Draft:Rob Reiner's unrealized projects
The following is a list of unproduced Rob Reiner projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, filmmaker Rob Reiner has worked on several projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell in development hell, were officially canceled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.
1990s[edit]
untitled thriller[edit]
On August 26, 1999, Reiner was set to direct an original thriller about 2 high school students who commit a series of perfectly planned murders and then attempt to thwart an FBI agent working her first field case, with Tony Gayton writing the screenplay and Richard Crystal producing with Reiner through Castle Rock Entertainment.[1]
2000s[edit]
The Polar Express movie[edit]
On October 30, 2000, Reiner was set to direct the movie adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg’s picture book The Polar Express with Tom Hanks set to star in and produce the film, which became Robert Zemeckis’ first cgi-movie.[2]
Everyday Life TV pilot/series[edit]
On February 29, 2004, Reiner was set to executive produce, star in and direct Everyday Life, an improv comedy series about a family of psychologistss for NBC.[3]
Whiskey River[edit]
On August 28, 2005, Reiner was set to direct the movie adaptation of Jim Webb’s medical drama Whiskey River with John Patrick Shanley writing the screenplay and Alan Greisman and Webb producing with Reiner and distributed by Warner Bros.[4]
Travel Writing[edit]
On October 16, 2008, Reiner was set to direct the movie adaptation of Marc Shaiman’s novel Travel Writing with Lou Berney writing the screenplay, and Alan Greisman and Reiner producing through Castle Rock and Warner Bros set to distribute the movie.[5]
2010s[edit]
Basket Case TV series adaptation[edit]
On December 11, 2013, Reiner was set to direct & produce the television series adaptation of Carl Hiaasen’s novel Basket Case with Alex Taub attached to write the series for Spike TV.[6]
The Tap TV series[edit]
On August 13, 2014, Reiner was set to direct the pilot of Aaron Tracy and Andrew Lenchewski’s Yale University thriller television series The Tap for USA Network with Reiner producing the series, along with Alan Greisman, Charlie Ebersol, Lenchewski and Tracy through Universal Cable Productions.[7] On August 8, 2016, The Tap got a pilot order from USA Network,[8] but on June 19, 2017, The Tap pilot was passed over.[9]
The Global War on Morris TV series adaptation[edit]
On February 9, 2015, Reiner was set to direct & produce the comedy television series adaptation of Steve Israel’s novel The Global War on Morris with Andrew Lenchewski attached to write the series for USA Network.[10]
Offers[edit]
The Shawshank Redemption film adaptation[edit]
In the 1990’s, Reiner offered to be the alternate director of Frank Darabont’s screenplay The Shawshank Redemption, adapted from Stephen King’s short story Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, but Darabont stayed on.[11]
Harry Potter film adaptation[edit]
On September 22, 1999, Reiner was offered to direct J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, along with Chris Columbus who would eventually direct the first 2 movies.[12]
References[edit]
- ^ Carver, Benedict (August 26, 1999). "Reiner to helm thriller". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Michael (February 3, 2009). "Rock rolls Reiner into 'Polar' helm". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Michael Schneider; Josef Adalian (February 29, 2004). "McBride, Reiner get pilot licenses". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ McClintock, Pamela (August 28, 2005). "WB orders shot of 'Whiskey'". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Dave McNary (October 16, 2008). "Castle Rock, Reiner set to 'Travel'". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 11, 2013). "Rob Reiner To Produce & Direct Series Adaptation Of Novel 'Basket Case' For Spike". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 13, 2014). "Rob Reiner & Andrew Lenchewski Sell Spy Drama Set In Yale's Skull & Bones Society To USA". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 8, 2016). "'The Tap' Drama From Rob Reiner & Andrew Lenchewski About Yale's Skull & Bones Society Gets USA Pilot Order". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 19, 2017). "'The Tap' Yale University Period Drama Pilot Not Going Forward At USA Network". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 9, 2015). "Rob Reiner & Andrew Lenchewski Adapting Steve Israel Book 'The Global War On Morris' As Cable Comedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Heidenry, Margaret (September 22, 2014). "The Little-Known Story of How The Shawshank Redemption Became One of the Most Beloved Films of All Time". Vanity Fair. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Moerk, Christian (September 22, 1999). "In H'w'd, nothing's hotter than 'Potter'". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2024.