Sam Mendes's unrealised projects: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|unmade films by director Sam Mendesnone}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2025}}
{{Draft topics|films}}
{{use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{AfC topic|media}}
The following is a list of '''unproduced Sam Mendes projects''' in roughly chronological order. During his long career, British film director [[Sam Mendes]] has worked on many projects that never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell into development hell, were officially cancelled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.
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== 2000s1990s ==
The following is a list of '''unproduced Sam Mendes projects''' in roughly chronological order. During his long career, British film director [[Sam Mendes]] has worked on many projects that never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell into development hell, were officially cancelled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.
===''Chicago''===
Mendes was among several directors approached during the 1990s to direct a [[Chicago (2002 film)|film version]] of [[Bob Fosse]]'s [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musical ''[[Chicago (musical)|Chicago]]'', which would eventually be directed by [[Rob Marshall]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/53997|title=AFI&#124;Catalog - Chicago|website=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]|access-date=25 July 2024}}</ref>
 
== 2000s ==
===''The Lookout''===
Mendes became attached to direct [[Scott Frank]]'s screenplay ''[[The Lookout (2007 film)|The Lookout]]'' before the release of ''[[American Beauty (1999 film)|American Beauty]]'', but departedleft the project to direct ''[[Road to Perdition (film)|Road to Perdition]]'';. Frank ultimately directed the film himself.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collider.com/scott-frank-interviewed-the-lookout/|title=Scott Frank Interviewed – THE LOOKOUT|last=Weintraub|first=Scott|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=28 March 2007|access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref>
 
===''Confessions of a Dangerous Mind''===
{{main|Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (film)#Development}}
 
== 2000s ==
===''Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street''===
{{main|Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007 film)#Developmemt}}
 
===''The Kite Runner''===
Mendes was attached to direct the film adaptation of the 2003 novel ''[[The Kite Runner]]'' by [[Khaled Hosseini]], but in April 2004 the project was pushed back after Mendes signed on to direct ''[[Jarhead (film)|Jarhead]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 April 2004|url=https://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/next-tour-of-duty-taking-mendes-to-persian-gulf-1117903781/|title=Next tour of duty taking Mendes to Persian Gulf|last=Fleming|first=Michael|access-date=7 June 2024|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> In 2005, [[Marc Forster]] took over the project as director, with Mendes becoming an executive producer; [[The Kite Runner (film)|the film]] was eventually released on December 14, December 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 September 2005|url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2005/09/12/Marc-Forster-to-direct-The-Kite-Runner/68471126540534/|title=Marc Forster to direct 'The Kite Runner'|access-date=7 June 2024|website=[[United Press International]]}}</ref><ref name=Mendes1>{{Cite web|last=Dawtrey|first=Adam|date=13 April 2007|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/awards/prodigal-mendes-on-homeward-march-1117963063/|title=Prodigal Mendes on homeward 'March'|access-date=7 June 2024|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=5 October 2007|last=Soares|first=Claire|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/kite-runner-delayed-over-fears-for-child-stars-safety-396022.html|title='Kite Runner' delayed over fears for child stars' safety|access-date=7 June 2024|website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref>
 
===''American Prometheus''===
In 2005, following its publication, Mendes [[option (filmmaking)|optioned]] the rights to adapt the [[J. Robert Oppenheimer]] [[biography]] ''[[American Prometheus]]'' by [[Kai Bird]] and [[Martin J. Sherwin]]. In 2007, it was reported that [[Jeffrey Hatcher]] was writing the film for Mendes, with the project set up at [[DreamWorks Pictures]]. However, Mendes ultimately did not move forward with the project. The book would eventually be adapted as the film ''[[Oppenheimer (film)|Oppenheimer]]'', written and directed by [[Christopher Nolan]] and released in theatres on July 21, July 2023 by [[Universal Pictures]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Amsden|first=David|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2023-07-18/epic-backstory-of-oppenheimer-the-film-and-american-prometheus-the-book|date=18 July 2023|title=Oppenheimer's big-screen odyssey: The man, the book and the film's 50-year journey|access-date=6 June 2024|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref name=Mendes1></ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=8 October 2021|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/cillian-murphy-j-robert-oppenheimer-christopher-nolans-universal-film-july-2023-1234852888/|title=Cillian Murphy Confirmed to Star As J. Robert Oppenheimer In Christopher Nolan's Next Film At Universal, Film Will Bow in July 2023|access-date=6 June 2024|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref>
 
