Steven Soderbergh's unrealized projects

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Soderbergh in 2009 Steven Soderbergh 66eme Festival de Venise (Mostra).jpg
Soderbergh in 2009

The following is a list of unproduced Steven Soderbergh projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American filmmaker Steven Soderbergh has worked on several projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell into development hell, were officially canceled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team. [1] [2]

Contents

1980s

Edward Ford

In the 1980s, Soderbergh was one of many directors attached to direct Lem Dobbs's screenplay Edward Ford, a drama about an obsessive-compulsive disorder patient trying to become a Hollywood actor, for 20th Century Fox. [3]

The Last Ship

After the success of Sex, Lies, and Videotape , Soderbergh had planned on adapting the post-apocalyptic novel The Last Ship by William Brinkley as his next film. It was set to be produced by Sydney Pollack. [1] After several unsatisfactory screenplay drafts however, Soderbergh would ultimately choose to abandon the project in favor of making Kafka . [4]

1990s

Quiz Show

[1] [2]

Leatherheads

[1] [2]

Toots and the Upside-Down House

Human Nature

Neurotica

[1]

The Locked Room

[5] [1]

The Crowded Room

In 1997, Soderbergh was attached to direct The Crowded Room, based on Daniel Keyes' non-fiction novel The Minds of Billy Milligan , after the rights were optioned by Warner Bros. He wanted to cast Sean Penn in his version. [6]

2000s

A Confederacy of Dunces

On June 23, 2003, Soderbergh was set to co-write with Scott Kramer the screenplay for David Gordon Green's adaptation of the novel A Confederacy of Dunces . [7]

Cleo

On October 23, 2008, it was announced that Soderbergh was planning to direct a 3D live action rock and roll musical titled Cleo, with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Hugh Jackman portraying Cleopatra and Marc Antony respectively; Gregory Jacobs and Casey Silver signed on to produce the film. The music for the projected $30 million production was written by the indie rock band Guided by Voices, with screenplay by James Greer, a former bass player for the group. [8] In December that year, Ray Winstone was in talks to portray Julius Caesar. [9] On January 2, 2009, Jackman dropped out of the project. [10] On September 4, 2009, Soderbergh weighed the possibility of making Cleo or a proposed Liberace biopic, which became Behind the Candelabra , before retiring. [11] On June 16, 2012, Zeta-Jones admitted on The View that she and Soderbergh would try to make it as a Broadway stage show. [12]

Untitled Leni Riefenstahl biopic

In 2008, while filming The Informant! , Soderbergh and Scott Z. Burns were writing a script for a biopic about Leni Riefenstahl, but ultimately chose to make Contagion after weighing the commercial prospects between the projects. [13] [14]

Moneyball

The Limey sequel

On July 12, 2009, Jules Asner revealed on Adam Corolla's podcast that Soderbergh wanted to make a sequel to The Limey , [15] and Soderbergh revealed the following September that he and Lem Dobbs were writing the screenplay with a focus on new characters while collaborating on Haywire . [16]

2010s

Making Jack Falcone

On March 4, 2010, Soderbergh was set to produce the biographical crime film Making Jack Falcone with Peter Buchman writing the screenplay and Benicio Del Toro set to portray FBI agent Jack Garcia for Paramount Pictures. [17]

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

On November 16, 2010, Soderbergh was set to direct the film adaptation of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. with Scott Z. Burns writing the screenplay and John Davis and David Dobkin producing. [18] In 2011, George Clooney was set to star, but left the due to a back injury. [19] On October 20, 2011, Bradley Cooper was set to replace Clooney, [20] but in November that year, Soderbergh dropped out as director and Guy Ritchie was hired to replace him. [21] [22]

The Sot-Wood Factor TV series

Planet Kill

In February 2018, Soderbergh was set to produce and possibly direct Scott Z. Burns and James Greer's original action thriller Planet Kill, with Studio 8 set to produce. [23]

Emin Pasha TV miniseries

In April 2018, Soderbergh was in the process of developing a six-part miniseries written by Lem Dobbs about the life of 19th-century adventurer Emin Pasha. [24]

Florida Man TV series

In 2019, Soderbergh was set to produce Florida Man, an Elmore Leonard-style TV series with BenDavid Grabinski attached as the showrunner after replacing Michael Waldron. [25] On June 4, 2021, the project evolved into a buddy cop movie, then retitled Gator and the Egg, with Gabinski writing the screenplay, Stacey Sher, Michael Shamberg, John Henson and Soderbergh producing, and Tricia Brock set to direct through Amazon Studios. [26]

