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
Watchmen film
They Marched into Sunlight film
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 the movie and Universal Pictures set to distribute.[1]
2010s
Fantastic Voyage remake
On March 31, 2010, Greengrass was set to direct the 3-d film remake of “Fantastic Voyage,” with James Cameron set to produce through Lightstorm Entertainment and 20th Century Studios distributing the movie,[2] but in May of that same year, Greengrass dropped out as the director.[3]
Treasure Island adaptation
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 movie adaptation never materialized.[3]
untitled Jimi Hendrix biopic
On December 15, 2010, Greengrass was set to direct a biopic about Jimi Hendrix, with Max Borenstein writing the screenplay, and Anthony Mackie set to star,[4] but on May 8, 2015, Greengrass was still attached to direct, Scott Silver wrote a draft that the Hendrix estate and Legendary Entertainment approved of and Mackie wasn’t attached to portray Hendrix.[5]
Memphis
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 the movie,[6] but in April of that same year, Universal canceled the movie.[7]
The Fear Index film
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 movie, which eventually became a TV miniseries made without Greengrass’ involvement.[8]
Joe Weisberg’s CIA TV series
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.[9]
Barca documentary
On May 17, 2012, Greengrass was going to direct “Barca,” a documentary about FC Barcelona, with Richard Brown & John Carlin producing through Anonymous Content.[10]
untitled Chris Terrio crime script
On November 28, 2012, Greengrass was set to direct and produce an untitled crime script from Chris Terrio with George Clooney producing and set to star and Columbia Pictures distributing the movie.[11]
The Trial of The Chicago 7
On July 24, 2013, Greengrass was set to direct a movie about the The Trial Of The Chicago 7, with Aaron Sorkin writing the screenplay, Scott Rudin producing with Thomas Augsberger and DreamWorks Pictures set to distribute,[12] but in September of that same year, Greengrass dropped out as the director, which Sorkin ended up directing.[13][14]
The Director film
On January 15, 2014, Greengrass was set to direct and write the feature film adaptation of David Ignatius’s novel “The Director,” with Michael De Luca, Scott Rudin, and Hannah Mingshella set to produce and Columbia Pictures set to distribute the film.[15]
Agent Storm film
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.[16]
The Tunnels film
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 movie through FilmNation and set to distribute.[17]
1984 film
On November 19, 2014, Greengrass was set to direct and produce the feature film adaptation of George Orwell’s novel “1984,” with James Graham writing the screenplay, Scott Rudin and Gina Rosenblum were set to produce and Columbia Pictures would distribute the film adaptation.[18]
Ness/Torso film
On March 27, 2017, Greengrass was set to direct the film adaptation of Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko’s graphic novel “Torso,” entitled “Ness,” with Brian Helgeland writing the screenplay about Elliott Ness’ investigation into the Cleveland Torso Murderer, with Greengrass producing the film with Bendis, Andreyko, John Davis, Greg Goodman, John Fox, David Engel producing the film and Paramount Pictures was set to distribute the film,[19] but on May 8, 2018, Paramount Pictures canceled the film adaptation because of different screenplays and the rights reverted back to Bendis & Andreyko.[20]
2020s
Night Of Camp David film
On April 15, 2021, Greengrass was set to direct a feature film adaptation of Fletcher Knebel’s novel Night at Camp David, with Jed Mercurio writing the screenplay and Greengrass producing with Gregory Goodman and Universal Pictures set to distribute the film.[21]
The Hood
On May 20, 2022, Greengrass was set to direct his historical action drama script “The Hood” with Benedict Cumberbatch set to star and Tyler Thompson’s Cross Creek is financing and producing with Greggory Goodman.[22]
Fairy Tale film
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,[23] and in October that same year, Universal acquired the rights to distribute Greengrass’ adaptation “Fairy Tale.”[24]
Offers
Travis McGee film
On April 25, 2011, Greengrass was offered to direct the film “Travis McGee,” with Dana Stevens and Kario Salem writing a screenplay based on the novel The Deep Blue Good-by, Peter Chernin, Leonardo DiCaprio, Amy Robinson and Jennifer Davisson-Killoran set to produce the movie and 20th Century Fox distributing the movie,[25] but on April 24, 2015, James Mangold was attached to direct until Fox canceled the movie.[26]
untitled Fox/Marvel “Civil War” crossover film
In 2010, Greengrass was in talks to direct a Marvel Comics crossover film 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 movie was put on hold indefinitely due to scheduling conflicts and the success of X-Men: First Class.[27][28]
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Dave McNary (October 24, 2014). "Paul Greengrass Directing Berlin Wall Drama 'The Tunnels' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 13, 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.
- ^ 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 Jr., Michael (April 25, 2011). "Paul Greengrass Pushes Back 'Memphis'; So Is Travis McGee Novel His Next Film?". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 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.
- ^ 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.