Barry Levinson's unrealized projects explained

The following is a list of unproduced Barry Levinson projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American film director Barry Levinson worked on numerous projects that never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these fell into development hell, were officially cancelled, or would see life under a different production team.

1970s

Traps

In the 1970s, Levinson wrote a treatment for an unproduced film called Traps, about an architect. It was based on a concept he conceived in collaboration with Kent Welton.[1]

1980s

The Eagle of Broadway

According to journalist Stephen Rebello, an unproduced screenplay called The Eagle of Broadway was long sought after by Levinson and producer Mark Johnson in the 1980s. It was described as "a melange of fact and fiction".[2] Another iteration, directed by Ivan Passer, had James Cagney starring as gunfighter-turned-NYC sportswriter Bat Masterson, and William Hurt as Damon Runyon.[3]

The Desert Rose

In 1986, Rob Cohen of Taft-Barish Productions hired Terrence Malick to adapt Larry McMurtry's The Desert Rose into a screenplay for Levinson to direct.[4] In 1987, it was officially reported that Levinson would direct the film.[5]

Quiz Show

1990s

Super Mario Bros.

In 1990, he planned to direct a Super Mario Bros. film starring Dustin Hoffman and Danny DeVito, but could not after Roland Joffé beat Hoffman to securing the rights and made Super Mario Bros. (1993) without their involvement.[6]

Home Fries

See main article: Home Fries. On March 9, 1993, Levinson was set to direct and produce Vince Gilligan's script Home Fries, with Mark Johnson producing for Warner Bros., until Dean Parisot replaced Levinson as director.[7]

Assassins

[8]

Magic Time

[8]

George Washington

[9] [10] [11]

Path to War

See main article: Path to War. [12]

2000s

In Harm's Way remake

[13] [14]

Lafayette

On November 22, 2001,[9] [15]

The Colonel and Me

On May 20, 2003,[16]

The Crash Detectives

On November 12, 2003,[17]

A View from the Bridge

In February 2005, Levinson was set to direct the film adaptation of the Arthur Miller play A View from the Bridge, with Andrew Bovell writing the screenplay and Anthony LaPaglia, Frances McDormand, and Scarlett Johansson cast as the leads.[18] [19] On January 18, 2011, Levinson was replaced by Robert Connolly as the film's director, with Vera Farmiga and Mia Wasikowska alongside Sam Neill and Sebastian Stan.[20]

Boone's Lick

On February 8, 2007,[21] [22] [23]

The Saint TV pilot

On March 13, 2007, TNT said it was developing a one-hour series based on The Saint to be executive produced by William J. MacDonald and produced by Jorge Zamacona.[24] James Purefoy was announced as the new Simon Templar.[25] Production of the pilot, which was to have been directed by Levinson, did not go ahead.[26]

A Walk in the Woods

See main article: A Walk in the Woods (film). [27]

Train

On August 6, 2008,[28] [29]

Babi Yar

On February 3, 2009, Levinson was set to direct the film adaptation of Anatoly Kuznetsov's nonfiction novel with Anatoly Fradis' Aurora Entertainment producing the film.[30]

Sixty-Six

On April 30, 2009,[31] [32]

City of Angels

On June 16, 2009, Levinson was set to direct the film adaptation of the detective musical dramedy City of Angels with Larry Gelbart writing the screenplay based his musical book, Marc Shaiman as music director, Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne's Unique Pictures producing and Warner Bros. Pictures distributing.[33]

2010s

Brother Jack

On July 8, 2010, Levinson was set to direct Brother Jack, a biopic about activist Jack Healey, with Kelly Masterson rewriting the script and Columbia Pictures set to produce the film.[34]

O.K.C.

On March 2, 2011, Levinson was set to direct O.K.C., a biographical legal drama about the legal defense of Timothy McVeigh, with Clay Wood writing the script and Peter Safran set to produce the film.[35]

Musketeers 3.0 TV series

On September 2, 2011, Levinson was set to produce Tom Fontana's police procedural series Musketeers 3.0 with Fontana attached as executive produce the series and distributed by The CW.[36]

The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron

On April 3, 2012, Levinson was set to direct the baseball biopic The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron, with Adam Mazer writing the script, and Mike Tollin, Glenn Rigberg, & Peter Guber set to produce the biopic.[37]

Untitled love story

On May 21, 2012, Levinson was set to direct Ronald Harwood's historical romance film loosely adapted from Bei La's novel The Cursed Piano, with Mike Medavoy, Edward McGurn, & Raffaella De Laurentiis set to produce the film and Shanghai Film Group financing the production.[38]

Last Men Out miniseries

On July 29, 2015, Levinson was set to produce Tom Fontana's Vietnam War miniseries Last Men Out with National Geographic set to air, but there was no casting announcement for miniseries.[39]

Revival

On April 4, 2017, Levinson was set to direct and executive produce Phil Primason's comedy script Revival with Billy Crystal set to executive produce and star in the film.[40]

HBO's Wag the Dog TV series

On April 27, 2017, Levinson was set to direct and executive produce the television series adaptation of Wag the Dog for HBO with Rajiv Joseph writing and executive producing the series, along with Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Barry Welsh producing through Tribeca Productions and Warner Bros. Television.[41]

