FilmmakerBryan Singeris taking a break from the mutants of theX-Menuniverse. Last year, while deep in production on the 80s-setX-Men: Apocalypse, Singer revealedhis intention to directan adaptation ofJules Verne’s classic20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Now, per Deadline, Singer has closed a deal with 20th Century Fox for theX-Menstudio to produce his deep sea adventure, with the ship moving full-speed ahead towards a fall production start date as Singer directs and produces alongsideJason Taylor.
A new big-screen iteration of the Jules Verne classic has been in the works for a long time now.McGcircled an adaptation in 2009, and most recentlyDavid Finchertried to get what would be his first big-budget adventure pic off the ground at Disney with folks likeBrad PittandChanning Tatumin the mix to star, but the Mouse House didn’t think Tatum was big enough of a name to warrant the budget Fincher needed and wantedChris Hemsworthinstead, so the filmmakerscrapped the project altogetherand moved on toGone Girl.
Then, last September, Singer announced on Instagram his intention to direct a new adaptation with a screenplay byRick SordeletandDan Studney(Jack the Giant Slayer). In a statement to Deadline, Singer reiterated his childhood passion for Verne’s novel and revealed that this new version “contains not only the original characters of Captain Nemo, Ned Land and Professor Aronnax, but also some new and original characters and sci-fi plot twists culminating in a timeless adventure for all ages.”
When Singer made his initial announcement in September he made clear that he’s not abandoning theX-Menuniverse altogether, which means he’ll likely return for theApocalypsesequel that will no doubt further flesh out the new versions of Jean Grey, Cyclops, etc., but20,000 Leagues Under the Seais now firmed up as Singer’s next film, and all involved aim to get filming underway this fall. In other words, don’t expect a newX-Menmovie to go into production until late 2017 at theveryearliest.
I’m mostly a fan of Singer’s work, but the last time he tackled a classic story with an all-ages approach we gotJack the Giant Slayer, a movie that simply doesn’t work. Here’s hoping Singer has a firmer hook and better visual approach to20,000 Leaguesup his sleeve.
