Peter Jackson's unrealized projects
The following is a list of unproduced Peter Jackson projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson 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.[1][2]
1980s
editAs Nature Made Him
editIn the 1980's, Jackson intended to adapt the non-fiction book "As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised a Girl."[1][3]
A Nightmare on Elm Street 6: The Dream Lover
editIn the late 1980s, Jackson submitted a screenplay to New Line Cinema he co-wrote with Danny Mulheron entitled A Nightmare on Elm Street 6: The Dream Lover.[4][5] A separate script for a sixth film, Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991), was made instead.
Bad Taste 2
editFollowing the release of his feature debut Bad Taste (1987), Jackson wrote the script for a potential sequel.[1] The story involved an alien invasion of Wellington, as well as Santa Claus and a giant weta. In 1992, Jackson stated that the temptation to make Bad Taste 2 was growing on him.[2]
Warrior Season
editWhile mulling over the possibilities of making a sequel to Bad Taste, Jackson was also co-writing a script called Warrior Season with Costa Botes. Inspired by his love of Jackie Chan films such as Project A (1983) and Police Story (1985), the project was described as a kung-fu western set during the New Zealand gold rush of the 1870s. Little else is known, other than Timothy Dalton was eyed to play the villain in the film.[2]
1990s
editThe Black Max
editIn the 1990's, Jackson intended to direct the feature film adaptation of Black Max.[1]
Blubberhead
editIn the 1990's, Jackson intended to direct Blubberhead, a Bad Taste-like fantasy film that journalist Ian Pryor described as Jackson's missing link from his early work to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.[6][1][2]
Johnny Zombie
editIn 1992, Jackson was offered an opportunity to direct the horror comedy then-titled Johnny Zombie. He turned it down, and the film was produced as My Boyfriend's Back the following year.[1]
Creature from the Black Lagoon remake
editIn 1995, Jackson was associated with a project of remake of Creature from the Black Lagoon.[7][1]
Invasion of Privacy
editJackson was sent the script for the drama/thriller titled Invasion of Privacy from a German producer. The story follows a pregnant woman who is held hostage by her ex-boyfriend. However, Jackson turned down the offer to direct.[1]
Jean Batten
editJackson optioned the film rights for the biography of the famous New Zealand aviatrix, Jean Batten: The Garbo of the Skies.[1]
2000s
editHalo
editThe Dam Busters remake
editIn 2005, Jackson was set to produce a remake of The Dam Busters with Stephen Fry writing the screenplay, for Jackson and journalist David Frost to produce the remake.[8][9]
Temeraire
editIn 2006, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Jackson optioned the film rights to Naomi Novik's Temeraire series. "[It's] a terrific meld of two genres that I particularly love—fantasy and historical epic," Jackson said at the time.[10] In a 2009 interview with IGN, Jackson stated that he was considering adapting the novels in the form of a miniseries instead. "With six books, I really don't like the idea of making a big-budget movie of the first book and it not doing well at the box office and suddenly that's the end of the series."[11]
2010s
editIn the 2010s Jackson was associated with two projects of prequels, one of King Kong, the other Tintin, respectively cancelled and on hold.
King Kong prequel
editThe Adventures of Tintin sequels
edit2020s
editUntitled Beatles project
editIn 2022, following the release of his documentary The Beatles: Get Back on Disney+, Jackson was reportedly in discussions with Beatles members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr for an additional non-documentary feature project.[12]
Offers
editThe World is Not Enough
editJackson was offered to direct The World Is Not Enough, but Barbara Broccoli lost interest in Jackson after a screening of The Frighteners.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Jackson's ones that got away". The New Zealand Herald. December 9, 2003. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Harrison, Mark (June 11, 2020). "The unproduced film projects of Peter Jackson". Film Stories. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ "Steven Spielberg reveals Peter Jackson's next movie won't be Tintin". The New Zealand Herald. June 29, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Michael (January 17, 2024). "Peter Jackson's A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Lover [Script to Pieces]". Wicked Horror. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ JoBlo Horror Originals (July 30, 2021). "PETER JACKSON'S ELM STREET PART 6 - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie". YouTube. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ Eisenberg, Adam (January 10, 2022). "RANDALL WILLIAM COOK: AN OSCAR WINNER'S JOURNEY FROM HARRYHAUSEN TO HOBBITS". VFX Voice. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Davis, Maddie (January 30, 2023). "Before King Kong, Peter Jackson Nearly Remade Another Iconic Monster Movie". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
- ^ Conlan, Tara (December 8, 2005). "Frost clears Dam Busters for take-off". The Guardian. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ Oatts, Joanne (March 15, 2007). "Fry denies 'Doctor Who' rumours". Digital Spy. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (September 12, 2006). "Lord of fantasy: Jackson eyeing 'Temeraire'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
- ^ Monfette, Christopher (24 July 2009). "SDCC 09: Peter Jackson Updates IGN". IGN. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 20, 2022). "After 5-Emmy-Nom Haul, 'Get Back's Peter Jackson Plots Another Beatles Film With Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
- ^ Brian Sibley (2006). Peter Jackson: A Film-maker's Journey. London: HarperCollins. pp. 397–8. ISBN 0-00-717558-2.