The Jury Room interactive TV series

On October 24, 2019, Levinson was set to direct and produce the interactive legal drama series The Jury Room with Fontana attached as executive produce the series with Eko.[42]

2020s

Sheela

On February 20, 2020, Levinson was set to direct Nick Yarborough's Sheela, a biopic about Ma Anand Sheela, with Priyanka Chopra set to star and produce with Levinson, Jason Sosnoff, David Permut and distributed by Prime Video.[43]

Francis and the Godfather

On September 30, 2020, Levinson was set to direct Andrew Farotte's biographical script Francis and the Godfather about the development of The Godfather, with Oscar Isaac and Jake Gyllenhaal starring as Francis Ford Coppola and Robert Evans respectively, and Echo Lake Entertainment's Mike Marcus, Doug Mankoff and Andrew Spaulding are producing with Kevin Turen, Jon Levin and Baltimore Pictures' Jason Sosnoff,[44] In early 2021, Elizabeth Moss and Elle Fanning were set to star as Eleanor Coppola and Ali MacGraw respectively.[45] [46]

One Giant Leap miniseries

On September 1, 2021, it was announced that Levinson would direct the limited television series One Giant Leap about the Apollo 11 mission, to be written and showrun by Stephen Kronish, who would also executive produce the project alongside Thoroughbred Pictures' Jeremy Fox and Howard Stringer, Benjamin Anderson, Kevin Costner, and Phoenix Pictures' Mike Medavoy.[47]

The Missing miniseries

[48]

Assassination

David Mamet was initially announced as director of his script Assassination, but Levinson was then announced to take his place in October 2023.[49] Principal photography was initially expected to begin in Vancouver in September 2023.[50] However, the following month it was reported that Levinson was retooling the project.[51]

Offers

Cortes

In 1988, Levinson was offered to direct Cortes a historical epic about Hernan Cortes from a Nicholas Kazan screenplay and with Edward R. Pressman producing, but Kazan & Pressman couldn't get the movie funded.[52]

