Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
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News The Six Billion Dollar Man (2019)
- Thread starter Doctor Omega
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Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
“Six Billion Dollar Man” Set For 2019
Warner Bros. Pictures has announced a May 31st 2019 release for “The Six Billion Dollar Man,” the upcoming film adaptation of the 1970s TV series “The Six Million Dollar Man”.
Mark Wahlberg is expected to star as Steve Austin, a man who is saved by cutting-edge technology that turns him half machine following a horrible accident. The project was previously setup at The Weinstein Company with Warners recently picking up. Damian Szifron will direct.
The announcement comes on top of several other date changes and announcements by Warners who’ve set the Yara Shahidi-led young adult adaptation “The Sun” for May 17th 2019, and the Tiffany Haddish-led mob drama comic book adaptation “The Kitchen” for September 20th 2019.
They’ve also staked out April 19th 2019 and July 3rd 2019 dates for two untitled horror films, and pulled an event film from a September 27th 2019 berth.
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Feature film adaptation attempts
Universal Pictures developed a screenplay in 1995 with Kevin Smith, but the outing never materialized. In December 2001, it was announced that Universal had pacted with Dimension Films on the project after Dimension president Bob Weinstein saw its potential as a franchise.[4] Universal retained film rights to the original TV show, while Dimension purchased the rights to the Cyborg novel,[5] as well as Caidin's three other novels in the series: Operation Nuke, High Crystal and Cyborg IV. Larry Gordon and Scott Faye were going to produce with Paul Rosenberg's Collision Entertainment.[4]
In October 2002, Trevor Sands was hired to write a new screenplay, titled The Six Billion Dollar Man,[6] but Dimension scrapped it when actor Jim Carrey pitched a comedic take on the material for him to star in, with Scot Armstrong as writer and Todd Phillips as director/co-writer. Filming was expected to begin in 2004.[5]
In a July 2006 interview at Comic Con,[7] Richard Anderson (who played Oscar Goldman in the series) stated that he was involved with producing a movie of the series, but the rights were at the time in litigation between Miramax and Universal. Smith's screenplay was later adapted for The Bionic Man, an ongoing comic book series launched in 2011 by Dynamite Comics.
On November 6, 2014, it was announced that a feature film, tentatively titled The Six Billion Dollar Man, would go into production. Mark Wahlberg was set to play Colonel Steve Austin, and Peter Berg as director. Filming was to begin in early 2015, for a theatrical release the following year.[8][9] On November 2, 2015 it was reported that Berg had left the film and had been replaced by Damian Szifron, who will also write the film. Filming was to begin in September 2016 with a December 22, 2017 release date.[10] In December 2017, The Weinstein Company sold the film's rights to Warner Bros.[11] Warner Bros. hopes to start filming the movie in Summer 2018.
Warner Bros. Pictures has announced a May 31st 2019 release for “The Six Billion Dollar Man,” the upcoming film adaptation of the 1970s TV series “The Six Million Dollar Man”.
Mark Wahlberg is expected to star as Steve Austin, a man who is saved by cutting-edge technology that turns him half machine following a horrible accident. The project was previously setup at The Weinstein Company with Warners recently picking up. Damian Szifron will direct.
The announcement comes on top of several other date changes and announcements by Warners who’ve set the Yara Shahidi-led young adult adaptation “The Sun” for May 17th 2019, and the Tiffany Haddish-led mob drama comic book adaptation “The Kitchen” for September 20th 2019.
They’ve also staked out April 19th 2019 and July 3rd 2019 dates for two untitled horror films, and pulled an event film from a September 27th 2019 berth.
