John McTiernan's Unrealized Projects

During his long career, American film director John McTiernan 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, were officially canceled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.

1980s

''The Quest of St. James Elk''

In 1981, McTiernan wrote the original screenplay for a planned film called ''The Quest of St. James Elk'', which was to have been produced by Elliott Kastner through Winkast Film Productions, based at Pinewood Studios. However, the film was pulled from production just before the start. McTiernan's concept art and storyboards from the unproduced film were later salvaged and auctioned.

''Cortes''

In 1988, McTiernan was approached to direct ''Cortes'', a historical epic about Hernán Cortés from a Nicholas Kazan screenplay and with Edward R. Pressman producing, but Kazan and Pressman could not get the film funded.

''Sgt. Rock''

Shortly after they did ''Predator'' together, McTiernan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and writer Shane Black were all set to team on a big-budget film adaptation of the DC Comics character Sgt. Rock. According to McTiernan in the book ''The Last Action Heroes'' by Nick de Semlyan, the project was heavily developed in 1988 and 1989 only to be demolished by actor John Cleese, who would have starred opposite Schwarzenegger. As McTiernan explained, everyone was so attached to the idea of Cleese co-starring with Schwarzenegger that when Cleese declined, the project fell apart. "As far as he was concerned, we were just a couple thug American action-movie makers," McTiernan said. "If he'd seen ''Die Hard'', I think he probably would have signed up. But he judged us on our reputation." McTiernan would go on to make ''The Hunt for Red October'' instead.

''The Adventures of Robin Hood''

As early as 1989, McTiernan had been attached to direct 20th Century Fox's ''The Adventures of Robin Hood'', titled after the 1938 film, which was planned to be made after he finished ''Road Show''. At the same time, two other competing Robin Hood projects were in development at Morgan Creek Entertainment and Tri-Star Pictures. All three intended to portray how Robin Hood became an outlaw hiding out in the Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire. The central character of McTiernan's version was named Sir Robert Hode, a young Saxon noble more interested in wine and women, until the threat of a lashing by the Norman authorities sends him racing to the woods. The script was written by Mark Allen Smith. Fox hoped that Mel Gibson would agree to star in the film, though he turned it down over concerns of doing several "period pieces" in a row. In 1990, a race between the three projects ensued, with Tri-Star announcing a September 3 start date and Fox planning for an October 22 start. Plans, however, began to fall apart by late July when Kevin Costner signed on to star in Morgan Creek's '' Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves''. According to director Kevin Reynolds, Costner had originally been offered to star in McTiernan's version but the producers at Morgan Creek offered him more money, so he joined their production instead. Though his was not made, McTiernan participated as executive producer in a low-budget, made-for-television version of ''Robin Hood'' which utilized Mark Allan Smith's story treatment.

1990s

''Road Show''

In February 1990, McTiernan was set to direct ''Road Show'' for 20th Century Fox, with Sean Connery and Cher set to possibly star. The film, a romantic action-adventure based on ''The Last Cattle Drive'' by Robert Day, was to have been produced by McTiernan along with his then-wife Donna Dubrow, who described it as "'' The African Queen'' on the range". Robert Getchell's adapted script had spent over a decade in development, with directors Martin Ritt and Richard Brooks both attached to helm at separate stages, before McTiernan's involvement. Filming was expected to officially begin that summer in Montana and Wyoming.

''Clear and Present Danger''

''Flight of the Intruder''

''A Princess of Mars''

In late 1990, McTiernan became attached to direct a film based on the science fantasy novel ''A Princess of Mars''. The project was part of his three-picture deal with Cinergi and was budgeted at $60 million. He hired screenwriter Bob Gale, whose take on the material offered more humor and incorporated elements from several earlier drafts written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. McTiernan also hired illustrator and concept artist William Stout, who would design several elaborate costumes for animals to wear. Stout later recalled of his experience working on the film:

"Two days into that job had me in the middle of a huge depression. They were going to use camels and elephants in creature suits... There was no way that you could get any of this stuff to look like the uthor Edgar Rice Burroughs stuff."

