Film Development For 2/27/14: ‘Repent Harlequin’ Adaptation of Harlan Ellison Story Among New Projects

NEW ATTACHMENTS

Section 6 Logline: An exploration of the formation of Great Britain's secret intelligence agency, Military Intelligence, Section 6, known more commonly as MI6. Studio/Distributor: Universal Pictures Production Companies:  Grey Matter Productions, Marc Platt Productions, Caliber Media Producers:  Lawrence Grey, Marc Platt, Adam Siegel, Adam Simpson-Marshall Cast: Jack O’Connell Writer:  Aaron Berg Details: Screenplay was included in the 2013 Black List.  SSN Insight: This spec was bought in October when Universal beat Sony for the project because the studio included progress-to-production language in its offer to separate itself from the rest of the herd. East of Eden (Remake) Logline: Set in Steinbeck's birthplace of Salinas, two brother in a California farm family struggle to maintain their strict, Bible-toting father's favor. Studio/Distributor: Universal Pictures Production Companies:  Grand Illusions, Imagine Entertainment Producers:  Brian Grazer, Anna Culp Cast: Jennifer Lawrence Writer:  Gary Ross (current draft), Paul Attanasio (previous draft), Christopher Hampton (previous draft) Director: Gary Ross Details: Based on the novel East of Eden, written by John Steinbeck, published by Viking Press 1952. SSN Insight: The last three films Gary Ross directed, he also wrote (Hunger Games, Seabiscuit & Pleasantville). This project also reunites him with Jennifer Lawrence since Hunger Games. The Stand      Logline: After a super virus wipes out most of the world's population, a group of survivors, led by Mother Abagail, face off against another group, led by the tyrannical Randall Flagg. Studios/Distributors: CBS Films, Warner Bros. Production Companies: Mosaic, Vertigo Entertainment Producers:  Roy Lee, Jimmy Miller, Lawrence Inglee Writer:  Scott Cooper (current draft), Dave Kajganich (previous draft), Steve Kloves (previous draft) Director: Josh Boone (in discussions) Details: Based on the novel The Stand, written by Stephen King and published by Doubleday in November 1978.  SSN Insight: Josh Boone loved Stephen King books growing up, but his Christian parents banned them in their home. He would secretly read them regardless, wrapping them in Christian-approved  book jackets. After his mom found a hidden copy of The Stand and burned it, a 12-year-old Josh wrote a letter to Stephen King, who then mailed him a box of books. Josh’s parents then lifted the ban and he remained friends with King over the years. King appeared in Boone’s debut feature Stuck in Love and gave Boone permission to adapt his novel “Lisey’s Story” into a screenplay.  

NEW PROJECTS

Repent Harlequin Logline: Everett C. Marm goes up against a repressive government and puts himself in danger when he disguises himself as the anarchical Harlequin and rebels against the Ticktock Man. Production Company:  Studio JMS Producers:  J. Michael Straczynski, Patricia Tallman Writer:  J. Michael Straczynski Director: Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro are being considered to direct. Details: Based on the story Repent, Harlequin! Said The Ticktock Man, written by Harlan Ellison and published in Galaxy Magazine in December 1965.  SSN Insight: This marks the first time since this story was published in 1965 that Harlan Ellison has allowed someone the rights probably because he had a tough time in Hollywood over the years. He was fired on his first day as a writer at Disney after Roy O. Disney overheard him musing about his desire to write a porno film featuring Disney characters. He has famously butted heads with Gene Roddenberry and Robert Shapiro. He also once sued Orion and Hemdale alleging that The Terminator took liberties with his Soldier and Demon With A Glass Hand episodes of The Outer Limits. They settled out of court, and Ellison got acknowledgment on The Terminator, despite James Cameron’s objections. Motherless Brooklyn Logline: A lonely private detective afflicted with Tourette’s syndrome tries to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend. Financier: RatPac Entertainment Production Company:  Class 5 Films Producers: Edward Norton, Bill Migliore, Brett Ratner, Stuart Blumberg (Executive Producer), James Packer (Executive Producer) Cast: Edward Norton Writer:  Edward Norton Director: Edward Norton Details: Based on the novel "Motherless Brooklyn" written by Jonathan Lethem and published by Doubleday in 1999. SSN Insight: Edward Norton has tried for 15 years to get this project made and after he adapted the novel, he is now attached to direct & star. This project marks the first time he will be directing since his debut on Keeping the Faith in 1999. The Taliban Shuffle Logline: A humorous look at a reporter's struggles while in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Studio/Distributor: Paramount Pictures Production Companies:  Little Stranger, Broadway Video Producers:  Tina Fey, Lorne Michaels Cast: Tina Fey Writer:  Robert Carlock Details: Based on the memoir The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan, by Kim Barker; published by Doubleday in 2011. SSN Insight: Though they have all collaborated on TV projects together, this is the first feature film that Tina Fey will collaborate with both Lorne Michaels and Robert Carlock on.