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{{Short description|none}}
[[File:Spike Lee Cannes 2018.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Lee attending the [[2018 Cannes Film Festival]]]]
==1980s==
===''The Messenger''===
In 1984,<ref>{{cite news|last=Milloy|first=Courtland|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1991/06/13/the-message-of-spike-lees-messenger/7e94218a-4a7c-4f3f-8fc8-17c9f1a1fc87/|title=THE MESSAGE OF SPIKE LEE'S 'MESSENGER'|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 12, 1991|access-date=November 24, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Barfield|first=Charles|url=https://theplaylist.net/spike-lee-the-messenger-disaster-20210108/|title='The Messenger': Spike Lee Describes Pulling The Plug On Unproduced 1984 Film As "A Complete Disaster"|website=The Playlist|date=January 8, 2021|access-date=November 24, 2024}}</ref> Lee started working on a project called ''"The Messenger"'', which chronicled the story of a bike messenger that becomes the head of his household after the death of his mother. [[Giancarlo Esposito]] and [[Laurence Fishburne]] were initially set to star in the lead roles, but the film never materialized due to financial struggles he faced related to the production.
==1990s==
===''Ace in the Hole'' remake===
===''
In 1992, it was reported that Lee had written and was expected to direct an episode of [[Francis Ford Coppola]]'s planned revival of the [[Anthology series|anthology drama series]] ''[[Playhouse 90]]'', ''Playhouse '90s'', a series of "live, one-hour dramatic plays" for [[CBS]].<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Archerd, Army|author-link=Army Archerd|url=https://variety.com/1992/voices/columns/disney-does-its-civic-duty-1117862272/|title=Disney does its civic duty|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=June 10, 1992|access-date=January 6, 2025}}</ref> The project never came to fruition.
In the mid-1990s, playwright and screenwriter [[Robert O'Hara]] penned an unproduced screenplay on the life of [[Oscar Micheaux]], often regarded as the first major African-American feature filmmaker, which Lee was attached to direct.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.nd.edu/artnow/robert-ohara/|title=Robert O'Hara - ND Anti-Racist Theatre NOW|website=[[University of Notre Dame]]|access-date=April 26, 2025|quote=He has also written several projects for the screen, including an unproduced screenplay based on the life of Richard Pryor set to be directed by Martin Scorsese, and a script for the unproduced Oscar Micheaux biopic to which the equally legendary black filmmaker Spike Lee was attached.}}</ref>
===''The Jackie Robinson Story''===
{{main|42 (film)#Production}}
==2000s==
===''Ali''===
{{main|Ali (2001 film)#Production}}
===''Save Us, Joe Louis''===
In July 2000, Lee acquired the rights to make a film about [[Joe Louis]] from a script he wrote with boxing expert [[Bert Randolph Sugar]] and scriptwriting legend [[Budd Schulberg]] under the title ''Save
===''
Until 2001, Lee was to direct the film for Miramax. However, budgetary constraints and Lee's insistence on engaging celebrities like Justin Timberlake and Brittany Murphy stalled the project for a time.<ref name="Unrealized"/><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2001-08-25 |title=Miramax Won't Pay Spike's Rent |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/08/25/miramax-wont-pay-spikes-rent |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Riedel |first=Michael |date=2001-06-15 |title=SPIKE TO DIRECT ‘RENT’? |url=https://nypost.com/2001/06/15/spike-to-direct-rent/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=No Deposit, No Return on Rent Movie |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=102772&page=1 |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Timberlake Has No Plans for Film Version of "Rent" |url=https://playbill.com/article/timberlake-has-no-plans-for-film-version-of-rent-com-120840 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241203010513/https://playbill.com/article/timberlake-has-no-plans-for-film-version-of-rent-com-120840 |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Playbill |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schaefer |first=Stephen |date=2005-11-28 |title=‘Rent’ turns into a 10th anniversary reunion |url=https://variety.com/2005/film/awards/rent-turns-into-a-10th-anniversary-reunion-1117933525/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
