Once Rumored Movie Projects

Index | A-C | D-I | J-O | P-Z

BROWN : Movie that isn't scheduled to be shot.
GREEN : Movie that has already been shot or is about to be shot.

Abelcain

8/2001 Newsletter
Alejandro Jodorowsky would be about to shoot Abelcain. The director would have declared to The Tercera, South American daily, that he should achieve it (direct it?) at the latest in June 2002 with Marilyn Manson and Johnny Depp in the cast.

Plot Summary for Abelcain (2002) in IMDB
After a nuclear apocalypse, the whole landscape is a desert ruin, except for a small island paradise where El Toro is buried. Thought visible and seemingly accessible, every attempt to enter this island has resulted in disaster. El Toro´s sons, Cain and Abel, were separated as boys because El Toro predicted that Cain would kill Abel. But when evil marauders steal their mothers´s body in an attempt to trick their way into the island, the brothers join forces to deliver their dead mother to be buried with their father. Not only must they overcome an enemy adept at technological witchery, they must overcome the curse that marks their destiny.
Summary written by Toth Amon

Trivia for Abelcain (2002) in IMDB
Alejandro Jodorowsky's long awaited sequel to El Topo was originaly supposed to be called "The Sons of El Topo" but disputes over ownership with Allen Klein forced Jodorowsky to change the title to "Abelcain" and the name "Topo" to "Toro." On the subject, Mr. Jodorowsky had the following to say: "I am now working on a Franco-Canadian production called Abelcain, which is a new version of the same project. The character El Topo has become El Toro. A single slash added on letter P changed a subterranean rat into a charging bull. For a true artist, difficulties become opportunities. And clouds become solid present."

5/19/2002 Variety article from "the symbol grows: alejandro jodorowsky"
Titan backs Jodorowsky's Topo's' son
By JOHN HOPEWELL
It looks like Alejandro Jodorowsky's much-mooted "Los hijos del Topo" (The Sons of El Topo), the sequel to his famed "El Topo," may be finally going into production - set up at Mathias Ehrenberg's and Christian Valdelievre's Titan Producciones in Mexico.
"We have a deal. Now we just have to work out how to structure it," Ehrenberg tells Variety.
Described by Ehrenberg as a "post-post-nuclear swashbuckler set in a medieval desert wilderness," "Los hijos del Topo" will be shot in Mexico.
Ehrenberg was in charge of the production of Julian Schnabel's "Before Night Falls" which was entirely shot in Mexico and New York.

Movie page in "the symbol grows: alejandro jodorowsky"

IMDB

Artie Shaw biopic

7/1999 Newsletter
At the lineone web site: JOHNNY DEPP is talking with writer-director ROBERT ALTMAN about starring in a film of the life of much-married bandleader ART SHAW. The film would be based on the autobiography which Shaw, now aged 89, has just completed after 20 years' work. Shaw, the King of the Clarinet who retired at the age of 44 saying he was disgusted with show business, was also known for the long list of Hollywood beauties with whom he was involved.

Newsweek Magazine for the week of June 28 had an interview with 1940's Bandleader Artie Shaw on the back page where he quotes a conversation he had with Johnny Depp - "You develop a kind of psychic shell; you get inside that cocoon. And you're trying very hard to find out who you are—or else you go nuts. And a lot of them are nuts. I've met a lot of kids on the way up. Johnny Depp, not long ago. He doesn't know what's happening to him. I said to him, "Jesus, Johnny, don't do too many pictures. Don't do too many pictures." He said, "You know, the only other guy who ever told me that was Marlon Brando." I said, "Well, why don't you listen?" He said, "You don't know what goes on." I said, "Yes I do." It's like going to the abyss and peering over. Back down there somewhere, you're one of the lunatics."

The Official Artie Shaw Website

Bad Business

11/01/2003 Telegraph
Robbie Coltrane gets his mate Johnny Depp to sign up for GM thriller
Robbie Coltrane is preparing to settle his magnificent frame into the director's chair. With work on the third Harry Potter film about to finish, the Scottish actor has written - and is set to direct - a controversial first feature film.
Coltrane tells Spy that his script, Bad Business, is about "America, oil and the exploitation of the Third World." He has already persuaded his close chum Johnny Depp to take the lead role, and is now looking for backing.
"I want to meet someone with £6 million to spend: some rich person who is willing to trust me," he says. "Johnny has already said that he'll play the baddie - we worked together in From Hell - and I want to get a couple of Scottish actors involved as well."
Coltrane, who was speaking at the premiere of Girl With a Pearl Earring, has never been known for his political views, but Bad Business will explore a current hot topic.
"The film asks, what will happen when the oil reserves in the Third World run out? In my film, America tries to sell the Third World GM crops, but the seeds don't grow and everything falls apart. The film will make the audience question greed and corporate business ethics.''
Depp is a noted critic of his homeland's foreign policy. Shortly after the Iraq war, he said: "Just look at our President - unbelievable. It was all about business, about money. He is one of the worst liars."