By 1992, McTiernan had attached Sam Resnick, whom he had worked with previously on the television film ''Robin Hood'', to rewrite. Around this time, Tom Cruise also became loosely attached to the project as John Carter, with Julia Roberts approached to play the Princess of Mars, Dejah Thoris. As development continued, McTiernan became increasingly dissatisfied with the limitations of the technology at the time, convinced that CGI was the only way to go. Ultimately, he left the project to direct ''Last Action Hero'', but nevertheless was still paid for his work.

''Die Hard 3: Troubleshooter''

Following the release of ''Die Hard 2'', to which McTiernan had no involvement in, around 1991, he developed an unproduced iteration of a third film based on a spec script from 1990 titled ''Troubleshooter'', whose premise involved John McClane fighting terrorists aboard a cruise ship. This concept was later abandoned by the filmmakers due to its similarities to the film ''Under Siege''. According to McTiernan, ''Troubleshooter'' never happened because "Fox was wrangling with Bruce illisover money." The studio later utilized most of the material they had developed for the film into '' Speed 2: Cruise Control'', including "the ocean liner going on the beach."

''73 Easting''

In 1992, Tom Clancy was in negotiations with Universal Pictures to write his first screenplay for McTiernan to direct based on the experiences of three military captains who led an assault on Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard. The film was given the tentative title of ''73 Easting'' and would have been made with the cooperation of the U.S. Army. The rights to the stories of the three soldiers were secured by Vecchio Productions, who was set to co-produce with McTiernan's own Tongue River Productions.

''Texas Lead and Gold''

Around 1992, after the success of ''Unforgiven'', McTiernan circled to direct the spec script ''Texas Lead and Gold'' by Jim Gorman and Michael Frost Beckner, which was described as an adventure story reminiscent of ''The Treasure of the Sierra Madre''. It famously became the highest-selling screenplay at that time, producing a bidding war amongst various studios, with the first offer going for $1 million.

''Bitterroot''

In April 1993, Paramount Pictures was developing ''Bitterroot'', to have been directed by McTiernan and star Brad Pitt, who would eventually drop out due to scheduling conflicts. Offers had also gone out to Mel Gibson, Tom Cruise and Richard Gere, all of whom declined. Later that month, the film was put into pre-production turnaround, allowing McTiernan and producer Donna Dubrow to set it up at a rival studio following Paramount's concerns over the casting and the projected $50 million budget. According to Dubrow, the studio "seemed to feel that Keanu Reeves and Gene Hackman weren't enough to proceed." ''Bitterroot'' was written by David Shaber and was to have told the story of the 1877 Indian War.

''Treasure Island''

As reported in June 1993, McTiernan had at once "toyed" with directing a film of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic ''Treasure Island'', but since had opted to take on the producing role.

''Captain Blood'' remake

McTiernan was set to direct a remake of the 1935 film '' Captain Blood'' for Warner Bros., though he dropped out in December 1993 over creative differences and went on to do ''Die Hard with a Vengeance'' in its place. The script was written by Jonathan Hensleigh and McTiernan wanted Alec Baldwin to play the title role. Mel Gibson was also seriously considered to star as well, since his name would more easily obtain a greenlight.

''Without Remorse''

In November 1993, Warner Bros. lined up McTiernan as its director of the screen adaptation of Tom Clancy's bestseller ''Without Remorse'', which was to be written by Christine Roum and produced by Brandon Tartikoff. Roum was to have reportedly started writing the script by the end of that year. McTiernan was still attached to make the film by January 1995.

''Juggernaut''

Around 1994, author and screenwriter Dan Bronson worked with McTiernan on a planned sci-fi action thriller called ''Juggernaut'', which was set to be directed by McTiernan for MGM through his Tongue River Productions banner. Bronson had been working on the TV film ''Midnight Obsession'' (1995), but left in order to write the script for ''Juggernaut'' instead. The film was never made.

''Master and Commander''

In the mid-to-late 1990s, McTiernan was going to direct an adaptation of '' Master and Commander'', the first in the Aubrey–Maturin novel series from Patrick O'Brian, which was developed for Touchstone Pictures. However, Touchstone pulled the project from development, allowing the screen rights to be purchased by Fox where the 2003 film was eventually made, directed by Peter Weir.

