With Shane Black’s Iron Man 3 launching to the top of the global box office over the past two weeks, and taking the second-highest opening of all time in the US, we’ve naturally been wondering what project Black would turn to next. The writer-director recently spoke of eyeing Doc Savage whilst promoting the Marvel blockbuster.
And now a press release from Sony confirms that the studio has closed a deal with Black, who is officially eyeing the project as his Iron Man 3 follow-up.
For those unacquainted with the character, here’s a little description from the press release below:
One of the most popular characters of the pulps of the 1930s and 40s, Doc Savage was also popularized on radio, film and television. He is a scientist, physician, adventurer, inventor, explorer and researcher. He has been trained since birth to be nearly superhuman in every way, with outstanding strength, a photographic memory, and vast knowledge and intelligence. He uses his skills and powers to punish evil wherever in the world he finds it.
Black is set to direct from a script he co-wrote with Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry, the former of which Black has been working with on adapting the Japanese manga and anime, Death Note, for the big screen US remake.
I would have loved Black to set Death Note as his next project. But the Doc Savage character certainly sounds like it has a lot of potential, and I’m naturally looking forward to seeing what Black and co. do with the project.
Neal H. Moritz (Fast & Furious, I Am Legend) will be producing alongside Ori Marmur (R.I.P.D.) and Michael Uslan (The Dark Knight Rises).
The comments from Columbia’s president of production, Hannah Minghella, clearly show that the studio are viewing Black’s Doc Savage as a franchise-starter.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be building a franchise from the ground up with Shane and this team. Shane and Neal have a fantastic understanding of the character and a great take on the material and we can’t wait to get this production up and running.”
Black is of course no stranger to kicking off franchises, having penned the original Lethal Weapon, which went on to spawn a further three sequels. And having made his long-awaited return following the incredible Kiss Kiss Bang Bang this year with Iron Man 3, we can’t wait to see what he has in store for us next.
With a project like this, one of the most important things to get right will naturally be casting the titular role of Doc Savage himself. And with Black and the studio now officially in business, here’s to hoping we’ll be hearing more on the casting front soon.
CULVER CITY, Calif., May 7, 2013 –Sony Pictures Entertainment has closed its deal with Shane Black to co-write and direct Doc Savage, and Black is eyeing it as his next film, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures, and Hannah Minghella, president of Production for the studio. Black co-wrote the screenplay with Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry, based on the hero of pulp novels, films, and comic books. Neal H. Moritz is producing the project with Ori Marmur through his Original Film banner. Michael Uslan will also serve as a producer on the film.
Commenting on the announcement, Minghella said, “We couldn’t be more excited to be building a franchise from the ground up with Shane and this team. Shane and Neal have a fantastic understanding of the character and a great take on the material and we can’t wait to get this production up and running.”
One of the most popular characters of the pulps of the 1930s and 40s, Doc Savage was also popularized on radio, film and television. He is a scientist, physician, adventurer, inventor, explorer and researcher. He has been trained since birth to be nearly superhuman in every way, with outstanding strength, a photographic memory, and vast knowledge and intelligence. He uses his skills and powers to punish evil wherever in the world he finds it.
Black most recently co-wrote and directed Iron Man 3 which has grossed more than $700 million since opening a little more than one week ago. He previously wrote and directed Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
Sam Dickerman and Lauren Abrahams are overseeing the title for Columbia Pictures along with Minghella. Black is represented by David Greenblatt, WME and his attorney Alan Hergott.
