Scott Derrickson's unrealized projects: Difference between revisions

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The following is '''a list of unproduced Scott Derrickson projects''' in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American film director [[Scott Derrickson]] 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.<ref name="Slashfilm">{{cite web|last=Seibold|first=Whitney|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1048881/why-scott-derrickson-made-sinister-instead-of-ghost-rider-2-exclusive/|title=Why Scott Derrickson Made Sinister Instead Of Ghost Rider 2 [Exclusive]|website=[[/Film]]|date=October 12, 2022|access-date=December 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Westmont">{{cite web|url=https://www.westmont.edu/westmont-news/earth-stood-still-director-lead-talk|title='Earth Stood Still' Director to Lead Talk|publisher=[[Westmont College]]|date=November 2, 2010|access-date=December 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Relevant">{{cite magazine|url=https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/3706-spotlight-horror-used-for-good/|title=Spotlight: Horror Used for Good|magazine=[[Relevant (magazine)|Relevant]]|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=December 29, 2024}}</ref>

The following is '''a list of unproduced Scott Derrickson projects''' in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American film director [[Scott Derrickson]] 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.<ref name="Slashfilm">{{cite web|last=Seibold|first=Whitney|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1048881/why-scott-derrickson-made-sinister-instead-of-ghost-rider-2-exclusive/|title=Why Scott Derrickson Made Sinister Instead Of Ghost Rider 2 [Exclusive]|website=[[/Film]]|date=October 12, 2022|access-date=December 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Westmont">{{cite web|url=https://www.westmont.edu/westmont-news/earth-stood-still-director-lead-talk|title='Earth Stood Still' Director to Lead Talk|publisher=[[Westmont College]]|date=November 2, 2010|access-date=December 29, 2024}}</ref>

==1990s==

===''The Church''===

In 1996, a screenplay entitled ''The Church'' was in development at [[Trimark Pictures]] with Derrickson signed on for what would have been his feature directorial debut.<ref name="Facebook">{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&&note_id=211162895572652 |title=Facebook |publisher=Facebook |accessdate=2012-06-23 |quote=Unproduced screenplays (selected)<br>• ''Devil's Knot'' (Dimension Entertainment, 2007)<br>• ''The Birds'' (Universal Pictures, 2007) (attached as director)<br>• ''Nine Chambers'' (Universal Pictures, 2007) (attached as director)<br>• ''Kingdom Come'' (Sony Entertainment, 2006) (attached as director)<br>• ''Hyperion'' (IEG Entertainment, 2006)<br>• ''Beware The Night'' (Bruckheimer Productions, 2002)<br>• ''Mystic'' (Walt Disney Pictures, 2001) (attached as director)<br>• ''Future Tense'' (APG Entertainment, 2000)<br>• ''Mindbender'' (Dimension Entertainment, 2000) (attached as director)<br>• ''Darkness Falling'' (Sony Entertainment, 1997) (attached as director)<br>• ''The Church'' (Trimark Pictures, 1996) (attached as director)}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |fix-attempted=yes |url=}}</ref> Since this was not produced, ''[[Hellraiser: Inferno]]'' would become his first film instead.

===''Darkness Falling''===

On March 15,In 1999, Derrickson and [[Paul Harris Boardman]] co-write the's screenplay ''Darkness Falling,'' was planned to be made with [[Bryan Singer]] attached to produce withand [[Columbia Pictures]] set to distributedistributing.<ref>{{cite newsweb|last=Cox|first=Dan|last=Cox|title=Phoenix going 'Urban' again with sequel deal|url=https://variety.com/1999/film/news/phoenix-going-urban-again-with-sequel-deal-1117492334/|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=March 15, 1999|access-date=September 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Torres|first=Vanessa|title=Tyro filmmakers ink 3-Dimension pact|url=https://variety.com/1999/film/news/tyro-filmmakers-ink-3-dimension-pact-1117744456/|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=August 3, 1999|access-date=NovemberSeptember 1316, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Relevant"/>