▲In July 2000, Lee acquired the rights to make a film about [[Joe Louis]] from a script he wrote with boxing expert [[Bert Randolph Sugar]] and scriptwriting legend [[Budd Schulberg]] under the title ''Save Me, Joe Louis''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spike Lee takes on Joe Louis boxing film|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/jul/28/news.spikelee|date=28 July 2000|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=19 May 2019}}</ref> The movie was focused on Louis' fights with [[Max Schmeling]] with [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] interested in playing Schmeling.<ref>{{cite web|last=Toro|first=Gabe|title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Could Have Played Max Schmeling In Spike Lee's Unproduced Joe Louis Biopic|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/09/arnold-schwarzenegger-could-have-played-max-schmeling-in-spike-lees-unproduced-joe-louis-biopic-116371/|date=13 September 2013|website=[[Indiewire]]|access-date=19 May 2019}}</ref> In July 2006, Schulberg mentioned that Lee talked with [[Terrence Howard]] to play Louis.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ecksel|first=Robert|title=ARTICLES OF 2006Save Us Spike Lee, Budd Schulberg and Joe Louis|url=http://tss.ib.tv/boxing/articles-of-2006/4685-save-us-spike-lee-budd-schulberg-and-joe-louis|date=26 November 2006|publisher=The Sweet Science|access-date=19 May 2019}}</ref> The film fell into [[development hell]] because Lee didn't get half of the budget he needed. Following the death of Schulberg, Lee reaffirmed his intention to make the film both in 2018 and 2021. "I made a promise to Budd that one day, soon, that we'd get the money, and I'm gonna keep that promise and get that film made."<ref>{{cite video|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=NfRMe-gnP6s&si=Wj2dXMC9s9BteXG0|title=Spike Lee Breaks Down His Film Heroes | GQ|website=[[YouTube]]|publisher=[[GQ]]|date=August 17, 2018|access-date=November 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Perez|first=Rodrigo|url=https://theplaylist.net/spike-lee-vows-save-us-joe-louis-20210101/|title=Spike Lee Vows To Make 'Save Us, Joe Louis' Boxing Drama & Promised Screenwriter Budd Schulberg To Make It Before His Death|website=The Playlist|date=January 1, 2021|access-date=November 24, 2024}}</ref>
===''The Night Watchman''===
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===''Inside Man 2''===
{{main|Inside Man#Sequel}}
===Untitled Michael Jordan documentary===
In May 2008, Lee was reportedly set to direct a feature-length documentary, centering on [[Michael Jordan]]. Lee had previously starred alongside Jordan in a series of Nike commercials, reprising the role of [[Mars Blackmon]], from his debut feature film [[She's Gotta Have It|''She's Gotta Have It'']] (1986).The documentary was going to be produced by his own production house, with the NBA financing the development.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Vivarelli|first=Nick|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/spike-lee-sets-michael-jordan-film-1117986150/|title=Spike Lee sets Michael Jordan film|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=May 20, 2008|access-date=November 24, 2024}}</ref> But, in a 2009 interview with IGN, he reportedly told them to "squash it", effectively dismissing further plans to develop the project.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vejvoda |first=Jim |date=November 26, 2009 |title=Inside Man 2 Status Report |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/11/25/inside-man-2-status-report |access-date=March 14, 2025 |website=IGN}}</ref>
===''Time Traveler''===
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In July 2008, Lee was set to direct the film ''L.A. Riots'', with [[John Ridley]] and [[Terry George]] writing the script and [[Brian Grazer]] producing the film.<ref>{{cite web|last=Goldstein|first=Patrick|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-17-et-goldstein17-story.html|title=Lee's 'L.A. Riots' gathers steam|date=17 July 2008|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=19 May 2019}}</ref> In August 2012, [[Justin Lin]] was set to direct ''L.A. Riots'', since Lee didn't get enough money and ended up working on ''[[Miracle at St. Anna]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shaw|first=Lucas|url=https://www.thewrap.com/justin-lin-talks-direct-la-riots-universal-imagine-51286/|title=Justin Lin in Talks to Direct 'L.A. Riots' for Universal, Imagine (Updated)|date=8 August 2012|website=[[TheWrap]]|access-date=19 May 2019}}</ref> There has been no further announcements since.