2020s

High Flying Bird sequel

On May 19, 2020, Soderbergh was possibly going to direct and produce a sequel to High Flying Bird that Andre Holland was working on for Netflix. [27] On September 24, 2020, Soderbergh confirmed that the sequel's screenplay was written. [28]

Sex, Lies, and Videotape sequel

The Knick TV series spinoff

On September 24, 2020, Soderbergh was set to only executive produce a spinoff of The Knick starring Andre Holland, with Jack Amiel and Michael Begler writing the series and Barry Jenkins attached to direct and produce. [28]

Contagion sequel

On December 30, 2020, Soderbergh announced that a "philosophical sequel" to his film Contagion was in the works. [29]

Offers

Death Becomes Her

In 1989, Soderbergh was offered the chance to direct David Koepp's screenplay Death Becomes Her around the release of Sex, Lies, and Videotape for Universal Pictures, but he recommended Robert Zemeckis to direct it instead. [30]

Fifty Shades of Grey

On May 9, 2013, Soderbergh was considered to direct the feature film adaptation of E. L. James' novel Fifty Shades of Grey , as well as the sequels, for Universal Pictures, long before Sam Taylor-Johnson was hired to direct the film adaptation. [31]

The Long Goodbye sequel

In 2019, Soderbergh was offered via a text message from Elliott Gould the chance to direct the sequel to The Long Goodbye . [32]

See also

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<i>Sex, Lies, and Videotape</i> 1989 film by Steven Soderbergh

Sex, Lies, and Videotape is a 1989 American independent drama film written and directed by Steven Soderbergh. The plot tells the story of a troubled man who videotapes women discussing their sexuality and fantasies, and its impact on the relationships of a troubled married couple and the wife's younger sister.

<i>The Limey</i> 1999 American film

The Limey is a 1999 American crime film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Lem Dobbs. The film features Terence Stamp, Lesley Ann Warren, Luis Guzmán, Barry Newman, Nicky Katt, and Peter Fonda. The plot concerns an English career criminal (Stamp) who travels to the United States to investigate the recent suspicious death of his daughter. It was filmed on location in Los Angeles and Big Sur.

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<i>Kafka</i> (film) 1991 film by Steven Soderbergh

Kafka is a 1991 mystery thriller film directed by Steven Soderbergh, from a screenplay by Lem Dobbs. Ostensibly a biopic based on the life of Franz Kafka, the film blurs the lines between fact and Kafka's fiction, creating a Kafkaesque atmosphere. It stars Jeremy Irons in the title role, with Theresa Russell, Ian Holm, Jeroen Krabbé, Joel Grey, Armin Mueller-Stahl, and Alec Guinness. Simon McBurney appears in his film debut.

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<i>Contagion</i> (2011 film) American medical disaster thriller film by Steven Soderbergh

Contagion is a 2011 American medical disaster thriller film directed by Steven Soderbergh. Its ensemble cast includes Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Elliott Gould, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet, Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Ehle, Sanaa Lathan, and Gwyneth Paltrow. The plot concerns the spread of a highly contagious virus transmitted by respiratory droplets and fomites, attempts by medical researchers and public health officials to identify and contain the disease, the loss of social order as the virus turns into a worldwide pandemic, and the introduction of a vaccine to halt its spread. To follow several interacting plot lines, the film makes use of the multi-narrative "hyperlink cinema" style, popularized in several of Soderbergh's films. The film was inspired by real-life outbreaks such as the 2002–2004 SARS outbreak and the 2009 flu pandemic.

Scott Z. Burns is an American filmmaker and playwright.

<i>Behind the Candelabra</i> 2013 film

Behind the Candelabra is a 2013 American biographical comedy drama television film directed by Steven Soderbergh from a screenplay by Richard LaGravenese, based on the 1988 book of the same name by Scott Thorson and Alex Thorleifson. It dramatizes the last ten years in the life of pianist Liberace and the relationship that he had with Thorson.

