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.
2000s
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. 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.[1][2]
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.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5][6]
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.[7] 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.[8]
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.[9] 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.[10]
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.[11] By April 2018, Mendes had stepped down as director and would instead serve as producer, with David Frankel entering talks to direct the project.[12] 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.[13]
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.[14]
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.[10] Mendes exited the project in November.[15] The film was eventually directed by Robert Zemeckis and released on Disney+ on September 8, 2022.[16][17]
Offers
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.[18]
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (5 November 2011). "Mike Newell to direct On Chesil Beach". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ Jaafar, Ali (17 February 2016). "Saoirse Ronan Boards 'On Chesil Beach' For 'Carol' Producer Number 9 Films". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ Pond, Steve (15 August 2017). "Aaron Sorkin, Brie Larson, Louis CK Movies Added to Toronto Film Festival Lineup". TheWrap. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (14 April 2016). "DreamWorks, Sam Mendes Win Gay Talese's 'The Voyeur's Motel'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Siegel, Tatania (28 September 2016). "Sam Mendes to Produce, Potentially Direct 'Beautiful Ruins' at Fox 2000 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (30 June 2020). "'Mulan' Director Niki Caro to Helm 'Beautiful Ruins' for Amblin Partners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (4 April 2017). "Sam Mendes In Early Talks For 'My Favorite Thing Is Monsters'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (13 November 2017). "Sam Mendes Exits Disney's Live-Action 'Pinocchio'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (18 October 2019). "Robert Zemeckis in Talks to Direct Live-Action 'Pinocchio' for Disney (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (31 May 2022). "'Pinocchio' Live-Action Remake Premiere Date Set on Disney+". Variety. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (7 September 2010). "Three More Directors Circle 'Hunger Games'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 June 2024.