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: TRAPS / Barry Levinson 1970's Unproduced Treatment Script. eBay. September 13, 2024. September 13, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240913233254/https://www.ebay.com/itm/116157875204. live.
  2. Web site: Movieline Staff. Top Ten UNPRODUCED Screenplays. Movieline. November 1, 1992. September 13, 2024.
  3. Unproduced and Unfinished Films: An Ongoing Film Comment project. Film Comment. May-June 2012.
  4. Biskind, Peter. Peter Biskind. The Runaway Genius. Vanity Fair. December 1998. September 13, 2024.
  5. News: Trout. William C.. GLIMPSES. United Press International. June 13, 1987. September 15, 2024.
  6. Web site: Super Mario Bros. . 2024-04-27 . AFI Catalog.
  7. News: Suzan. Ayscough. Levinson, Johnson in on WB 'Fries'. March 9, 1993. Variety. October 25, 2023.
  8. News: Michael. Fleming. Levinson tunes up. November 18, 1997. Variety. August 3, 2024.
  9. Web site: Levinson & Lafayette. IGN. November 22, 2001. September 13, 2024.
  10. Web site: The Stax Report's ''Five Scribes'' Edition. IGN. April 4, 2002. September 13, 2024.
  11. Web site: Goldberg. Lesley. NBC Prepping George Washington Drama With Barry Levinson. The Hollywood Reporter. November 14, 2012. September 13, 2024.
  12. News: Dempsey, John. Brodesser, Claude. Levinson charges into 'War' for HBO. October 18, 1999. Variety. August 3, 2024.
  13. Web site: Mel Gibson sought by two studios for same role. The Guardian. July 25, 2001. August 3, 2024.
  14. News: Michael. Fleming. Indie engine revs up. October 1, 2001. Variety. August 3, 2024.
  15. Web site: Barry Levinson to direct Lafayette. The Guardian. November 29, 2001. September 13, 2024.
  16. Fleming. Michael. WB, Levinson will salute 'The Colonel'. Variety. May 20, 2003. September 2, 2023.
  17. Web site: Producers Book Biblionauts. IGN. November 12, 2003. September 13, 2024.
  18. News: Micheal. Fleming. The bigscreen 'View'. February 15, 2005. Variety. March 17, 2024.
  19. News: Staff and Agencies. Miller's A View From the Bridge gets big-screen treatment. February 16, 2005. The Guardian. March 17, 2024.
  20. News: Diana. Lodderhose. Farmiga, Wasikowska join 'Bridge'. January 18, 2011. Variety. March 17, 2024.
  21. Web site: Levinson's Lick. IGN. February 8, 2007. September 13, 2024.
  22. Web site: Barry Levinson Directing Boone's Lick. ComingSoon.net. February 8, 2007. September 13, 2024.
  23. Web site: Kit. Borys. 'Lick' sticks for Levinson at Playtone. The Hollywood Reporter. February 23, 2007. September 13, 2024.
  24. Dempsey. John. TNT, Devil team for 'Leverage'. Variety. March 13, 2007. October 15, 2024.
  25. Bernardin. Marc. Meet the new Saint: James Purefoy. Entertainment Weekly. December 10, 2007. October 15, 2024.
  26. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. James Purefoy circles NBC series. The Hollywood Reporter. July 21, 2008. October 15, 2024.
  27. Web site: Kit . Borys . 2008-01-29 . Redford, Levinson hit 'Walk' trail . 2023-02-23 . . en-US.
  28. Web site: Parker. Cat. Barry Levinson to Steer Train. MovieWeb. August 6, 2008. September 13, 2024.
  29. Web site: Zeitchik. Steven. Levinson, scribe take noir 'Train'. The Hollywood Reporter. August 7, 2008. September 13, 2024.
  30. News: Sharon. Swart. Levinson to helm 'Babi Yar'. February 3, 2009. Variety. March 16, 2024.
  31. Web site: Zeitchik. Steven. Barry Levinson going back to 'Sixty-Six'. The Hollywood Reporter. April 30, 2009. August 3, 2024.
  32. Web site: Evry. Max. Barry Levinson On Why He Can't Get His Final Baltimore Movie Made [Exclusive]]. /Film. April 27, 2022. August 3, 2024.
  33. News: Michael. Fleming. Lynne, Shaye plot 11 pics. June 16, 2009. Variety. October 25, 2023.
  34. News: Michael. Fleming Jr.. Barry Levinson Directs On Big Screen Again, Nick Cassavetes Acts, Jeff Bridges Walks. July 8, 2010. Deadline Hollywood. October 25, 2023.
  35. News: Michael. Fleming Jr.. Barry Levinson To Helm 'O.K.C.'. March 2, 2011. Deadline Hollywood. October 25, 2023.
  36. News: Nellie. Andreeva. CW Teams With Tom Fontana And Barry Levinson For Rookie Cop Drama. September 2, 2011. Deadline Hollywood. October 25, 2023.
  37. News: Justin. Kroll. Producers call up Hank Aaron biopic. April 3, 2012. Variety. July 25, 2024.
  38. News: Dave McNary. Barry Levinson To Direct Shanghai Love Story (EXCLUSIVE). May 21, 2012. Variety. July 25, 2024.
  39. News: Whitney. Frielander. Nat Geo Developing Vietnam War Limited Series 'Last Men Out'. July 29, 2015. Variety. July 25, 2024.
  40. News: Anita. Petski. Barry Levinson & Billy Crystal Huddle On Comedy 'Revival'. April 4, 2017. Deadline Hollywood. October 25, 2023.
  41. News: Denise. Petski. 'Wag The Dog' Comedy Series In Works At HBO. April 27, 2017. Deadline Hollywood. October 25, 2023.
  42. News: Denise. Petski. Barry Levinson Teams With Eko On Live-Action Interactive Drama Series 'The Jury Room'. October 24, 2019. Deadline Hollywood. July 31, 2024.
  43. News: Michael. Fleming Jr.. Priyanka Chopra To Play '80s Guru & Convicted Bioterrorist Ma Anand Sheela In Barry Levinson-Directed Drama 'Sheela' For Amazon Studios. February 20, 2020. Deadline Hollywood. October 25, 2023.
  44. News: Michael. Fleming Jr.. 'The Godfather' Making Of Movie: Barry Levinson Taps Oscar Isaac To Play Francis Coppola & Jake Gyllenhaal As Robert Evans. September 30, 2020. Deadline Hollywood. October 25, 2023.
  45. News: Anthony. D'Alessandro. Elisabeth Moss Boards Barry Levinson's Making Of 'The Godfather' Feature. February 21, 2021. Deadline Hollywood. July 31, 2024.
  46. News: Rebbecca. Rubin. Elle Fanning to Play Ali MacGraw in Movie About Making of 'The Godfather'. March 9, 2021. Variety. July 31, 2024.
  47. Web site: White. Peter. Barry Levinson To Direct Apollo 11 Limited Series From Kevin Costner, Stephen Kronish & Mike Medavoy. September 1, 2021. Deadline Hollywood. June 11, 2024.
  48. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'The Missing': Barry Levinson To Direct & Executive Produce David E. Kelley's Peacock Series. Deadline Hollywood. March 1, 2022. August 3, 2024.
  49. Web site: Barry Levinson Set To Direct Al Pacino Starring, David Mamet-Scripted JFK Thriller 'Assassination'. Anthony. D'Alessandro. October 17, 2023. October 17, 2023. Deadline Hollywood.
  50. Web site: Al Pacino, Viggo Mortensen, John Travolta, Shia LaBeouf, Rebecca Pidgeon & Courtney Love Set For David Mamet's JFK Thriller 'Assassination' — Cannes Market. Andreas. Wiseman. May 15, 2023. May 15, 2023. Deadline Hollywood.
  51. Web site: Al Pacino, Shia LaBeouf to star in new film about the JFK assassination. Film Stories. 11 January 2024. Dan. Cooper . October 18, 2023.
  52. Web site: Koch. Neal. Between Screenplay and Screen Stretches the Highway to Oblivion. July 21, 1991. The New York Times. November 22, 2023.

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