------------------------------------
Feature film adaptation attempts
Universal Pictures developed a screenplay in 1995 with Kevin Smith, but the outing never materialized. In December 2001, it was announced that Universal had pacted with Dimension Films on the project after Dimension president Bob Weinstein saw its potential as a franchise.[4] Universal retained film rights to the original TV show, while Dimension purchased the rights to the Cyborg novel,[5] as well as Caidin's three other novels in the series: Operation Nuke, High Crystal and Cyborg IV. Larry Gordon and Scott Faye were going to produce with Paul Rosenberg's Collision Entertainment.[4]
In October 2002, Trevor Sands was hired to write a new screenplay, titled The Six Billion Dollar Man,[6] but Dimension scrapped it when actor Jim Carrey pitched a comedic take on the material for him to star in, with Scot Armstrong as writer and Todd Phillips as director/co-writer. Filming was expected to begin in 2004.[5]
In a July 2006 interview at Comic Con,[7] Richard Anderson (who played Oscar Goldman in the series) stated that he was involved with producing a movie of the series, but the rights were at the time in litigation between Miramax and Universal. Smith's screenplay was later adapted for The Bionic Man, an ongoing comic book series launched in 2011 by Dynamite Comics.
On November 6, 2014, it was announced that a feature film, tentatively titled The Six Billion Dollar Man, would go into production. Mark Wahlberg was set to play Colonel Steve Austin, and Peter Berg as director. Filming was to begin in early 2015, for a theatrical release the following year.[8][9] On November 2, 2015 it was reported that Berg had left the film and had been replaced by Damian Szifron, who will also write the film. Filming was to begin in September 2016 with a December 22, 2017 release date.[10] In December 2017, The Weinstein Company sold the film's rights to Warner Bros.[11] Warner Bros. hopes to start filming the movie in Summer 2018.
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ant-mac
Member: Rank 9
Whilst I'm actually looking forward to this film - or at least have a healthy curiosity about it - I'm not entirely convinced that Mark Wahlberg is the best choice to play Steve Austin.
However, I look forward to finding out - one way or the other.
johnnybear
Member: Rank 6
They've had Wahlberg down for this for years! Which is unusual as on other projects they've had an actor selected for a role and after a time of no news, the actor is replaced or pulls out due to other work commitments! Whether or not he'll make a success of it I don't know but in other cult shows revamped for the big screen they usually turn out as stinkers!
JB
JB
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
I do worry that they will end up going for the lazy, easy comedy route a la that STARSKY AND HUTCH movie, rather than making it an effective, serious version of the story.
johnnybear
Member: Rank 6
Yes I forgot about the Starsky and Hutch thing! But they played that strictly as a comedy film! It was nothing like the weekly TV series, even if David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser had a cameo in it! I'd say that Lee Majors and Lyndsay Wagner will be the old couple in town watching the new Steve fight whomever too!
JB
JB
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
I agree. I am expecting them to announce a newer, younger actor taking the mantle instead as we go along.
I also think you are spot on about the Majors/Wagner cameo.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
“Six Billion Dollar Man” Loses Its Director
Damian Szifron has dropped out of “The Six Billion Dollar Man,” the upcoming feature film reboot of the classic 1970s TV series “The Six Million Dollar Man” at Warner Bros. Pictures.
Szifron, who exited over ‘creative differences’, has been with the project for three years. He co-wrote the script and was to direct the movie which stars Mark Wahlberg as Col. Steve Austin, a downed pilot who is saved by an operation that makes him part machine.
Filming is slated to begin shooting this summer and, despite Szifron’s exit, the studio intends to keep its schedule with a replacement immediately being sought.
In fact, one may already be on hand – Mel Gibson, who has been circling the role of Oscar Goldman, the government mentor of Austin. Gibson has been developing a World War II naval thriller as his next project but that could be pushed back if needs be.
Damian Szifron has dropped out of “The Six Billion Dollar Man,” the upcoming feature film reboot of the classic 1970s TV series “The Six Million Dollar Man” at Warner Bros. Pictures.
Szifron, who exited over ‘creative differences’, has been with the project for three years. He co-wrote the script and was to direct the movie which stars Mark Wahlberg as Col. Steve Austin, a downed pilot who is saved by an operation that makes him part machine.
