While he’d been attached for sometime, and likely had a huge hand in getting Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter) interested in the film’s lead role, it now appears as though the adaptation of Sony’s popular video-game franchise Uncharted, is to go ahead without The Fighter’s director David O Russell.
O Russell previously seemed very excited about bringing the popular game to the big screen, but has reportedly left the project (on amicable terms so we hear) to due a number of creative differences he held with Sony; causing the studio to begin the search for a new director, as they are still reportedly very keen on developing a movie with the game’s hero Nathan Drake.
Speaking of which, it’s now also unclear if Wahlberg will stay attached; as no formal agreement was ever announced, and as his long-time friend and collaborator David O Russell has left, he may also distance himself from the project; and it’s likely that the rumours of involvement from Goodfellas’ stars Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci will now likely fade into the dust (even if they were true).
And despite the apparently promising script that’s been written by Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer (Cowboys & Aliens), it now appears as if Sony are going to completely overhaul the project, and bring in another writer to re-write an entirely new draft for the next director to work from.
So while production on the Uncharted adaptation; which if it sticks to the games format will be a blend of Indiana Jones/Tomb Raider style adventure, and a National Treasure style dash for the cash, with plenty of action; is indefinitely stalled at the moment, it’s still very much on the cards, and likely to move ahead asap.
Matt Wheeldon.
Source: Variety.
