Director Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) is a busy man and now he’s about to become even busier. Bekmambetov has announced that in addition to co-producing (with Tim Burton) an adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, he will also direct the movie. Here’s what Bekmambetov said he was going for with the book (which you can see a trailer for by clicking here):
It is not a comedy at all – it is a very entertaining, epic history lesson for millions and millions of teenagers. If you remember Night Watch, it is maybe in the vein of that kind of movie. We are keeping the traditional look of Lincoln – the big hat and the beard. He has to be historically correct, but with a few special weapons. There is only one book, but there will be many opportunities to develop and explore this world if we get to do sequels. I hope we will start this winter. We are shooting in America.”
Hit the jump for updates on Bekmambetov’s other projects including Wanted 2, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Moby Dick, and more.
Speaking to Empire, Bekmambetov talked about his many other projects. Kicking off with Wanted 2, he said that they talk about it every month, but it’s on hold since James McAvoy is current doing X-Men First Class.
When we reported on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea in May, it sounded like Bekmambetov was on board to direct. However, he now says they’re still in early development, and “I would like to direct myself” which makes it sound unofficial at this point. He adds that it will be a modernized version of Jules Verne’s classic tale.
Bekmambetov is also working on an adaptation of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick and he says ” It’s the same story but with a different take, much more mystical. The whalers are not ordinary people,” and that the whale is a supernatural creature.
Click over to Empire for other updates on his smaller projects including Twilight Watch, his long-in- sequel to his vampire films Night Watch and Day Watch.
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A modern retelling of 20,000 Leagues! ACK! COUGH! Dude! Just fess up, and say you're not really interested in the story, but just want to make a cool movie with a submarine in it for goodness sake! Scorpion King was a rip-off of Conan…that made money…
Do you know where Black Lightning in development?
I'm more anticipating David Fincher's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea! Waaaay more anticipating. Just drop this project already; Fincher's already got his “Empire Strikes Back” version set up at Disney.
u mean the russian version or the remake that they are planning?
Nevermind found out he is only producing that one.
FincherFan you might be right. Like there used to be 2 3 Musketeers film and the WB fell the same may happen here. How does Fincher's schedule look like. Timur's version has Scott productions plus it will be a modern version. Right now I can't say who I am anticipating more.
just want to make a cool movie with a submarine in it for goodness sake! Scorpion King was a rip-off of Conan…that made money…
20000 deserves a meticulous adaptation, it's a beutiful book, modernizing is for hacks and tv miniseries
I meant the remake, but I found the answer Thanks.
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