===''Middlemarch''===
In April 2007, it was reported that Mendes would direct a film adaptation of the [[George Eliot]] novel ''[[Middlemarch]]'', to be adapted by [[Andrew Davies (writer)|Andrew Davies]], who had previously written the 1994 [[Middlemarch (TV serial)|miniseries adaptation]] of the novel; production was expected to begin in 2008.<ref name=Mendes1></ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mendes to direct Middlemarch film|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6577101.stm|date=20 April 2007|website=[[BBC News]]|access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref> In June 2009, it was announced that the project had been acquired by [[Focus Features]], as part of a two-year [[first-look deal]] between Focus and Mendes's [[Neal Street Productions]].<ref name=MendesFocus>{{Cite web|date=18 June 2009|last=Fleming|first=Michael|url=https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/sam-mendes-focus-in-2-year-pact-1118005133/|title=Sam Mendes, Focus in 2-year pact|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety)]]|access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref>
 
===''Preacher''===
In October 2008, it was announced that Mendes would direct a film adaptation of the supernatural comic book series ''[[Preacher (comics)|Preacher]]'', created by [[Garth Ennis]] and [[Steve Dillon]], for [[Columbia Pictures]], with [[Neal H. Moritz]] and Jason Netter producing.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Siegel|first=Tatiana|date=29 October 2008|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/features/sam-mendes-to-direct-preacher-1117994895/|title=Sam Mendes to direct 'Preacher'|access-date=7 June 2024|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> In January 2009, it was announced that [[John August]] would write the screenplay for the project.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Siegel|first=Tatiana|date=21 January 2009|url=https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/john-august-to-pen-preacher-film-1117998904/|title=John August to pen 'Preacher' film|access-date=7 June 2024|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> In April 2010, Moritz revealed that Mendes had departedleft the project to direct the [[James Bond]] film ''[[Skyfall]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Marnell|first=Blair|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/idqqtz/sam-mendes-off-preacher|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607131731/https://www.mtv.com/news/idqqtz/sam-mendes-off-preacher|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 June 2024|date=9 April 2010|title=Sam Mendes Off 'Preacher,' Says Producer|access-date=7 June 2024|website=[[MTV]]}}</ref>
 
===''Butcher's Crossing''===
In June 2009, it was reported that Mendes would produce a film adaptation of the 1960 [[western fiction|western]] novel ''[[Butcher's Crossing]]'' by [[John Edward Williams]] for [[Focus Features]], with Mendes eyeing the project as a potential directing vehicle.<ref name=MendesFocus></ref> In December, it was announced that [[Joe Penhall]] would write the screenplay.<ref>{{Cite web|author1=Fernandez, Jay A.|author2=The Associated Press|date=8 December 2009|title='The Road' scribe destined for 'Crossing'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/road-scribe-destined-crossing-92153/|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref> The project did not move forward. The adaptation would eventually be directed and co-written by [[Gabe Polsky]] and released in theatres by [[Saban Films]] on 20 October 20, 2023, without the involvement of Mendes or Penhall.<ref>{{Cite webmagazine|last=Collis|first=Clark|title=Nicolas Cage is hunting buffalo and losing his mind in ''Butcher's Crossing'' trailer|url=https://ew.com/movies/butchers-crossing-trailer-nicolas-cage/|date=18 September 2023|access-date=7 June 2024|websitemagazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>
 
===''Netherland'' adaptation===
In August 2009, it was announced that Mendes's Neal Street Productions would collaborate with [[Harpo Films]] to produce a film adaptation of [[Joseph O'Neill (writer, born 1964)|Joseph O'Neill]]'s novel ''[[Netherland (novel)|Netherland]]'' (2008), with Mendes eyeing the project as a potential directing vehicle and [[Christopher Hampton]] writing the screenplay.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thorpe|first=Vanessa|date=23 August 2009|title=Fan Sam Mendes recruits Christopher Hampton as key player for US cricket film|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/aug/23/mendes-film-cricket-netherland-hampton|access-date=7 June 2024|website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> By September, it was reported that [[Focus Features]] had come aboard the project.<ref>{{Cite webmagazine|date=17 September 2009|url=https://ew.com/article/2009/09/17/christopher-hampton-to-adapt-netherland-for-oprah-winfrey-sam-mendes/|title=Christopher Hampton to adapt 'Netherland' for Oprah Winfrey, Sam Mendes|last=Mitchell|first=Wendy|access-date=7 June 2024|websitemagazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>
 
