Wikipedia

Alexander Payne's unrealized projects

During his career, American film director Alexander Payne has worked on a number of projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell in development hell, were cancelled or would see life under a different production team.

1990s

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Esquivel

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In 1999, it was reported that Payne was in talks to direct Esquivel, a biopic starring John Leguizamo as Mexican musician Juan García Esquivel. He was also developing an adaptation of Paul Auster's The Locked Room at the time.[1]

2000s

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Untitled Dorian Gray film

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In 2000, it was reported that Payne was to co-write and direct an untitled film inspired by Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. However, nothing more was heard of this project.[2]

Gambit remake

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Main article: Gambit (2012 film)

At one point, Payne was in talks to direct the remake of the 1966 heist comedy Gambit, after the Coen brothers did a rewrite of the film in 2003. He planned to reunite with Reese Witherspoon for the project, but he ultimately decided against it, reluctant to direct a script he didn't write.[3]

2010s

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Wilson

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Main article: Wilson (2017 film)

In November 2010, it was reported that Payne would possibly direct the film adaptation of Daniel Clowes's graphic novel Wilson.[4][5][6][7] Then in November 2011, Payne confirmed that he was to direct Wilson next after Nebraska (2013).[8][9][10] However, Payne officially confirmed in a 2014 interview with Parade that he was no longer attached to the Wilson project.[11]

Fork in the Road

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It was reported in 2011 that Payne was to direct a film titled Fork in the Road.[12] That project was to have been an adaptation of a novel by Denis Hamill.[13]

The Lost Cause

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In 2012, it was reported that Payne and Jim Taylor wrote a script titled The Lost Cause, which was said to be an expansion of Taylor's 2004 short film of the same name.[14]

The Judge’s Will

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In November 2013, Payne was in talks to direct a film titled The Judge's Will for Fox Searchlight Pictures.[15][16][17] The project was to have been based on a New Yorker article written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala about an elderly judge from Delhi who wants to make sure his much younger wife will be taken care of after his death.[18][19][20] In May 2018, it was reported that James Ivory would write the screenplay of the project for Payne.[21][22][23] In June 2018, it was reported that Payne will possibly shoot The Judge's Will in Chicago.[24]

La Vida Norteña

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In November 2014, it was announced that Payne would direct a film titled La Vida Norteña.[25] The project was to have been about a Latin music promoter who befriends a Nebraskan mayor.[26]

Septillion to One

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In April 2015, it was reported that Payne was interested in directing Septillion to One, a contemporary romantic comedy inspired by the true story of Joan Ginther, who won the Texas State Lottery four times.[27][28][29][30] Adam R. Perlman and Graham Sack's spec script was purchased by OddLot Entertainment, who intended to produce and finance the film. Payne was not officially committed to directing at the time, due to his preoccupation with the production of Downsizing (2017). In September 2016, Mark Romanek signed on to direct the film.[31][32][33]

My Saga

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In February 2016, it was announced that Payne was to direct a film titled My Saga, which is based on a pair of articles written by Karl Ove Knausgård and published by The New York Times Magazine.[34][35][36][37] The articles cover Knausgård tracing the Vikings' voyages in North America.[38][39][40] The film was to have been distributed by Netflix and star Mads Mikkelsen.[41][42][43] In October 2019, the production was cancelled a week before filming was to begin due to Knausgard objecting to his life story being turned into a feature film.[44]

The Burial

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Main article: The Burial (film)

In March 2018, Payne was in talks to direct a legal drama film for Amazon Studios titled The Burial.[45][46][47][48] The project was based on the true story of Mississippi-based lawyer Willie Gary, who takes on the case of Jeremiah O'Keefe, an owner of a chain of funeral homes who claimed he was swindled by a major funeral parlor conglomerate.[49][50] Maggie Betts took over as director and the film premiered in 2023 at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The Menu

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Main article: The Menu (2022 film)

It was reported in February 2019 that Payne was attached to direct the comedy horror film The Menu for Gary Sanchez Productions.[51] The plot concerns a young couple that attends an exclusive restaurant in a tropical island only to experience some "shocking surprises."[52][53][54][55] By April 2019, Emma Stone and Ralph Fiennes were set to star in the film.[56][57] By May 2020, Mark Mylod replaced Payne on The Menu.[58][59]

Babette’s Feast remake

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On December 2, 2019, it was announced that Payne was attached to direct an American remake of the 1987 Oscar-winning Danish film Babette's Feast.[60][61][62][63] Payne's version is said to be set in Minnesota.[64][65]

Landscapers

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Main article: Landscapers (TV series)

On December 20, 2019, it was announced that Payne was going to direct the HBO miniseries Landscapers.[66] However, in October 2020, it was announced that Payne dropped out of the project due to a schedule conflict and was replaced by Will Sharpe.[67]

2020s

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Untitled Paris-set comedy

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In 2021, Payne said that one of his upcoming projects, which he planned to follow The Holdovers, would be a comedy set in Paris based on the true story of rival antique chair dealers, and that he was using the pandemic downtime to craft the screenplay.[68] In 2023, Payne told IndieWire that he was working with Jim Taylor and a French screenwriting team, and that their script is "maybe 65 percent there".[69] Project is based on the 2018 Vanity Fair article "The Chairmen".

