Shane Black to write DOC SAVAGE script

[[A]]

(...) When I asked him what he was working on, he shocked me with the revelation that he was going to be writing a script for DOC SAVAGE, which Orci & Kurtzman (those STAR TREK, EAGLE EYE, TRANSFORMERS guys) were producing.

(...)

However, I did inquire if they were modernizing the character. I asked this with dread in my belly, and Shane passed the test by saying the character can not be separated from the 30s. This is correct. Right now, he is preparing to write the script. He has decided that Doc needs to have his Fabulous Five. It will be an original DOC SAVAGE story that attempts to encapsulate the feeling of the whole collection of Lester Dent's work.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/42832

 

[[A]]

For the uninitiated..

Doc Savage is a fictional character originally published in American pulp magazines during the 1930s and 1940s. He was created by publisher Henry W. Ralston and editor John L. Nanovic at Street and Smith Publications, with additional material contributed by the series' main writer, Lester Dent.

The heroic-adventure character would go to appear in several other media, including radio, film, and comic books, with his adventures reprinted for modern-day audiences in series of paperback books. Into the 21st century, Doc Savage has remained a nostalgic icon referenced in novels and in popular culture.

 

[C. Lee]

This is absolutely fantastic news. There has been too much talk of modernizing Doc the last few years. He needs to be set in the 30's or 40's. Shane Black is a good writer. This is great news for all Doc fans.

 

[[A]]

The producers behind the project is what worries me. But yeah -- this is good news. This *needs* to be good.

 

[cerealkiller182]

Shane Black is a ballsy writer. I've liked most of his stuff. Dont think his personal style fits Doc Savage, but Shane also seems like a bright guy, he could probably easily adapt to the material. Also with Shane involved you know at least substance/content wise it will be accurate. That seems to be something Shane has a lot of respect for, the original content of his work.

My choice for Savage: Eric Dane. He just looks like a classic heroic adventure. Broad shoulders, squinty eyes, and he pulls off the fashionable Indiana Jones stubble. He also seems like he can handle a lot of attitude Same reasons I want him for Metamorpho (since thats Rex in a nutshell pre-transformation). Too bad he is really showing some age and constantly complaining about his bad knees that stop him from seriously considering hero roles (self-admitted)

 

[ChickenScratch]

I'm all for it, gotta love Doc Savage.

 

[[A]]

Eric Dane.. who's that? Is that Multiple Man?

 

[Lighthouse]

Shane Black on Doc Savage is like when I heard RDJ is Iron Man. Totally out of left field, but fantastic news. And after seeing Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, I wouldn't mind if he directed it too.

 

[Gabe99]

The history of DOC SAVAGE

From AICN July 7, 1999:
Schwarzenegger, Frank Darabont & Chuck Russell to film DOC SAVAGE, THE MAN OF BRONZE!!!!

Holy Mary Mother Of Invention! I am soooooo jonesed right now. I’m sorry folks, this just punches all the buttons for me.

Today, over at THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, Zorianna Kit (a really cool lady I’ve met a couple of times) broke the scoop that Chuck “MASK” Russell and Frank “SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION” Darabont have struck a deal with Arnold Schwarzenegger to star as Clark Savage, Jr.... The Man of Bronze.... DOC SAVAGE!!!

From AICN November 23, 1999:
An A.B. special... the 3 projects currently in the works for ARNOLD!

Hey folks, Harry here with this report on the three films leaving Arnold's mouth yesterday morning. TRUE LIES 2 - currently being scripted. THE SIXTH DAY - almost ready to shoot up in Canada. and... wait for it... That's right AB KING... A dream is a wish your heart makes.... CRUSADE - which he claims is being prepped. ALRIGHT. When last we heard, this was the Verhoeven/Ahnult project to end all Arnold projects. The name HAGAN will live for a long time in the history of cinematic lore. Who's lined up for directing chores? Has it been lined up? Please... no hacks please. CRUSADE is the epic film I've been dying to see for the past 4 years (length of time I've known of the project). Keep your ears alert... somethings afoot.

From AICN February 28, 2000:
A Brief A.B.King Report on COLLATERAL DAMAGE, just added an extra tidbit...

