# Peter Jackson's unrealized projects

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During his long career, New Zealand filmmaker [Peter Jackson](/source/Peter_Jackson) has worked on several projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell in [development hell](/source/Development_hell), were officially canceled, were in development limbo or saw life under a different production team.[1][2]

## 1980s

### *A Nightmare on Elm Street 6: The Dream Lover*

In the late 1980s, Jackson submitted a screenplay to [New Line Cinema](/source/New_Line_Cinema) he co-wrote with [Danny Mulheron](/source/Danny_Mulheron) entitled *A Nightmare on Elm Street 6: The Dream Lover*.[3][4] A separate script for a sixth film, *[Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare](/source/Freddy's_Dead%3A_The_Final_Nightmare)* (1991), was made instead.

### *Bad Taste 2*

Following the release of his feature debut *[Bad Taste](/source/Bad_Taste)* (1987), Jackson wrote the script for a potential sequel.[1] The story involved an [alien invasion](/source/Alien_invasion) of [Wellington](/source/Wellington), as well as [Santa Claus](/source/Santa_Claus) and a [giant wētā](/source/Giant_w%C4%93t%C4%81). In 1992, Jackson stated that the temptation to make *Bad Taste 2* was growing on him.[2]

### *Warrior Season*

While mulling over the possibilities of making a sequel to *Bad Taste*, Jackson was also co-writing a script called *Warrior Season* with Costa Botes. Inspired by his love of [Jackie Chan](/source/Jackie_Chan) films such as *[Project A](/source/Project_A_(film))* (1983) and *[Police Story](/source/Police_Story_(1985_film))* (1985), the project was described as a [kung-fu](/source/Kung_Fu_film) [western](/source/Western_film) set during the [New Zealand gold rush](/source/Otago_gold_rush) of the 1870s. Little else is known, other than [Timothy Dalton](/source/Timothy_Dalton) was eyed to play the villain in the film.[2]

## 1990s

### *The Black Max*

Presumably in the early 1990s, Jackson intended to direct a film based on the comic strip character [Black Max](/source/Black_Max).[1]

### *Blubberhead*

In 1992, Jackson was working on a [stop motion](/source/Stop_motion) fantasy epic called *Blubberhead*, co-written [Danny Mulheron](/source/Danny_Mulheron). It was described as the "missing link" between Jackson's early work and his [*Lord of the Rings* trilogy](/source/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_(film_series)). He hired [Randall William Cook](/source/Randall_William_Cook) to do the effects for the film, but it was ultimately never made.[5][1][2]

### *Johnny Zombie*

Also in 1992, Jackson was offered an opportunity to direct the [horror comedy](/source/Horror_comedy) *Johnny Zombie*. He turned it down, and the film was instead produced under the title *[My Boyfriend's Back](/source/My_Boyfriend's_Back_(film))* (1993).[1]

### *Creature from the Black Lagoon* remake

In 1995, Jackson was offered by [Universal Pictures](/source/Universal_Pictures) to direct a remake of *[Creature from the Black Lagoon](/source/Creature_from_the_Black_Lagoon)* (1954). He passed on the chance, and a decade later made *[King Kong](/source/King_Kong_(2005_film))* (2005) for the studio instead.[6][1]

### *A Day with Wilbur Robinson*

In 1995, Jackson was offered by author [William Joyce](/source/William_Joyce_(writer)) to direct a live action adaptation of his book, *[A Day with Wilbur Robinson](/source/A_Day_with_Wilbur_Robinson)*. He turned it down, and the film became *[Meet The Robinsons](/source/Meet_The_Robinsons)*, which was animated instead of live-action.[7]

### *The Dam Busters* remake

Main article: [The Dam Busters (film) § Planned remake](/source/The_Dam_Busters_(film)#Planned_remake)

### *Invasion of Privacy*

Jackson was sent the script for the drama/thriller titled *Invasion of Privacy* from a German producer. The story follows a pregnant woman who is held hostage by her ex-boyfriend. However, Jackson turned down the offer to direct.[1]

