While it’s currently unclear exactly what Shawn Levy’s post-Real Steel directing gig is going to be, Deadline is suggesting that there’s a bet he could sign on for 20th Century Fox’s untitled Frankenstein project. ComingSoon.net has confirmed that, while nothing is solid as of yet, the film is, indeed, one that has caught the director’s eye.
Little is known about the specifics of this version’s story, but Max Landis is set to provide the screenplay, based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel. The son of director John Landis, he is responsible for the screenplay of the upcoming Chronicle, to be directed by his father and set for release early next year.
Shelley’s tale has, lately, been a major source of inspiration for Hollywood and, as with the recent bout of Snow White films, the race may be on to be the first of the upcoming adaptations to make it to theaters.
In addition to Guillermo del Toro’s long-expressed interest in reimagining the novel and a recent stage version directed by Danny Boyle, Timur Bekmambetov is set to helm a prequel, The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein, based on the Peter Ackroyd novel of the same name. Matt Reeves is attached to a different prequel, This Dark Endeavor, also based on a novel (by Kenneth Oppel). Dean Koontz’s own, modern day take on the story is slated for adaptation with Frankenstein: Prodigal Son. Lakeshore is aiming for an original, film noir slant on the monster with their screen version of the comic book I, Frankenstein and Tim Burton plans to return to his filmmaking roots with his Shelley-inspired stop motion release, Frankenweenie. A small screen version was recently announced as well, planned to air on NBC.
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