A couple of sci-fi project updates, so put on your astronaut helmet and get ready…
A few years back, we shared the news that a fledgling writer, Jason Rothenberg, seemed like he might be about to blow up, having been commissioned to pen a Will Smith-starring remake of 1970s sci-fi film “Colossus: The Forbin Project,” along with Leonardo DiCaprio’s “The Twilight Zone” reboot. But it seems both are moving on without the writer. “Invictus” scribe Tony Peckham was hired for ‘Twilight’ at the end of 2011, and now veteran writer Ed Solomon has been brought in to rewrite ‘Colossus,’ reteaming him with his “Men In Black” leading man. Smith would star as Dr. Charles Forbin, the creator of a computer that is taking over the world, and the only man who can stop it. This may give ‘Colossus’ the momentum it needs to get going after nearly six years in development, but it will need to find a director as it looks like the once linked Ron Howard has moved on.
In other sci-fi news, Universal is taking advantage of its two-year first-look deal with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, having recently acquired the rights to “Sagittarius A,” a pitch for an original sci-fi thriller that Kurtzman and Orci are developing with Steven Karczynski, who will write the script. Karczynski’s Black List-approved screenplay “The Umbra” is currently set up at Endgame Entertainment with Martin Campbell to direct. No word yet on the plot of ‘Sagittarius,’ so we can only assume… horoscopes? Just kidding. According to preliminary research, the title refers to a radio source located in the Milky Way. Awaiting word that we are way off. [THR/Deadline]