### *Jean Batten*

Jackson at one point optioned the [film rights](/source/Film_rights) for the biography of the famous [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand) aviator, *[Jean Batten](/source/Jean_Batten): The Garbo of the Skies*.[1]

### *The World Is Not Enough*

Main article: [The World Is Not Enough](/source/The_World_Is_Not_Enough)

Jackson was offered to direct the [James Bond](/source/James_Bond) film *[The World Is Not Enough](/source/The_World_Is_Not_Enough)* (1999), but [Barbara Broccoli](/source/Barbara_Broccoli) lost interest after a screening of his film *[The Frighteners](/source/The_Frighteners)* (1996).[8]

### *The True Story of John/Joan*

In 1999, it was reported in *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))* that among the projects in development at [Good Machine](/source/Good_Machine) was *The True Story of John/Joan*, set to be directed by Jackson from a script by [Fran Walsh](/source/Fran_Walsh).[9] It was adapted from [John Colapinto](/source/John_Colapinto)'s *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)* story of the same name about Canadian man [David Reimer](/source/David_Reimer) whose childhood was spent living as a girl after a botched circumcision as a baby. Colapinto later wrote a book-length account on Reimer, *[As Nature Made Him](/source/As_Nature_Made_Him)*.[1][10]

## 2000s

### *Halo*

Main article: [Halo (franchise) § Unproduced feature](/source/Halo_(franchise)#Unproduced_feature)

### *Temeraire*

In 2006, *[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter)* announced that Jackson optioned the film rights to [Naomi Novik](/source/Naomi_Novik)'s *[Temeraire](/source/Temeraire_(series))* series. "[It's] a terrific meld of two genres that I particularly love—fantasy and historical epic," Jackson said at the time.[11] In a 2009 interview with [IGN](/source/IGN), Jackson stated that he was considering adapting the novels in the form of a [miniseries](/source/Miniseries) instead. "With six books, I really don't like the idea of making a big-budget movie of the first book and it not doing well at the box office and suddenly that's the end of the series."[12]

## 2010s

### *King Kong* prequel

Main article: [King Kong (2005 film) § Cancelled sequel and reboot](/source/King_Kong_(2005_film)#Cancelled_sequel_and_reboot)

### *The Adventures of Tintin* sequels

Main article: [The Adventures of Tintin (film) § Proposed sequels](/source/The_Adventures_of_Tintin_(film)#Proposed_sequels)

