Spike Lee's unrealized projects

The following is a list of unproduced Spike Lee projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American film director and producer Spike Lee 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 or are officially canceled.

Lee in 2018

1990s

Early development of 42
Main article: 42 (film) § Production

2000s

Early development of Get On Up
Main article: Get on Up (film) § Production

Save Me, Joe Louis

In July 2000, Lee acquired the rights to make a film about Joe Louis from a script he wrote with boxing expert Bert Randolph Sugar and scriptwriting legend Budd Schulberg under the title "Save Me, Joe Louis".[1] The movie was focused on Louis’ fights with Max Schmeling with Arnold Schwarzenegger interested in playing Schmeling.[2] In July 2006, Schulberg mentioned that Lee talked with Terrence Howard to play Louis.[3] The film fell into development hell because Lee didn't get half of the budget he needed.

Inside Man 2
Main article: Inside Man § Cancelled sequel

Selling Time film

In May 2006, Lee was set to direct 20th Century Fox’s supernatural thriller Selling Time,[4] with Tom Cruise in talks to star.[5] In January 2014, D.J. Caruso took over directing the movie from Lee, with Dan McDermott writing a new draft and Will Smith is rumored to star in the movie.[6] However, plans fell in development hell and its fate is unknown after the Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney was completed.[7]

Time Traveler

In June 2008, it was announced that Lee was going to adapt Ronald Mallett's memoir Time Traveler: A Scientist’s Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality into a feature film.[8][9][10][11] The film was to have been titled Time Traveler and Lee was to have co-written and directed it.[12][13] On July 27, 2015, Mallett reported that Lee and screenwriter Ian Harnarine were "in negotiations about how to proceed regarding a feature film of my book, Time Traveler."[14]

L.A. Riots film

In July 2008, Lee was set to direct a L.A. Riots film, with John Ridley and Terry George writing the script and Brian Grazer producing the film.[15] In August 2012, Justin Lin was set to direct the L.A. Riots film, since Lee didn't get enough money and ended up working on Miracle at St. Anna.[16] There has been no further announcements since.

Now the Hell Will Start film

In February 2009, Lee acquired the rights to Brendan Koerner's novel Now the Hell Will Start, a World War 2 manhunt in the Burmese jungle.[17] However, plans fell into development hell.

2010s

Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson

On 21 April 2010, Samuel L. Jackson announced that Lee showed him a script that he wrote titled Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson. The script, according to Samuel L. Jackson, was "about these folks who want to have a big concert in a Brooklyn park for Michael. And the new gentrified people that live in the neighborhood are worried about the kind of element that might be coming into the neighborhood."[18] On 24 January 2011, it was announced that Lee scrapped the project.[19]

Da Brick pilot

On 21 June 2011, HBO announced they would develop a pilot for the series Da Brick, with Lee directing the pilot, written by John Ridley and executive-produced by Lee, Ridley, Mike Tyson, and Doug Ellin, based on Tyson's childhood,[20] and John Boyega was cast as the lead, Donnie.[21] In March 2012, HBO passed on the pilot.[22]

Nagasaki Deadline film

On 28 June 2010, Lee was announced to direct the thriller Nagasaki Deadline with David Griffiths, Peter Griffiths, William Broyles Jr. writing the script and Lightstorm Entertainment producing the film.[23] However, plans fell into development hell.

Untitled Marion Barry biopic

On 9 December 2011, Lee was set to direct and produce a biopic of Marion Barry with Eddie Murphy set to play Barry, and John Ridley writing the script for HBO Films.[24] There has been no further announcements since.

Porgy & Bess remake

On 9 August 2012, Lee was in negotiations with the George Gershwin estate to direct the Porgy and Bess remake.[25] On 5 April 2013, Both the Gershwin Family and the DuBose Heyward estate announced a remake is in development without Lee's involvement.[26] However, the movie is in development hell.

Spinning Gold biopic
Main article: Spinning Gold

On 30 October 2013, Lee was in negotiations to direct the biopic of Neil Bogart with Justin Timberlake set to play Bogart with Bogart's son Tim writing the script entitled Spinning Gold.[27] On 19 June 2019, Tim was announced as director and Jeremy Jordan replaced Timberlake.[28]

Enter the Dragon remake

On 26 September 2014, Lee was in negotiations to direct the remake of Enter the Dragon with Ken Jeong set to play Lee and Billy Bob Thornton set to play Roper.[29] On March 21, 2015, Brett Ratner revealed that he replaced Lee as director,[30] and on July 23, 2018, David Leitch is in early talks to direct the remake instead of Ratner.[31]

Nightwatch

By September 2017, Sony Pictures was actively developing a film based on the character Nightwatch for their Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters, with a script from Edward Ricourt. Sony wanted Lee to direct the film,[32] and he was confirmed to be interested in the project in March 2018, with Cheo Hodari Coker re-writing the script.[33] However, Lee was no longer involved by October.[34]

gollark: My favourite sorting algorithm is of course the one I designed, bubble bogosort, but I don't think anyone used that.
gollark: He would, since he is pretending to be someone else.
gollark: Anyway, #11 is obviously mine due to SQLite good.
gollark: It's not like you need to use the actual `input()` anywhere.
gollark: `LIMIT -1` looks like something written by someone who does not know SQL very well, or is doing unfathomable things beyond my comprehension.

