David Ayer's unrealized projects
The following is a list of unproduced David Ayer projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American filmmaker David Ayer 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.
2000s
contemporary Wild Bunch remake
On November 4, 2005, Ayer was set to write and direct the modern-day remake of The Wild Bunch with Jerry Weintraub and Mark Vahradian producing the film, and Warner Bros. set to distribute the movie, but never materalized.[1]
Cash Truck remake
On October 9, 2008, Ayer was hired to co-write with Andrew Kevin Walker the American remake of Cash Truck for F. Gary Gray to direct, with Eric Bana in talks to star, Millenium Films producing the movie and Paramount Pictures set to distribute,[2] which eventually became Guy Ritchie’s Wrath of Man.[3]
Deep Sea Cowboys film
On February 13, 2009, Ayer was set to write the feature film adaptation of the Wired article “Deep Sea Cowboys,” about a salvage crew with Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Holly Bario, Jonathan Eirich, Pete Chiarelli, and Steven Puri set to produce and DreamWorks distributing the movie.[4]
Last Man
On March 9, 2009, Ayer was set to write and direct the sci-fi action film “Last Man,” with Erwin Stoff, Scott Stuber, and Pam Abdy set to produce the movie through New Regency and 20th Century Fox distributing the movie.[5]
2010s
Commando reboot
On April 28, 2010, Ayer was set to direct and write a reboot of Commando with Erwin Stoff and John Davis producing, and 20th Century Fox distributing the movie.[6]
Scarface remake
On May 19, 2017, Ayer was set to direct a remake of “Scarface,” with Diego Luna set to star, with a screenplay draft from Jon Herman and the Coen brothers, Dylan Clark will produce and Universal Pictures would distribute.[7] On July 12, 2017, Ayer left the movie.[8]
Family Crimes TV series
On November 15, 2017, Ayer was set to direct, executive produce and write “Family Crimes,” a Latina crime drama series with Jerry Bruckheimer producing and Starz set to air the series.[9] On April 27, 2018, Starz passed on the series.[10]
Bright sequel
The Bone Church TV series
On February 23, 2018, Ayer was set to executive produce the television series adaptation of Stephen King’s poem The Bone Church, with Chris Long producing with Ayer.[11]
Sons and Soldiers TV series
On October 19, 2018, Ayer was set to produce the television series adaptation of Bruce Anderson’s World War 2 novel “Sons and Soldiers,” with Ayer directing the pilot episode, Eric Tuchman writing the series and Entertainment One set to produce and distribute the series.[12]
El-Alamein film
On August 8, 2019, Ayer was set to direct a movie about the Second Battle of El Alamein, with James Coyne writing the screenplay, Di Bonaventura Pictures’ Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian producing with Thomas Augsberger and Lionsgate Films set to distribute, which was originally meant to start filming in early 2020.[13]
The Dirty Dozen reboot
On December 16, 2019, Ayer was set to direct and write the contemporary reboot of The Dirty Dozen as a co-production with Simon Kinberg’s Genre Films and Warner Bros. distributing the film, which was originally meant to start filming in early 2020.[14]
2020s
Six Years film
On May 26, 2020, Ayer was set to direct, produce, and write a feature film adaptation of Harlan Coben’s novel “Six Years”, with Ayer producing with his Cedar Point partner Chris Long and Netflix set to distribute the film.[15]
End of Watch TV series
On February 10, 2022, Ayer was set to executive produce and co-write a pilot for the television adaptation of Ayer’s police film End of Watch for Fox.[16]
References
- ^ Borys Kit; Sheigh Crabtree (November 4, 2005). "Ayer wrangles Warners redo of 'Wild Bunch'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 16, 2006. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Michael (October 9, 2008). "Bana gets 'Armored' for Millennium". Variety. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Michael (October 7, 2019). "Jason Statham & Guy Ritchie Re-Team For Miramax Action Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (February 13, 2009). "Ayer spins DW sea tale". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Michael (March 9, 2009). "New Regency lands 'Man'". Variety. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (April 28, 2010). "Fox To Remake Famed Schwarzenegger Pic". Deadline Hollywod. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (May 19, 2017). "David Ayer In Early Talks To Direct 'Scarface' Reboot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Kim Masters (July 12, 2017). "Universal's 'Scarface' Reboot Loses Director David Ayer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 15, 2017). "Starz Nabs David Ayer Latino Drama 'Family Crimes' From Jerry Bruckheimer TV With Production Commitment". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 27, 2018). "'Family Crimes' Drama From David Ayer & JBTV Not Going Forward At Starz". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 23, 2018). "Stephen King's 'The Bone Church' To Be Developed As Series By Chris Long & David Ayer's Cedar Park". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Petski, Denise (October 19, 2018). "eOne Acquires TV Rights To Bruce Henderson's 'Sons and Soldiers' Book With Eric Tuchman & David Ayer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (October 11, 2022). "David Ayer To Direct Lionsgate WWII Tank Battle Thriller 'El-Alamein'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (December 16, 2019). "Warner Bros Sets David Ayer For 'The Dirty Dozen' Remake; Simon Kinberg Producing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (May 26, 2020). "Netflix Acquires Harlan Coben Thriller Novel 'Six Years' For David Ayer To Script & Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Sharf, Zack (February 10, 2022). "'End Of Watch' TV Adaptation Co-Written By Movie's David Ayer Gets Fox Script-To-Series Commitment". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2024.