''Airframe''

In November 1996, it was reported that McTiernan would direct film adaptations of the Michael Crichton novels ''Airframe'' and ''Eaters of the Dead'' for Touchstone Pictures. William Wisher Jr. wrote the adaptations for both. By May 1998, after finishing production on ''Eaters of the Dead'' (later retitled to ''The 13th Warrior''), McTiernan left ''Airframe'' to direct the remake of '' The Thomas Crown Affair'' for United Artists. At various points, Geena Davis, Jodie Foster, Demi Moore, Candice Bergen, Susan Sarandon and Sigourney Weaver were all linked to the project to play the lead female role, Casey Singleton. Matthew McConaughey was also said to be interesting in the role of pilot Ted Rawley.

''Cold, Cold Heart''

As reported in March 1997, J. C. Pollock's post-Cold War suspense thriller book ''Cold, Cold Heart'', written under the pseudonym James Elliot, had been optioned by Cinergi for McTiernan to possibly produce or direct or both. The following year, Paramount Pictures picked up the option for Mace Neufeld to produce as a potential directing vehicle for Phillip Noyce.

''Nimitz Class''

In early 1997, McTiernan optioned the rights to the techno-thriller ''Nimitz Class'' for Universal soon after the novel's publication. McTiernan intended to direct the film through his then-wife/producer Donna DuBrow, who refused to allow it to be made following their separation.

''Pillar of Fire''

In 1998, a film set to be directed by McTiernan called ''Pillar of Fire'' was in development at Columbia Pictures.

''Quiller''

In May 1999, McTiernan was in talks to direct the film adaptation of Elleston Trevor's ''Quiller'' book series through United Artists.

''Cracking Angela''

In August 1999, it was reported by ''Variety'' that McTiernan had set up a fourth project at MGM, a collaboration with erotic author Elissa Wald. While no plot details were disclosed, McTiernan stated at the time that it was a "sexy love story kind of thing." By 2001, the title of Wald's script was revealed as ''Cracking Angela'', with McTiernan attached as producer.

2000s

''The Saint'' TV series

In January 2000, a new TV series adaptation of ''The Saint'' from McTiernan was in the works at UPN, with McTiernan attached to the project as executive producer through Artists Television Group.

''The Extractors''

In November 2000, after finishing '' Rollerball'' for MGM, McTiernan was in discussions with the studio to direct ''The Extractors'' for a possible production start in March of the following year. The screenplay by Kevin Fox and James DeMonaco was described by ''The Hollywood Reporter'' as an action-thriller "about a group of ex-cons who break prisoners out of jail for a price." Samuel L. Jackson was being considered to star in the project. It was reportedly still being actively developed as of April 2001, with Jackson confirmed to star.

''Basic Instinct 2''

''Smoke and Mirrors''

In February 2001, McTiernan was the front-runner to direct the long-in-development film ''Smoke and Mirrors'', for Initial Entertainment Group. Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones were attached to star. The project was based loosely on an actual 1856 event where the French government sent magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin to quell an uprising in Algeria begun by an alleged sorcerer. The original script was written by Lee and Janet Batchler six years prior, with subsequent revisions done by Ted Henning. In May, it was reported that a mid-fall start date was being eyed, and that a rewrite of the script was being done by Leslie Dixon. In June, McTiernan left the project, citing "insurmountable business differences", and the production was later shelved indefinitely due to escalating costs.

''The Garbo Deception''

In January 2002, it was reported that McTiernan would direct a World War II film starring Kevin Spacey, John Travolta and Gérard Depardieu entitled ''The Garbo Deception''. Emmanuelle Béart and Sigourney Weaver were also reported to star. The film was based on the life of Juan "Garbo" Pujol, who fooled the Nazis by creating a fictitious spy network.

''The Booster''

In August 2002, McTiernan was in talks to direct the film adaptation of the late Eugene Izzi's novel ''The Booster'' with Sheldon Turner writing the script for Intermedia Films and Mark Johnson's production company.

''Murder In Canton''

In 2003, McTiernan was attached to direct the $45 million action-adventure ''Murder In Canton'', adapted from the Judge Dee mystery novel of the same name, which was being produced with financial backing from TF1. Production was scheduled to start by the end of the year in New Zealand and China.

''Crash Bandits''

In 2005, McTiernan had been preparing to direct the action adventure script ''Crash Bandits'' through Bauer-Martinez Studios, with Hayden Christensen set to star. Production was initially set to commence on February 15 in Thailand, though this would be delayed. McTiernan described the project as "A delightful story about two guys who make money by finding old crashed World War II planes in various end-of-the-way places." He was still attached to film ''Crash Bandits'' prior to serving time in prison, but as of April 2013, he was no longer involved.