Tracy Flick Can’t Win

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In 2022, soon after the publication of Tracy Flick Can't Win, the sequel novel to Election, a film adaptation was announced to be in works at Paramount+ with Reese Witherspoon set to reprise her role as Tracy Flick and Payne returning to direct and co-write.[70][71][72]

Untitled Western film

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While promoting The Holdovers, Payne announced that he was collaborating with scribe David Hemingson yet again on a long-time dream to make a Western film. "I finally found a creative partner who shares the same zeal that I have for Westerns", Payne said.[73][69] The film is said to be set in 1886 Custer County, Nebraska, and will feature Paul Giamatti in a currently undisclosed role.[74][75] Payne has cited the Westerns of Anthony Mann as an influence on the project.[76]

Tucker Ames as Himself

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On a 2023 episode of Happy Sad Confused, Payne revealed that one of his favorite scripts which had not been produced was a rewrite with Jim Taylor on a film called Tucker Ames as Himself, which he described as "sort of a parody of a Bill Gates guy who gets his comeuppance in some way."[77] In the same interview, Payne reiterated that he and Taylor were still discussing how to adapt Tracy Flick Can't Win, attributing his desire to add Matthew Broderick's character from the first film and veer away from "making high school movies," since the novel is set at a high school again.[78]

References

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  1. ^ Petrikin, Chris (July 27, 1999). "'Election's' Payne in talks for 'Esquivel'". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  2. ^ Fleming, Michael (March 6, 2000). "Payne studying 'Picture'; second trip to 'Town". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  3. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 5, 2011). "A 14-Year 'Gambit' Finally Provides a Big Payoff for Producer Mike Lobell". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  4. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 18, 2010). "'Wilson' Lands At Fox Searchlight With Alexander Payne". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  5. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (November 18, 2010). "Alexander Payne Attached To Direct Adaptation Of Daniel Clowes Comic 'Wilson'". IndieWire. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  6. ^ "Alexander Payne Eyeing Wilson Adaptation". MovieWeb. November 19, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  7. ^ Schaefer, Sandy (November 19, 2010). "Dan Clowes Adapting 'Wilson' For The Big Screen". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  8. ^ Radish, Christina (November 17, 2011). "Alexander Payne Talks THE DESCENDANTS and His Next Two Projects NEBRASKA and WILSON". Collider. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  9. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (November 9, 2011). "Alexander Payne Says 'Nebraska' Likely To Be Retitled, 'Wilson' Keeps Moving". IndieWire. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  10. ^ Tobias, Scott (November 15, 2011). "Alexander Payne". The A.V. Club. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  11. ^ Neumeyer, Scott (February 24, 2014). "Nebraska Director Alexander Payne Talks Bruce Dern and the Iconic Look of Black and White". Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays. Parade. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  12. ^ "Director Alexander Payne returns to movies with a rumpled George Clooney in tow". The Dallas Morning News. November 15, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  13. ^ "The Crawl: Minnesotans all over Oscars (no, not Diablo)". Star Tribune. August 17, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  14. ^ Dang, Simon (May 29, 2012). "Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor To Preview New Script 'The Lost Cause' At Nantucket Film Festival". IndieWire. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  15. ^ Chitwood, Adam (October 8, 2013). "Alexander Payne in Talks to Direct THE JUDGE'S WILL for Fox Searchlight". Collider. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  16. ^ Hanna, Beth (October 9, 2013). "In the Works: Alexander Payne Finds Next Project in 'The Judge's Will'". IndieWire. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  17. ^ Brian Gallagher (October 8, 2013). "Alexander Payne Teams Up with Fox Searchlight for The Judge's Will". MovieWeb. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  18. ^ White, James (October 9, 2013). "Alexander Payne Finds The Judge's Will". Empire. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  19. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 8, 2013). "Alexander Payne Teams With Searchlight, Conde Nast On 'The Judge's Will'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  20. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (October 8, 2013). "Alexander Payne Signs 'The Judge's Will' With Fox Searchlight". IndieWire. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  21. ^ McNary, Dave (May 29, 2018). "James Ivory to Write Alexander Payne's Family Drama 'The Judge's Will'". