Move over, Musketeers: Hollywood has found another big property to fight over.
The big news on the Jules Vernes “Leagues” front last week had Disney talking with David Fincher to direct after torpedoing McG, who was for the longest time attached to direct, though I’m sure McG’s poorly received “Terminator: Salvation” may or may not have something to do with the film stalling. While the Disney version has gone back to the drawing board, with a new writer and possible director in talks, it looks like Fox has decided this is the perfect time to strike with their own version.
The Fox version of Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” comes with a finished script by “Clash of the Titans” co-writer Travis Beacham, who sold the script to Fox a while back. The studio has since attached brothers Tony and Ridley Scott to produce the film. The brothers Scott, meanwhile, has been talking with “Wanted” director Timur Bekmambetov to helm the film, with the idea being a more science fiction version of the familiar tale, whereas the Disney version, from all accounts, is more of a faithful approach. At least, it was back when McG was involved. Who knows what will become of it now.
If you’re wondering how two studios can be making essentially the same movie from a very famous novel at the same time, it’s because Jules Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” is in the public domain, so just about anyone can do anything they want with it. If, you know, you have $100 million or thereabouts to spend.
‘Wait, so it’s ANOTHER version of 20,000 Leagues that I’m also not directing? Dagnabbit!’