Batman vs. Superman

8/2002 Newsletter
If you were casting the upcoming "Superman Vs. Batman" movie would you even consider Johnny Depp, James Franco, Jude Law and Paul Walker? nah, either would I, but they're apparently on Director Wolfgang Peterson's short list to play the titular superheroes. EW - via Superhero Hype says the director is looking for someone who "can really act and give complexity and emotions, but would have the fun of being a great superhero and maybe pump up a little bit." Apparently only actors in their 20's and 30's are being considered, so George Clooney is out of the running.
The film, which Christian Bale has also been rumoured to play Batman in, won't dwell on the heroes' origins says EW. Instead, the titular titans cross paths (and figurative swords) over a case involving both Metropolis and Gotham. "Their individual crises are what pit them against each other," says Petersen. "Superman [stands by] his old thing of 'truth, justice, and the American way' - oh, boy, he gets into trouble with that one!" Meanwhile the brooding Batman "gets into a case so violent that he's about to lost it. [But] it's a superhero film, so of course at the end they join forces.While he downplays any serious overtones, Petersen says that post-Sept. 11 he wants to create more realistic working conditions for his protagonists. "It doesn't deal with a political situation like [the attacks], but it deals with the morality of this world right now and the gray zone we're in. Just to see how superheroes work in today's world is interesting."

Yahoo!Movies
7/17/02 Obviously, everyone's big question is who will play the lead roles of Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent in this franchise-reviving epic. In the "Variety" article last week that confirmed him as director (he had merely been "in talks" for the last year), Wolfgang Petersen mentioned Matt Damon as "an interesting action man and a hell of an actor", as an example of the kind of people he's looking at. He also mentioned that he plans to be able to announce his two stars within two to four weeks (ie, by early August, 2002), and that there are also three main female roles (Lois Lane and whom else?). The first site to post a cast rumor was SuperHeroHype.com, running with a story from an unconfirmed source that Christian Bale (American Psycho, Reign of Fire) is a frontrunner for the role of Bruce Wayne.

Bobby Darin biopic

1/1997 Newsletter
I have seen several articles lately about Johnny playing Bobby Darin in the movie from the book "Dream Lovers". Drew Barrymore is still mentioned as the leading candidate to play Sandra Dee. Apparently the rights to the book expire at the end of 1997 so if Barry Levinson is going to produce and/or direct this movie, it will have to get underway in 1997.

8/1999 Newsletter
Becky found an article about the long delayed Bobby Darin bio-pic. It appears that Barry Levinson has dropped the project for whom Johnny was expected to play the lead. The new producers hope to land Leo Dicaprio for the lead.

Book "Dream Lovers: The Magnificent Shattered Lives of Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee"

The Official Fan Site For Bobby Darin

Bolivar Libertador

11/2001 Newsletter
In Clarin newspaper appears "In February will start to film a movie at Mendoza (Argentina) - "Bolivar Libertador," based on the text of Garcia Marquez and with Johnny Depp as Bolivar, directed by Roland Joffe".

10/16/2001 Ain't It Cool News
LatinAICN: The Devil's Backbone; Fellowship of The Ring; Papa: Rua Alguem 555; Simon Bolivar Libertador; Love's Funny
.....
Johnny Depp is going to play Simon Bolívar in a movie version of the revolutionary leader´s life, with Jennifer Lopez as Manuelita. Anthony Hopkins is also a part of the cast. The screenplay is based on writings of acclaimed novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Shooting will take place in Mendoza, Argentina in February of 2002. Colombian singer Shakira is slated to contribute songs to the movie´s soundtrack.
.....

Book "The General in His Labyrinth"

Biblioteca Virtual de Simon Bolivar

Bride and Prejudice

03/08/2003 ApunKaChoice.com
Johnny Depp may play Ash's groom on reel!
Rumors are abuzz that the Hollywood star Johnny Depp is being considered to play Aishwarya Rai's hero in director Gurinder Chadda's Bride and Prejudice.
The film, believed to be the celluloid adaptation of Jane Austen's classic 'Pride and Prejudice', is scheduled to go on floors in April. And there is talk that Johnny Depp (star of films like 'Donnie Brasco' and 'Edward Scissorhands') will play Aishwarya's groom in the film.
An agent is reported to have approached Depp's secretary for the role but no final word has come from the actor as yet.
Meanwhile, Gurinder has already signed Nadira Babbar, Namrata Shirodkar, Meghna Kothari and veejay Piya to essay the side roles in the film.
The film will be shot in U.K., U.S.A. and Amritsar in India.

