Robert Rodriguez's unrealized projects: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:01, 15 February 2024

Revision as of 05:05, 15 February 2024

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==1990s==

===''Madman'' film===

In 1998, Rodriguez acquired the film rights to [[Mike Allred]]'s ''[[Madman (Mike Allred character)|Madman]]'' comics. Both he and Allred gave numerous signals as to the start of production over the years, but as both had been occupied with other projects (Allred was instrumental in connecting Rodriguez with [[Frank Miller (comics)|Frank Miller]], leading to the production of ''[[Sin City (film)|Sin City]]''), no results emerged despite both remaining eager to see the film made.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert Rodriguez Talks Predators Prequel, Sin City 2, Spy Kids 4 and Madman! [Exclusive] |url=https://movieweb.com/exclusive-robert-rodriguez-talks-predators-prequel-sin-city-2-spy-kids-4-and-madman/ |website=[[MovieWeb]] |date=July 2010 |publisher=Watchr Media |access-date=18 October 2019}}</ref> In a 2000 interview, Allred mentioned that he had had contact with [[Robin Williams]] for the role of Dr. Flem.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last1=Irving |editor-first1=Christopher |title=Michael Allred: Conversations |date=2015 |quote=Robin Williams is the only celebrity whom I've had contact with who was a serious contender to be in the film, and that was as Dr. Flem. |isbn=1496803264}}</ref> At a February 2006 appearance at [[WonderCon]], Allred announced that he and Rodriguez hoped to begin filming in May of that year;, he teased fans in attendance by saying that the titular role had already been cast, "but I can't tell you who it is yet."<ref>{{cite web |title=WonderCon: Buddy-L has info on the MADMAN movie from Allred, HELLBOY 2 from Mignola and much more!!! |url=https://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/22447 |website=Aint It Cool News |access-date=14 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref> However, in December 2006, it was announced that [[George Huang (director)|George Huang]] would take over writing/directing duties, with Rodriguez stepping back to a [[Film producer|producer]] role;,<ref>{{cite web |title=Madman Movie Moving |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/19/madman-movie-moving |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=14 June 2022 |language=en |date=19 December 2006}}</ref> in a January 2007 interview, Allred indicated that no roles had been cast yet.<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview with Madman creator Michael Allred |url=https://www.anarchymusic.net/2007/01/michaelallred.html |access-date=14 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202011200/https://www.anarchymusic.net/2007/01/michaelallred.html |archive-date=2 February 2007 |date=29 January 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2015, Allred indicated on [[Twitter]] that the rights to ''Madman'' had reverted to him,<ref>{{cite tweet |user=AllredMD |author=Mike Allred |number=576854032330792960 |date=14 Mar 2015 |title=MILESTONE: for the first time since 1995 all rights to MADMAN (including IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS) have reverted back to me! #THEFUTUREISNOW!}}</ref> and in June 2018, stated that a film production "would have to take a set up even better than what I had with [Robert Rodriguez]" which he considered unlikely.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=AllredMD |author=Mike Allred |number=1012087698624937985|date=27 Jun 2018 |title=It would have to take a set up even better than what I had with @Rodriguez ,& don't see that happening anytime soon.The biggest obstacle: the time it'd take from making comics, which is where I want to spend ALL of my time. At least a couple years of passion projects pending⚡️}}</ref>

===''Predators''===

In 1994, Rodriguez wrote an early script for a third ''Predator'' film for [[20th Century Fox]] while he was working on ''[[Desperado (film)|Desperado]]'' at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://movies.ign.com/articles/107/1077485p1.html |title=Predators First Look | publisher= [[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]] | work = [[IGN]] |date=2010-03-15 |access-date=2010-05-22}}</ref> Rodriguez presented the script to the studio, but was denied when they realized that the budget would be too large.<ref name="AICNE" /> Fifteen years later, the studio decided to go with his script. Rodriguez stated:

<blockquote>It's the story from that script I had written way back then. They had hired me to write a ''Predator'' story while I was waiting to do ''Desperado'' back in 1995. It was crazy, this thing I came up with. So then fast-forward to now and, like, six months ago, they found the script and called me up. 'Hey, we want to redo this franchise and we found your old script. This is where we should have gone with the series! We want to move forward.' And that's what we're doing.<ref>{{cite news

| date = 2009-07-08

Line 21 ⟶ 20:

| url= http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2009/07/robert-rodriguez-has-a-crazy-intense-script-for-his-predator-revival.html

| work = [[Los Angeles Times]] blogs

| access-date=2010-07-14}}</ref>

}}</ref>

</blockquote>

In 2009, 20th Century Fox studio executive, [[Alex Young (studio executive)|Alex Young]], called Rodriguez to consider using his treatment to revive the individual Predator franchise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aintitcool.com/node/40879 |title=AICN Exclusive: Robert Rodriguez answers some questions about PREDATORS!!! |website= Aintitcool.com |date=2009-04-24 |access-date=2009-12-24}}</ref> ''[[Predators (film)|Predators]]'' was produced at Rodriguez's [[Troublemaker Studios]] as opposed to 20th Century Fox so that Rodriguez had more [[Artistic control|creative control]] over the film.<ref name="AICNE">{{cite web |url=https://www.aintitcool.com/node/41590/ |title=AICN Exclusive: Nimród Antal is directing PREDATORS |website=Aintitcool.com |date=2009-07-01 |access-date=2010-03-20 |archive-date=July 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703152850/https://www.aintitcool.com/node/41590/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was originally thought that Rodriguez would direct, but on July 1, 2009, [[Nimród Antal]] was officially signed on to direct.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/2009/06/23/nimrod-antal-to-direct-predators/ |title=Nimród Antal to Direct Predators?|website=[[/Film]] |date=2009-06-23 |access-date=2009-12-24}}</ref>

In 2009, 20th Century Fox studio executive, [[Alex Young (studio executive)|Alex Young]], called Rodriguez to consider using his treatment to revive the individual Predator franchise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aintitcool.com/node/40879 |title=AICN Exclusive: Robert Rodriguez answers some questions about PREDATORS!!! |website= Aintitcool.com |date=2009-04-24 |access-date=2009-12-24}}</ref> ''[[Predators (film)|Predators]]'' was produced at Rodriguez's [[Troublemaker Studios]] as opposed to 20th Century Fox so that Rodriguez had more [[Artistic control|creative control]] over the film.<ref name="AICNE">{{cite web |url=https://www.aintitcool.com/node/41590/ |title=AICN Exclusive: Nimród Antal is directing PREDATORS |website=Aintitcool.com |date=2009-07-01 |access-date=2010-03-20 |archive-date=July 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703152850/https://www.aintitcool.com/node/41590/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was originally thought that Rodriguez would direct, but on July 1, 2009, [[Nimród Antal]] was officially signed on to direct.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/2009/06/23/nimrod-antal-to-direct-predators/ |title=Nimród Antal to Direct Predators?|website=[[/Film]] |date=2009-06-23 |access-date=2009-12-24}}</ref>

===''The Mask of Zorro''===

In 1995, Rodriguez signed on to direct ''[[The Mask of Zorro]]'' with [[Antonio Banderas]] for [[TriStar Pictures]] and [[Amblin Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite news | first= Claudia |last= Eller| title = Sony Learns to Schmooze Wall Street| date = September 22, 1995 | work = [[Los Angeles Times]] }}</ref> TriStar and Amblin were impressed with Rodriguez's low budget filmmaking, however, he pulled out of the project in 1996 due to budgetary problems. Rodriguez wanted a budget of $45 million and the studio only wanted to do a $35 million film.<ref name=dispute>{{cite news | title = Budget Dispute Hangs Up 'Zorro' | date = June 13, 1996 | work = [[San Jose Mercury News]] }}</ref> The film was eventually released in 1998, directed by [[Martin Campbell]], who reteamed with Banderas in 2005's ''[[The Legend of Zorro]]''.

===''Kiss Me Deadly'' remake===

On the director's commentary track for ''[[Sin City (film)|Sin City]]'', Robert Rodriguez said that he had been attached, in 1997 or 1998, to direct a remake of the 1955 [[film noir]], ''[[Kiss Me Deadly]]''. It was to have been produced by [[Michael Mann]]. Rodriguez said he left the project because he thought it was "too nostalgic"."<ref>{{cite web |last=Miller III |first=Randy |title=Frank Miller's Sin City: Recut, Extended, Unrated |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/19223/frank-millers-sin-city-recut-extended-unrated |work=DVDTalk.com |access-date=September 23, 2012}}</ref>

==2000s==