<i>Side Effects</i> (2013 film) 2013 film by Steven Soderbergh

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Taylor, Greta (July 12, 2015). "A Soderbergh Escapade: The Unrealized Projects of Steven Soderbergh". The-Solute. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Thapa, Shaurya (May 24, 2021). "5 Movies Steven Soderbergh Almost Directed (& 5 You Didn't Know He Produced)". Screen Rant.
  3. ↑ Dessem, Matthew (November 15, 2012). "The Great American Unproduced Screenplay". Slate . Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  4. ↑ Gabriel, Trip (November 3, 1991). "Steven Soderbergh: The Sequel". The New York Times . Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  5. ↑ Sengupta, Somini (January 5, 1997). "Charlie Chan, Retooled for the 90's". The New York Times . Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  6. ↑ Fleming, Michael (December 8, 1997). "DeVito checks into 'Room'". Variety. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  7. ↑ Rooney, David (June 23, 2003). "A stage of 'Dunces'". Variety . Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  8. ↑ Elsa Keslassy; Michael Fleming (October 23, 2008). "Soderbergh to make 3-D 'Cleopatra'". Variety. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  9. ↑ Reynolds, Simon (December 3, 2008). "Winstone joins Zeta-Jones's 'Cleo'". Digital Spy . Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  10. ↑ Billington, Alex (January 2, 2009). "Hugh Jackman Steps Out of Steven Soderbergh's Cleo". FirstShowing.net. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  11. ↑ Billington, Alex (September 4, 2009). "Steven Soderbergh Updates Cleo, Liberace, and Moneyball". FirstShowing.net. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  12. ↑ Bustos, Kristina (June 16, 2012). "Catherine Zeta-Jones: 'I want to play Cleopatra on Broadway'". Digital Spy. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  13. ↑ Jagernauth, Kevin (March 11, 2011). "Steven Soderbergh Reveals He Dropped A Leni Riefenstahl Biopic To Do 'Contagion' Instead". IndieWire . Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  14. ↑ Jagernauth, Kevin (September 23, 2013). "Soderbergh Says Abandoned Leni Riefenstahl Biopic Would Focus On Director Battling The Studio System". IndieWire. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  15. ↑ Billington, Alex (July 12, 2009). "Steven Soderbergh is Interested in a Sequel to The Limey?". FirstShowing.net. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  16. ↑ Billington, Alex (September 16, 2009). "Soderbergh Updates Us on Liberace, Cleo, and Limey Sequel". FirstShowing.net. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  17. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 4, 2010). "Bennie And The Feds' New Mafia Film". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  18. ↑ Kit, Borys (February 1, 2018). "EXCLUSIVE: Steven Soderbergh Taking on 'Man From U.N.C.L.E.'". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  19. ↑ Kit, Borys (September 7, 2011). "George Clooney back injury forced 'Man From U.N.C.L.E.' exit, says writer". Digital Spy. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  20. ↑ Kit, Borys (October 20, 2011). "Bradley Cooper may cry 'U.N.C.L.E.'". Variety. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  21. ↑ Perez, Rodrigo (November 18, 2011). "EXCLUSIVE: Steven Soderbergh Spies Other Plans, Won't Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.'". IndieWire. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  22. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (December 8, 2011). "Guy Ritchie And Lionel Wigram Join 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  23. ↑ Busch, Anita (February 1, 2018). "Studio 8 Acquires 'Planet Kill' For Steven Soderbergh To Produce, May Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  24. ↑ Perez, Rodrigo (April 12, 2018). "Steven Soderbergh Shooting 'Panama Papers' Movie Next, Title Revealed". The Playlist. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Unmade Retrospective: BenDavid Grabinsk Part 2". Best Movies Never Made. September 25, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  26. ↑ Busch, Anita (June 4, 2021). "Amazon Lands Buddy-Cop Film 'Gator and the Egg' & Sets 'Bridgerton's Tricia Brock To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  27. ↑ Hersko, Tyler (May 19, 2020). "André Holland Is Working on a 'High Flying Bird' Sequel". IndieWire. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  28. 1 2 Perez, Rodrigo (June 29, 2011). "'The Knick' Returns: Steven Soderbergh Says Barry Jenkins & André Holland Are Plotting A New Season & A Pilot Is Written [Exclusive]". The Playlist. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  29. ↑ Hersko, Tyler (December 28, 2020). "Steven Soderbergh Working on 'Philosophical' Sequel to 'Contagion'". IndieWire . Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  30. ↑ Lang, Brent (January 26, 2024). "Why Steven Soderbergh Turned Down Directing 'Death Becomes Her': 'This Is So Far Beyond My Capability'". Variety . Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  31. ↑ Kroll, Justin (May 9, 2013). "'50 Shades of Grey' Flirts with Director Joe Wright". Variety. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  32. ↑ Lattanzio, Ryan (September 29, 2019). "Elliott Gould Texted Steven Soderbergh About Making the Sequel to 'The Long Goodbye'". IndieWire. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
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