"Tomorrowland" lost a lot of money, and it led to Disney cancelling "Tron 3," but the heartening news is that they’re still willing to try out original concepts. Of course, it doesn’t hurt if Oprah Winfrey is in your corner.
Winfrey’s Harpo Productions and David Oyelowo’s Yoruba Saxon are producing "The Water Man," with Disney in negotiations to come on board to make it happen. The project stems from a spec script by Emma Needell, which is reportedly a tonal mix between "Stand By Me," "E.T.," and "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind." The story revolves around Gunner, who tries to find the legendary The Water Man, whose power to cheat death might help save his dying mother. Oyelowo would take the role of Gunner’s father, Amos.
It sounds very, very Amblin-esque, which is not a bad thing. And originality still lives at Disney, and that’s some pretty good news all by itself. [Deadline]
