Mike Nichols' unrealized projects

Last updated

The following is a list of unproduced Mike Nichols projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American filmmaker Mike Nichols has worked on several projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell in development hell, were officially canceled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.

Contents

1960s

The Public Eye

In January 1964, Nichols was announced to make his feature film debut as director with a film adaptation of Peter Shaffer's play The Public Eye, after the rights were bought by producer Ross Hunter. [1] He was still attached to direct the film by December that year when he agreed to direct Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? , which would become his debut instead. [2]

Barefoot in the Park

In December 1965, Nichols was in talks to helm the screen version of Neil Simon's stage play Barefoot in the Park for Paramount Pictures, but was reluctant to repeat the same projects in a new medium, as he had already directed it for stage. The following year, Gene Saks signed on to make his feature directorial debut with the film. [3]

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Funny Girl

1970s

The Exorcist

In the 1970s, Warner Bros. chief John Calley wanted Nichols to direct the film adaptation of William Peter Blatty's novel The Exorcist , and Nichols told both Elaine May and David Geffen that missing the opportunity was his biggest regret. [4]

The Last Tycoon

Nichols was the first director Sam Spiegel hired to take on directing duties for an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's unfinished novel The Last Tycoon . [5] In Nichol's version, the character of Monroe Stahr was to have been played by Al Pacino. [6] He worked for a year and a half on the film before dropping out due to editing duties on The Fortune . "I think [Nichols] knew that he had an unsuccessful picture," Spiegel commented. "And he was in a state of depression. He wanted me to postpone the picture for a year. I wouldn't dream of it." Instead, Spiegel hired Elia Kazan to direct The Last Tycoon, who cast Robert De Niro as Stahr. [5]

A Star Is Born

Nichols was writers John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion's second choice to direct their musical remake of A Star Is Born , centered in the rock world. Warren Beatty was also linked to the film, but Frank Pierson would direct it. [7]

Bogart Slept Here

Just Tell Me What You Want

After Nichols departed from the production of Bogart Slept Here, by November 1975, he reportedly agreed to produce and direct Jay Presson Allen's Just Tell Me What You Want for Warner Bros. Nichols would not remain with the project however, and Sidney Lumet would sign on to helm instead. [8]

Swing Shift

Around 1976–77, actress Julie Christie, producer David Susskind and Nichols expressed interest in Swing Shift , an original screenplay by Nancy Dowd for Paramount. At this stage, the story focused on the central characters of "Lucky Lockhart" and "Rosie", who was later rewritten as "Hazel Zanussi" following several rewrites over the years, overseen by Bo Goldman and Ron Nyswaner. In the 1980s, Jonathan Demme signed on to direct the film for Warner Bros., which starred Goldie Hawn. [9]

Annie

Following the 1977 staging of the musical Annie on Broadway, the writers asked $5 million for film rights, and requested for Nichols to direct the adaptation. By December, Columbia Pictures acquired the property. John Huston would direct the film instead, released in 1982. [10]

Melvin and Howard

A Chorus Line

In 1978, Nichols spent several months working on the film adaptation of A Chorus Line for Universal Pictures with screenwriter Bo Goldman, who were both concerned about how to widen its plot and make it more visual without destroying what made the original stage production so affective. Goldman's finished screenplay did not satisfy Universal head Ned Tanen and their version was ultimately scrapped after Nichols could not receive a larger projected budget than $16 million, which he deemed "impractical". The project eventually landed at Columbia Pictures, and Richard Attenborough was selected to direct the film, in 1985. [11]

The Jerk

The French Lieutenant's Woman

Nichols was one of several directors who tried and failed to conquer the complicated narrative of John Fowles' epic romantic novel The French Lieutenant's Woman , before the adaptation was eventually produced in 1980 by British director Karel Reisz. [12]

Sophie's Choice

In 1979, Nichols and Miloš Forman expressed interest in dividing directorial duties of the NY and European scenes, respectively, for Sophie's Choice , which Alan J. Pakula had signed on earlier to produce and direct. [13]