== 2010s ==
===''On Chesil Beach''===
In June 2010, it was announced that Mendes would direct a film adaptation of [[Ian McEwan]]'s 2007 novella ''[[On Chesil Beach]]'' for [[Focus Features]], with McEwan adapting his own work and [[Carey Mulligan]] to star as the female lead; Mendes would also set to produce the project through [[Neal Street Productions]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 June 2010|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|url=https://deadline.com/2010/06/sam-mendes-sweet-on-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-and-focus-feature-on-chesil-beach-with-carey-mulligan-44819/|title=Sam Mendes Sweet On 'Charlie And The Chocolate Factory' And Focus Feature 'On Chesil Beach' With Carey Mulligan|access-date=6 June 2010|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> In November 2011, it was reported that [[Mike Newell (director)|Mike Newell]] would be replacing Mendes as director, with Mendes now only producing the project, and production expected to begin in the summer of 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wiseman|first=Andreas|date=5 November 2011|url=https://www.screendaily.com/production/mike-newell-to-direct-on-chesil-beach/5034279.article|title=Mike Newell to direct On Chesil Beach|website=[[ScreenDaily]]|access-date=6 June 2024}}</ref> The film would ultimately be directed by [[Dominic Cooke]] and star [[Saoirse Ronan]], with Mendes no longer involved, and premiered at the [[2017 Toronto International Film Festival]] on September 7, September 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jaafar|first=Ali|date=17 February 2016|url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/saoirse-ronan-on-chesil-beach-number-9-films-elizabeth-karlsen-stephen-woolley-1201704131/|title=Saoirse Ronan Boards 'On Chesil Beach' For 'Carol' Producer Number 9 Films|access-date=6 June 2024|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thewrap.com/aaron-sorkin-brie-larson-louis-ck-movies-added-toronto-film-festival-lineup/|title=Aaron Sorkin, Brie Larson, Louis CK Movies Added to Toronto Film Festival Lineup|last=Pond|first=Steve|date=15 August 2017|work=[[TheWrap]]|access-date=6 June 2024}}</ref>
 
===''The Voyeur's Motel''===
In April 2016, it was announced that [[DreamWorks Pictures]] had acquired the film rights to the [[Gay Talese]] novel and article ''The Voyeur's Motel'', with Mendes directing and producing.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 April 2016|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/sam-mendes-gay-talese-dreamworks-the-voyeurs-motel-1201738117/|title=DreamWorks, Sam Mendes Win Gay Talese’sTalese's 'The Voyeur's Motel'|access-date=6 June 2024|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> In November, the project was scrapped despite a draft being produced by [[Krysty Wilson-Cairns]], after Mendes became aware of the documentary ''[[Voyeur (film)|Voyeur]]'' and watched a cut with Wilson-Cairns.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|title=Sam Mendes, DreamWorks Drop Gay Talese 'Voyeur's Motel' Movie After Being Blindsided By Documentary|url=https://deadline.com/2016/11/sam-mendes-gay-talese-steven-spielberg-drop-voyeurs-motel-dreamworks-movie-dead-1201859603/|date=23 November 2016|magazine=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=6 June 2024}}</ref>
 
===''James and the Giant Peach''===
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===''Beautiful Ruins''===
In September 2016, it was announced that Mendes would produce and potentially direct a film adaptation of [[Jess Walter]]'s 2012 novel ''[[Beautiful Ruins]]'' for [[Fox 2000 Pictures]], with [[Noah Harpster]] and [[Micah Fitzerman-Blue]] writing the screenplay.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Siegel|first=Tatania|date=28 September 2016|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sam-mendes-produce-beautiful-ruins-933332/|title=Sam Mendes to Produce, Potentially Direct 'Beautiful Ruins' at Fox 2000 (Exclusive)|access-date=6 June 2024|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> By April 2018, Mendes had stepped down as director and would instead serve as producer, with [[David Frankel]] entering talks to direct the project.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=19 April 2018|url=https://deadline.com/2018/04/david-frankel-beautiful-ruins-fox-2000-jess-walter-sam-mendes-1202371162/|title=David Frankel In Talks To Direct Jess Walter Novel Adaptation 'Beautiful Ruins' For Fox 2000|access-date=6 June 2024|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> By June 2020, the project had moved to [[Amblin Partners]] with [[Niki Caro]] now directing, the adaptation,with Mark Hammer and Chiara Atik writing, and Mendes remaining involved as a producer.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vlessing|first=Etan|date=30 June 2020|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/mulan-director-niki-caro-helm-beautiful-ruins-amblin-partners-1301120/|title='Mulan' Director Niki Caro to Helm 'Beautiful Ruins' for Amblin Partners|access-date=6 June 2024|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
 