''Deadly Exchange''

In 2006, McTiernan was set to direct the action thriller ''Deadly Exchange'' from Ronald Shusett and Ian Rabin's screenplay and Anthony J. Ridio and Ellen Wander producing through Film Bridge Intl. In 2013, McTiernan dropped out following his jail sentence.

''Run''

In 2007, McTiernan was set to direct the action thriller ''Run'' with Michael Pierce and Mark Williams producing and Karl Urban attached to star. The following year, Thomas Jane took over Urban's role. McTiernan was forced to abandon this project as well, following his jail sentence.

2010s

''Shrapnel''

In 2010, McTiernan was set to direct Evan Daugherty's 2008 Black List action thriller script ''Shrapnel'', through Corsan and FilmEngine. He developed it for John Travolta and Nicolas Cage, however, by 2011, he was replaced by Mark Steven Johnson, and the project became '' Killing Season''.

''Red Squad''

In February 2014, McTiernan was set to direct Cam Cannon and Jorge Suarez's script ''Red Squad'', with Cannon producing the film with Hannibal Films chairman/CEO Richard Rionda Del Castro, Michael Mendelsohn, Patricia Eberle, Hayley Arabia, and Michael Tadross. In August of that year, the film became liquidized during McTiernan's bankruptcy case. In 2017, McTiernan was replaced by director Alexander Witt.

''Thomas Crown and the Missing Lioness''

In April 2014, McTiernan revealed he had written a sequel to '' The Thomas Crown Affair'' while serving his prison sentence, entitled ''Thomas Crown and the Missing Lioness'', set in Europe. Like the first, this script also features a MacGuffin at its center. McTiernan explained the backstory of the title's provenance as follows:

"Nebuchadnezzar had two lion statues commissioned in 1100BC: a male and a female. Alexander the Great took them when he conquered Persia. Mark Antony had them taken to Rome. Constantine moved them to Constantinople. And at some point the lioness went missing. The movie is about what happens when it turns up at an auction. By the way, it's all bullshit; none of that ever happened. It's really a lot of fun and I hope I get the chance to make it."

''Warbirds''

In August 2014, McTiernan announced that he was negotiating to direct his original screenplay ''Warbirds'' at Hannibal Films with John Travolta signed up to star. Offers had also gone out to Queen Latifah and Johnny Knoxville to co-star, with McTiernan hoping to begin shooting as early as autumn that year. The project became liquidized during McTiernan's bankruptcy case.

Untitled action film

Also in August 2014, McTiernan was being eyed for a film that was scheduled to begin production in January the following year. Though he was strongly considering it as one of his next directing projects, he was reluctant to commit officially over disagreements with the producers who allegedly wanted to cast Arnold Schwarzenegger for a role in the film, which McTiernan felt was not right for the material. "It's a bad idea," he said. "I have to convince them not to."

''Thin Rain''

In January 2016, it was reported that Green Light International was launching sales at the Berlin Film Festival for a new McTiernan film called ''Thin Rain'', an action thriller. McTiernan was to have directed from a script by Philip Shaw and Jeremy Sheldon, about a former American mercenary's quest for redemption in Asia. Joe Simpson was set to produce for Miscellaneous Entertainment, along with GLI's Andrew Mann and Simon Fawcett.

Untitled Doolittle Raid film

In November 2016, McTiernan revealed in China that he intended to make a World War II feature set there about the aftermath of the Doolittle bombing raid on Tokyo in 1942. André Morgan would have produced the film through Ruddy Morgan Organization. Shooting was expected to start in 2017.

''Tau Ceti 4''

In 2019, it was reported that McTiernan's ''Tau Ceti 4'' would be pitched to buyers at that year's Cannes Film Festival.
Uma Thurman and Travis Fimmel signed on to star in the sci-fi/action film, which McTiernan would have directed from his own original screenplay.

Offers

Throughout his career, McTiernan has turned down various directing offers because he "didn't want to make the same movie again." Among the films he's turned down include ''Speed'', ''Batman Forever'', '' Mission: Impossible'' and '' Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines''.

References

External links

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{{John McTiernan

McTiernan, John