1980s

Betrayal

A week after the New York stage opening of Harold Pinter's play Betrayal , Nichols agreed to direct a film version for producer Sam Spiegel. They wanted Meryl Streep to play the heroine, but she changed her mind after her role in The French Lieutenant's Woman , which was also set in England, left her away from her family. After Streep's departure, Nichols too left the project, and David Jones was signed to replace him. [14]

First Blood

Innocent Blood

In 1981, it was reported that 20th Century-Fox was financing Nichols's film of mystery writer P. D. James's Innocent Blood , a novel about a woman's search for identity. Tom Stoppard worked on the screenplay for the film, and Frank Yablans was set to produce. [15]

Rhinestone

The Longshot

In 1985, Nichols was preparing to direct The Longshot , having received the offer from Harvey Korman. After rehearsing with the actors in Los Angeles and making script suggestions, Nichols left the project as he was otherwise committed to directing Heartburn with Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson. Instead, he agreed to serve as executive producer on the film. [16]

O.C. and Stiggs

Frankie and Johnny

In 1988, it was reported that Paramount Pictures optioned Terrence McNally's two-character play Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune for Nichols to direct as a film. At the time, Dianne Wiest and Richard Dreyfuss were likely to star under Nichols' direction, but all three would eventually depart from the production. The film, which debuted in 1991, instead starred Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino, and was directed by Garry Marshall. [17]

The Bonfire of the Vanities

1990s

The Remains of the Day

All the Pretty Horses

In 1992, [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]

A Simple Plan

The Impersonator

In March 1993, [21] [22]

Titanic stage production

In July 1993, [23]

Untitled Oscar Wilde biopic

In 1994, [24]

Kind Hearts and Coronets remake

In an April 1999 profile for The New York Times , Nichols revealed that his next project was likely to be a remake of the 1949 black comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets which was being written by Elaine May and set to star Robin Williams. [25] The following year, it was officially reported that Universal was moving toward a fall start for production on the Nichols-directed Kind Hearts and Coronets. Nichols had developed the script with May before they were officially given the greenlight. [26]

Dumbstruck

In May 1999, it was reported in Variety that Nichols had been attached to direct Dumbstruck with John Leguizamo set to star in and produce the film for Universal Pictures. John Weidner and Stephen Susco wrote the script, which follows a mute performance artist. [27] [28]

Diva

In September 1999, [29] [30] [31]

2000s

Untitled Edie Sedgwick biopic

Nichols and actress Natalie Portman considered doing a film about Warhol superstar Edie Sedgwick, but decided to collaborate on a film version of Patrick Marber's play Closer instead, which was released in 2004. [32]

Skinny Dip

In July 2004, Nichols acquired the rights to direct and produce the film adaptation of Carl Hiaasen's novel Skinny Dip , [33] but would later lose the rights and not get involved in other adaptation attempts. [34] [35]

Seven-Year Switch

In September 2004, Nichols was in discussions to direct Julia Roberts in the rom-com Seven-Year Switch, with Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher producing for Columbia Pictures and Red Wagon. [36]

High and Low remake

In 2008, Nichols was set to direct a remake of the Akira Kurosawa film High and Low , with David Mamet to write the script and Scott Rudin to produce the film for Miramax. [37] In 2010, Chris Rock was set to write a new screenplay for Nichols. [38]

Deep Water

In 2009, Nichols was set to direct a film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's Deep Water for 20th Century Fox, with Joe Penhall writing the screenplay. [39] A 2022 adaptation of the same novel was eventually directed by Adrian Lyne. [40]

2010s

Great Hope Springs

One Last Thing Before I Go

In 2013, Nichols was in talks to direct the film adaptation of Jonathan Tropper's novel One Last Thing Before I Go, with Tropper writing the screenplay, J. J. Abrams producing through Bad Robot and Paramount Pictures distributing. [41] The project was likely shelved after Nichols death in November the following year. [42]