==2000s==

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===''Paradise Lost''===

In 2006, Derricksonit was announced that Derrickson was to direct a live-action film version of [[John Milton]]'s [[Epic poetry|epic poem]] ''[[Paradise Lost]]'' for [[Legendary Entertainment]]. Milton's 17th century poem, which follows [[Lucifer]]'s failed rebellion in [[heaven]] and subsequent role in [[Adam and Eve]]'s fall from grace, was adapted by Philip de Blasi and Byron Willinger.<ref>{{cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|title='Paradise' revisited|url=https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/paradise-revisited-1117941723/|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=April 19, 2006|access-date=April 23, 2023}}</ref> "The screenplay takes aspects of the entire arc," Derrickson explained, "What it encompasses is still a fraction of the poem and has to be, because you could make a 50-hour miniseries out of it if you wanted to. But it really covers, end-to-end, the basic events of the poem."<ref>{{cite web|last=Adler|first=Shawn|title=Scott Derrickson Says His 'Paradise Lost' Film Might Lead To Sympathy For The Devil|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/ue0rnh/scott-derrickson-says-his-paradise-lost-film-might-lead-to-sympathy-for-the-devil|website=[[MTV]]|date=July 23, 2008|access-date=April 23, 2023}}</ref> In 2010, [[Alex Proyas]] was attached to direct ''[[Paradise Lost]]'' instead of Derrickson,<ref>{{cite web|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|title=Alex Proyas to Direct 'Paradise Lost' for Legendary Pictures|url=https://www.thewrap.com/alex-proyas-direct-paradise-lost-legendary-pictures-20903/|date=September 16, 2010|website=The Wrap|access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref> which led to Derrickson sharing concept art done for his version of the film in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last=Miska|first=Brad|title=Pssst, Wanna See Lucifer From the Now Defunct 'Paradise Lost'?!|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3396488/pssst-wanna-see-lucifer-now-defunt-paradise-lost/|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|date=June 27, 2016|access-date=April 23, 2023}}</ref>

===''Kingdom Come''===

In 2006, Derrickson was attached to direct his script ''Kingdom Come'' for [[Sony Entertainment]].<ref name="Facebook"/>

===''Nine Chambers''===

In 2007, Derrickson was attached to direct his script ''Nine Chambers'' for [[Universal Pictures]].<ref name="Facebook"/>

===''The Birds'' remake===

In 20082007, it was reported that Derrickson would co-write with [[Paul Harris Boardman]] and direct a remake of [[Alfred Hitchcock]]'s ''[[The Birds (film)|The Birds]]'' for [[Universal Pictures]] with [[Michael Bay]] producing, and [[Naomi Watts]] starring as Melanie Daniels.<ref name="Relevant"/><ref>{{cite news |author= R, Dustin|title= Exclusive: An Update on The Birds Remake |work= Pajiba|date= December 2, 2009}}</ref> In 2013, Derrickson stated that he had been asked to do a rewrite on the project on "what feels like 10 years ago", and that it was likely not going forward in the future.<ref>{{cite news|author= Wax, Alyse|url=http://www.fearnet.com/news/interview/exclusive-scott-derrickson-sinister-and-poltergeist-and-birds-remakes|title= Exclusive: Scott Derrickson on 'Sinister' and the 'Poltergeist' and 'The Birds' Remakes|work=FEARnet|date=February 21, 2013|access-date=November 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224034120/http://www.fearnet.com/news/interview/exclusive-scott-derrickson-sinister-and-poltergeist-and-birds-remakes|archive-date=February 24, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===''The Miso Soup''===

Also inIn 2008, it was announced that German director [[Wim Wenders]] would direct an adaptation of ''[[In the Miso Soup]]'', scripted by Derrickson and [[Philippe Carcassonne]], and eying to shoot in spring 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jagernauth|first=Kevin|url=https://theplaylist.net/first-look-at-wim-wenders-3d-dance-fi-20100811/|title=First Look At Wim Wenders 3D Dance Film 'Pina' Plus Details On His Next Film 'Miso Soup' Based On The Book By Ryu Murakami|website=The Playlist|date=August 11, 2010|access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref> Derrickson had previously conceived the story for Wenders' 2004 film ''[[Land of Plenty]]''.