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  22. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 29, 2018). "James Ivory Adapting Ruth Prawer Jhabvala New Yorker Article 'The Judge's Will' For Alexander Payne At Fox Searchlight". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  23. ^ McNary, Dave (May 29, 2018). "James Ivory to Write Alexander Payne's Family Drama 'The Judge's Will'". Yahoo! News. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  24. ^ Swartz, Tracy (June 21, 2018). "Alexander Payne may be eyeing Chicago to film adaptation of New Yorker story". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  25. ^ Shoard, Catherine (November 6, 2014). "Matt Damon downsizing with Alexander Payne". The Guardian. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  26. ^ West, Michael (November 6, 2014). "Matt Damon to Star in Alexander Payne's Epic Masterpiece, 'Downsizing'". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  27. ^ Sneider, Jeff (April 1, 2015). "OddLot Wins Heated Auction for 'Septillion to One'; Alexander Payne Circling to Direct (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  28. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (April 2, 2015). "Alexander Payne May Bet On 'Septillion to One' Odds". IndieWire. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  29. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (April 3, 2015). "Alexander Payne May Like the Odds on SEPTILLION TO ONE". Collider. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  30. ^ Han, Angie (April 3, 2015). "Alexander Payne Considers Betting On 'Septillion To One'". /Film. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  31. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 15, 2016). "Mark Romanek To Helm 'Septillion To One'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  32. ^ Cabin, Chris (September 15, 2016). "Mark Romanek Set to Direct Romantic Comedy 'Septillion to One'". Collider. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  33. ^ Han, Angie (September 15, 2016). "Mark Romanek Gambles On 'Septillion To One'". /Film. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  34. ^ McNary, Dave (February 9, 2016). "Alexander Payne to Direct Norwegian Travel Tale 'My Saga'". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  35. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (February 9, 2016). "Alexander Payne To Direct Road Trip Flick 'My Saga'". IndieWire. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  36. ^ Thompson, Anne (February 9, 2016). "Bona Fide Acquires Movie Rights to Knausgaard New York Times Series 'My Saga' for Alexander Payne (EXCLUSIVE)". IndieWire. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  37. ^ Cabin, Chris (February 10, 2016). "Alexander Payne Set to Hit the Road Again With 'My Saga'". Collider. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  38. ^ Galuppo, Mia (February 9, 2016). "Alexander Payne to Direct Norwegian Road Trip Film 'My Saga'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  39. ^ McNary, Dave (February 9, 2016). "Alexander Payne to Direct Norwegian Travel Tale 'My Saga'". Yahoo! Finance. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  40. ^ Giroux, Jesse (February 10, 2016). "ALEXANDER PAYNE TO DIRECT ADAPTATION OF KARL OVE KNAUSGAARD'S MY SAGA". JoBlo.com. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  41. ^ Arnold, Ben (October 18, 2019). "'Sideways' director Alexander Payne's new Netflix movie axed just days before shoot". Yahoo! News. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  42. ^ Davies, Megan (October 17, 2019). "Hannibal star Mads Mikkelsen's Netflix movie is dropped suddenly for unexpected reason". Digital Spy. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  43. ^ Goldberg, Matt (October 18, 2019). "Alexander Payne's Netflix Movie Cancelled a Week Before Filming Was Supposed to Begin". Collider. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  44. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 17, 2019). "Rights Issues Cancel Alexander Payne-Directed Mads Mikkelsen Netflix Film". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  45. ^ McNary, Dave (March 14, 2018). "Alexander Payne in Talks for Legal Drama 'The Burial' at Amazon". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  46. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 14, 2018). "Alexander Payne In Talks For 'The Burial' At Amazon Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  47. ^ Galuppo, Mia (March 14, 2018). "Alexander Payne in Talks to Direct Amazon Legal Drama 'The Burial'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  48. ^ Goldberg, Matt (March 14, 2018). "Alexander Payne in Talks to Direct Legal Drama 'The Burial' for Amazon Studios". Collider. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  49. ^ Burke, Carolyn (March 14, 2018). "Alexander Payne in Talks to Direct Amazon's The Burial". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  50. ^ Mike Fleming Jr. (March 14, 2018). "Alexander Payne In Talks For 'The Burial' At Amazon Studios". Yahoo! Entertainment. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  51. ^ Kroll, Justin (February 8, 2019). "Alexander Payne and Gary Sanchez Productions Team on His Next Film 'The Menu' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  52. ^ Sneider, Jeff (April 4, 2019). "Exclusive: Emma Stone, Ralph Fiennes Eyed to Star in Alexander Payne's 'The Menu'". Collider. