Peter Jackson's unrealized projects

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The following is a list of unproduced Peter Jackson projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson 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. [1] [2]

Contents

1980s

As Nature Made Him

In the 1980's, Jackson intended to adapt the non-fiction book "As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised a Girl." [1] [3]

A Nightmare on Elm Street 6: The Dream Lover

In the late 1980s, Jackson submitted a screenplay to New Line Cinema he co-wrote with Danny Mulheron entitled A Nightmare on Elm Street 6: The Dream Lover. [4] [5] A separate script for a sixth film, Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991), was made instead.

Bad Taste 2

Following the release of his feature debut Bad Taste (1987), Jackson wrote the script for a potential sequel. [1] The story involved an alien invasion of Wellington, as well as Santa Claus and a giant weta. In 1992, Jackson stated that the temptation to make Bad Taste 2 was growing on him. [2]

Warrior Season

While mulling over the possibilities of making a sequel to Bad Taste, Jackson was also co-writing a script called Warrior Season with Costa Botes. Inspired by his love of Jackie Chan films such as Project A (1983) and Police Story (1985), the project was described as a kung-fu western set during the New Zealand gold rush of the 1870s. Little else is known, other than Timothy Dalton was eyed to play the villain in the film. [2]

1990s

The Black Max

In the 1990's, Jackson intended to direct the feature film adaptation of Black Max. [1]

Blubberhead

In the 1990's, Jackson intended to direct Blubberhead, a Bad Taste-like fantasy film that journalist Ian Pryor described as Jackson's missing link from his early work to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. [6] [1] [2]

Johnny Zombie

In 1992, Jackson was offered an opportunity to direct the horror comedy then-titled Johnny Zombie. He turned it down, and the film was produced as My Boyfriend's Back the following year. [1]

Creature from the Black Lagoon remake

In 1995, Jackson was associated with a project of remake of Creature from the Black Lagoon. [7] [1]

Invasion of Privacy

Jackson was sent the script for the drama/thriller titled Invasion of Privacy from a German producer. The story follows a pregnant woman who is held hostage by her ex-boyfriend. However, Jackson turned down the offer to direct. [1]

Jean Batten

Jackson optioned the film rights for the biography of the famous New Zealand aviatrix, Jean Batten: The Garbo of the Skies. [1]

2000s

Halo

The Dam Busters remake

In 2005, Jackson was set to produce a remake of The Dam Busters with Stephen Fry writing the screenplay, for Jackson and journalist David Frost to produce the remake. [8] [9]

Temeraire

In 2006, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Jackson optioned the film rights to Naomi Novik's Temeraire series. "[It's] a terrific meld of two genres that I particularly love—fantasy and historical epic," Jackson said at the time. [10] In a 2009 interview with IGN, Jackson stated that he was considering adapting the novels in the form of a miniseries instead. "With six books, I really don't like the idea of making a big-budget movie of the first book and it not doing well at the box office and suddenly that's the end of the series." [11]

2010s

In the 2010s Jackson was associated with two projects of prequels, one of King Kong , the other Tintin , respectively cancelled and on hold.

King Kong prequel

The Adventures of Tintin sequels

2020s

Untitled Beatles project

In 2022, following the release of his documentary The Beatles: Get Back on Disney+, Jackson was reportedly in discussions with Beatles members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr for an additional non-documentary feature project. [12]

Offers

The World is Not Enough

Jackson was offered to direct The World Is Not Enough, but Barbara Broccoli lost interest in Jackson after a screening of The Frighteners. [13]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Jackson's ones that got away". The New Zealand Herald . December 9, 2003. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Harrison, Mark (June 11, 2020). "The unproduced film projects of Peter Jackson". Film Stories. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Steven Spielberg reveals Peter Jackson's next movie won't be Tintin". The New Zealand Herald . June 29, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  4. ↑ Fleming, Michael (January 17, 2024). "Peter Jackson's A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Lover [Script to Pieces]". Wicked Horror. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  5. ↑ JoBlo Horror Originals (July 30, 2021). "PETER JACKSON'S ELM STREET PART 6 - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie". YouTube . Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  6. ↑ Eisenberg, Adam (January 10, 2022). "RANDALL WILLIAM COOK: AN OSCAR WINNER'S JOURNEY FROM HARRYHAUSEN TO HOBBITS". VFX Voice. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  7. ↑ Davis, Maddie (January 30, 2023). "Before King Kong, Peter Jackson Nearly Remade Another Iconic Monster Movie". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  8. ↑ Conlan, Tara (December 8, 2005). "Frost clears Dam Busters for take-off". The Guardian . Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  9. ↑ Oatts, Joanne (March 15, 2007). "Fry denies 'Doctor Who' rumours". Digital Spy . Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  10. ↑ Kit, Borys (September 12, 2006). "Lord of fantasy: Jackson eyeing 'Temeraire'". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
  11. ↑ Monfette, Christopher (24 July 2009). "SDCC 09: Peter Jackson Updates IGN". IGN . Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  12. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 20, 2022). "After 5-Emmy-Nom Haul, 'Get Back's Peter Jackson Plots Another Beatles Film With Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  13. ↑ Brian Sibley (2006). Peter Jackson: A Film-maker's Journey. London: HarperCollins. pp. 397–8. ISBN   0-00-717558-2.
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