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Sam Mendes' unrealized projects

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The following is a list of unproduced Sam Mendes projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, British film director Sam Mendes has worked on many projects that never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell into development hell, were officially cancelled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.

1990s

Chicago

Mendes was amongst several directors approached throughout the 1990s to direct a film version of Bob Fosse's Broadway musical Chicago, that would eventually be directed by Rob Marshall.

The Lookout

Mendes became attached to direct Scott Frank's screenplay The Lookout before the release of American Beauty, but departed the project to direct Road to Perdition; Frank ultimately directed the film himself.

2000s

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Main article: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007 film) § Developmemt

The Kite Runner

Mendes was attached to direct the film adaptation of the 2003 novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, but in April 2004 the project was pushed back after Mendes signed on to direct Jarhead. In 2005, Marc Forster took over the project as director, with Mendes becoming an executive producer; the film was eventually released on December 14, 2007.

American Prometheus

In 2005, following its publication, Mendes optioned the rights to adapt the J. Robert Oppenheimer biography American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. In 2007, it was reported that Jeffrey Hatcher was writing the film for Mendes, with the project set up at DreamWorks Pictures. However, Mendes ultimately did not move forward with the project. The book would eventually be adapted as the film Oppenheimer, written and directed by Christopher Nolan and released in theatres on July 21, 2023 by Universal Pictures.

Middlemarch

In April 2007, it was reported Mendes would direct a film adaptation of the George Eliot novel Middlemarch, to be adapted by Andrew Davies, who had previously written the 1994 miniseries adaptation of the novel; production was expected to begin in 2008. In June 2009, it was announced that the project had been acquired by Focus Features, as part of a two-year first-look deal between Focus and Mendes' Neal Street Productions.

Preacher

In October 2008, it was announced that Mendes would direct a film adaptation of the supernatural comic book series Preacher, created by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, for Columbia Pictures, with Neal H. Moritz and Jason Netter producing. In January 2009, it was announced that John August would write the screenplay for the project. In April 2010, Moritz revealed that Mendes had departed the project to direct the James Bond film Skyfall.

Butcher's Crossing

In June 2009, it was reported that Mendes would produce a film adaptation of the 1960 western novel Butcher's Crossing by John Edward Williams for Focus Features, with Mendes eyeing the project as a potential directing vehicle. In December, it was announced that Joe Penhall would write the screenplay. The project did not move forward. The adaptation would eventually be directed and co-written by Gabe Polsky and released in theatres by Saban Films on October 20, 2023, without the involvement of Mendes or Penhall.

Netherland

In August 2009, it was announced that Mendes' Neal Street Productions would collaborate with Harpo Films to produce a film adaptation of Joseph O'Neill's novel Netherland, with Mendes eyeing the project as a potential directing vehicle and Christopher Hampton writing the screenplay. By September, it was reported that Focus Features had come aboard the project.

2010s

On Chesil Beach

In June 2010, it was announced that Mendes would direct a film adaptation of Ian McEwan's 2007 novella On Chesil Beach for Focus Features, with McEwan adapting his own work and Carey Mulligan to star as the female lead; Mendes would also set to produce the project through Neal Street Productions. In November 2011, it was reported that Mike Newell would be replacing Mendes as director, with Mendes now only producing the project, and production expected to begin in the summer of 2012. The film would ultimately be directed by Dominic Cooke and star Saoirse Ronan, with Mendes no longer involved, and premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2017.

The Voyeur's Motel

In April 2016, it was announced that DreamWorks Pictures had acquired the film rights to the Gay Talese novel and article The Voyeur's Motel, with Mendes directing and producing. In November, the project was scrapped despite a draft being produced by Krysty Wilson-Cairns, after Mendes became aware of the documentary Voyeur and watched a cut with Wilson-Cairns.