===''Hyperion Cantos''===

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===''Thunderstruck'' TV pilot===

In November 2011, [[AMC Networks|AMC]] picked up a TV pilot written by Derrickson and [[Paul Harris Boardman]] titled ''Thunderstruck'', about an alien spacecraft that appears in a small [[Montana]] town.<ref>{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=AMC Buys Sci-Fi Drama From Paul Boardman, Scott Derrickson & David Eick|url=https://deadline.com/2011/11/amc-buys-sci-fi-drama-from-paul-boardman-scott-derrickson-david-eick-194197/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=November 11, 2011|access-date=April 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gallagher|first=Brian|title=AMC Picks Up Thunderstruck|url=https://movieweb.com/amc-picks-up-thunderstruck/|website=MovieWeb|date=November 12, 2011|access-date=April 23, 2023}}</ref> Derrickson was reported to be directing the series' [[Television pilot|pilot episode]].

===''When Gravity Fails''===

AsIn ofSeptember 20132012, a film adaptation of [[George Alec Effinger]]'s 1986 novel ''[[When Gravity Fails]]'' was in development with Derrickson attached to direct and Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal writing and producing for IM Global.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|title=‘Words’ Writer-Directors Tackling YA Adaptation ‘Break My Heart 1,000 Times’ (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/words-brian-klugman-lee-sternthal-break-my-heart-1000-times-368240/|quote="They are writers and exec producers on When Gravity Fails, an adaptation of a George Alec Effinger novel set up at IM Global with Scott Derrickson directing."|date=September 5, 2012|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=April 10, 2025}}</ref> In 2013, writer [[C. Robert Cargill]] on board to write the script.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scifinow.co.uk/news/when-gravity-fails-film-is-cool-and-weird-and-awesome-says-writer/ |title=When Gravity Fails film is "cool and weird and awesome" |website=SciFiNow |date=March 22, 2013 |author=Hoare, James |accessdate=October 22, 2016}}</ref> In a 2016 interview, Cargill announced on [[Double Toasted]] that the project was probably in [[Turnaround (filmmaking)|turnaround]].<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/eEpbUf8dGq0 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160423145457/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEpbUf8dGq0&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEpbUf8dGq0| title = EXCLUSIVE! DOCTOR STRANGE WRITER "C. ROBERT CARGILL" - Double Toasted Interview | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===''The Breathing Method''===

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In November 2012, [[CBS Films]] had hired Derrickson and [[C. Robert Cargill]] to write an adaptation of the acclaimed video game ''[[Deus Ex (video game)|Deus Ex]]'', with Derrickson on board to direct. The film reportedly would have borrowed heavily from the more origin-oriented ''[[Deus Ex: Human Revolution]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/scott-derrickson-direct-deux-cbc-390949/|title=Scott Derrickson Tackling 'Deus Ex' for CBS Films|last=Kit|first=Borys|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=November 15, 2012|access-date=April 23, 2023}}</ref> In a 2014 interview, Derrickson stated that his involvement with ''[[Doctor Strange (2016 film)|Doctor Strange]]'' is what had halted further development on the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/scott-derrickson-interview-deliver-us-from-evil-deus-ex-reactions/|title=Scott Derrickson interview: Deliver Us From Evil, Deus Ex, reactions|last=Brew|first=Simon|work=Den of Geek|date=August 21, 2014|access-date=April 23, 2023}}</ref> Fragments of the film's script were later shared by ''[[USA Today]]'' in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/04/deus-ex-movie-canceled-script|title=Behind the script of the canceled Deus Ex movie|last=McKeand|first=Kirk|work=[[USA Today#For the Win|USA Today]]|date=April 6, 2022|access-date=April 23, 2023}}</ref>

===''WhenThe GravityOuter FailsLimits'' film===

As of 2013, a film adaptation of [[George Alec Effinger]]'s 1986 novel ''[[When Gravity Fails]]'' was in development with Derrickson and writer [[C. Robert Cargill]] on board to write the script.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scifinow.co.uk/news/when-gravity-fails-film-is-cool-and-weird-and-awesome-says-writer/ |title=When Gravity Fails film is "cool and weird and awesome" |website=SciFiNow |date=March 22, 2013 |author=Hoare, James |accessdate=October 22, 2016}}</ref> In a 2016 interview, Cargill announced on [[Double Toasted]] that the project was probably in [[Turnaround (filmmaking)|turnaround]].<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/eEpbUf8dGq0 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160423145457/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEpbUf8dGq0&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEpbUf8dGq0| title = EXCLUSIVE! DOCTOR STRANGE WRITER "C. ROBERT CARGILL" - Double Toasted Interview | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Untitled ''The Outer Limits'' film===