Master Class

In 2014, Nichols was announced to direct the TV movie adaptation of Terrence McNally's play Master Class for HBO, with Meryl Streep set to star as Maria Callas. [43] [44] Nichols was still working on the project at the time of his death. [42]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Nichols</span> American film and theatre director (1931–2014)

Mike Nichols was an American film and theatre director and comedian. He worked across a range of genres and had an aptitude for getting the best out of actors regardless of their experience. He is one of 21 people to have won all four of the major American entertainment awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT). His other honors included three BAFTA Awards, the Lincoln Center Gala Tribute in 1999, the National Medal of Arts in 2001, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2003 and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2010. His films received a total of 42 Academy Award nominations, and seven wins.

<i>Kramer vs. Kramer</i> 1979 film by Robert Benton

Kramer vs. Kramer is a 1979 American legal drama film written and directed by Robert Benton, based on Avery Corman's 1977 novel. The film stars Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Justin Henry and Jane Alexander. It tells the story of a couple's divorce, its impact on their young son, and the subsequent evolution of their relationship and views on parenting. Kramer vs. Kramer explores the psychology and fallout of divorce, and touches on prevailing or emerging social issues, such as gender roles, fathers' rights, work-life balance, and single parents.

<i>Silkwood</i> 1983 film by Mike Nichols

Silkwood is a 1983 American biographical drama film directed by Mike Nichols, and starring Meryl Streep, Kurt Russell, and Cher. The screenplay by Nora Ephron and Alice Arlen was adapted from the book Who Killed Karen Silkwood? by Rolling Stone writer and activist Howard Kohn, which detailed the life of Karen Silkwood, a nuclear whistle-blower and a labor union activist who investigated alleged wrongdoing at the Kerr-McGee plutonium plant where she worked. In real life, her inconclusive death in a car crash gave rise to a 1979 lawsuit, Silkwood v. Kerr-McGee, led by attorney Gerry Spence. The jury rendered its verdict of $10 million in damages to be paid to the Silkwood estate, the largest amount in damages ever awarded for that kind of case at the time. The Silkwood estate eventually settled for $1.3 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Proyas</span> Australian film director

Alexander Proyas is an Australian film director. He is known for directing the films The Crow (1994), Dark City (1998), I, Robot (2004) and Knowing (2009).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Franklin</span> American actor, screenwriter, film and television director

Carl Franklin is an American filmmaker and former actor. Franklin is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley, and continued his education at the AFI Conservatory, where he graduated with an M.F.A. degree in directing in 1986.

<i>The French Lieutenants Woman</i> (film) 1981 British romantic drama film

The French Lieutenant's Woman is a 1981 British romantic drama film directed by Karel Reisz, produced by Leon Clore, and adapted by the playwright Harold Pinter. It is based on The French Lieutenant's Woman, a 1969 novel by John Fowles. The music score is by Carl Davis and the cinematography by Freddie Francis.

<i>Sophies Choice</i> (film) 1982 drama film

Sophie's Choice is a 1982 psychological drama directed and written by Alan J. Pakula, adapted from William Styron's 1979 novel. The film stars Meryl Streep as Zofia "Sophie" Zawistowska, a Polish immigrant to America with a dark secret from her past who shares a boarding house in Brooklyn with her tempestuous lover Nathan, and young writer Stingo. It also features Rita Karin, Stephen D. Newman and Josh Mostel in supporting roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Ayer</span> American filmmaker

David Ayer is an American filmmaker known for making crime films that are set in Los Angeles and deal with gangs and police corruption. His screenplays include Training Day (2001), The Fast and the Furious (2001), and S.W.A.T. (2003). He has also directed Harsh Times (2005), Street Kings (2008), End of Watch (2012), Sabotage (2014), and The Beekeeper (2024). In 2016, he directed the superhero movie Suicide Squad from the DC Extended Universe, and then the urban fantasy film Bright (2017) for Netflix. He has twice collaborated with actor Shia LaBeouf: first with the World War II drama Fury (2014), then the crime thriller The Tax Collector (2020). He has also collaborated with his friend Cle Shaheed Sloan who has appeared in four of his films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawn Levy</span> Canadian filmmaker (born 1968)

