Alex Proyas' unrealized projects

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During his career, Australian film director Alex Proyas has worked on a number of projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects, are officially cancelled and scrapped or fell in development hell.

Contents

1990s

Casper

Proyas was initially attached to direct a film adaptation of Casper the Friendly Ghost , but on November 28, 1993, Proyas left the film due to creative differences. [1] In an interview with Comic Book Resources , Proyas admitted that the screenplay was rewritten not to his liking. He claimed that he was intrigued with doing a children's fantasy, and wanted to do a more dark film, akin to The Wizard of Oz . [2] The film was ultimately directed by Brad Silberling. [3] [4]

Quatermass and the Pit remake

In 1998, Proyas was reportedly developing an updated version of Quatermass and the Pit , however, he indicated that undisclosed legal issues needed to be cleared by Warner Bros. before it could move forward. [5]

The Masque of the Red Death

On May 7, 1999, it was announced that Proyas would direct a medieval fantasy film adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's story The Masque of the Red Death , with Proyas and Stuart Hazeldine writing a "Dirty Dozen-esque" screenplay [6] and producing with Julie Corman and Andrew Mason for Fox 2000. [7]

Rizen

On May 7, 1999, it was announced that Proyas would direct Rizen, a horror-thriller written by Proyas and Stuart Hazeldine for Universal Pictures. [7]

Untitled time-travel film

On August 24, 1999, it was announced that Proyas would produce and direct a time-travel film based on a pitch he and Jerrold E. Brown came up with for 20th Century Fox, with Brown writing the screenplay after Proyas was impressed by Brown's draft for a comedic Lobo movie. [8]

2000s

Enoch's Portal

On June 2, 2000, it was announced that Proyas would write and direct the film adaptation of Andy Hill's suspense novel Enoch's Portal for Sean Daniel’s Alphaville Productions. [9]

Berserker

On December 11, 2000, it was announced that Proyas would direct a film based on Fred Saberhagen's Berserker series with Jesse Alexander writing the script and New Line Cinema producing the film. [10]

Drive

On October 18, 2001, it was announced that Proyas would direct and produce a film based on Harlan Ellison's short story Along the Scenic Route entitled Drive with Cyrus Vorris and Ethan Reiff writing the script and Paramount Pictures producing the film. [11]

Jurassic Park 4

The Killer's Game

On August 8, 2004, Proyas was one of many directors offered to direct a film adaptation of Jay Bonansinga's novel The Killer's Game, but J. J. Perry ended up directing the feature film adaptation instead. [12]

Dracula Untold

On July 10, 2007, it was announced that Proyas would direct Dracula Year Zero for Universal Pictures, with Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless writing the screenplay. [13] On February 10, 2012, it was reported that Gary Shore would be taking over the film, as Proyas and prospective star Sam Worthington had been let go from the project due to its high budget. [14] The film was eventually retitled Dracula Untold and released in theatres October 10, 2014. [15]

The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag

On August 22, 2008, Proyas was set to write and direct the film adaptation of Robert A. Heinlein’s novella The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag and produce along with Phoenix Pictures. [16] On April 10, 2012, Red Granite Pictures and James Vanderbilt’s Mythology Entertainment were set to produce Proyas' feature film adaptation with Phoenix Pictures. [17]

Foundation

On January 16, 2009, Proyas was offered to direct a film adaptation of Isaac Asimov's Foundation book series in a rights auction for Warner Bros. Pictures, but Roland Emmerich and Columbia Pictures acquired the rights instead, [18] which lapsed and eventually became a television series on Apple TV+. [19]

The Tripods

On January 29, 2009, it was announced that Proyas would direct and co-write with Stuart Hazeldine the film adaptation of John Christopher’s The Tripods starting with The White Mountain. [20] [21]

2010s

Paradise Lost

On September 16, 2010, Proyas was set to direct a 3-D film adaptation of John Milton’s poem Paradise Lost for Legendary Entertainment, [22] with Bradley Cooper cast as Lucifer, [23] Benjamin Walker as Michael, [24] Djimon Hounsou as Abdiel, [25] Casey Affleck as Gabriel, [26] Dominic Purcell as Satan, [27] Diego Boneta as Adam, [28] Rufus Sewell as Sammael, Camilla Belle as Eve, [29] Sam Reid as Raphael, [30] and Callan McAuliffe as Uriel. [31] On December 7, 2011, production was halted, [32] and on February 9, 2012, Legendary officially scrapped the film. [33]

