One of the most talented directors working today, David Fincher is somebody whose films are eagerly anticipated by a multitude of fans from the moment theyâre announced. When word got out that a âFacebook movieâ was in the works, 99% of people wrote it off as a cash grab. That all changed when Fincher signed on to The Social Network as director (a script by Aaron Sorkin didnât hurt either). Fincher is currently doing the press rounds for his latest directorial effort: a large-scale R-rated adaptation of the wildly popular book The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.Steve is in New York for the filmâs press junket and he recently got the chance to sit down with the director for an exclusive interview. While weâll have the full interview up early next week, we wanted to share what Fincher had to say about a few of his potential upcoming projects. The director gave updates on his 3D adaptation of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the biopic epic Cleopatra starring Angelina Jolie, and the Kevin Spacey-starred Netflix series House of Cards, for which heâs directing the pilot. Hit the jump to see what he had to say.Based on a British novel by Michael Dobbs, House of Cards is a political thriller that focuses on the issues of political ambition and blackmail. The pilot was written by Beau Willimon (The Ides of March), and Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are set to star. The show will premiere on Netflix, and Fincher revealed that heâs moving on to direct the pilot next:
âIâm casting and Iâm going to Washington and Baltimore this weekend to look at locations.â
While House of Cards was originally adapted as a miniseries in Britain, Fincherâs version moves the action to the United States. Regarding 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Fincher was brief, stating simply that heâs âwaiting for a draft.â Screenwriter Scott Z. Burns initially scripted the project, but we recently learned that Fincherâs Seven scribe Andrew Kevin Walker was brought on to do some rewrite work.
Itâs an ambitious undertaking, and itâs no surprise that Fincher wants to get the script in perfect shape before moving forward. While many were hoping that 20,000 Leagues would be the directorâs next project, it sounds like thatâs dependent upon how Walkerâs draft comes out. While we donât know specifics about Fincherâs take, heâs stated his intention to shoot in 3D and revealed that itâll probably be about 70% CG.
Finally, the director provided an update on Cleopatra, a project that heâs said to be âcirclingâ as a directorial vehicle:
âCleopatra, I havenât even begun. Iâve just spoken with Angie [Angelina Jolie] and Eric [Roth] and Iâm trying to figure out how to weigh in. Itâs just a discussion about what can it be, what are people expecting, what do we need to do to destroy that?â
Jolie is attached to star in the historical epic, and Roth was recently brought on to write the screenplay. Roth previously wrote Fincherâs The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, so the two have a rapport. While I was hoping the director would get around to Cleopatra sooner rather than later, it sounds like this oneâs a ways off; though itâs promising to hear that Fincherâs at least interested in taking it on. Itâs also nice to hear his version of Cleopatra wonât be lacking his signature âFincherâ touch of the unexpected. Hopefully his discussions with Jolie and Roth prove fruitful.
Keep an eye on the site for more from Steveâs interview with Fincher, as the two covered everything from why heâs averse to releasing deleted scenes to his favorite Star Wars entry. If you missed Steve's earlier story about Fincher likely shooting the Dragon Tattoo sequels back-to-back, click here.