And for his next trick, writer Max Landis will send Disney back into space

Max Landis, the son of legendary writer/director John Landis (AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON), is on one hell of a roll lately. His in-production writing projects include THE GOOD TIME GANG with Mark Wahlberg and Jonah Hill and a take on FRANKENSTEIN to be directed by Shawn Levy (REAL STEEL), while the recently released CHRONICLE is going over very well with the critics (including our own Mike Sampson – read his review).

And now Disney has decided to pick up an “untitled space adventure pitch” from Landis. “The project revolves around the emotional journey of a brother and sister as they undertake an epic adventure.” What’s even more interesting than that though, and to be fair there isn’t a lot in there as it’s an untitled pitch with a vague plot description, is the rather blunt talk about Disney’s perspective on new projects. Or rather, new properties. Disney found Landis’ idea because it was “on the hunt for potential film franchises that can benefit all of the company’s divisions… As Disney produces fewer films, it’s looking to greenlight high-profile tentpoles that can prop up all of its businesses, from consumer products to theme parks.”

I know it’s not necessarily new or surprising that Disney is trying to turn an immense profit out of everything it touches, but I guess I’m fascinated because I’ve never seen things spoken of so bluntly before.  And at the end of the day, regardless of Disney’s hopes and dreams for profits galore, I wouldn’t mind so long as the movie is good.  So get to it, Landis! You write the shit out of that pitch!