### Untitled New Zealand-set film

While promoting *[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies](/source/The_Hobbit%3A_The_Battle_of_the_Five_Armies)* (2014), Jackson revealed to several news publications that before embarking on directing the *[Adventures of Tintin](/source/The_Adventures_of_Tintin_(film))* sequel, he wanted to return to his roots and make a new film set in [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand) first. He stated that he and [Fran Walsh](/source/Fran_Walsh) were in the process of adapting several true stories about their native country that would be "similar in tone and scope" to *[Heavenly Creatures](/source/Heavenly_Creatures)* (1994). "We really want to do something now that's connected with where we live rather than something that's a [Hollywood](/source/Cinema_of_the_United_States) thing," said Jackson. No further details were disclosed.[13][14] In 2016, [Steven Spielberg](/source/Steven_Spielberg) revealed that a "secret" new film directed by Jackson was in development at [Amblin Entertainment](/source/Amblin_Entertainment).[10]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Unrealized_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Unrealized_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Unrealized_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Unrealized_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Unrealized_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Unrealized_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Unrealized_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Unrealized_1-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-Unrealized_1-8) ["Jackson's ones that got away"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/ichatterboxi-jacksons-ones-that-got-away/UPPKMXA7OR5XIEOHBID4EJ4VPQ/). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. December 9, 2003. Retrieved September 27, 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Unrealized2_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Unrealized2_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Unrealized2_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Unrealized2_2-3) Harrison, Mark (June 11, 2020). ["The unproduced film projects of Peter Jackson"](https://filmstories.co.uk/features/the-unproduced-film-projects-of-peter-jackson/). *Film Stories*. Retrieved September 27, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Fleming, Michael (January 17, 2024). ["Peter Jackson's A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Lover \[Script to Pieces\]"](https://variety.com/2008/digital/features/gore-verbinski-to-direct-bioshock-1117985365/). *Wicked Horror*. Retrieved April 12, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** JoBlo Horror Originals (July 30, 2021). ["PETER JACKSON'S ELM STREET PART 6 - WTF Happened to this Unmade Horror Movie"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihQFsWgdlHw). *[YouTube](/source/YouTube)*. Retrieved April 12, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Eisenberg, Adam (January 10, 2022). ["Randall William Cook: An Oscar Winner's Journey from Harryhausen to Hobbits"](https://www.vfxvoice.com/randall-william-cook-an-oscar-winners-journey-from-harryhausen-to-hobbits/). *VFX Voice*. Retrieved September 27, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Davis, Maddie (January 30, 2023). ["Before King Kong, Peter Jackson Nearly Remade Another Iconic Monster Movie"](https://www.cbr.com/peter-jackson-turned-down-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-remake/). *[Comic Book Resources](/source/Comic_Book_Resources)*. Retrieved September 29, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Boyle, Michael (December 29, 2022). ["George Miller, Peter Jackson, And Diane Keaton Were Early Contenders To Direct Meet The Robinsons \[Exclusive\]"](https://www.slashfilm.com/1151887/george-miller-peter-jackson-and-diane-keaton-were-early-contenders-to-direct-meet-the-robinsons-exclusive/). *[/Film](/source/%2FFilm)*. Retrieved February 14, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Brian Sibley](/source/Brian_Sibley) (2006). *Peter Jackson: A Film-maker's Journey*. London: [HarperCollins](/source/HarperCollins). pp. 397–8. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-00-717558-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-00-717558-2).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Cox, Dan (May 17, 1999). ["Good Machine puts slate in gear"](https://variety.com/1999/more/news/good-machine-puts-slate-in-gear-1117502137/). *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. Retrieved January 24, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Next_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Next_10-1) ["Steven Spielberg reveals Peter Jackson's next movie won't be Tintin"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/steven-spielberg-reveals-peter-jacksons-next-movie-wont-be-tintin/QHDBQA627LODZ2MDCEUAAJGRDE/). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. June 29, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Kit, Borys (September 12, 2006). ["Lord of fantasy: Jackson eyeing 'Temeraire'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071014212618/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003120747). *[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003120747) on October 14, 2007. Retrieved February 8, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Monfette, Christopher (24 July 2009). ["SDCC 09: Peter Jackson Updates IGN"](https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/24/sdcc-09-peter-jackson-updates-ign). *[IGN](/source/IGN)*. Retrieved 23 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Suskind, Alex (December 4, 2014). ["'No Regrets': Peter Jackson Says Goodbye to Middle-Earth"](https://www.thedailybeast.com/no-regrets-peter-jackson-says-goodbye-to-middle-earth/). *[The Daily Beast](/source/The_Daily_Beast)*. Retrieved October 29, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Lang, Brent; Gray, Tim (December 16, 2014). ["Peter Jackson on the End of His Middle Earth Odyssey"](https://variety.com/2014/film/news/the-hobbit-peter-jackson-the-lord-of-the-rings-1201380146/). *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. Retrieved October 29, 2024.

v t e Peter Jackson Films directed Bad Taste (1987) Meet the Feebles (1989) Braindead (1992) Heavenly Creatures (1994) Forgotten Silver (1995) The Frighteners (1996) The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) King Kong (2005) The Lovely Bones (2009) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) Documentaries They Shall Not Grow Old (2018) The Beatles: Get Back (2021) Music videos "Now and Then" (2023) Short films The Valley (1976) Crossing the Line (2008) Produced only Valley of the Stereos (1992) Jack Brown Genius (1996, also writer) District 9 (2009) The Adventures of Tintin (2011) West of Memphis (2012) Mortal Engines (2018, also writer) Companies WingNut Films Wētā Workshop Wētā FX Park Road Post Related Unrealized projects The Lord of the Rings (film series) The Hobbit (film series) Interpretation of The Lord of the Rings

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Peter Jackson's unrealized projects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Jackson's_unrealized_projects) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Jackson's_unrealized_projects?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.