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Two "20,000 Leagues" films in the works
Reuters - Monday, May 17
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By Matthew Belloni and Borys Kit
LOS ANGELES - Captain Nemo and his Nautilus are surfacing at two studios.
Months after deep-sixing a McG-helmed version of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," Disney is in negotiations with David Fincher to direct a new take on the classic Jules Verne story.
At the same time, Fox is prepping its own version of the submarine tale. Producers Ridley and Tony Scott are developing "Leagues" for the studio with a script by "Clash of the Titans" co-writer Travis Beacham. And they've been talking with director Timur Bekmambetov about shooting the big-budget adaptation.
Which "20,000 Leagues" will set sail first?
The Disney version doesn't have a script yet, although that could change quickly if the studio seals a deal with "Bourne Ultimatum" scribe Scott Z. Burns. The project came together after Fincher approached the studio's new production head, Sean Bailey, a few weeks into his job this winter. Fincher wanted to make a big mainstream movie, somewhat of a departure from the dark, R-rated dramas such as "Fight Club" and "Zodiac" that he's done in the past.
The project was being developed under the radar as Bailey settled into his position under new studio chief Rich Ross, then gained steam last week with Fincher and Burns entering talks for deals.
Fox's "Leagues" began life quietly after the 2007-08 Hollywood writers strike. Beacham is said to have approached the Scotts with his take on the literary classic, which Fox then bought. Bekmambetov, notoriously picky about his projects , is interested in directing "Leagues," which insiders say is set in the future and follows the novel's structure. But he hasn't committed.
First published in 1869, the classic science fiction novel is in the public domain. Disney memorably adapted the story -- about a group of men who encounter a vengeful scientific genius and his warlike submarine -- in 1954 with Kirk Douglas starring. Last year, Disney was fast-tracking a $150 million "Leagues." But the project was the first of several to be sunk by Ross when he took over the studio from Dick Cook in the fall .
It's not surprising that Disney would revisit "Leagues." Ross has said his mandate is to make wide-appeal, pre-branded entertainment. And while plotlines are being kept submerged, the Fincher/Burns take on the material is described as being in the vein of "Star Wars," and the filmmakers will aim to create a visually dazzling movie.
Burns, who penned Steven Soderbergh's latest "Contagion" as well as "The Informant!," will begin writing immediately. That should give Fincher, who is in post-production on "The Social Network" for Sony, time to direct another movie before jumping into "Leagues."
The Fox project is not greenlit, and Bekmambetov's involvement is said to hinge in part on his approving a script.
Hollywood has a long history of doubling-teaming hot material. As an example, there are currently two versions of "The Three Musketeers" being prepped, one at Warner Bros. .
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