Kenneth Branagh's unrealized projects: Difference between revisions

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The following is '''a list of unproduced Kenneth Branagh projects''' in roughly chronological order. During his long career, British filmmaker [[Kenneth Branagh]] 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.

The following is '''a list of unproduced Kenneth Branagh projects''' in roughly chronological order. During his long career, British filmmaker [[Kenneth Branagh]] 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.

== 1990s ==

=== ''The Betty Schimmel Story'' biopic ===

On December 21, 1998, Branagh was set to star in and direct “The''The Betty Schimmel Story'',” a biopic about [[Robert Schimmel]]’s parents survival during the [[Holocaust]], with [[Ivan Fila]] and [[Greg Poirier]] writing the screenplay, Wendy Finerman and Agi Orsi producing the film, and [[DreamWorks Pictures]] set to distribute the movie, but never materalized.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Andrew Hindes|author2=Chris Petrikin|url=https://variety.com/1998/film/news/betty-for-branagh-1117489655/|title=‘Betty’ for Branagh|date=December 21, 1998|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref>

=== ''Flicker'' film ===

In the 1990’s, Branagh considered directing the film adaptation of [[Theodore Roszak (scholar)|Theodore Roszak]]’s novel ''[[Flicker (novel)|Flicker]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.filmcomment.com/article/unproduced-and-unfinished-films-a-ongoing-film-comment-project/|title=Unproduced and Unfinished Films: An Ongoing Film Comment project|magazine=[[Film Comment]]|issue=May-June 2012}}</ref>

== 2010s ==

=== ''The Boys in the Boat'' film ===

On March 3, 2011, Branagh was set to direct the [[The Boys in the Boat (film)|feature film adaptation]] of [[Daniel James Brown]]’s biographical novel ''[[The Boys in the Boat]]'', with Donna Gigliotti producing and Jody Hofflund executive producing the film for [[The Weinstein Company]],.<ref>{{cite news|first=Rachel|last=Abrams|title=Weinsteins acquire Olympic rowing tale|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/weinsteins-acquire-olympic-rowing-tale-1118033274/|date=March 3, 2011|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]Variety|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> which [[George Clooney]] endedwould upultimately directingdirect the project instead for [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Brandon|last=Katz|title=Exclusive: George Clooney Set to Direct ‘The Boys in the Boat’|url=https://observer.com/2020/03/george-clooney-direct-boys-in-the-boat-mgm/|date=March 7, 2020|website=[[Observer Media|Observer]]|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref>

=== ''The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society'' film ===

On August 4, 2011, Branagh was set to direct the [[The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (film)|feature film adaptation]] of [[Annie Barrows]] and [[Mary Ann Shaffer]]’s novel ''[[The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society]]'' for [[Fox 2000]], with Dan Roos writing the screenplay, and Paula Mazur and Mitchell Kaplan producing the film for [[Fox 2000]],.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Rachel Abrams|author2=Justin Kroll|title=Branagh sets sail for ‘Guernsey’ with Fox|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/branagh-sets-sail-for-guernsey-with-fox-1118040892/|date=August 4, 2011|website=Variety|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> whichThe becamefilm was ultimately directed by [[Mike Newell (director)|Mike Newell]]’s film for [[Netflix]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Ali|last=Jaafar|title=Rosamund Pike Circling ‘Guernsey’ With Director Mike Newell|url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/rosamund-pike-circling-guernsey-with-director-mike-newell-1201697015/|date=February 5, 2016|website=[[Deadline HollywodHollywood]]|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref>

=== ''Italian Shoes'' film ===

On October 19, 2011, Branagh was set to direct the feature film adaptation of [[Henning Mankell]]’s novel “Italian''[[Italian Shoes]]'',” with Richard Cottan writing the screenplay, [[Yellow Bird (company)|Yellow Bird]] and [[Left Bank Pictures]] producing the film,<ref>{{cite news|first=Diana|last=Lodderhose|title=Yellow Bird steps out with ‘Italian Shoes’|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/yellow-bird-steps-out-with-italian-shoes-1118044724/|date=October 19, 2011|website=Variety|access-date=August 19, 2024}}</ref> and on November 27, 2011, [[Anthony Hopkins]] and [[Judi Dench]] were castedcast in the film, andwith filming wasproduction expected to start in late 2012 or early 2013.<ref>{{cite news|first=Adam|last=Dawtrey|title=A trio with Brio|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/awards/a-trio-with-brio-1118046406/|date=November 27, 2011|website=Variety|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> On May 21, 2022, the film adaptation was revived with Julie Bertuccelli set to direct for Roger Frappier's Max Films.<ref>{{cite news|first=Geoffrey|last=MacNab|title=Julie Bertuccelli to direct Henning Mankell adaptation ‘Italian Shoes’ (exclusive)|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/julie-bertuccelli-to-direct-henning-mankell-adaptation-italian-shoes-exclusive/5170929.article|date=May 21, 2022|website=Screen Daily|access-date=October 16, 2024}}</ref>

