Earlier this year, we reported on the project, “R.I.P.D.,” another comic book adaptation from Dark Horse Comics produced by Neal Moritz (“The Green Hornet,” “Fast & Furious”) that would star Ryan Reynolds — who’s already attached to comic book adaptations by D.C. (“Green Lantern”) and Marvel (“Deadpool”).
A Universal project, “R.I.P.D.” stands for Rest In Peace Department and it’s basically about a dead police officer whose soul restlessly looks around for the person who set him up so he can finally get into heaven. Yes, it sounds kind of dumb. Well Pajiba are now reporting that the project may have found a director in McG and it could be his follow-up to what should be this summer’s “This Means War,” a project produced by Reese Witherspoon about two spies who fall in love with the same girl and almost destroy New York City in balls-out fight over her.
We say should because several names have bailed on “This Means War” (Bradley Cooper, Justin Timberlake, Colin Farrell, Seth Rogen), but it appears that Chris Pine (“Star Trek”) and Tom Hardy (“Inception,” “Mad Max 4”) will play the two male leads violently vying for the affection of the same girl (Witherspoon) and shooting is set to start in September.
Pajiba also gives a few more details in that “R.I.P.D.” is actually a buddy dead-cop comedy and one cop has been dead for centuries. Apparently, the studio once wanted Zach Galifianakis for the dead officer. Pajiba’s sources are always good, and we’re sure there is interest there by the director, but don’t put too much stock into the wish list casting of Galifianakis by the studios. Wish list casting is just that: wishful thinking and often doesn’t come to fruition. On every wish list for every studio project right now is Chris Pine, Sam Worthington, Bradley Cooper, Justin Timberlake, Robert Downey Jr., Ryan Reynolds and pretty soon Galifianakis and Tom Hardy (looks like “This Means War” went through half those dudes).
For example, we heard this week from a good source, mind you, that Fox wants Sam Worthington for their “less brawny” remake of “Commando,” which obviously starred Arnold “The Governator” Schwarzenegger in the ’80s. But you know what? Fox and every studio under the sun want Worthington right now. Making a big deal about this (or a headline) seems a bit silly at this point. And note that it’s not meant to be a dig at our friends at Pajiba — who had to deal with lots of venomous arrows earlier this year when more established blogs started feeling rather insecure about all their great exclusives. They had the last laugh when they proved themselves to be a very reliable source in the end. Update: and maybe it’s not so early, in fact. Maybe it’s too late. The LATimes confirm Pajiba’s report and adds that McG almost made “R.I.P.D” first, but Fox is fast tracking “This Means War” which means they might find a new director by the time this film is ready to shoot (which with Ryan Reynolds’ schedule looks to be summer of 2011 at the earliest).