References
  1. "Spike Lee takes on Joe Louis boxing film". The Guardian. 28 July 2000. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  2. Toro, Gabe (13 September 2013). "Arnold Schwarzenegger Could Have Played Max Schmeling In Spike Lee's Unproduced Joe Louis Biopic". Indiewire. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  3. Ecksel, Robert (26 November 2006). "ARTICLES OF 2006Save Us Spike Lee, Budd Schulberg and Joe Louis". The Sweet Science. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  4. "Spike Lee Is Selling Time". Empire. 24 May 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  5. Variety Staff (18 October 2006). "Cruise eyes trio of roles". Variety. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  6. Fleming Jr., Mike (7 January 2014). "D.J. Caruso Set To Helm 'Selling Time'; Will Smith Still Circling Supernatural Thriller". Deadline. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  7. "Disney Closes $71.3 Billion Fox Deal, Creating Global Content Powerhouse". The Hollywood Reporter. March 19, 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  8. Fleming, Michael (17 June 2008). "Spike Lee takes on 'Time Traveler'". Variety. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  9. "Spike Lee tackles 'Time Traveler'". Entertainment Weekly. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  10. Hilton, Beth (18 June 2008). "Spike Lee to direct 'Time Traveler'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  11. "Spike Lee to adapt 'Time Traveler'". United Press International. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  12. Kiang, Jessica (27 November 2013). "10 Lost, Unmade & Possible Future Projects Of Spike Lee". IndieWire. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  13. "Spike Lee Tunes Up His Flux Capacitor". Vulture.com. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  14. Voter, Lauri (27 July 2015). "Dr. Ronald Mallett: Scientist, professor, mentor – and time traveler?". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  15. Goldstein, Patrick (17 July 2008). "Lee's 'L.A. Riots' gathers steam". LA Times. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  16. Shaw, Lucas (8 August 2012). "Justin Lin in Talks to Direct 'L.A. Riots' for Universal, Imagine (Updated)". The Wrap. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  17. Graser, Marc (2 February 2009). "Spike Lee to produce 'Start'". Variety. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  18. Alexander, Bryan (21 April 2010). "Samuel L. Jackson Up For Spike Lee's "Michael Jackson" Project". WNBC. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  19. Davis, Edward (24 January 2011). "It Looks Like Spike Lee Has Scrapped His Michael Jackson-Centric, 'Brooklyn Loves MJ' Project". IndieWire. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  20. Andreeva, Nellie (21 June 2011). "Spike Lee, Mike Tyson, Doug Ellin & John Ridley Team For HBO Drama Series Inspired By Tyson's Youth". Deadline. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  21. Andreeva, Nellie (31 August 2011). "HBO Boxing Pilot 'Da Brick' Casts Lead". Deadline. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  22. Andreeva, Nellie (13 March 2012). "HBO Passes On Drama Pilot 'Da Brick'". Deadline. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  23. Fleming Jr, Mike (28 June 2010). "Spike Lee Sets Sights On 'Nagasaki Deadline' With Lightstorm And Alcon". Deadline. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  24. Andreeva, Nellie (9 December 2011). "HBO Developing Marion Barry Biopic, Eddie Murphy Set To Star, Spike Lee To Direct". Deadline. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  25. BWW News Desk (9 August 2012). "Spike Lee in Negotiations for PORGY AND BESS Film Adaptation". Broadway World. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  26. McNary, Dave (5 April 2013). "'Porgy and Bess': Gershwins' Opera Gets Film Update (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  27. McClintock, Pamela (30 October 2013). "Spike Lee in Early Talks to Direct Neil Bogart Biopic 'Spinning Gold' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  28. Fleming Jr., Mike (19 June 2019). "'70s Record Exec Neil Bogart Film 'Spinning Gold' Set: Samuel L. Jackson Heads Cast & Channels Iconic Musical Acts From Donna Summer And KISS To Gladys Knight & Village People". Deadline. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  29. Loi, Lak (26 September 2014). "Spike Lee to Remake Bruce Lee's Enter The Dragon". jkdlondon.com. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  30. mrbeaks (March 21, 2015). "Brett Ratner Is Trying To Remake ENTER THE DRAGON". Ain't It Cool News. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  31. Fleming Jr., Mike (July 23, 2018). "Remake Of Bruce Lee's 'Enter The Dragon' Has 'Deadpool 2's David Leitch In Talks". Deadline. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  32. Popcorn Talk (September 1, 2017). Meet the Movie Press for September 1st, 2017. YouTube. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
  33. Couch, Aaron; McMillan, Graeme (March 14, 2018). "Spike Lee Circling Sony Superhero Movie 'Nightwatch'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  34. Schaefer, Sandy (October 25, 2018). "Spike Lee is Not Making Sony Marvel's Nightwatch Movie". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
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