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  53. ^ Jones, Mike (April 9, 2019). "Emma Stone & Ralph Fiennes Cast In Alexander Payne's The Menu". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  54. ^ Baxter, Joseph (April 4, 2019). "Emma Stone and Ralph Fiennes Eyed to Star in Horror Comedy The Menu". Den of Geek. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  55. ^ White, James (April 4, 2019). "Emma Stone And Ralph Fiennes Eyed For Alexander Payne's Latest". Empire. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  56. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 9, 2019). "Hot Project Du Jour: Emma Stone, Ralph Fiennes, Alexander Payne On 'The Menu'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  57. ^ Mike Fleming Jr. (April 9, 2019). "Hot Project Du Jour: Emma Stone, Ralph Fiennes, Alexander Payne On 'The Menu'". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  58. ^ Squires, John (August 14, 2025). "Alexander Payne No Longer Directing Horror-Comedy 'The Menu'; Mark Mylod Taking Over". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  59. ^ Hamman, Cody (May 29, 2020). "Mark Mylod Steps in for Alexander Pyne as Director of 'The Menu'". JoBlo.com. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  60. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (December 2, 2019). "Alexander Payne Rebounds From Cancelled Netflix Project With 'Babette's Feast' Remake". IndieWire. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  61. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (December 2, 2019). "Alexander Payne Takes On Reimagining Of 'Babette's Feast'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  62. ^ Gemmill, Allie (December 2, 2019). "'Downsizing' Director Alexander Payne to Direct New Take on 'Babette's Feast'". Collider. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  63. ^ Mike Fleming Jr. (December 2, 2019). "Alexander Payne Takes On Reimagining Of 'Babette's Feast'". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  64. ^ Lee Svitak Dean (December 11, 2019). "Minnesota will be the setting for remake of Oscar-winning film 'Babette's Feast'". Star Tribune. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  65. ^ Sasvari, Joanne (February 18, 2020). "Salut!: Babette's stuffed quail a French decadence worth recreating". vancouversun. Vancouver Sun. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  66. ^ THR Staff (December 20, 2019). "Olivia Colman to Star in Crime Drama 'Landscapers' for HBO, Sky". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  67. ^ Thorne, Will (October 9, 2020). "Alexander Payne Exits Olivia Colman HBO, Sky Drama 'Landscapers'". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  68. ^ Michel Feld, Karina (June 4, 2021). "Oscar Winner Alexander Payne: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker". Medium. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  69. ^ a b Thompson, Anne (October 25, 2023). "How a French Movie from 1935 Inspired Alexander Payne's Latest, 'The Holdovers'". IndieWire. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  70. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (December 8, 2022). "Reese Witherspoon to Star in 'Election' Sequel 'Tracy Flick Can't Win' at Paramount+". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  71. ^ Friedman, Roger (March 12, 2024). "Oscars: Why Spielberg Couldn't Give Best Picture Award, Oppenheimer Gang Is The Bomb at Universal Gala". Showbiz411. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  72. ^ Edelman, George (May 22, 2025). "Alexander Payne on Classic Movies, His Long-Awaited 'Election' Sequel, and Why 'Ben-Hur' Is "Still F**king Awesome" (Exclusive)". MovieWeb. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  73. ^ Pedersen, Lise (October 16, 2023). "'Sideways' Writer-Director Alexander Payne on What Makes a Good Film and What's Missing in American Cinema". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  74. ^ Blyth, Antonia (February 23, 2024). "'The Holdovers' David Hemingson Reveals Details Of New Alexander Payne Western Project & Hopes Paul Giamatti Will Join: "We've Written Him A Part"". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  75. ^ Severe, Mike'l (March 5, 2024). "'I'd rather be making a film': Before walking Oscars red carpet, Alexander Payne sits down with FFP". Flatwater Free Press. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  76. ^ Vourlias, Christopher (August 18, 2024). "Alexander Payne Dishes on 'Election' Sequel, Upcoming Western With 'Holdovers' Scribe and Dream of Doing 'a Good Car Chase Film'". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  77. ^ Horowitz, Josh (November 9, 2023). Alexander Payne talks THE HOLDOVERS, ELECTION sequel | Happy Sad Confused. Happy Sad Confused – via YouTube.
  78. ^ Davis, Edward (November 9, 2023). "'Election' Sequel: Alexander Payne Says He Wants Matthew Broderick Back & To "Loosely" Adapt The Book That Doesn't Include His Character". The Playlist. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
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