20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: films in the WORKS

Which 20,000 Leagues will set sail first?
The Disney version doesn’t have a script yet,although that could change quickly if the studio seals a deal with Bourne Ultimatum scribe Scott Z. Burns. The project came together after Fincher approached the studio’s new production head,Sean Bailey,a few weeks into his job this winter. Fincher wanted to make a big mainstream movie,somewhat of a departure from the dark,R-rated dramas such as Fight Club and Zodiac (or even Curious Case Of Benjamin Button) that he’s done in the past.

The project was being developed under the radar as Bailey settled into his position under new studio chief Rich Ross,then gained steam last week with Fincher and Burns entering talks for deals.

Fox’s Leagues began life quietly after the 2007-08 Hollywood writers strike. Beacham is said to have approached the Scotts with his take on the literary classic,which Fox then bought. Bekmambetov,notoriously picky about his projects (he hasn’t directed a movie since 2008’s Wanted but is producing the sci-fi actioner The Darkest Hour later this summer),is interested in directing Leagues,which insiders say is set in the future and follows the novel’s structure. But he hasn’t committed.

First published in 1869,the classic science fiction novel is in the public domain. Disney memorably adapted the story — about a group of men who encounter a vengeful scientific genius and his warlike submarine — in 1954 with Kirk Douglas starring. Last year,Disney was fast-tracking a $150 million Leagues. But the project was the first of several to be sunk by Ross when he took over the studio from Dick Cook in the fall (ironic,given Fincher’s involvement,the dark tone of the McG version was a concern for the new regime).

It’s not surprising that Disney would revisit Leagues. Ross has said his mandate is to make wide-appeal,pre-branded entertainment. And while plotlines are being kept submerged,the Fincher/Burns take on the material is described as being in the vein of Star Wars,and the filmmakers will aim to create a visually dazzling movie.

Burns,who penned Steven Soderbergh’s latest Contagion as well as The Informant!,will begin writing immediately. That should give Fincher,who is in post-production on The Social Network for Sony,time to direct another movie (possibly the English-language version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,also for Sony,but his name has been connected to a host of projects) before jumping into Leagues.

The Fox project is not greenlit,and Bekmambetov’s involvement is said to hinge in part on his approving a script.

Hollywood has a long history of doubling-teaming hot material. As an example,there are currently two versions of The Three Musketeers being prepped,one at Warner Bros. (with Doug Liman directing) and another at Summit (with Paul W.S. Anderson helming).