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
Awful End film
In March 2005, Lawrence was announced to direct a film adaptation of the children's novel Awful End.[1]
Survivor film
Sgt. Rock film
2010s
Harry Houdini biopic
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.[2]
The Odyssey film and sequel
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.[3] The project was ultimately canceled because of the critical and commercial failure of Gods of Egypt and Lawrence’s other commitments.[4]
The Last Duel
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.[5] 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.[6][7]
Q: A Love Story film
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.[8]
Neverwhere TV series
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.[9]
House of Thieves TV series
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.[9]
Battlestar Galactica film
On June 9, 2016, Lawrence was considered to direct the feature film adaptation of Battlestar Galactica with Lisa Joy writing the script.[10] 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.[11]
Basilisk
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."[12]
Five Faces Of Maria
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.[13]
Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue
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.[14]
2020s
Vulcan's Hammer film
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.[15]
Stalag-X film
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.[16]
Untitled Sublime biopic
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.[17]
Offers
Gangster Squad
In October 2010, Lawrence was on the shortlist to direct Gangster Squad, which Ruben Fleischer would eventually direct.[18]
Unbroken
On January 4, 2011, Lawrence was offered to direct the film adaptation of the biographical novel Unbroken, which Angelina Jolie would eventually direct.[19]
References
- ^ Russell, Jamie (March 10, 2005). "High Noon - 10th March 2005". BBC. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Stewart, Andrew (March 23, 2011). "Sony reviving Houdini pic with Lawrence". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