Amped

On December 1, 2010, Proyas was set to produce and possibly direct the film adaptation of Daniel H. Wilson’s sci-fi thriller novel Amped for Summit Entertainment, [34] and on March 18, 2011, Proyas was confirmed to direct the film adaptation. [35]

Joe Golem and the Drowning City

On July 11, 2012, Proyas was set to write and direct the film adaptation of Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden’s comic book Joe Golem and the Drowning City for Constantin Film. [36]

Evolve TV series

On November 1, 2012, Proyas was set to direct and executive produce Evolve, a crime drama series about a biotoxin threat written by Jamie Paglia and produce for ABC, but the series was ultimately never picked up. [37]

2020s

A New Country

On February 17, 2020, Proyas revealed that he was making A New Country, a sci-fi movie starring Guy Pearce, but it likely fell through during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. [38]

Dark City TV series

On August 12, 2021, Proyas revealed that he was making a television series of his movie Dark City . [39]

Sister Darkness

On May 20, 2022, it was announced that Proyas was preparing to direct the new horror thriller film Sister Darkness, budgeted at $35 million, for 108 Media. [40]

Heaven

On February 18, 2023, [41]

Offers

A Nightmare on Elm Street sequel

Proyas was offered a sequel to A Nightmare on Elm Street (possibly The Dream Child ) as his directorial debut, but he turned it down as he was more interested in original material rather than sequels. [42] [43]

X-Men: The Last Stand

Proyas had been on the shortlist to replace Bryan Singer as the director of X-Men: The Last Stand , but he turned it down due to his poor experience with filming I, Robot for Fox. [44]

Quantum of Solace

Proyas had been on the shortlist to direct Quantum of Solace ; Marc Forster would eventually be chosen. [45]