Hey folks, Harry here with the latest on that Ahnult fella from the Schwarzenegger/Stallone fan #1, A.B. King. ALso, in one of the half dozen or so emails that I have received from A.B. in the past couple of days, he claims that the reason the big man dropped TOTAL RECALL 2, was so he could do WITH WINGS AS EAGLES after COLLATERAL DAMAGE with Paul Verhoeven as the alleged director. So far, I haven't been able to get that confirmed. But we still have to look at the possibility that Arnold will be doing the Darabont/Russell directed DOC SAVAGE: MAN OF BRONZE instead. So... Here's A.B.

From AICN April 14, 2000:
Arnold comments on DOC SAVAGE and T3 & T4

Hey folks, Harry here with some news brought in from Arteewon about the big man's movements that he read about over at SCI FI WIRE, so check it out. It's nice to see a bit of loyalty out of Arnold, and I hope this DOC SAVAGE script rocks as hard as it could. Here ya go...

From AICN October 11, 2000:
CORRECTION: Arnold Notes: DOC SAVAGE & T3

Hey folks, Harry here with a report from... ABKing about.. nope... not Stallone... yup, that's right... AHNULDT!!! Let it be known from the highest bell tower in the land... there is a finished draft in existence for DOC SAVAGE!!! That script... I want in a really bad way. I'm a HUGE Doc Savage fan. In fact... in the far corner of my room... right above my Raiders of the Lost Ark poster is my Ron Ely personality poster from the George Pal DOC SAVAGE film.... which, while misguided and clumsy... I saw it as a kid and felt it had TONS of charm. Now... here's AB...

From AICN November 7, 2000:
Ahnuldt talks about DOC SAVAGE and T3

Hey folks, Harry here with latest from AB King on all of our's favorite Austrian Body Builder and overall megastar.... Arnie. I really really wish that Schwarzenegger would drop T3. Ultimately I really do feel the film should end as it did in T2. Uncertainty and with hope. T2 is a perfect film and the T3 script reads like bad fan fiction. Hell the T3 fan script that appeared online was better.... As for DOC SAVAGE, it is nice to hear that progress is being made there. Arnold... become a god... go make CRUSADE. Make it happen. "Do it! Do it noooooow!"

From TOR.com Thursday July 24, 2008:
SDCC: Doc Savage film announced

At a panel on Doc Savage, the pulp hero who inspired/was ripped off by the creators of Superman and Batman, among other creators of your favorite Golden Age comic book superheroes, long-time superhero movie producer Michael Uslan (who is also producing the upcoming Captain Marvel film) let slip that a new Doc Savage film adaptation is in the works.

From IGN December 18, 2008:
Doc Savage Movie Scoop - Producer Uslan talks to IGN about the pulp fiction project.

IGN Movies caught up with producer Michael E. Uslan at Wednesday's premiere of The Spirit where he gave us the low down on what's happening with the long-gestating feature film return of pulp hero Doc Savage.

Uslan told us that while The Shadow and Captain Marvel are likely to be his next two projects, he's also actively developing Doc Savage. No screenwriter or director has been hired yet, but Uslan says that several big names have expressed interest in Doc.

The producer said his project has no ties to the version that was being developed years ago with director Frank Darabont and star Arnold Schwarzenegger and that neither of them are involved with his incarnation. He stressed that his will be a fresh start.

Uslan added that no star is attached right now but hinted that the title role would likely not be played by an unknown. When asked about Dwayne Johnson, who has been rumored for the role in the past, Uslan simply replied that he's going to play the villainous "Black Adam" in Captain Marvel and didn't really give the impression that The Rock was also going to play the Man of Bronze, but he didn't outright deny it either.

Uslan, who also produced Constantine and executive produced all of the Batman films, said the film would follow Doc's departure from his Arctic base on his first adventure to the United States. He stressed that the film would focus on Doc's story and developing his character, and downplayed the possibility that his team of companions -- the Fabulous Five -- would play a large part in the film, suggesting that they could be better served in sequels.

From Batman-On-Film February 8, 2009:
Michael Uslan @ NYCC 2009 (Part 2)

BOF: Besides all that and the next BATMAN, what else do you have going on that you’d like to mention?

