Once upon a time, Yann Martel‘s uber-popular boy-in-a-boat-with-a-tiger novel was on the fast track in Hollywood, with a large budget ($70 million) and a high-profile director (Ang Lee).
Then Lee’s Taking Woodstock burnt to the ground, America’s economy never got better and $70 million became a whole lotta money for an art project during a time when expensive art projects (Where The Wild Things Are, Fantastic Mr. Fox) weren’t doing too well.
Now executives over at Fox 2000 (who owns the project) are making budget changes, which is never a good sign. Apparently the only thing keeping the film alive over at Fox (or at least the most significant piece of the puzzle) is Fox’s Elizabeth Gabler, who’s passionate about getting it made. [The Playlist]
Would you like to see Life of Pi in theaters? Did you enjoy the book?