Filming is slated to begin shooting this summer and, despite Szifron’s exit, the studio intends to keep its schedule with a replacement immediately being sought.
In fact, one may already be on hand – Mel Gibson, who has been circling the role of Oscar Goldman, the government mentor of Austin. Gibson has been developing a World War II naval thriller as his next project but that could be pushed back if needs be.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Travis Knight To Direct “Six Billion Dollar Man”
“Bumblebee” and “Kubo and the Two Strings” director Travis Knight has come on board to helm “Six Billion Dollar Man,” the Warner Bros. Pictures film adaptation of the classic TV series “The Six Million Dollar Man” with Mark Wahlberg still attached to star.
The hiring comes almost a year after the previously attached Damian Szifron departed the project, Szifron left over creative differences after having helped develop the project for three years.
Wahlberg will play Col. Steve Austin, a downed pilot who is saved by an operation that makes him part machine and gives him superhuman strength.
Bill DuBuque penned the script for the new take while Sue Kroll, Bill Gerber and Steve Levinson are producing.
“Bumblebee” and “Kubo and the Two Strings” director Travis Knight has come on board to helm “Six Billion Dollar Man,” the Warner Bros. Pictures film adaptation of the classic TV series “The Six Million Dollar Man” with Mark Wahlberg still attached to star.
The hiring comes almost a year after the previously attached Damian Szifron departed the project, Szifron left over creative differences after having helped develop the project for three years.
Wahlberg will play Col. Steve Austin, a downed pilot who is saved by an operation that makes him part machine and gives him superhuman strength.
Bill DuBuque penned the script for the new take while Sue Kroll, Bill Gerber and Steve Levinson are producing.
johnnybear
Member: Rank 6
How can it be Warner Bros? I know Universal created the franchise!!!
JB
JB
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
This explains why - and the whole tortured history of the project so far, JB........
https://www.fastcompany.com/9033642...movie-in-hollywood-the-six-billion-dollar-man
https://www.fastcompany.com/9033642...movie-in-hollywood-the-six-billion-dollar-man
chainsaw_metal1
Member: Rank 8
Personally, I would try to find an actor who could pull off a younger version of Majors. Wahlberg is too "intense", and will make it either too dark or unintentionally hilarious.
ant-mac
Member: Rank 9
Okay, I'm still in tears about your first sentence.
A time travelling sex worker? What an idea for a SF franchise... FIFTY SHADES OF GRAY meets BACK TO THE FUTURE!
As for your second sentence... I'd hate to see it being sent up, but I like the idea of it going dark.
The original novel series was exceedingly dark in certain places. In one novel, Austin attacks a group of men with a machete equipped in his bionic hand... Messy.
chainsaw_metal1
Member: Rank 8
Dammit. I missed it when I was typing it, and now I can't stop seeing it. Bravo, sir.Okay, I'm still in tears about your first sentence.
A time travelling sex worker? What an idea for a SF franchise... FIFTY SHADES OF GRAY meets BACK TO THE FUTURE!
I should specify. In this day and age of reimagining properties as either "dark and gritty" or "comedy and shitty", I don't want to see it done as an overly dark film. I would expect to see some good old fashioned violence, obviously. I mean, dude's a cyborg, he's gonna mess people up.As for your second sentence... I'd hate to see it being sent up, but I like the idea of it going dark.
The original novel series was exceedingly dark in certain places. In one novel, Austin attacks a group of men with a machete equipped in his bionic hand... Messy.
Time traveling sex worker. "Cum for me if you want to live." So many possibilities.
ant-mac
Member: Rank 9
I'm picturing it in slow motion with the bionic sound effect at the moment of... "mission accomplished".
Now... try to stop seeing and hearing that!
johnnybear
Member: Rank 6
These remakes tend to cheapen the original shows in the younger people's minds!
JB
JB
ant-mac
Member: Rank 9
And the original TV shows can sometimes be said to do the same to the original novels - the source material.
johnnybear
Member: Rank 6
True.
JB
JB