Shawn Adam Levy is a Canadian filmmaker and actor. He is the founder of 21 Laps Entertainment. His work has spanned numerous genres, and his films as a director have grossed a collective $3.5 billion worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Muschietti</span> Argentine filmmaker (born 1973)

Andrés Walter Muschietti is an Argentine film director and screenwriter who had his breakthrough with the 2013 film Mama. He gained further recognition for directing both films in the It film series, the 2017 film adaptation of the Stephen King novel and its 2019 sequel, It Chapter Two. In 2023, he directed the DC Extended Universe film The Flash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ridley Scott's unrealised projects</span>

The following is a list of unproduced Ridley Scott projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, English film director Ridley Scott has worked on a number of projects that never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell into development hell or were officially canceled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. J. Abrams's unrealized projects</span>

The following is a list of unproduced J. J. Abrams projects in roughly chronological order. During a career that has spanned over 30 years, J. J. Abrams has worked on projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction.

The following is a list of unproduced Robert Zemeckis projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American film director Robert Zemeckis has worked on several projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage. Some of these projects fell in development hell, were officially cancelled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francis Ford Coppola's unrealized projects</span>

The following is a list of unproduced Francis Ford Coppola projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American film director Francis Ford Coppola has worked on a number of projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these productions fell in development hell or were cancelled.

The following is a list of unproduced Barry Levinson projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American film director Barry Levinson worked on numerous projects that never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these fell into development hell, were officially cancelled, or would see life under a different production team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Howard's unrealized projects</span>

The following is a list of unproduced Ron Howard projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American film director Ron Howard has worked on several projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell in development hell, were officially cancelled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.

The following is a list of unproduced Doug Liman projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American filmmaker Doug Liman has worked on several projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell in development hell, were officially canceled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.

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.

The following is a list of unproduced Jonathan Demme projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American filmmaker Jonathan Demme worked on a number 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.

The following is a list of unproduced Christopher McQuarrie projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie has worked on a number of projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell into development hell, were officially cancelled, or would eventually be completed by a different production team.