MU: Well, I’m not ready to officially announce it -- but we’re getting pretty damn close -- but DOC SAVAGE is coming along nicely.

From AICN October 24, 2009:
Orci & Kurtzman are producing DOC SAVAGE!!!


Interesting, I hope it's good. I could see someone like Russel Crowe or The Rock in this role.

 

[Octoberist]

no to The Rock on this one.

I could see Ray Stevenson though.

 

[Octoberist]

what studio is backing this movie up btw?

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Eric Dane.. who's that? Is that Multiple Man?

He's an actor on a tv program(grey's anatomy) and had a recent non-sex tape leaked.

 

[Red Mask]

I'd like to see how they pull this off. Doc Savage, the Renaissance Man, the Man of Bronze, the Man of Tomorrow. Decades later and we're still trying to be the kind of man he is. Adventurer, philanthropist, genius, and pioneer.

BTW: the only thing darker than his bronze skin is his hair. I don't think the Rock can pull it off, but he does have the kind of build and complexion I'd imagine for the Doc.

 

[Octoberist]

what about Jon Hamm? He's a manly man.

 

[[A]]

Gotta check Mad Men someday!

 

[C. Lee]

I've never considered Hamm for the role, I'd have to think about that. While Doc shouldn't be an over steroided monstronsity....he is a very muscled and big man.

The Rock fits the look pretty good. It would depend on how he looked with lighter hair color. His hair is currently too dark....but his short cut and natural widows peak fit the description.

 

[Ceb-Man]

I am excited about this. I am really looking forward to a Doc Savage film and hopefully potential sequels.

 

[deathshead2]

Hopefully this pulp film won't fail at the box office like all the others.

 

[superman-mos]

I hope they cast a unkown for the role and surround him with great talent much like batman begins and superman.With that said I have to throw this name out for Clark Savage Jr. Matt Keeslar the Middleman(funny show).He has the look of the great pulp hero and I think couldd really do well with it!


http://www.geocities.com/klondike66/mattc.jpg

http://www.pinkraygun.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/middleman_milk.jpg

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/io9/2009/07/14cqtj6.jpg

Doc....
(this is the version i am hoping for not the very ugly haircut of the batam novels)

http://pdgene.googlepages.com/Docsavage.jpg/Docsavage-full.jpg

http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/news_images/4/52914_118809_1.jpg

 

[Gabe99]

what studio is backing this movie up btw?

From AICN Monday, October 26, 2009:
Correction: Orci & Kurtzman not producing DOC SAVAGE, but we know who are!

Hey folks, Harry here... Ok - so when I was talking to Shane Black at the HIGHBALL here in Austin, I was absolutely positive that he said Orci & Kurtzman as being the producers of the DOC SAVAGE film that he was set to start writing. Turns out, that's not the case. Today, I received a call from Shane Black's manager to clarify what was obviously a very odd communication issue. (I only had one drink that night) But it turns out that DOC SAVAGE is being produced by Neal Moritz and Ori Marmur for SONY PICTURES.

With those two involved, it makes me wonder if they're thinking about Vin Diesel for this... which I would not really know how I'd feel. Vin's voice just doesn't sound like my imagination ever "heard" Savage speak with. Shane's manager is quite excited about the project and hopes it moves along quickly. That said, ever since I've started this site, Doc Savage has been in a constant and ever evolving creative endeavor... From Frank Darabont, Chuck Russell & Arnold chatting about it - to rumored developments with Sam Raimi's company and even Kerry Conran being rumored.

Where will The Man Of Bronze end up? It's anybody's guess - but let's see how Shane's script turns out! That's where this chapter will begin!

 

[ford_jj]

Very horrible , I 'm afraid to see it.

 

[deathshead2]

With Neal involved this must mean... Vin Diesel is DOC SAVAGE. With him not being able to do XXX 3, and based on his relationship with Neal before.

Well, thats my guess.

 

[Octoberist]

now i'm prefering Orci and Kurtzman over the xXx guys...

 

[[A]]

Haha yes, me too. Either way, still terrible.

 

[Gabe99]

From AICN:
Have no fear... The Man Of Bronze is in the best hands! DOC SAVAGE is on his way!