Paramount Pictures currently finds itself between a blockbuster and a hard place. Well, two actually. As the Jack Ryan reboot Moscow falls back into rewrites, following passes by the likes of Hossein Amini, Anthony Peckham and Steve Zaillian (who actually wrote the Harrison Ford-as-Jack Ryan Clear and Present Danger), the studio’s marquee star Chris Pine waits for another chance to play hero.
Paramount’s now determined it be in Star Trek 2 before anything else, which they’ll have no problem finding the money for. Unfortunately, they may have to find a new director. There’s no word yet if J.J. Abrams will return to direct the sequel. Nevertheless, the studio’s plan is to start production in the fall on the sequel with hopes of meeting a June 29, 2012 release date. Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Damon Lindelof are are working on the script. Abrams, meanwhile, is still finishing his upcoming Super 8, rendering Paramount’s speedy timeline worrisome for those praying for the same director behind the same chair once again.
As for the Jack Ryan film, Jack Bender is still set to direct with Lorenzo di Bonaventura is producing, but there’s no deal in place to hold him. Bender is likely looking to strike while the Lost iron’s still hot. This is looking less and less like the right project to build a resume from with any speed.
Which film do you want to see more?