Shawn Levy officially directing FRANKENSTEIN for Fox!
Shawn Levy is officially set to helm Fox's Frankenstein film, one of the half-dozen other projects based on the classic monster tale. Earlier we reported Levy (Real Steel) was in consideration to direct a script penned by Max Landis (Chronicle). The studio was considering a number of high-profile directors, including Paul Greengrass and David Yates. The project is said to be a revisionist sci-fi take on Mary Shelley's story, and will focus on themes of friendship and redemption.
Production dates have not been set for any of the Hollywood's numerous Frankensteins. Haley Joel Osment is set to star in Wake the Dead, a modern-day horror take based on Steven Niles' graphic novels. It was thought that this project to be directed by Jay Russell would be the first film to go into production. Fox has put this project as a priority and now with Levy's hiring this project coud now be the first film into production.
Some of the other Frankenstein projects in the works right now are Guillermo del Toro's take on the story, which may never happen, but it's the one I want to see. The other ones include Timur Bekmambetov's prequel, The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein, based on the Peter Ackroyd novel. Dean Koontz has a modern day take on the story will be adapted called Frankenstein: Prodigal Son.Danny Boyle directed a stage play based on Frankenstein. Lakeshore is developing an film adaptation of the comic book I, Frankenstein and Tim Burton will direct a feature film version of his short film, Frankenweenie, which looks pretty awesome.
Levy is set to direct Neighborhood Watch starring Ben Stiller and has Real Steel starring Hugh Jackman, arriving in theaters this October. Landis has sold five of his projects in the last twelve months, including selling spec script Good Time Gang to Robin Schorr's RCR Pictures in February and penning fantasy thriller Pied Piper for Fox.
Levy sounds like a decent person to direct this project, but I am worried that there is oversaturation of this story with so many related projects in the works. It all depends on who can get to theaters first. What are your thoughts?