James and the Giant Peach

In August 2016, it was announced that Mendes had entered talks to direct a live-action adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel James and the Giant Peach for Walt Disney Pictures, with Nick Hornby in talks to write the screenplay. The film marked Disney's second film adaptation of the novel after the 1996 animated film adaptation directed by Henry Selick. In May 2017, it was announced that Mendes was no longer involved with the project, choosing instead to direct Disney's live-action Pinocchio instead.

Beautiful Ruins

In September 2016, it was announced that Mendes would produce and potentially direct a film adaptation of Jess Walter's 2012 novel Beautiful Ruins for Fox 2000 Pictures, with Noah Harpster and Micah Fitzerman-Blue writing the screenplay. By April 2018, Mendes had stepped down as director and would instead serve as producer, with David Frankel entering talks to direct the project. By June 2020, the project had moved to Amblin Partners with Niki Caro now directing the adaptation, Mark Hammer and Chiara Atik writing, and Mendes remaining involved as a producer.

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters

In April 2017, it was announced that Mendes was in talks to produce and possibly direct the film adaptation of the Emil Ferris graphic novel My Favorite Thing Is Monsters for Sony Pictures.

Pinocchio remake

In May 2017, it was announced that after out of directing James and the Giant Peach, Mendes had entered talks to direct a live-action remake of the 1940 animated film Pinocchio for Walt Disney Pictures, with Chris Weitz writing the screenplay. Mendes exited the project in November. The film was eventually directed by Robert Zemeckis and released on Disney+ on September 8, 2022.

2020s

Hamnet

In March 2023, it was reported that Mendes would direct Tom Holland in an adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's historical fiction novel Hamnet, with screenplay being written by Chiara Atik. By January 2024, Chloé Zhao was named as director of Hamnet, with Mendes stepping on as producer.

Offers

Oz the Great and Powerful

In April 2010, it was reported that Mendes was being courted to direct Oz the Great and Powerful for Walt Disney Pictures, with Robert Downey Jr. also considering taking on the lead role at the time. However, in June Sam Raimi entered talks to direct the project instead, and was committed to the film by October; the film was ultimately released on March 8, 2013, with James Franco playing the Wizard instead.

The Hunger Games

In September 2010, Deadline Hollywood reported that Mendes was one of the three initial favorites to direct the film adaptation of The Hunger Games for Lionsgate, alongside David Slade and Gary Ross. Ross was ultimately selected to direct the film, which was released in theatres on March 23, 2012.