=== ''Keeper of the Diary'' ===

On May 12, 2017, Branagh was in talks to direct Sam Franco and Evan Kilgore’s screenplay “Keeper''Keeper of the Diary'',” as well as star as [[Anne Frank]]’s father [[Otto Frank]] and produce with Judy Hofflund, for [[Searchlight Pictures]] to distribute.<ref>{{cite news|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|title=Kenneth Branagh To Helm, Star As Otto Frank In ‘Keeper Of The Diary’|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/kenneth-branagh-direct-star-otto-frank-anne-frank-keeper-of-the-diary-fox-searchlight-1202092686/|date=May 12, 2017|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref>

=== ''A Gentleman in Moscow'' TV series ===

On April 3, 2018, Branagh was set to star in and produce the television series adaptation of [[Amor Towles]]’ novel ''[[A Gentleman in Moscow]]'', which became the [[A Gentleman in Moscow (TV series)|miniseries of the same name]] by [[Paramount+ with Showtime]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Peter|last=White|title=Kenneth Branagh To Star & Produce eOne’s TV Adaptation Of ‘A Gentleman In Moscow’|url=https://deadline.com/2018/04/kenneth-branagh-to-star-produce-eones-tv-adaptation-of-a-gentleman-in-moscow-1202357404/|date=April 3, 2018|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref>

== 2020s ==

=== ''Bee Gees'' biopic ===

On March 10, 2021, Branagh was set to direct a biopic about [[the Bee Gees]], with Ben Elton writing the screenplay,for [[GrahamParamount KingPictures]] producing along withand [[StevenAmblin SpielbergEntertainment]], &with [[BarryBen Gibb]]Elton writing the screenplay and [[ParamountBarry PicturesGibb]] setserving toas distributeexecutive the film,producer.<ref>{{cite news|first=Rebecca|last=Rubin|title=Kenneth Branagh to Direct Bee Gees Biopic for Paramount|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/kenneth-branagh-bee-gees-movie-paramount-1234922261/|date=March 10, 2021|website=Variety|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> whichOn eventuallyMarch became30, a2022, it was announced that Branagh had departed the project due to scheduling conflicts with the awards campaign for ''[[Belfast (film)|Belfast]]'', and that [[John Carney (director)|John Carney]] was now set to direct with [[John Logan (writer)|John Logan]] writing the screenplay; on December 8, it was announced that Carney had also departed the project due to scheduling conflicts, with [[Lorene Scafaria]] set to take over as director.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=March 30, 2022|url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/john-carney-bee-gees-biopic-for-paramount-and-sisters-1234990482/|title='Once' Director John Carney To Direct Bee Gees Biopic For Paramount; John Logan To Pen Script|access-date=October 16, 2024|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Galuppo|first1=Mia|last2=Kit|first2=Borys|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lorene-scafaria-direct-bee-gees-movie-1235278504/|date=December 8, 2022|title='Hustlers' Director Lorene Scafaria To Direct Bee Gees Movie|access-date=October 16, 2024|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> On February 15, 2024, it was announced that [[Ridley Scott]] moviewas now in talks to direct the project.<ref>{{cite news|first=Katcy|last=Stephan|title=Ridley Scott in Talks to Direct Bee Gees Film at Paramount|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/ridley-scott-direct-bee-gees-film-biopic-paramount-1235913278/|date=February 15, 2024|website=Variety|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref>

== Offers ==

=== ''Harry Potter'' sequels ===

On July 22, 2002, Branagh was offered to direct ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'', as well as the sequels, for [[Warner Bros. Pictures]], but turned it down; Branagh had previously portrayed Professor Lockhart in ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''.<ref>{{cite news|first=Gary|last=Susman|title=''Harry Potter'' gets a new director|url=https://ew.com/article/2002/07/22/harry-potter-gets-new-director/|date=July 22, 2002|website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref>

=== ''Thor 2'' ===

On September 22, 2011, Branagh was offered to direct ''[[Thor: The Dark World|Thor 2]]'' for [[Marvel Studios]], but turned it down; the film would eventually be directed by [[Alan Taylor (director)|Alan Taylor]].<ref>{{cite news|author1=Marc Graser|author2=Justin Kroll|title=Patty Jenkins in talks to helm ‘Thor 2’|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/patty-jenkins-in-talks-to-helm-thor-2-1118043237/|date=September 22, 2011|website=Variety|access-date=September 30, 2024}}</ref>

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==

*{{IMDb name|0000110|Kenneth Branagh}}

{{Kenneth Branagh}}

[[Category:draftLists articlesof unrealized projects by artist|Branagh, Kenneth]]

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[[:Category:Lists of unrealized projects by artist|Branagh, Kenneth]]

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