References

  1. ↑ Weiler, A. H. (January 12, 1964). "PEOPLE AND PICTURES: Ross Hunter's 'Public Eye' -- Modern And Period Heroines -- Tots' Tale". The New York Times . p. X7.
  2. ↑ "NICHOLS TO DIRECT 'VIRGINIA WOOLF'; Warners Schedules Movie Production for June". The New York Times . December 12, 1964.
  3. ↑ "AFI|Catalog - Barefoot in the Park". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  4. ↑ Watkins, Gwynns (September 11, 2015). "Mike Nichols Regretted Not Directing 'The Exorcist'". Yahoo! News . Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Farber, Stephen (March 21, 1976). "Hollywood Takes On The Last Tycoon'". The New York Times . Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  6. ↑ Setoodeh, Ramin (November 20, 2014). "Al Pacino Remembers Mike Nichols: 'I Loved Him So Much'". Variety . Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  7. ↑ Gray, Tim (January 18, 2019). "The Story of 'A Star Is Born' Before Bradley Cooper's Version". Variety . Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  8. ↑ "AFI|Catalog - Just Tell Me What You Want". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  9. ↑ "AFI|Catalog - Swing Shift". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  10. ↑ "AFI|Catalog - Annie". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  11. ↑ Freedman, Samuel G. (November 11, 1984). "'CHORUS LINE' VS. HOLLYWOOD-A SAGA". The New York Times . Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  12. ↑ Variety Staff (December 31, 1980). "The French Lieutenant's Woman". Variety . Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  13. ↑ "AFI|Catalog - Sophie's Choice". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  14. ↑ Chase, Chris (February 18, 1983). "AT THE MOVIES; Surprises and luck tell story of 'Betrayal.'". The New York Times . Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  15. ↑ Levy, Francis (March 22, 1981). "HOLLYWOOD EMBRACES THE DIFFICULT NOVEL". The New York Times . Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  16. ↑ "AFI|Catalog - The Longshot". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  17. ↑ "AFI|Catalog - Frankie and Johnny". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  18. ↑ Variety Staff (April 9, 1998). "DiCaprio horse-trading; 'Monty' goes legit". Variety . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  19. ↑ Busch, Anita M. (June 12, 1995). "'HORSES' RIDES WITH COL AND UA". Variety . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  20. ↑ Variety Staff (April 8, 1997). "'Col corrals UA's 'Horses'". Variety . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  21. 1 2 Weinraub, Bernard (March 15, 1993). "Mike Nichols Plans A Career Finale". The New York Times . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  22. 1 2 Archerd, Army (July 27, 1993). "Mancuso, Nicholson renew ties". Variety . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  23. ↑ Fleming, Michael (July 15, 1993). "Dish; She said, he said — Warner Bros. said adios". Variety . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  24. ↑ Fleming, Michael (April 14, 1994). "Dish: Dolgen's first greenlight is the shade of 'Jade'". Variety . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  25. ↑ Applebome, Peter (April 25, 1999). "FILM; Always Asking, What Is This Really About?". The New York Times . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  26. ↑ Fleming, Michael (January 26, 2000). "U, Nichols take kindly to 'Hearts' redo for fall". Variety . Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  27. ↑ Carver, Benedict (May 21, 1999). "Leguizamo bows first slate". Variety . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  28. ↑ Carver, Benedict (June 1, 1999). "Scribe duo gets 'Airtime'". Variety . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  29. ↑ Moerk, Christian (September 27, 1999). "Goldwyn to renovate Warners' 'Handyman'". Variety . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  30. ↑ Gould, Howard Michael. "DIVA". howardmichaelgould.com. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Last Looks by Howard Michael Gould '84". Amherst College . January 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  32. ↑ Stein, Joel (November 29, 2004). "A Fantasy You Can Bring Home to Mother". Time . Archived from the original on March 6, 2008. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  33. ↑ Fleming, Michael (July 27, 2004). "Nichols gets the 'Skinny'". Variety . Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  34. ↑ Rose, Lacey (July 5, 2011). "HBO Developing Carl Hiaasen's 'Skinny Dip'". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  35. ↑ Project Casting (September 21, 2021). "The CW's TV Pilot 'Skinny Dip' Open Casting Call". Project Casting. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  36. ↑ Michael Fleming; Nicole LaPorte (September 27, 2004). "Col makes a 'Switch'". Variety. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  37. ↑ Thompson, Anne (October 28, 2008). "Nichols 'High' on Kurosawa remake". Variety. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  38. ↑ Ti Alan Chase (April 12, 2010). "Chris Rock to Adapt Akira Kurosawa's HIGH AND LOW for Mike Nichols". Collider . Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  39. ↑ Fleming, Michael (August 16, 2009). "Fox sets Mike Nichols for 'Deep Water'". Variety. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  40. ↑ Sharf, Zack (February 14, 2022). "'Deep Water' Teaser Trailer: Ben Affleck, Ana de Armas' Erotic Thriller Debuts on Hulu in March". Variety. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  41. ↑ Tatiana Siegel; Borys Kit (April 23, 2013). "Mike Nichols in Talks to Direct 'One Last Thing Before I Go'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  42. 1 2 The Deadline Team (November 20, 2014). "Oscar- & Tony-Winning Director Mike Nichols Dead At 83". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Mike Nichols to direct Meryl Streep in a HBO Film adaptation of MASTER CLASS, Terrence McNally's Tony award-winning play about Maria Callas". Twitter . July 10, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  44. ↑ Dockterman, Eliana (July 10, 2014). "Meryl Streep to Star in Master Class Movie on HBO". Time . Retrieved November 2, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.