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
[edit]As Nature Made Him
[edit]In 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
[edit]In 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
[edit]Following 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
[edit]While 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
[edit]The Black Max
[edit]In the 1990's, Jackson intended to direct the feature film adaptation of Black Max.[1]
Blubberhead
[edit]In 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
[edit]In 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
[edit]In 1995, Jackson was associated with a project of remake of Creature from the Black Lagoon.[7][1]
Invasion of Privacy
[edit]Jackson 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
[edit]Jackson optioned the film rights for the biography of the famous New Zealand aviatrix, Jean Batten: The Garbo of the Skies.[1]
2000s
[edit]Halo
[edit]The Dam Busters remake
[edit]In 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
[edit]In 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
[edit]In 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
[edit]The Adventures of Tintin sequels
[edit]2020s
[edit]Untitled Beatles project
[edit]In 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
[edit]The World is Not Enough
[edit]Jackson 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.