Robert Zemeckis "FLIGHT"

[Project862006]

EXCLUSIVE: Paramount Pictures is in early discussions with Robert Zemeckis to direct Flight, a live action feature that has been scripted by John Gatins. Zemeckis, who has focused for the last decade on directing and producing performance capture animation films, last directed a live action film with 2000's Cast Away. Flight has similar harrowing moments to the unforgettable airplane crash that left Tom Hanks stranded on a deserted island. Flight is a fictional tale revolves around a fictional commercial airline pilot named Whip Whitaker. When his plane malfunctions and a crash seems imminent, he saves the day with some heroic flying and manages to land the plane with minimal casualties. He's instantly hailed as a hero, but as an investigation into the cause of the crash unfolds, it becomes clear that he was flying under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The film is the pilot's journey as he is encouraged to wear a hero label he thinks he doesn't deserve, while the pilot's union and airline try to keep the facts under cover because of the high stakes involved. Gatins, who scripted Real Steel and just signed on to script the sequel to the DreamWorks film, had long intended to direct Flight. But Zemeckis has been looking hard at a number of scripts to mark his return to live-action directing, and Paramount became very interested in making a deal with the director. This is a situation that could happen very quickly--there is a nascent plan to begin production by late summer--or crash land because the dealmaking with Zemeckis is very pricey, and Flight is more of a modest character study than some of the director's past hits like the Back to the Future films or Forrest Gump. Stay tuned.

http://www.deadline.com/2011/04/para...bert-zemeckis/

[Sawyer]

Live action, you say?

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Doctor Jones]

Doesn't sound like a the ideal live action return, but hey, it's better than what he's usually been doing.

[kvz5]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...-action-180779

Robert Zemeckis in Talks for Live-Action 'Flight' With Denzel Washington Circling

John Gatins wrote the script about a pilot who saves a flight from an engine malfunction but is revealed to be a substance abuser.

Robert Zemeckis is back, baby. Not only that, the Oscar-winning director-producer of Forrest Gump, Cast Away and Back to the Future is returning to live-action filmmaking after years of working only on performance-capture movies like the recent bomb Mars Needs Moms.

Zemeckis is in negotiations to direct Flight, a drama for Paramount that has Denzel Washington loosely attached to star.

John Gatins wrote the script for Flight, which was originally set up as a DreamWorks project that became a Paramount title after the two companies split. Gatins was also attached to direct at the time.

Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald are producing Flight, which centers on a alcoholic and drug-addicted pilot. When his plane's engine malfunctions, the pilot manages to rescue the aircraft and its passengers, becoming a hero in the process. When the FAA investigates and finds evidence of drug abuse, it tries to sweep it to the side to help preserve the image of the captain, who is trying to change the course of his life.

Zemeckis, who hasn't made a live action movie since 2000's Cast Away, was due to next direct The Yellow Submarine in the performance capture medium for Disney. But that project was deep-sixed due to budgetary and aesthetics of his mo-cap animation style, which wasn't catching on with audiences. When Mars Needs Moms, which he produced, failed, it was clear the medium wasn't going to gain traction among studios any time soon, causing the filmmaker to retrench to figure out his next move.

[DarkSovereignty]

VIDEO-CLick to Watch!:

hazaa!

[Wolfwood]

Thank-God I wasn't drinking anything, I'm sure I would've done a spit-take.

[Sgt.Pepper]

It's been over a decade since his last live-action film so it's about time he goes back to it.This character-driven story may be just what Zemeckis needs though I wish he did Timeless instead to mark his return to live-action film.

[Doctor Jones]

I would accept a drinking game between Zemeckis and Tom Hanks. At least it would be in live action.

[Vapor]

Cool that he's doing live action again but I'd rather see Zemeckis doing another Roger Rabbit... Maybe it will re-ignite his desire for live action films and he will move on to a RR film afterwards (which I heard a while ago, they were writing a script for)

[Project862006]

Tons of More Actors attached

Don Cheadle
Mellisa Leo
Bruce Greenwood
James Badge Dale
John Goodman
Kelly Reily
Brian Geraghty

http://collider.com/flight-melissa-l...e-dale/118012/

[Ultra Lantern]

This looks interesting.I'll see this movie when it comes out.

[Crockett]

Zemeckis is assembling a solid cast for his return to live-action, the plot doesn't really capture my interest per se but perhaps it'll change when I see something from this to judge on and hey, it's good enough that he's back to live-action.

[Secret Fawful]

It's about time. Get it? It's funny because he directed Back to the Future.

[Sgt.Pepper]

Trailer

Doesn't look that interesting to me, but I'm just glad that Zemeckis is returning to live-action.

[Stringer]

Looks interesting to me. Doesn't look like Denzel phoned in this performance like he did in Safe House.

[Wolfwood]

That doesn't look too bad. The plain crash itself looks pretty awesome.

[Octoberist]

John Goodman playing The dude? Irony alert!!

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=91090

[kvz5]

Not sure what I feel about this. It looks... cheesy?

[DyeLorean]

I'm soooooo glad he's back to live action. He's one of my favorite directors, so hopefully he'll get his mojo back.

[Spideyfan93]

Yes! Robert Zemeckis returning to live action!

[Secret Fawful]

I'm incredibly interested in the premise and I love Denzel Washington.

[bullets]

After the trailer I'm really looking forward to this.

[RockSP]

Easy and Mouse reunite

[Fives]

That was a great trailer. I'm looking forward to this movie now. Great to see Zemeckis back, his films are great. Always loved the Back to the Future trilogy. Plus Denzel, Cheadle, and John Goodman are all great actors.