Spike Lee's unrealized projects
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Spike_Lee_Cannes_2018.jpg/200px-Spike_Lee_Cannes_2018.jpg)
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.
1990s[]
Early development of 42[]
2000s[]
Early development of Get On Up[]
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[]
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 II 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[]
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]
References[]
- ^ "Spike Lee takes on Joe Louis boxing film". The Guardian. 28 July 2000. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ecksel, Robert (26 November 2006). "ARTICLES OF 2006Save Us Spike Lee, Budd Schulberg and Joe Louis". The Sweet Science. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ "Spike Lee Is Selling Time". Empire. 24 May 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ "Cruise eyes trio of roles". Variety. 18 October 2006. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
- ^ Fleming., Mike Jr. (7 January 2014). "D.J. Caruso Set To Helm 'Selling Time'; Will Smith Still Circling Supernatural Thriller". Deadline. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ "Disney Closes $71.3 Billion Fox Deal, Creating Global Content Powerhouse". The Hollywood Reporter. March 19, 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ Fleming, Michael (17 June 2008). "Spike Lee takes on 'Time Traveler'". Variety. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ "Spike Lee tackles 'Time Traveler'". Entertainment Weekly. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ Hilton, Beth (18 June 2008). "Spike Lee to direct 'Time Traveler'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ "Spike Lee to adapt 'Time Traveler'". United Press International. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ Kiang, Jessica (27 November 2013). "10 Lost, Unmade & Possible Future Projects Of Spike Lee". IndieWire. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ "Spike Lee Tunes Up His Flux Capacitor". Vulture.com. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ Voter, Lauri (27 July 2015). "Dr. Ronald Mallett: Scientist, professor, mentor – and time traveler?". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ Goldstein, Patrick (17 July 2008). "Lee's 'L.A. Riots' gathers steam". LA Times. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ Shaw, Lucas (8 August 2012). "Justin Lin in Talks to Direct 'L.A. Riots' for Universal, Imagine (Updated)". The Wrap. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ Graser, Marc (2 February 2009). "Spike Lee to produce 'Start'". Variety. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ Alexander, Bryan (21 April 2010). "Samuel L. Jackson Up For Spike Lee's "Michael Jackson" Project". WNBC. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (31 August 2011). "HBO Boxing Pilot 'Da Brick' Casts Lead". Deadline. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (13 March 2012). "HBO Passes On Drama Pilot 'Da Brick'". Deadline. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (28 June 2010). "Spike Lee Sets Sights On 'Nagasaki Deadline' With Lightstorm And Alcon". Deadline. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (9 December 2011). "HBO Developing Marion Barry Biopic, Eddie Murphy Set To Star, Spike Lee To Direct". Deadline. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ "Spike Lee in Negotiations for PORGY AND BESS Film Adaptation". Broadway World. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ McNary, Dave (5 April 2013). "'Porgy and Bess': Gershwins' Opera Gets Film Update (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Fleming., Mike Jr. (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.
- ^ Loi, Lak (26 September 2014). "Spike Lee to Remake Bruce Lee's Enter The Dragon". jkdlondon.com. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ mrbeaks (March 21, 2015). "Brett Ratner Is Trying To Remake ENTER THE DRAGON". Ain't It Cool News. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ Fleming., Mike Jr. (July 23, 2018). "Remake Of Bruce Lee's 'Enter The Dragon' Has 'Deadpool 2's David Leitch In Talks". Deadline. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- Films directed by Spike Lee
- Lists of unrealized projects by artist