Director Roland Emmerich really, really hates the planet Earth and wants to destroy it over and over again (“Independence Day”, “The Day After Tomorrow”). Why? Sources tell me because once upon a time, when Roland was very young, Planet Earth kicked his dog, threw his grandma out the window, and set his house on fire. Yeah, that’ll piss anyone off. Emmerich’s latest is “2012″, an end-of-the-world movie that he’s shopping the script around to potential buyers.
More:
CAA is shopping “2012,” an apocalyptic spec script written by Emmerich and Harald Kloser, who collaborated on “10,000 B.C.,” the prehistoric epic that Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures releases March 7.
Studio toppers read the script Tuesday, and indications are that nearly all of them were interested enough to meet with Emmerich and reps Wednesday to hear his budget projection and creative aspirations. After that, studios will bid on what is essentially a greenlit film, one that Emmerich intends to direct next and have ready for a summer 2009 release, barring a prolonged Screen Actors Guild strike.
No doubt studios will be lining up to buy the script as a Summer Event film. Variety has the movie listed as a possible 2009 release, but I doubt if Emmerich could produce a movie in such a short time. I’m shooting for 2010.
Emmerich has always produced sci-fi hits, and sold “Independence Day” and “The Day After Tomorrow” precisely the same way. The script is written by Emmerich and Harald Kloser, who co-wrote Emmerich’s latest, the historical actioner “10,000 BC”, which is set to open March 2008.
Update
Sony Pictures Entertainment has won the rights to make “2012″. They’re still eyeing a 2009 release date.