===''
In
==2010s==
===''Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson''===
===''Nagasaki Deadline''===
===Untitled Marion Barry biopic===
In
===''Porgy and Bess'' remake===
In August 2012, Lee was in negotiations with the [[George Gershwin]] estate to direct the ''[[Porgy and Bess (film)|Porgy and Bess]]'' remake.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=Spike Lee in Negotiations for PORGY AND BESS Film Adaptation|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Spike-Lee-in-Negotiations-for-PORGY-AND-BESS-Film-Adaptation-20120809|date=9 August 2012|website=Broadway World|access-date=19 May 2019}}</ref>
===Untitled Stevie Wonder documentary===
In August 2012,<ref>{{cite web|last=Yuan|first=Jada|url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/09/25-baddest-things-from-spike-lees-mj-doc.html|title=Toronto: The 25 Baddest Things From the Premiere of Spike Lee's Michael Jackson Documentary|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]|date=September 17, 2012|access-date=November 27, 2024}}</ref> Lee premiered his documentary ''"[[Bad 25 (film)|Bad 25"]],'' about the 25th anniversary of [[Michael Jackson]]'s 1987 album ''[[Bad (album)|Bad]]'' at the [[69th Venice International Film Festival]]. In the documentary, [[Stevie Wonder]], performed a rendition of MJ’s “The Way You Make Me Feel”, and during Lee's Toronto Film Festival QnA in September 2012, he expressed his aspiration to direct a documentary centered on him. <ref>{{cite web|last=Schmidlin|first=Charles|url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/spike-lee-says-he-wants-to-do-stevie-wonder-documentary-says-prince-refused-to-let-him-use-footage-for-bad-251016/|title=Spike Lee Says He Wants To Do Stevie Wonder Documentary; Says Prince Refused To Let Him Use Footage For 'Bad'|website=[[IndieWire]]|date=September 18, 2012|access-date=November 27, 2024}}</ref> Since then, there have been no further announcements regarding the film's development.
===''Gold''===
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===''School Daze Too''===
===Untitled Clarence Thomas biopic===
On July 29, 2013, filmmaker [[Paul Schrader]] revealed that he reached out to Lee, offering to write a script for him to direct about [[Clarence Thomas]], saying, "If either one of us did it alone, it wouldn't have as much strength to it."<ref name="Sequel"/>
===''Spinning Gold''===
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===''Enter the Dragon'' remake===
In
▲===''Nightwatch''===
By September 2017, [[Sony Pictures]] was actively developing a film based on the character [[Nightwatch (comics)|Nightwatch]] for their [[Sony's Spider-Man Universe]], with a script from Edward Ricourt. Sony wanted Lee to direct the film,<ref name="NightwatchSneiderScoop">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XGYj4IheCM |title=Meet the Movie Press for September 1st, 2017 |date=September 1, 2017 |last=Popcorn Talk |access-date=September 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904215530/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XGYj4IheCM |archive-date=September 4, 2017 |website=[[YouTube]] |url-status=live}}</ref> and he was confirmed to be interested in the project in March 2018, with [[Cheo Hodari Coker]] re-writing the script.<ref name="NightwatchLeeCoker">{{Cite web |title=Spike Lee Circling Sony Superhero Movie 'Nightwatch' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/nightwatch-spike-lee-circling-sony-superhero-movie-1094433 |last=Couch |first=Aaron |last2=McMillan |first2=Graeme |date=March 14, 2018 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314225957/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/nightwatch-spike-lee-circling-sony-superhero-movie-1094433 |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |access-date=March 15, 2018}}</ref> However, Lee was no longer involved by October.<ref name="NightwatchNoLee">{{Cite web |title=Spike Lee is Not Making Sony Marvel's Nightwatch Movie |url=https://screenrant.com/spike-lee-sony-marvel-nightwatch-not-directing/ |last=Schaefer |first=Sandy |date=October 25, 2018 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025193303/https://screenrant.com/spike-lee-sony-marvel-nightwatch-not-directing/ |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |access-date=October 26, 2018}}</ref>▼
===''Archer'' TV series===
In August 2017, it was announced that Lee was developing ''Archer'', a TV series with a "young, black [[Mark Zuckerberg]]-like protagonist" who develops a dating app that reads sexual chemistry.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wagmeister|first=Elizabeth|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/spike-lee-chad-sanders-tech-entrepreneur-tv-show-archer-1202523860/|title=Spike Lee Developing TV Series Inspired by 'Young Black Mark Zuckerberg' Tech Entrepreneur (EXCLUSIVE)|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=August 11, 2017|access-date=September 22, 2023}}</ref>
===''Nightwatch''===
▲By September 2017, [[Sony Pictures]] was actively developing a film based on the character [[Nightwatch (comics)|Nightwatch]] for their [[Sony's Spider-Man Universe]], with a script from Edward Ricourt. Sony wanted Lee to direct the film,<ref
