Wes Craven's unrealized projects
The following is a list of unproduced Wes Craven projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American film director Wes Craven 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.
1980s[edit]
Flowers In the Attic film[edit]
In the mid-1980s, Craven wanted to direct and already wrote a screenplay for the film adaptation of Flowers in the Attic, but his screenplay was rejected and Jeffrey Bloom was hired as the director and screenwriter.[1]
Beetlejuice[edit]
In the 1980s, Craven was at one point attached to direct Beetlejuice, but Tim Burton was hired as the director.[2]
Shocker sequel[edit]
Craven wanted to direct and write a sequel to Shocker, but the box office performance of the first movie hampered Craven’s plan.[1]
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace[edit]
1990s[edit]
Beast film[edit]
In the early-1990s, Craven wanted to direct the film adaptation of Peter Benchley’s novel Beast, which became the TV movie The Beast.[1]
Doctor Strange film[edit]
On December 8, 1992, Craven was attached to direct a film based on the Marvel Comics’ character Doctor Strange for Savoy Pictures, but made New Nightmare instead.[3]
The Haunting remake[edit]
In 1995, Craven attempted to remake of The Haunting, but ended up taking over Scream because of long, drawn out negotiations with Dimension Films over the remake, which led to Jan de Bont remaking the film in 1999.[4]
Hollyweird TV pilot/series[edit]
On January 20, 1998, Craven and Shaun Cassidy were attached to executive produce the horror TV series Hollyweird through Universal Television for Fox for the 1998-1999 season, but it did not materialize.[5]
The Fountain Society film[edit]
On April 15, 1999, Craven was attached to direct and produce the film adaptation of his novel The Fountain Society for ImageMovers and DreamWorks Pictures, but it didn't materialize.[6]
Drowning Ruth film[edit]
On June 18, 1999, Craven was attached to direct and produce the film adaptation of Christina Schwartz’s novel Drowning Ruth for Miramax.[7]
2000s[edit]
Trans-Sister Radio film[edit]
On August 8, 2000, Craven was attached to produce the film adaptation of Chris Bohjalian’s novel Trans-Sister Radio for Miramax, but it did not materialize.[8]
MTV artificial intelligence pilot[edit]
On October 23, 2000, Craven was attached to produce and direct Karl Schaefer’s pilot focused on artificial intelligence for UPN.[9]
The Day I Went Missing film[edit]
On November 1, 2000, Craven confirmed that he would produce the film adaptation of Jennifer Miller’s true story novel The Day I Went Missing with Donald Martin writing the script for Miramax.[10]
American McGee's Alice CGI animated film[edit]
The Waiting[edit]
On June 27, 2002, Craven was attached to produce and direct Juliet Snowden and Stiles White’s suspense thriller spec script The Waiting, which is about a mother haunted by her dead child,[11] but on November 2, 2005, Alexandre Aja was attached to direct the movie instead of Craven.[12]
Kamelot TV series[edit]
On January 30, 2003, Craven was attached to produce Kamelot, a sci-fi retelling of the King Arthur legend with Ron Milbauer and Terri Hughes writing and producing for UPN.[13]
Untitled paranormal cop TV series[edit]
On May 6, 2003, Craven was attached to produce a TV series about an actual cop who investigates paranormal cases through Dimension Television, but it was not picked up by a TV network.[14]
Whole New You[edit]
On May 13, 2004, Craven was confirmed to produce Jeremy Drysdale’s script Whole New You, but it did not materialize.[15]
Wild Card[edit]
On October 18, 2004, Craven was confirmed to write the full screenplay of Marshall Moseley’s spec script Wild Card for Dimension Films with the possibility of Craven directing, but it did not materialize.[16]
Pulse[edit]
Shocker remake[edit]
On August 16, 2006, Craven confirmed that he would produce a feature film remake of Shocker with Rogue Pictures.[17]
The People Under the Stairs remake[edit]
On April 21, 2007, Craven confirmed that he would produce a feature film remake of The People Under the Stairs with Rogue Pictures.[18] But on October 30, 2020, Jordan Peele was confirmed to produce a feature film remake.[19]
2010s[edit]
Sunflower[edit]
On February 19, 2010, Craven was in talks to direct Misha Green’s script Sunflower about two women who were abducted in a college professor’s prison-like farmhouse.[20] But on August 3, 2012, Adam Blaiklock took over directing the movie from Craven, with Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Productions producing the film and 20th Century Fox set to distribute,[21] however, the film fell into development hell and its fate is unknown after Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox was completed,[22] and Green would eventually make the film her feature film directorial debut.[23][24]
Potential Scream 5 & 6[edit]
Coming of Rage film/TV series[edit]
On July 31, 2012, Craven and Steve Niles were set to develop a film adaptation of their Liquid Comics’ collaboration Coming of Rage with Arnold Rifken and Sharad Devarajan producing the film.[25] On October 29, 2014, the comic book was reportedly getting a TV adaptation instead.[26]
The People Under the Stairs TV series[edit]
On April 20, 2015, Craven would produce the television adaptation of his movie The People Under the Stairs through Universal Cable Productions for Syfy, with Michael Reisz writing the series that was described as a contemporary Downton Abbey meets The Amityville Horror.[27] On August 30, 2015, Universal Cable Productions intended to make the series after Craven died earlier that day, but the series did not materialize.[28]