===''My Favorite Thing Is Monsters''===
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===''Pinocchio'' remake===
In May 2017, it was announced that after out of directing ''James and the Giant Peach'', Mendes had entered talks to direct a live-action remake of the 1940 animated film ''[[Pinocchio (1940 film)|Pinocchio]]'' for [[Walt Disney Pictures]], with [[Chris Weitz]] writing the screenplay.<ref name= "Mendes Pinocchio"></ref> Mendes exited the project in November.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Galuppo|first=Mia|date=13 November 2017|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sam-mendes-exits-disneys-live-action-pinocchio-1057750/|title=Sam Mendes Exits Disney's Live-Action 'Pinocchio'|access-date=6 June 2024|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> [[Pinocchio (2022 live-action film)|The film]] was eventually directed by [[Robert Zemeckis]] and released on [[Disney+]] on September 8, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/robert-zemeckis-pinocchio-disney-1203246886/|date=18 October 2019|title=Robert Zemeckis in Talks to Direct Live-Action 'Pinocchio' for Disney (EXCLUSIVE)|access-date=6 June 2024|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=31 May 2022|url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/pinocchio-premiere-date-disney-plus-1235281371/|title='Pinocchio' Live-Action Remake Premiere Date Set on Disney+|access-date=6 June 2024|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
 
== 2020s ==
===''Hamnet''===
In March 2023, it was reported that Mendes would direct [[Tom Holland]] in an adaptation of [[Maggie O'Farrell]]'s [[historical fiction]] novel ''[[Hamnet (novel)|Hamnet]]'', with screenplay being written by Chiara Atik.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ruimy|first=Jordan|url=https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2023/3/7xa82ftsjswtcf6xlgzdyb7mcuct06|title=Sam Mendes to Direct Hamnet,' Tom Holland Set as Lead|website=World of Reel|date=18 March 2023|access-date=24 July 2024}}</ref> By January 2024, [[Chloé Zhao]] was named as director of ''Hamnet'', with Mendes stepping in as producer.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Pirovic|first=Jasmine|url=https://www.russh.com/hamnet-chloe-zhao/|title=Paul Mescal as young Shakespeare is about to be our Roman Empire|magazine=[[Russh]]|date=30 January 2024|access-date=24 July 2024}}</ref>
 
== Offers ==
===''Oz the Great and Powerful''===
In April 2010, it was reported that Mendes was being courted to direct ''[[Oz the Great and Powerful]]'' for [[Walt Disney Pictures]], with [[Robert Downey Jr.]] also considering taking on [[Wizard of Oz (character)|the lead role]] at the time.<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 April 2010|last=Child|first=Ben|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/apr/21/sam-mendes-robert-downey-jr-oz|title=Sam Mendes tipped to direct Robert Downey Jr in new Wizard of Oz film|access-date=7 June 2024|website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> However, in June [[Sam Raimi]] entered talks to direct the project instead, and was committed to the film by October; the film was ultimately released on 8 March 8, 2013, with [[James Franco]] playing the Wizard instead.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Finke|first=Nikki|date=15 June 2010|url=https://deadline.com/2010/06/sam-raimi-hired-to-direct-downey-in-oz-46983/|title=Sam Raimi Hired to Direct 'Oz' (& Downey?)|access-date=7 June 2024|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=6 October 2010|url=https://deadline.com/2010/10/disneys-oz-pic-gets-sam-raimi-to-commit-rabbit-hole-scribe-to-rewrite-73026/|title=Sam Raimi Commits To Disney 'Oz' Take, While 'Rabbit Hole' Scribe Will Rewrite|access-date=7 June 2024|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=25 May 2011|url=https://deadline.com/2011/05/disney-sets-oz-the-great-and-powerful-for-march-8-2013-135196/|title=Disney Sets 'Oz: The Great And Powerful' For March 8, 2013|access-date=7 June 2024|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref>
 
=== ''The Hunger Games'' ===
In September 2010, ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'' reported that Mendes was one of the three initial favoritesfavourites to direct the [[The Hunger Games (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[The Hunger Games (novel)|The Hunger Games]]'' for [[Lionsgate Studios]], alongside [[David Slade]] and [[Gary Ross]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 September 2010|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|url=https://deadline.com/2010/09/hunger-games-director-derby-down-to-three-64795/|title=Three More Directors Circle 'Hunger Games'|access-date=6 June 2024|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> Ross was ultimately selected to direct the film, which was released in theatres on 23 March 23, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McClintock|first=Pamela|date=25 January 2011|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lionsgate-s-hunger-games-release-75627/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' Gets a Release Date|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref>
 
==References==
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==External References links==
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{{Sam Mendes}}
 
[[:Category:Lists of unrealized projects by artist|Mendes, Sam]]