Just yesterday I reported that Mark Romanek had fired himself from Universal’s $100 million remake of THE WOLF MAN. With only a few weeks to go until production begins, this leaves Universal in the unenviable position of trying to find a new director who can pick up directly where Romanek left off – without, one would think, much input into the script. Hence a director who won’t really create many waves and stick to the blueprint already laid down. Today, Aint It Cool News’s Quint reports that a couple of names were whispered into his ear, courtesy of a “well-trusted” insider.
The names are Breck Eisner and Matt Reeves. If you’re going, “Who – huh?!” you’re probably not alone.
Eisner, besides being the son of one-time Disney CEO Michael Eisner, directed the big-budget disaster SAHARA, and at one time was attached to a CREATURE OF THE BLACK LAGOON remake (which is most likely why he’s being sought out here).
Reeves is most likely more familiar – he directed CLOVERFIELD. This is certainly a more unusual choice, as the guy hasn’t exactly proven himself (Sure CLOVESY is pulling in the cash, but let’s not forget it cost a mere $30 million). His other significant directing credits include a bunch of FELICITY episodes and THE PALLBEARER… Tim Burton, he ain’t, although apparently he’s got THE INVISIBLE WOMAN, with J.J. Abrams producing, on his plate as well.
We’ll see how this shapes up, but if these are the names being looked at, it appears that Universal doesn’t want to stray too far from their February start date (although we can dream for a surprise David Fincher announcement, can’t we?)
UPDATE: Now AICN is alluding to Brett Ratner being a possible contender for the job… Sweet Jesus, people I was JOKING yesterday when I brought his name up!!
Cloverfield’s Odette Yustman… sigh…