We Are All Completely Fine TV series[edit]
On April 20, 2015, Craven would produce the television adaptation of Daryl Gregory’s novel We Are All Completely Fine through Universal Cable Productions for Syfy, with the possibility to direct the pilot episode.[27] On August 30, 2015, Universal Cable Productions intended to make the series after Craven died earlier that day, but the series did not materialize.[28]
Disciples TV series[edit]
On October 9, 2015, Craven would produce the television adaptation of Steve Nile’s comic book Disciples through Universal Cable Productions for Syfy.[27] On August 30, 2015, Universal Cable Productions intended to make the series after Craven died earlier that day, but the series did not materialize.[28]
Offers[edit]
The Mummy remake[edit]
In the 1990’s, Craven was offered to remake of The Mummy, but turned it down and Stephen Sommers remade the film in 1999.[29]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Hedash, Brad (April 4, 2021). "Every Unmade Wes Craven Horror Movie (& Why They Didn't Happen) - Flowers In The Attic". Screen Rant. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Bumbray, Chris (May 10, 2023). "WTF Happened to Beetlejuice?". JoBlo. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ Variety Staff (December 8, 1992). "Marvel characters holding attraction for filmmakers". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Muir, John Kenneth (1998). Wes Craven: The Art of Horror. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland. p. 33, 34. ISBN 0786405767.
After lengthy contract negotiations, Craven ceased work on his remake of the Robert Wise classic The Haunting (1963) and took the reins of the $14 million production.
- ^ Richmond, Ray (January 20, 1998). "Fox orders U 'Weird' pilot". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Benedict Carver; Chris Petrikin (April 15, 1999). "'Fountain' a gusher". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Jones, Oliver (June 18, 1999). "Miramax 'Drowning' Craven". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Lyons, Charles (August 8, 2000). "Craven Films tunes up 'Trans-Sister Radio'". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Snieder, Michael (October 23, 2000). "Craven pilots new course for UPN". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Claude Brodesser; Jonathan Bing (November 1, 2000). "New 'Day' for Craven". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Brodesser, Claude (June 27, 2002). "Craven on 'Waiting' list". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Mohr, Ian (November 2, 2005). "Rogue wins rights race for 'Waiting'". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Snieder, Michael (January 30, 2003). "UPN looks outside the family for action". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Rooney, David (May 6, 2003). "'Waiting' gathering goosebumps". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ McNary, Dave (May 13, 2004). "'Scream' team gets romantic". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Harris, Dana (October 18, 2004). "A walk on the 'Wild' side". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Michael (August 16, 2006). "'Left' right for Rogue". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Sneider, Fred (April 21, 2007). "CRAVEN TO PRODUCE "PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS" REMAKE". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (October 30, 2020). "Exclusive: Jordan Peele Mounting 'The People Under the Stairs' Remake at Universal". Collider. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Miska, Brad (February 19, 2010). "Wes Craven in Talks for 'Sunflower', First Details". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (August 3, 2012). "Blaiklock plants 'Sunflower' for Fox, Red Hour". Variety. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ Georg Szalai; Paul Bond (March 19, 2019). "Disney Closes $71.3 Billion Fox Deal, Creating Global Content Powerhouse". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ D’Alessandro, Anthony (January 31, 2023). "Misha Green Making Feature Directorial Debut With Lionsgate's 'Sunflower', Reteams With 'Lovecraft Country's Jurnee Smollett". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (January 31, 2023). "Misha Green to Make Directorial Debut With Jurnee Smollett Thriller 'Sunflower'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ Patten, Dominic (August 3, 2012). "Wes Craven & Steve Niles Bringing 'Coming Of Rage' To Comic Stores & Big Screen". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Bhushan, Nyay (October 29, 2014). "Wes Craven Launches Comic Series 'Coming of Rage,' Works on TV Adaptation". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c Andreeva, Nellie (April 20, 2015). "Wes Craven Inks UCP Deal, Sets Dramas 'People Under The Stairs', 'We Are All Completely Fine' At Syfy". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c Andreeva, Nellie (August 30, 2015). "Wes Craven's TV Series At UCP Will Go Forward "In His Honor And Spirit"". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Squires, John (June 8, 2017). "George Romero and Clive Barker Almost Directed 'The Mummy' Remakes in the 90s". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