References

  1. "AFI|Catalog - Chicago". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  2. Weintraub, Scott (28 March 2007). "Scott Frank Interviewed – THE LOOKOUT". Collider. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  3. Fleming, Michael (25 April 2004). "Next tour of duty taking Mendes to Persian Gulf". Variety. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  4. "Marc Forster to direct 'The Kite Runner'". United Press International. 12 September 2005. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  5. ^ Dawtrey, Adam (13 April 2007). "Prodigal Mendes on homeward 'March'". Variety. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  6. Soares, Claire (5 October 2007). "'Kite Runner' delayed over fears for child stars' safety". The Independent. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  7. Amsden, David (18 July 2023). "Oppenheimer's big-screen odyssey: The man, the book and the film's 50-year journey". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  8. Kroll, Justin (8 October 2021). "Cillian Murphy Confirmed to Star As J. Robert Oppenheimer In Christopher Nolan's Next Film At Universal, Film Will Bow in July 2023". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  9. "Mendes to direct Middlemarch film". BBC News. 20 April 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  10. ^ Fleming, Michael (18 June 2009). "Sam Mendes, Focus in 2-year pact". Variety). Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  11. Siegel, Tatiana (29 October 2008). "Sam Mendes to direct 'Preacher'". Variety. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  12. Siegel, Tatiana (21 January 2009). "John August to pen 'Preacher' film". Variety. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  13. Marnell, Blair (9 April 2010). "Sam Mendes Off 'Preacher,' Says Producer". MTV. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  14. Fernandez, Jay A.; The Associated Press (8 December 2009). "'The Road' scribe destined for 'Crossing'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  15. Collis, Clark (18 September 2023). "Nicolas Cage is hunting buffalo and losing his mind in Butcher's Crossing trailer". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  16. Thorpe, Vanessa (23 August 2009). "Fan Sam Mendes recruits Christopher Hampton as key player for US cricket film". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  17. Mitchell, Wendy (17 September 2009). "Christopher Hampton to adapt 'Netherland' for Oprah Winfrey, Sam Mendes". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  18. Fleming, Mike Jr. (2 June 2010). "Sam Mendes Sweet On 'Charlie And The Chocolate Factory' And Focus Feature 'On Chesil Beach' With Carey Mulligan". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  19. Wiseman, Andreas (5 November 2011). "Mike Newell to direct On Chesil Beach". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  20. Jaafar, Ali (17 February 2016). "Saoirse Ronan Boards 'On Chesil Beach' For 'Carol' Producer Number 9 Films". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  21. Pond, Steve (15 August 2017). "Aaron Sorkin, Brie Larson, Louis CK Movies Added to Toronto Film Festival Lineup". TheWrap. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  22. Fleming, Mike Jr. (14 April 2016). "DreamWorks, Sam Mendes Win Gay Talese's 'The Voyeur's Motel'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  23. Fleming, Mike Jr. (23 November 2016). "Sam Mendes, DreamWorks Drop Gay Talese 'Voyeur's Motel' Movie After Being Blindsided By Documentary". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  24. McNary, Dave (25 August 2016). "Sam Mendes in Talks to Direct Disney's Live-Action 'James and the Giant Peach'". Variety. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  25. ^ Kroll, Justin (22 May 2017). "Sam Mendes in Early Talks to Direct 'Pinocchio' Live-Action Reboot". Variety. Retrieved 6 June 2024. Mendes will no longer direct the "James and the Giant Peach" remake for Disney, which he was attached to less than a year ago.
  26. Siegel, Tatania (28 September 2016). "Sam Mendes to Produce, Potentially Direct 'Beautiful Ruins' at Fox 2000 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  27. Fleming, Mike Jr. (19 April 2018). "David Frankel In Talks To Direct Jess Walter Novel Adaptation 'Beautiful Ruins' For Fox 2000". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  28. Vlessing, Etan (30 June 2020). "'Mulan' Director Niki Caro to Helm 'Beautiful Ruins' for Amblin Partners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  29. Fleming, Mike Jr. (4 April 2017). "Sam Mendes In Early Talks For 'My Favorite Thing Is Monsters'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  30. Galuppo, Mia (13 November 2017). "Sam Mendes Exits Disney's Live-Action 'Pinocchio'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  31. Kroll, Justin (18 October 2019). "Robert Zemeckis in Talks to Direct Live-Action 'Pinocchio' for Disney (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  32. Spangler, Todd (31 May 2022). "'Pinocchio' Live-Action Remake Premiere Date Set on Disney+". Variety. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  33. Ruimy, Jordan (March 18, 2023). "Sam Mendes to Direct Hamnet,' Tom Holland Set as Lead". World of Reel. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  34. Pirovic, Jasmine (January 30, 2024). "Paul Mescal as young Shakespeare is about to be our Roman Empire". Russh. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  35. Child, Ben (21 April 2010). "Sam Mendes tipped to direct Robert Downey Jr in new Wizard of Oz film". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  36. Finke, Nikki (15 June 2010). "Sam Raimi Hired to Direct 'Oz' (& Downey?)". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  37. Fleming, Mike Jr. (6 October 2010). "Sam Raimi Commits To Disney 'Oz' Take, While 'Rabbit Hole' Scribe Will Rewrite". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  38. Fleming, Mike Jr. (25 May 2011). "Disney Sets 'Oz: The Great And Powerful' For March 8, 2013". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  39. Fleming, Mike Jr. (7 September 2010). "Three More Directors Circle 'Hunger Games'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  40. McClintock, Pamela (25 January 2011). "EXCLUSIVE: Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' Gets a Release Date". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 June 2024.

External links

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