The Z Review
Monday 14th April 2003: Bride and Prejudice Update:
The Ring star Martin Henderson has apparently been cast as Darcy in Pathe UK's Bollywood musical version of Pride and Prejudice. Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha has cast the rising New Zealand star to appear alongside Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai. The new film is an all-singing, all-dancing take on Jane Austen's novel.

Book "Pride and Prejudice"

Jane Austen Center

IMDB

Brokeback Mountain

01/21/2004 Windy City Times
From the "Cowboys-Without-Cowgirls" file: The Chicago Sun-Times (1/15) welcomes us all to Gay 2004 where Brokeback Mountain, a movie adaptation of an Annie Proulx short story about the love of two young cowboys is casting its net over various gorgeous young (well, gorgeous and mostly young) actors- Viggo Mortensen, Brad Pit, Jude Law, Johnny Depp, Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger are in the running. Ang Lee will direct but skeptics are wondering if the Hollywood habit of "de-gaying" will occur.

The Z Review
Monday 8th March 2004: Brokeback Mountain Update:
Ang Lee has signed up Michelle Williams, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal to star in Brokeback Mountain that is being developed at Focus Features. The script has been written by McMurtry and Ossana from a short story by E. Annie Proulx. The movie will follow two men who meet one summer as sheepherders in Wyoming and form a bond and love that spans 20 years.

Book "Brokeback Mountain"

IMDB

Yahoo! Movies

Byron

8/1/2001 Dark Horizons
The Daily Express reports that Johnny Depp has been cast as famous British poet Lord Byron in a new biopic about him, with Angelina Jolie linked to play a role. Unlike the 'Bridget Jones' controversy, there won't be much debate about an American actor in a very British role as pretty much every major UK actor such as Jude Law weren't willing to take the role and turned it down. Byron himself was a real 'rock star' of the early 19th century but like today's stars he became a burned out hypochondriac who developed such things as an incestuous relationship with his half-sister, and a house menagerie of animals that would make Michael Jackson proud.

2001/8/18 The Guardian
Money runs out on British film revival
.....
Confidence has been further dented in the last few days by the delay, cancellation or collapse of a string of high-profile projects including John Boorman's Knight's Castle and Bruce Beresford's Boswell for the Defence, starring Michael Caine. Also among the victims are two historical dramas based on the lives of British literary heroes, Byron and the Brontes. In each case, a key part of the complex financial jigsaw that goes into making films fell through at the last minute.
.....
Byron A bio-pic of the aristocratic rebel poet and club-footed lover, who died fighting for Greek independence, directed by John Irwin, whose last film was the Cockney gangster flick Shiner
.....

Lord Byron

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari

2001/10/4 Ain't It Cool News
B.S. or True??? TIM BURTON's Next... A Remake of One Of the All Time Classic Horror Silents???
Hey folks, Harry here with a complete RUMOR from a first time unconfirmed wannabe spy based on a rumor set sail upon a UK Radio Station, which is unidentified. Now let's take a look here. First, why would the radio station actually mention the Saturn Films/Universal bit. To the world Saturn Films is actually fairly small potatoes, and is actually a company that Nick Cage has quite a bit of financial interest in. Now, Saturn and Universal are in a co-venture together on Alan Parker's DAVID GALE film which begins filming this week in Austin, Tx. The casting listed sounds very Burton, very perfect and Very Wet Dream Fanboy Wish Fulfillment. If it is true (almost no chance I'm afraid) the project is not on Saturn Films' Development Chart, which given the following story's purported set of 'facts' would seem highly unlikely. Let's put this out there as one of those, sitting around the old TV with 6 of your mates sharing herbs and processed barley till the wee hours, when the 'perfect Burton Concept' hit and decided to put out there in the world for folks to salivate over. Why print it? Well, it isn't a terrible idea for a Burton project. I love the original to death, but I'd be fascinated to see what Burton would do with it.... though frankly I would prefer a feature film adventure of STAINBOY... or an adaptation of his MELANCHOLY DEATH OF OYSTER BOY & OTHER STORIES... or perhaps THE STRANGE CASE OF EDWARD GOREY... or GEEK LOVE!!! Anyway... here's the RUMOR... for what its worth...
Hello Harry..I'm currently on vacation in England from Florida. This morning I over heard some interesting news from a UK Radio Station. On a Hollywood update type report they stated that Director TIM BURTON is in serious talks with Saturn films to helm a new version of Robert Wiene's Silent Classic "The Cabinet of Dr Caligari"
If this report is true Saturn films will produce along side with Universal making it Burton's first film for Universal Studios. Also reported is many of past Burton Regulars are in talks for certain roles. Johnny Depp, Danny Devito, Wynona Ryder, Christopher Walken, Micheal Keaton and even Jack Nicholson were on this list. This is UNREAL and TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!!
I can only imagine Mr. Burtons take on this incredible classic. If this does happen I can't see another director helming this project. Hopefully this will mark another chapter in Burton's more personal films of the early 90's. (E.S.,BR,NBC,EW)
This is a film Burton will have no limits with his creative style. The German Expressionism he has touched on in the past could be pushed further than ever. Id he does choose another Remake for his next film, I really hope it's this one..

