EXCLUSIVE: Steven Spielberg has taken American Sniper out of his crosshairs, after declaring in May that he would next helm the film about decorated Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, with Bradley Cooper playing the marksman. DreamWorks joined Warner Bros in a co-production when Spielberg said he would direct the script by Jason Hall. Spielberg has been looking for his followup to Lincoln, and this becomes the second time he changed plans. He was looking to move fast on Robopocalypse, the Daniel H Wilson science fiction novel that was adapted by Drew Goddard. Spielberg still intends to direct that film, but he wanted to re-develop it. It is probably not his next film and will instead come further down the line.
Spielberg and DreamWorks are pulling out completely, which is actually gracious. Some director-driven companies get involved with a director attachment, and when the director steps out, the company remains on, and it is an extra expense. Warner Bros is free to secure another filmmaker to keep this project together. Spielberg couldn’t square his vision of this movie with the budget. He’s always got a lot of projects percolating, but hasn’t decided what he’ll direct next.
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Spielberg, who took 11 years to get Lincoln the way he wanted it before he committed, has been known to get close to projects only to step out for one reason or another. That included Harvey, the adaptation of the Mary Chase Pulitzer Prize-winning play that was to be a co-production with Fox. That one proved difficult to cast, after Tom Hanks said he didn’t want to play a role originated by James Stewart, the actor he’s so often compared to. That isn’t the case with American Sniper, which has Cooper not only starring but producing with Andrew Lazar and Peter Morgan. He’s arguably the hottest young actor in town, coming off an Oscar nom for Silver Linings Playbook and next starring in David O Russell’s American Hustle.
David O. Russell to direct, anybody???
Or how about Paul Greengrass.
Or… it’d be something totally different for Ron Howard.
*cough*Kathryn*cough*Bigelow
Jim Parsons got great reviews in Harvey during its limited run.
I think this is good. Although a great script and story, it never had the feel of a Spielberg movie. It didn’t have a sense of grandeur consistent with his brand. Good on Dreamworks for pulling out entirely and not hanging on for $. They could probably use it, though.
Sounds fishy. What’s wrong with the script???
ask the chairmans and dept heads of all the leading agencies that are mystified by the script’s indisputable prowess, they are the ones submitting it to the best filmmakers on earth this week, and since jason hall and steven nailed the notes, and signed off on the draft along with bradley, wb etc. It was a matter of economics – sounds like you are some sort of uniformed periphery, or maybe someone with an ignorant ax to grind…a loser in short
This didn’t feel like a Spielberg picture.
I agree. This did not seem like a Spielberg picture to me either. Spielberg knows how to create magic with fictitious stories, not some gov. interpreted script.
Fictitous like…Lincoln?
..why doesn’t Spielberg option the action-packed epic fantasy BLOODSPILLER?….Hello Steven?…Remember Raiders?
Munich, Empire of the Sun, Schindler’s List & Saving Private Ryan were all really good films dealing with tough war subjects – do any of them feel like “Spielberg pictures” to you? Plus he produced Letters From Iwo Jima & Flags of Our Fathers. He would have handled American Sniper, just fine – probably still will.
Not convinced that the book translates to a film. It’s a sad story about a military sniper who kills for a living, then gets killed by another ex-soldier with PTSD at a firing range.
None of this should be glorified.
Couldn’t have said it better. Shameful story, nothing to be proud of.
You should read the script. Very human story and a very truthful depiction of this story. They do not pull punches. One of my favorite scripts in years, up there with PRISONER and IMITIAtion GAME.
good script. it will make a good film. spielberg or not.
What’s “shameful” about an American soldier doing his duty, and doing it better than anyone else? Most Americans would be proud to know the guy, and to see a movie about him — most Americans support their military. We get where you’re coming from…
Glorified? No. But turned into a movie that gives the audience a window in to the ramifications of breaking men down to turn them into necessarily desensitized killing machines in wartime? In the right hands, could be great. Never felt like a Spielberg movie, though.
+1
It was an interesting read, but it doesn’t make for a good film as it is written. Curious to see how this becomes Spielbergized.
Throw in some kitsch about the search for a family, ones roots, a place to belong, coming home, growing up etc. Spielberg’s been doing it long enough.
I guess Schindler’s List shouldn’t have been adapted either…
Follow up to Lincoln? Maitai and a hammock. Refurbish the Spielberg brand by doing less, ps.
Love this script! Shame to see Speilberg step aside. This is an amazing story, worthy of a master filmmaker. Hope someone like David O’Russell or David Fincher step in.
I think Spielberg realized it’s not the right time to make another Iraq film, plus he only has a few more films left in him so he has to pick his projects wisely.
Maybe the JJ Abrams off of SW VII rumors are true and here is his replacement?
GYPSY! Barbra don’t let it slip away
Lincoln is a disaster of a film. A lengthy monologue of propaganda that completely white washes the truth of Abraham Lincoln.
We need less Spielberg films. He needs to do his part and start bringing up the next generation of American filmmakers. His track record is abysmal and self serving.
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Totally agree. Awful movie. If you want to know Lincoln, watch the Ken Burns documentary.
IMO, it feels more like an Oliver Stone movie than a Spielberg one. It’s a fascinating story though, which is why he was attracted to it.
That’s the most inspired choice in this entire thread.
Wouldn’t that be wonderful? May you be right, sir.
Darren Aronofsky, Ang Lee or David O. Russell are all excellent options to replace Steven Speilberg.
Schindler’s List wasn’t a “Spielberg” movie either till he made it and closed minded people opened up to the fact that it is possible for creative filmmakers to work in other genres.
Well, any chance of Mr. Spielberg will be using this time to bring Indiana Jones back for a Raiders-style final adventure? I’d love to see Harrison Ford back in his iconic role in a storyline that returns him as the central character.
Because Indy 4 was so good? Pass on that.
Why not bring on a younger actor as the new Indiana Jones and make a good old fashion adventure flick like the first one? (John Corbett would have been perfect 10-15 years ago…)
Too complex a character study for Spielberg. Shame, I was really looking forward for this.
Huh? Spielberg has a lot more than a few films left in him. He’s not an old man, and he’s not planning on retiring.
Clint Eastwood has 17 years on Spielberg and he’s still directing JERSEY BOYS.
Spielberg will add another dozen to his body or work if he chooses to and from what I hear…he’s a very supportive producer to other directors.
There’s only one good reason why this didn’t feel like a Spielberg movie- he’s never done a movie set in the present day that didn’t involve aliens or monsters. Which is why I was looking forward to it. Why anyone would think he’s not capable of directing a war drama is beyond me.
The Terminal was set in present day and didn’t have any aliens… not from outer space anyway.
That would be great news! Not a big fan of JJ with SW7
He should do The Stand. Big canvas. American themes. Everyday people in extraordinary circumstances. Anybody read the script yet?
I agree – a musical, with the great Barbra Streisand in GYPSY would be phenomenal! We need a real film version of that musical!
I think Robert Zemeckis would be a good choice at directing this film. He proved himself well with Flight.
“Proved” himself? He’s only been a top notch director and one of the most successful filmmakers in history. I don’t think he needs to prove himself.
Disappointed. I wanted to see Spielberg do a hard R rated film.
Thank God Hanks didn’t want to make HARVEY. It would’ve been like another THE TERMINAL.