Because, in Hollywood, where there’s one, there must be two. Tombstone and Wyatt Earp. Volcano and Dante’s Peak. Deep Impact and Armageddon. Bryan Singer’s Excalibur and Guy Richie’s Excalibur. And now, David Fincher’s 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and Tony and Ridley Scott’s 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, to be potentially directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted).
Heat Vision reports that the brothers’ Scott Free Productions has a script from Travis Beacham (Clash of the Titans, Sherlock Holmes), a project that started under wraps in the middle of the writer’s strike. Bekmambetov has been interested in directing an adaptation of the Jules Verne classic (which is public domain, meaning anyone can option it) and the Scotts are interested that he direct their version.
The project is owned by Fox and, though this news comes days after the Fincher story, it’s ahead of the other Leagues adaptation thanks to a finished script, “which insiders say is set in the future (although it follows the novel’s structure). The thinking is that a sci-fi take on the material might be more accessible than a period one.” [Heat Vision] The Fincher version is being written by Scott Z. Burns (The Informant!).
My guess is the Scott’s version will see the light of day. Fincher is a busy man while Bekmambetov is a choosy director by reputation. If he wants to make Leagues and the Scotts are giving him the chance, one would hope he took it.
Though there certainly does not need to be two Leagues projects in development, and by such talented filmmakers, hopefully this will insure one of them gets made. Remember that there are a lot of positives here: McG is no longer directing anything to do with Leagues, Verne’s novel is ripe from big budget adaptation are the first two biggies that come to mind.
Let’s just all pray we don’t wind up with Oliver Stone’s Alexander.
Have you read 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea? Does it warrant another adaptation?