Caffeinated Clint
Johnny Depp may play the man partly responsible for cats being forced to wear clothes, Dr Seuss, in a new biopic being developed by Illumination Entertainment.
The “Dark Shadows” star is producing the film, with an eye to playing the famous children’s author.
Says Risky Business :
Illumination Entertainment and Infinitum Nihil are developing a live-action movie about the life of classic children’s author and illustrator Dr. Seuss (aka Theodor Geisel). Depp will produce the project with the potential to star as Seuss, and Universal Pictures will distribute. Keith Bunin (In Treatment) has been hired to write the screenplay.
Depp is producing with Infinitum Nihil partner Christi Dembrowski, Illumination’s Christopher Meledandri and David Kennedy.
Dr Seuss was, of course, Theodor Geisel, the former comic-strip artist who went on to become a worldwide phenomenom with his children’s books, including “Cat in the Hat” and “The Lorax”.
Meanwhile, Depp’s “Thin Man” remake has snagged a scribe.
“Shattered Glass” scribe Billy Ray has been tapped to pen the Depp/Rob Marshall flick.
Risky Business had the scoop on it too :
William Powell and Myrna Loy starred in the 1934 adaptation of the book, which centered on former private detective-turned-professional drunkard Nick Charles, his lovely socialite wife Nora and their schnauzer Asta as they investigate a murder involving an eccentric inventor and his bizarre family. The film led to five more movies and a TV series.
The project is a priority at the studio, but it has been putting writers through the spin cycle. Jerry Stahl was initially on board to write. Then David Koepp was brought on, but he left when his vision didn’t line up with Marshall’s, forcing a hunt for a new scribe.
Depp will produce Thin Man with his Infinitum Nihil partner Christi Dembrowski. Former Warner Bros. exec Kevin McCormick is producing via his studio-based Langley Park.
