Sorkin would ultimately direct the film himself.[17][18]
The Director film
[edit]On January 15, 2014, Greengrass was set to direct and write the feature film adaptation of David Ignatius’s novel The Director for Columbia Pictures, with Michael De Luca, Scott Rudin, and Hannah Minghella set to produce.[19]
Agent Storm film
[edit]On July 28, 2014, Greengrass was set to direct and potentially write the film adaptation of Morten Storm, Paul Cruickshank and Tim Lister’s novel Agent Storm about Storm’s troubled youth to Islamic Radical and CIA double-agent in Yemen with Scott Rudin producing the movie.[20]
Richard Jewell
[edit]On September 10, 2014, it was announced that Greengrass had entered talks to direct a film centered around Richard Jewell for 20th Century Fox, based on the Vanity Fair article "The Ballad of Richard Jewell" and adapted by Billy Ray. Jonah Hill and Leonardo DiCaprio were set to star in the project as Jewell and his lawyer, respectively.[21] The film was eventually released on December 13, 2019, by Warner Bros. Pictures, with Clint Eastwood directing and Paul Walter Hauser starring as Jewell.[22]
The Tunnels film
[edit]On October 24, 2014, Greengrass was hired to direct the feature film adaptation of Greg Mitchell’s non-fiction book The Tunnels, with Mark Gordon producing the film with FilmNation.[23] On September 22, 2015, Tobias Lindholm was hired to write the screenplay for the project.[24]
1984 film
[edit]On November 19, 2014, Greengrass was set to direct and produce a new feature film adaptation of George Orwell’s novel 1984, with James Graham writing the screenplay, Scott Rudin and Gina Rosenblum set to produce and Columbia Pictures distributing.[25] In April 2017, it was reported that Graham and Greengrass were rewriting the screenplay in the wake of the 2016 United States presidential election and presidency of Donald Trump.[26] In February 2020, Graham revealed the project had been shelved after he and Greengrass found it difficult to write the screenplay.[27]
Ness/Torso film
[edit]On March 27, 2017, Greengrass was set to direct Ness, a film adaptation of Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko’s graphic novel Torso, and adapted by Brian Helgeland about Eliot Ness' investigation into the Cleveland Torso Murderer; Greengrass would also produce the film alongside Bendis, Andreyko, John Davis, Greg Goodman, John Fox, and David Engel, with Paramount Pictures was set to distribute.[28] On May 8, 2018, it was announced that Paramount had abandoned the film, and would let the rights revert back to Bendis and Andreyko.[29]
2020s
[edit]Night of Camp David film
[edit]On April 15, 2021, Greengrass was set to direct a feature film adaptation of Fletcher Knebel’s novel Night of Camp David for Universal Pictures, with Jed Mercurio writing the screenplay and Greengrass producing alongside Gregory Goodman.[30]
The Hood
[edit]On May 20, 2022, Greengrass was set to direct the historical action drama script The Hood about the 1381 Peasants' Revolt, with Benedict Cumberbatch set to star, Cross Creek Pictures financing and Tyler Thompson producing with Gregory Goodman.[31]
Fairy Tale film
[edit]On September 15, 2022, Greengrass was set to direct and write the feature film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel Fairy Tale, with Greg Goodman producing with Greengrass.[32] On October 6, it was announced that Universal Pictures had acquired the distribution rights.[33]
On October 16, 2024, it was announced that the book would instead be developed as a ten-episode television series by A24, with Greengrass serving as executive producer alongside King, Peter Rice, and J. H. Wyman, who was also expected to serve as showrunner; Greengrass was also in negotiations to direct.[34]
Offers
[edit]Untitled Fox/Marvel Civil War crossover film
[edit]In 2010, Greengrass was in talks to direct a Marvel Comics crossover film for 20th Century Fox with Zack Stentz and Ashley Edward Miller writing a screenplay loosely based on the comic book Civil War that would feature X-Men, Fantastic Four, Daredevil and Deadpool, but Stentz revealed that the project was put on hold indefinitely due to scheduling conflicts and the success of X-Men: First Class.[35][36]
Travis McGee film
[edit]On April 25, 2011, it was reported that Greengrass was offered to direct the film Travis McGee, based on the novel The Deep Blue Good-by by John D. MacDonald. The project, set up at 20th Century Fox, was being written by Dana Stevens and Kario Salem, with Peter Chernin, Leonardo DiCaprio, Amy Robinson, and Jennifer Davisson-Killoran set to produce.[37] Ultimately, Greengrass did not come aboard the project, with James Mangold instead signing on to direct in March 2014; the project would ultimately be shelved by Fox in August 2015 due to star Christian Bale's knee injury.[38][39]
Here There Be Monsters
[edit]Also on April 25, 2011, Greengrass was reported to be one of several directors being considered to direct Here There Be Monsters, a fictionalized story centred on Scottish-American naval officer John Paul Jones being written by Brian Helgeland for Legendary Pictures,[37] but on July 26, 2011, Robert Zemeckis got the offer instead of Greengrass.[40]
Rush
[edit]On June 2, 2011, it was reported that Greengrass had been offered to direct Rush, a biographical sports film written by Peter Morgan about the Hunt-Lauda rivalry during the 1976 Formula One season, and an untitled thriller about the Maersk Alabama hijacking for Sony Pictures, later titled Captain Phillips.[41] Greengrass would ultimately choose to direct Captain Phillips, while Ron Howard would sign on to direct Rush by late June 2011, with the film being released in the United States on September 20, 2013.[42][43]
References