In June 2014, Derrickson was reported to reunite with [[C. Robert Cargill]] once again to write a big screen take on the 1960s sci-fi TV series ''[[The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'' for [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|MGM]]. The duo were allegedly going to adapt the season 2 episode "[[Demon with a Glass Hand]]" into a feature film script.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/outer-limits-movie-works-mgm-713214|title='The Outer Limits' Movie in the Works From MGM, Scott Derrickson (Exclusive)|last=Kit|first=Borys|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=June 20, 2014|accessdate=June 20, 2014}}</ref>

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===''Labyrinth'' sequel===

In May 2020, Derrickson was announced as the director of a sequel to [[Jim Henson]]'s 1986 film ''[[Labyrinth (1986 film)|Labyrinth]]''. Maggie Levin was reported to collaborate with Derrickson on the film's script.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fleming |first=Mike |title=Scott Derrickson Set To Direct 'Labyrinth' Sequel For TriStar Pictures; Maggie Levin To Write Script |url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/labyrinth-sequel-scott-derrickson-director-maggie-levin-write-script-doctor-strange-1202943188/ |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 26, 2020|access-date=May 26, 2020}}</ref> The following year, the film's original star [[Jennifer Connelly]] revealed that she "had conversations" about being involved in the ''Labyrinth'' sequel but was unsure about what was going to happen.<ref>{{cite web |first=Christina |last=Radish |date=February 1, 2021 |title=Jennifer Connelly on 'Snowpiercer' Season 2 and Why 'Labyrinth' Is Still "Really Special" to Her |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |url=https://collider.com/jennifer-connelly-interview-snowpiercer-season-2-labyrinth-top-gun-2/ |access-date=October 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201160304/https://collider.com/jennifer-connelly-interview-snowpiercer-season-2-labyrinth-top-gun-2/ |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, Derrickson confirmed that the sequel was not happening due to creative differences with the studio.,<ref>{{cite web|last=Burlingame|first=Russ|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/labyrinth-scott-derrickson-has-disappointing-update-on-reboot-exclusive/|title=Labyrinth: Scott Derrickson Has Disappointing Update on Reboot (Exclusive)|website=[[ComicBook.com]]|date=October 3, 2023|access-date=December 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Schaefernov|first=Sandy|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1439653/is-labyrinth-2-happening-director-scott-derrickson-answer/|title=Is Labyrinth 2 Ever Happening? Director Scott Derrickson Has An Answer|website=[[/Film]]|date=November 19, 2023|access-date=December 27, 2024}}</ref> and in December 2024, [[Robert Eggers]] was hired to direct the sequel.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gubecka|first=Zanda|title=Robert Eggers To Tackle Sequel To 'Labyrinth' For Sony|url=https://featurefirst.net/robert-eggers-to-tackle-sequel-to-labyrinth-for-sony/|date=December 28, 2024|work=Feature First|access-date=January 7, 2025}}</ref>

===''The Handover''===

In 2021, Derrickson, [[Timo Tjahjanto]] and [[C. Robert Cargill]] began writing a [[Christmas]]-set script set in the future, revealed to be titled ''The Handover''. Tjahjanto described the project as "ultra violent, ultra absurd, ultra over the top and ultra heartwarming."<ref>{{cite web|last=Hamman|first=Cody|url=https://www.joblo.com/the-handover-timo-tjahjanto-scott-derrickson/|title=The Handover: Timo Tjahjanto & Scott Derrickson's violent Christmas story|website=[[JoBlo.com]]|date=August 9, 2021|access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref> The feature was never produced.

<!--===''Road of Bones''===

In 2025, it was reported that Derrickson and writer collaborator [[C. Robert Cargill]] would develop a screenplay adaptation of ''Road of Bones'', a horror novel by [[Christopher Golden]], for Derrickson to direct via their Crooked Highway production banner.<ref> {{cite web|first=Borys|last=Kit|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/road-of-bones-movie-scott-derrickson-1236175118/|title=Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill Tackling 'Road of Bones' for Screen Gems (Exclusive)|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=28 March 2025|access-date=29 March 2025}}</ref>-->

==As producer==

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==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==

* {{IMDb title|nm0220600}}

{{Scott Derrickson}}

[[Category:Lists of unrealized projects by artist|Derrickson, Scott]]