The following is a list of unproduced Francis Lawrence projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American filmmaker Francis Lawrence 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.
2000s
editSurvivor film
editSgt. Rock film
edit2010s
editHarry Houdini biopic
editOn March 23, 2011, Lawrence was set to direct a biopic of Harry Houdini with Jimmy Miller producing and Columbia Pictures was set to distribute.[1]
The Odyssey film and sequel
editOn April 8, 2015, Lawrence was reported hired to direct a feature film adaptation of Homer’s poem The Odyssey with Hugh Jackson set to portray Odysseus, Peter Craig writing the screenplay, and Nina Jacobson producing through Color Force for Lionsgate Films,[2] with the possibility of at least one sequel.[3] The project was ultimately canceled because of the critical and commercial failure of Gods of Egypt and Lawrence’s other commitments.[4]
The Last Duel
editOn July 10, 2015, it was announced that Laqrence was set to direct a film adaptation of Eric Jager's 2004 book The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France for Studio 8, with Shaun Grant writing the screenplay.[5] The book was eventually adapted as The Last Duel by director Ridley Scott and screenwriters Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Nicole Holofcener, and released in theatres on October 15, 2021.[6][7]
Q: A Love Story film
editOn August 20, 2015, Lawrence was set to produce the feature film adaptation of Evan Mandery’s novel Q: A Love Story with Matt Tolmach producing with Erwin Stoff through 3 Arts Entertainment and Pouya Shahbazian through New Leaf Literary and Media possibly for Lionsgate Films.[8]
Five Faces Of Maria
editOn November 14, 2017, it was announced that Lawrence would direct the World War I film Five Faces of Maria, about the life of soldier Maria Bochkareva and written by Gina Welch, for MakeReady, to be released by Entertainment One and Universal Pictures; Lawrence would also produce the film alongside Erwin Stoff.[9]
Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue
editOn June 11, 2018, Lawrence was set to direct and produce Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue, with Charles Randolph writing the screenplay and David A. Neuman producing the film.[10]
2020s
editVulcan's Hammer film
editOn November 8, 2021, Lawrence was set to direct the feature film adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s novel Vulcan's Hammer with Brian Oliver and Bradley Fischer producing through New Republic Pictures, Cameron MacConomy through Lawrence’s About:Blank and Isa Dick Hackett through Electric Shepherd Productions.[11]
Stalag-X film
editOn March 17, 2022, Lawrence was set to direct the feature film adaptation of Kevin J. Anderson & Steven L. Sears’ novel Stalag-X with Joy Wilkinson writing the script and Brian Oliver and Bradley Fischer producing through New Republic Pictures and Cameron MacConomy through Lawrence’s About:Blank.[12]
Untitled Sublime biopic
editOn September 15, 2022, it was announced that Lawrence had signed on to direct a biographical film about the ska punk band Sublime for 3000 Pictures from a screenplay by Chris Mundy, with Lawrence's about:blank co-producing alongside Chernin Entertainment, Surfdog/DKM, and KHPS, with surviving band members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh, and Bradley Nowell's widow Troy Nowell and son Jakob Nowell, among the executive producers.[13]
Offers
editUnbroken
editOn January 4, 2011, Lawrence was offered to direct the film adaptation of the biographical novel Unbroken, which Angelina Jolie would eventually direct.[14]
References
edit- ^ Stewart, Andrew (March 23, 2011). "Sony reviving Houdini pic with Lawrence". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Dave McNary (April 8, 2015). "'Hunger Games' Team Developing Multiple 'Odyssey' Movies for Lionsgate". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Dave McNary (May 22, 2015). "'Hunger Games' Team Developing Multiple 'Odyssey' Movies for Lionsgate". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Laman, Lisa (February 13, 2024). "Hugh Jackman's Sprawling Odyssey Franchise We Never Got to See". Collider. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 10, 2015). "Studio 8 Sets Shaun Grant To Adapt 'The Last Duel' For 'Hunger Games' Helmer Francis Lawrence". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (July 22, 2019). "Ridley Scott, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Nicole Holofcener Team on 'The Last Duel'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (July 23, 2020). "'Star Wars' Films, 'Avatar' Sequels Pushed Back a Year in Disney Release Calendar Shakeup". Variety. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Dave McNary (August 20, 2015). "Lionsgate in Talks for 'Q: A Love Story' Movie Adaptation". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 14, 2017). "MakeReady Sets 'Five Faces Of Maria'; Francis Lawrence To Direct Epic WWI Tale". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Dave McNary (June 11, 2018). "'Hunger Games' Director Francis Lawrence to Helm Hulk Hogan-Gawker Movie". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Jackson, Angelique (November 8, 2021). "Francis Lawrence to Adapt Philip K. Dick's 'Vulcan's Hammer' With New Republic and Electric Shepherd Productions". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 17, 2022). "Francis Lawrence To Direct 'Stalag-X' For New Republic Pictures, About:Blank Producing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (September 15, 2022). "Sublime Biopic In The Works At 3000 Pictures With Francis Lawrence Directing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (January 4, 2011). "Universal Buys Laura Hillenbrand WWII Bestseller 'Unbroken' For Francis Lawrence". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