[edit]- ^ Fleming Jr., Michael (January 31, 2005). "Helmer sees U's 'Sunlight'". Variety. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ McClintock, Pamela (March 31, 2010). "Paul Greengrass circles 'Fantastic Voyage'". Variety. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Fleming Jr., Michael (May 19, 2010). "Paul Greengrass Ends 'Fantastic Voyage'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (December 15, 2010). "Why Jimi Hendrix Movie Won't Get Made". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 7, 2015). "Legendary Making Jimi Hendrix Movie With Paul Greengrass, '8 Mile' Scribe Scott Silver And Estate In Tune". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ Reed, Ryan (May 8, 2015). "Jimi Hendrix Estate Approves Biopic From Director Paul Greengrass". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Brodesser-Akner, Claude (January 12, 2011). "Paul Greengrass Readies MLK Assassination Thriller Memphis". Vulture. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Dave McNary (April 1, 2011). "Universal pulls the plug on 'Memphis'". Variety. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Lodderhose, Diana (November 23, 2011). "Giladi tapped as Icon U.K. CEO". Variety. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 16, 2012). "Martin Luther King Film 'Memphis' Coming Back Around For Paul Greengrass And Scott Rudin". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (August 25, 2011). "Paul Greengrass In 'Fear Index,' Robert Zemeckis Out Of 'Replay' As He Takes 'Flight' With Denzel Washington". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Kanter, Jake (April 26, 2021). "'The Fear Index': Josh Hartnett To Headline Sky's Adaptation Of Robert Harris' Financial Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 17, 2011). "Paul Greengrass Joins Fox CIA Drama As EP". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (May 17, 2012). "FilmNation Selling Paul Greengrass-Directed Soccer Docu: Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (November 28, 2012). "George Clooney, Paul Greengrass plot Sony pic". Variety. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (July 24, 2013). "UPDATE: Scott Rudin To Produce, Paul Greengrass To Direct Aaron Sorkin's 'Chicago 7' Screenplay". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ The Deadline Team (September 17, 2013). "Paul Greengrass Exits 'Chicago 7'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (October 26, 2018). "Aaron Sorkin to Direct 'Trial of the Chicago 7' With Sacha Baron Cohen in Talks to Star (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (January 15, 2014). "In Michael De Luca's First Deal, Sony Pictures Acquires David Ignatius Novel 'The Director' For Paul Greengrass And Scott Rudin". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Ford, Rebecca (July 28, 2014). "Paul Greengrass Circling Islamic Radical Story 'Agent Storm' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 10, 2014). "Paul Greengrass Circling Richard Jewell Pic With Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 27, 2019). "Clint Eastwood's 'Richard Jewell' Enters Awards Season With December Release". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Dave McNary (October 24, 2014). "Paul Greengrass Directing Berlin Wall Drama 'The Tunnels' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Dave McNary (September 22, 2015). "Paul Greengrass' Berlin Wall Drama 'The Tunnels' Taps Tobias Lindholm as Writer". Variety. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Michael (November 19, 2014). "Paul Greengrass Eyes George Orwell's '1984'; 'Finding Neverland's James Graham To Write Script". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Hooton, Christopher (April 4, 2017). "Trump hanging over it, the new 1984 adaptation gets a rewrite". The Independent. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ Kanter, Jake (February 28, 2020). "James Graham Adapting Rupert Murdoch Play 'Ink' With Bron; Parks '1984' Collaboration With Paul Greengrass". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ Busch, Anita (March 27, 2017). "'Ness' Locks Up Paul Greengrass And Brian Helgeland For Paramount Pictures". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Busch, Anita (May 8, 2018). "High-Profile Eliot Ness Feature About Torso Murders Now Lifeless". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 15, 2021). "Paul Greengrass Reteams With Universal For 'Night Of Camp David'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (May 20, 2022). "New Hot Cannes Package: Paul Greengrass Directing Benedict Cumberbatch In Peasant Farmer Revolt Drama 'The Hood'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Micheal (September 15, 2022). "Hot Package: Paul Greengrass To Adapt & Direct Stephen King's New Bestseller 'Fairy Tale'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Micheal (October 6, 2022). "Universal Pictures Wins Brisk Auction To Reunite With 'Bourne' Helmer Paul Greengrass On Stephen King Epic Novel 'Fairy Tale'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 16, 2024). "A24 Revives Stephen King Fantasy Epic 'Fairy Tale;' Paul Greengrass Cracking 10-Episode Series With 'Fringe' Showrunner J.H. Wyman". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
- ^ Kevin Smith; Marc Bernardin (May 30, 2019). "Zack Stentz, Writer of Rim of the World, Thor, X-Men First Class". YouTube. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Cassidy, Mark (January 2, 2021). "BOURNE Director Paul Greengrass Confirms X-MEN VS. FANTASTIC FOUR Movie Talks". ComicBookMovie. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Fleming Jr., Michael (April 25, 2011). "Paul Greengrass Pushes Back 'Memphis'; So Is Travis McGee Novel His Next Film?". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 4, 2014). "James Mangold Boarding Travis McGee Tale 'The Deep Blue Good-By'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (April 24, 2015). "Fox Scraps Christian Bale's 'Deep Blue Goodbye' Due to Knee Injury (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Fischer, Russ (July 26, 2011). "Robert Zemeckis In Talks To Direct Brian Helgeland-Scripted 'Here There Be Monsters'". SlashFilm. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ Brodesser-Akner, Claude (June 2, 2011). "Paul Greengrass Choosing Between Pirates and Race Cars for His Next Project". Vulture. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ Goodacre, Kate (June 22, 2011). "Ron Howard to direct Formula 1 movie 'Rush'?". Digital Spy. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (August 10, 2012). "Universal Sets Release Date for Ron Howard's 'Rush', Moves Tom Cruise's 'Oblivion'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 10, 2024.