===''School Daze'' Broadway musical===
In February 2018, on a podcast episode, Lee announced that he would be adapting his film ''[[School Daze]]'' as a [[Musical theatre|musical]] on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]. "People said that from the jump when it came out that this should be a musical," added Lee.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cornelius|first=Ray|url=https://raycornelius.com/2018/02/upfront-talks-to-spike-lee-about-a-school-daze-broadway-musical-more-audio/|title=#UPFRONT talks to Spike Lee about a 'School Daze' Broadway Musical & more (AUDIO)|website=raycornelius.com|date=February 2018|access-date=November 24, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Sequel2"/>
===''Frederick Douglass Now''===
In November 2018, Lee was set up to direct a film version of the stage show by [[Roger Guenveur Smith]], ''[[Frederick Douglass]] Now''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hopewell|first=John|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/spike-lee-direct-roger-guenveur-smith-frederick-douglass-now-1203022020
===''Prince of Cats''===
In
==2020s==
===''Boner''===
In
===''Da Saga of Colin Kaepernick'' documentary===
In February 2022, it had been reported that Lee was to film a multipart documentary for [[ESPN]] on former [[San Francisco 49ers]] quarterback [[Colin Kaepernick]], featuring extensive interviews and access to his personal archive.<ref>{{cite web|author=Associated Press|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33204564/spike-lee-direct-colin-kaepernick-docuseries-espn|title=Spike Lee to direct Colin Kaepernick docuseries for ESPN|website=[[ESPN]]|date=February 2, 2022|access-date=November 16, 2023}}</ref> In December of that year, the documentary was given the title of ''Da Saga of Colin Kaepernick'', and Lee revealed he had been working on the series for over a year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dalton|first=Ben|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/spike-lee-espn-series-titled-da-saga-of-colin-kaepernick/5177137.article|title=Spike Lee ESPN series titled 'Da Saga Of Colin Kaepernick'|website=Screen Daily|date=December 4, 2022|access-date=November 17, 2023}}</ref> By 2025, it was reported that the project will never be released and has been canceled due to "creative differences" among Lee, Kaepernick, and ESPN.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Carroll |first1=Rory |last2=Richwine |first2=Lisa |date=August 16, 2025 |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/espn-will-not-air-spike-lees-docuseries-colin-kaepernick-citing-creative-2025-08-16/ |title=Exclusive: ESPN will not air Spike Lee's docuseries on Colin Kaepernick, citing 'creative differences' |website=[[Reuters]] |access-date=August 16, 2025}}</ref>
===Untitled ROTC drama series===
In November 2022, Lee came aboard as director and executive producer of an untitled coming-of-age drama developed at [[Amazon MGM Studios|Amazon Studios]]. Written by Jalysa Conway and Rebecca Murga, the series was to have been set in the world of an [[Reserve Officers' Training Corps|ROTC military program]] at a major university.<ref>{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|url=https://deadline.com/2022/11/spike-lee-direct-ep-rotc-military-drama-amazon-jalysa-conway-rebecca-murga-1235174658/|title=Spike Lee Attached To Direct & EP ROTC Drama In Works At Amazon From Jalysa Conway & Rebecca Murga|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=November 17, 2022|access-date=November 17, 2023}}</ref>
===''Da Understudy''===
In 2023, Lee was circling to direct ''Da Understudy'', with [[Jonathan Majors]] attached to star and produce from [[Westbrook Studios]] and [[Amazon MGM Studios|Amazon Studios]]. Tom Hanada, Zach Strauss and Tyler Cole wrote the screenplay, based on an original story by Cole about an "[[understudy]] of a [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production [who] finds a role he's willing to kill for," as reported by ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/creed-iii-jonathan-majors-amazon-da-understudy-spike-lee-circling-1235281484/|title='Creed III's Jonathan Majors To Star In 'Da Understudy' For Amazon & Westbrook; Spike Lee Circling|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=March 7, 2023|access-date=November 17, 2023}}</ref>
===''Liberty''===
In 2025, it was reported that Lee was developing and eyeing to direct the comedic military drama ''Liberty'' based on a pitch from writers Jalysa Conway and Rebecca Murga. The project was said to be "in the vein" of the 1973 film ''[[The Last Detail]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Grobar|first=Matt|url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/spike-lee-developing-liberty-rebecca-murga-jalysa-conway-1236258846/|title=Spike Lee Developing Fleet Week Dramedy 'Liberty' From Writers Rebecca Murga & Jalysa Conway|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=January 16, 2025|access-date=January 16, 2025}}</ref>
==See also==
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