References

  1. ↑ Variety Staff (November 28, 1993). "Proyas vanishes from 'Casper' pic". Variety . Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  2. ↑ Khoury, Jorge (October 26, 2008). "Talking with Director Alex Proyas". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved January 16, 2025. There was a script, but it was one of those situations where things were rewritten at much too late a stage in the whole process.
  3. ↑ O'Steen, Kathleen (November 29, 1993). "'Casper' taps Silberling". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  4. ↑ Ojumu, Akin (February 16, 2003). "The family that grieves together..." The Observer . Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  5. ↑ Wagner, Chuck (January 1998). "Dark City". Cinefantastique . Fourth Castle Micromedia. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Alex Proyas Livestream with special guest UK writer/director Stuart Hazeldine". YouTube . April 16, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Fleming, Michael (May 7, 1999). "Proyas, Hazeldine on Poe tale". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  8. ↑ Petrikin, Chris (August 24, 1999). "Fox to time travel with Proyas, Brown". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  9. ↑ Variety Staff (June 2, 2000). "Proyas preps suspense pic 'Portal'". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  10. ↑ Fleming Jr., Michael (September 8, 2002). "Columbia catches a code". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  11. ↑ Claude Brodesser; Cathy Dunkley (October 18, 2001). "Scribes take wheel on Par's 'Drive'". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  12. ↑ Dave McNary (August 8, 2004). "'Game' now in Par's crosshairs". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  13. ↑ Garrett, Diane (July 10, 2007). "Proyas to direct Universal's 'Dracula'". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  14. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 10, 2012). "Universal Revives 'Dracula Year Zero' With Director Gary Shore". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  15. ↑ "'Dracula Untold' Gets An Extra Week Of Bite Time In Theaters". Deadline Hollywood. September 3, 2014. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  16. ↑ Hewitt, Chris (August 22, 2008). "Alex Proyas To Adapt Heinlein Novella". Empire. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  17. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 10, 2012). "Alex Proyas Tackles Robert Heinlein's 'The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  18. ↑ Fleming, Michael (January 16, 2009). "Roland Emmerich finds 'Foundation'". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  19. ↑ Hibberd, James (July 22, 2021). "Apple TV Ordered Isaac Asimov's 'Foundation' After Hearing This One-Sentence Pitch". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  20. ↑ Tenney, Brandon (January 29, 2009). "Alex Proyas Moving Forward with Dracula Year Zero and The Tripods". FirstShowing.net. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  21. ↑ Reynolds, Simon (October 9, 2009). "Stuart Hazeldine gives 'Tripods' update". Digital Spy . Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  22. ↑ Snieder, Jeff (September 16, 2010). "Alex Proyas to Direct 'Paradise Lost' for Legendary Pictures". The Wrap . Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  23. ↑ Graser, Marc; Sneider, Jeff (May 4, 2011). "Bradley Cooper in talks for 'Paradise Lost'". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  24. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (August 3, 2011). "Alex Proyas Setting Benjamin Walker To Play Archangel Michael In 'Paradise Lost'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  25. ↑ Chitwood, Adam (August 28, 2011). "Djimon Hounsou is the Angel of Death in PARADISE LOST Opposite Bradley Cooper, Tom Wilkinson Joins LITTLE BOY". Collider . Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  26. ↑ Jeff Sneider; Justin Kroll (September 22, 2011). "Casey Affleck is Gabriel in 'Paradise Lost'". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  27. ↑ Fernadaz, Jay (October 7, 2011). "Dominic Purcell Joins Satan in 'Paradise Lost' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  28. ↑ Chitwood, Adam (October 10, 2011). "Diego Boneta in Talks to Play Adam in Alex Proyas' PARADISE LOST". Collider. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  29. ↑ Chitwood, Adam (November 7, 2011). "Casting Call: Rufus Sewell Joins PARADISE LOST; Keira Knightley in Talks to Star as Effie Gray in UNTOUCHED". Collider. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  30. ↑ Bettinger, Brendan (October 22, 2011). "Tyler Perry Casts Kim Kardashian in THE MARRIAGE COUNSELOR; Sam Reid Joins PARADISE LOST". Collider. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  31. ↑ Radish, Christina (November 28, 2011). "Callan McAuliffe Talks THE GREAT GATSBY and PARADISE LOST". Collider. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  32. ↑ Fleming Jr., Michael (December 12, 2011). "STUNNER! Legendary Pictures Postpones January Start Of Alex Proyas-Directed 'Paradise Lost'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  33. ↑ Fleming Jr., Michael (February 9, 2012). "Bradley Cooper-Starrer 'Paradise Lost' Scrapped By Legendary Pictures". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  34. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (December 1, 2010). "Summit 'AMPS' Book Deal For Alex Proyas". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  35. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 11, 2011). "Summit's Post-'Twilight' Chapter To Be Underwritten By Book Adaptations". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  36. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 11, 2012). "Comic-Con: Alex Proyas and 'Hellboy' Creator Mike Mignola Team On 'Joe Golem And The Drowning City'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  37. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (January 25, 2017). "Alex Proyas To Produce & Direct ABC Drama Project From 'Eureka' Co-Creator". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  38. ↑ Kapetopoulos, Fotis (February 17, 2020). "Alex Proyas: Looking for a new country in filmmaking". Neos Kosmos . Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  39. ↑ Squires, John (August 12, 2021). "Alex Proyas Reveals That He's Developing a 'Dark City' Series!". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  40. ↑ Ritman, Alex (May 20, 2022). "'The Crow' Director Alex Proyas Prepping $35M Horror-Thriller 'Sister Darkness'". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  41. ↑ Kay, Jeremy (February 18, 2023). "Producers on upcoming Alex Proyas sci-fi 'Heaven' strike Australia/NZ deal (exclusive)". Screen Daily . Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  42. ↑ Rowlands, Paul. "AN INTERVIEW WITH ALEX PROYAS (PART 1 OF 3)". Money Into Light. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Alex Proyas with Alex Ferrari (Full Interview)". YouTube. February 14, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  44. ↑ "X3 Trailer With FF?". IGN. February 17, 2005. Archived from the original on December 26, 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Paul Haggis onboard to work on Bond 22 script, but turns down directing role". Mi6-HQ.com . May 23, 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
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