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari(1290)

Cet amour-là

5/2000 Newsletter
the Voici magazine article mentioned another possible movie for Johnny that is directed by Josee Dayan in which Johnny would be the last boyfriend of Marguerite Duras (played by Jeanne Moreau). This story is from a book, "Cet Amour La."

Book "Cet amour-là"

Official Site

IMDB

Charles Manson biopic

9/2000 Newsletter
Johnny Depp writes Charles Manson. Hollywood star Johnny Depp must ask the murderer Charles Manson in written form for permission for a visit in order to make some investigations for his newest film project. In his newest movie, the Edward Scissorhands star plays the psychopathic murderer, Charles Manson. For preparing his role Depp wants to visit Manson in Corcoran State prison where he has to be for life. A speaker from the prison: "It depends only on Manson, whether Depp may visit him or not. Maybe Manson will agree, in spite of the fact that we does not have many visitors." Depp is eagerly awaiting an answer. "I absolutely want to get to know him better." There is no confirmation that Johnny is interested in this project but I'll keep you posted.

1/3/2002 New York Daily News
Manson Casting Call
Gets Few Takers
A movie project about Charles Manson refuses to die.
Johnny Depp recently turned down the offer to play the mass murderer in a film based on Ed Sanders' 1972 book, "The Family." Depp passed ? but not out of concern for his "Ninth Gate" director Roman Polanski, whose wife, Sharon Tate, was among Manson's victims. The actor, who collects Manson memorabilia, says he thought the 1976 TV miniseries "Helter Skelter" deftly told the whole story. "There was no point in doing it again," he said.
Johnny Depp But producer Don Murphy, who worked with Depp on "From Hell," isn't giving up.
"I did have several conversations with ['Buffalo 66' director and star] Vincent Gallo about playing Manson," Murphy tells us. But, he said, Gallo "is nobody anybody in Hollywood wants to work with."
Murphy, who bought songs performed by Manson for the soundtrack, thinks the part demands a brave actor. "Helter Skelter" star Steve Railsback saw his career take a nosedive after he played Manson in the miniseries.
"The film is told from the point of view of two people who join the family," says Murphy, who has also talked with Mena Suvari and Edward Furlong about other parts in the film.

Book "The Family"

Book "Helter Skelter"

Charles Manson in The Crime Library

Clarinda

2000/03/27 The Guardian
Kirsty Scott
Depp to play Burns, but can he burr?
The news that the American Johnny Depp is to play Robert Burns in a film about the life of Scotland's national poet has left many Scots wondering if they will finally get a Hollywood star who can master the accent. Mel Gibson (Australian) grappled with it unsuccessfully as William Wallace in Braveheart; Liam Neeson (Irish) made a decent stab at it in Rob Roy; and the cast of Brigadoon (American) well and truly massacred it.
Now all eyes are on Depp, known for his method acting and attention to detail. He has been picked to play Burns in an £18m film, Clarinda, directed by Vadim Jean.
Depp will meet producers next month to discuss the role. Known for choosing offbeat parts, he has won acclaim for performances in films such as Edward Scissorhands, What's Eating Gilbert Grape? and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Clarinda will be based on Burns's passion for the mar ried poet Agnes McLehose, for whom he penned Ae Fond Kiss. But even if Depp can develop the perfect burr he will have to overcome resentment that another key Scottish role has gone to an overseas actor.
Burns enthusiasts say the role was tailor-made for Ewan McGregor, but he is thought to be too tied up in the Star Wars trilogy.
"It is difficult for people, I know," said the film's producer, James Cosmo. "But we have to appeal to a world market. The poetry of Burns has an international resonance, and this is by no means a small film. We need a guy who is hugely charismatic, as Burns was."
It is understood that the film will be shot in Scotland, and the rest of the cast and crew will be Scottish. The role of Clarinda is not yet filled.
"It's a love story which concentrates on what must have been an extraordinary period," Mr Cosmo said. "Here was a man, a ploughman, with calluses on his hands, who went among the glitterati of Edinburgh society and burnt like phosphorous.
"They wrote these beautiful letters to one another which showed the depth of their love."
Depp is said to be excited at the prospect. He is known to like poetry, having read the works of Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac in poetry marathons on US television.
He has a reputation as a hellraiser, and there have been frequent clashes with the paparazzi. More recently he has settled with his girlfriend, Vanessa Paradis, and their baby daughter.
Some Burns specialists yesterday were reserving judgment until they saw Depp's performance. "It could have been worse," said an official at the Burns national heritage park. "Someone heard Gerard Depardieu was up for it."

4/2002 Press Room in Robert Burns Film
There are also many remaining questions over the cast. James Cosmo says "There is a great deal of acting talent in Scotland, and we want to fill as many of the leading roles with local talent as possible. There are several native Scots who could play the great man, but for casting the women in his life we might have to look a little further afield. ".
The production team want to know what fans of the Bard think about the casting, and have established a section on this web site for you to cast your votes. Should it be Ewan McGregor, Robbie Carlisle, Gerard Butler or Dougray Scott! Log on to who should play? and cast your vote.

Robert Burns Club of Milwaukee

Colour Me Kubrick

2/2004 Newsletter
Lutontoday.co.uk - John Malkovich, whose hit films include Con Air and In The Line of Fire, will be in High Town Road from Wednesday (Luton), shooting scenes from his latest flick Colour Me Kubrick. Director Brian Cook has plans to transform the former into an escort agency and the latter into The Blue Danube Adult Shop. The film tells the true story of small-time conman who talked his way into people's pockets by impersonating the famous and reclusive film director Stanley Kubrick. Other stars besides Malkovich, who will play the lead role, include Leslie Phillips, James Dreyfus and comic Jim Davidson. Hollywood heart-throb Johnny Depp and bad boy Sean Penn, both of whom are pals of the director, have been approached for cameo roles but are yet to confirm. It is thought the scenes shot in Luton will form the opening sequence of the film, which is due to hit screens in November.

IMDB

The Z Review

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

1/4/2001 ign.com
Does Depp Have a Dangerous Mind?
Director Bryan Singer hopes so.
According to today's Hollywood Reporter, Johnny Depp is director Bryan Singer's personal choice to star in his next film, the black comedy Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. Mind is an adaptation of the "unauthorized autobiography" of Gong Show host Chuck Barris who claimed to have moonlighted as a CIA assassin during the 1960's and 1970's.
The Mind script, one of my selections for The Best Scripts of 2000, was written by Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation). Mind will be produced by Renaissance Films.
Negotiations with Depp have not even begun yet, according to The Hollywood Reporter, so don't consider his involvement a done deal. Depp has several other projects to choose from right now, hoping to squeeze in another film before the anticipated screen actors' strike begins this summer. Should Depp decide to star in Mind it will reunite him with producer Andrew Lazar and executive producer Rand Ravich who last made The Astronaut's Wife with Depp. The lead role of Chuck Barris has already been pursued by several other actors, most recently John Cusack (who appeared to have the edge just weeks ago) and Ben Stiller. Before that, Mike Myers had long been attached to play Barris but he eventually passed in favor of starring in the Pink Panther remake. Go figure.
The Hollywood Reporter doesn't mention whether or not George Clooney is still attached to co-star as Barris' CIA contact Jim Byrd. Fox 411 columnist Roger Friedman recently spoke with Clooney who confirmed his involvement with Mind and who advised Friedman that Cusack was the likeliest choice to play Barris. Clooney was expected to film his scenes right after wrapping Ocean's 11.
Singer needs to lock down a lead actor soon if he hopes to shoot Confessions of a Dangerous Mind before the strikes begin. I'd hate to see this cool project fall apart because a star couldn't be signed for it.

Yahoo! Movies
6/26/01 - In his column about George Clooney directing, Michael Fleming of Variety notes that in the past, Ben Stiller and Sean Penn also considered the role Depp will probably play.
(8/17/01) Corona has gotten an unconfirmed scoop that Ben Stiller may now be rehearsing with Clooney on the WB lot.
(9/11/01) Michael Fleming of Variety reports that Sam Rockwell (Charlie's Angels, The Green Mile) has landed the role, beating out Stiller in an audition.

Book "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind"

Chuck Barris Fan Club

3/19/2001 Chuck Barris interview in The New York Observer

IMDB