Top 10 Movies Currently in Development Hell
#10: “District 10”
It’s not often that a director hits it out of the park with their debut feature. Neill Blomkamp did just that with his socio-political science fiction piece “District 9”. The director hinted at a sequel before the film was even released, saying that he’d be interested in making one if the first performed well. To say it did would be an understatement. It was beloved by many, and nominated for four Academy Awards. Despite that, a sequel has yet to be made. Other projects became Blomkamp’s priority, leaving it on the backburner. However, “District 9” lead actor Sharlto Copley affirmed in August, 2022 that the writing process had begun. With Blomkamp having finished “Gran Turismo”, there’s a chance “District 10” could be shot … one day.
#9: “National Treasure 3”
With its fun premise and star-studded cast, it’s no wonder people want more of this action/historical-fiction fusion. The last installment came out in 2007, with a follow-up being planned shortly afterwards. However, there have been several delays, mostly focused on the script and Disney disliking the story - leading to a long cycle of re-writes. Some hopes were reignited when the sequel officially entered into development in 2020, but in 2022, Cage implied that Disney was more focused on the television adaptation. And in March 2024, he said he wouldn’t return for a third film. So “National Treasure 3” might be history.
#8: Janis Joplin Biopic
This singer songwriter’s life is perfect for the silver screen. With Janis Joplin’s dynamic presence and tumultuous personal life, her biopic would be jam-packed with drama and amazing tunes. There are plenty of documentaries about the musician, but a dramatized biography has yet to be made. Several studios have attempted to get one off the ground, with potential actresses including Amy Adams, Zooey Deschanel, and Pink - but to no avail. The most recent version, supposedly starring Michelle Williams, was reported back in 2016 … and there hasn’t been an update since. There may be radio silence, but audiences are still waiting patiently for the Queen of Rock’s story to finally be told.
#7: “Jumanji 4”
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Before the modern series began, fans of the original were skeptical that it would hold up. They were happily proven wrong, with both sequels breathing new life into the franchise. Excitement has been high for a fourth movie, which was teased shortly after the third hit theaters. Dwayne Johnson even hinted at the potential story, fuelling enthusiasm. It was ultimately delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, producer Hiram Garcia has claimed that the work will start up again once director Jake Kasdan has finished making “Red One” - which is slated for release in late 2024. That means that we could be returning to the jungle fairly soon.
#6: “Twilight of the Mallrats”
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While “Mallrats” may not have been a critical or financial hit, its effortless charm helped it accrue a loyal cult following. 20 years after it first came out, Kevin Smith stated that a second one was finally going to be made. There was an immediate buzz, which still remained even after delays were reported. Years passed, and it went through several changes– even nearly becoming a miniseries. However, it still has yet to leave limbo. Fans are also still waiting for the conclusion of Smith’s “True North” trilogy, “Moose Jaws”, which doesn't have an official release date. While the “Mallrats” sequel may not come out for some time, most viewers just seem excited for a new addition to View Askewniverse.
#5: Live-Action “Akira”
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With a beloved story and respected filmmaker at the helm, the hype for this adaptation could be out of this world. The animated original is highly esteemed, and a live-action version would pique the interest of fans and new viewers alike. Warner Bros. Pictures has had the rights for decades, but a litany of issues caused the production to falter early on. Things seemed to turn around when Taika Waititi signed on— but it was abandoned once it came time for him to direct the fourth “Thor” film. While he’s claimed he plans to come back to “Akira” after completing his duties on “Star Wars”, long-time lovers of the anime aren’t holding out too much hope.
#4: “Austin Powers 4”
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It’s one of the most beloved comedic movie series for a reason. Its irreverent style and humor have left an undeniable mark on the satirical spy comedy genre. Even though the last installment was over 20 years ago, demand is still high for another. It’s been teased countless times, with Mike Myers and Jay Roach both confirming that it was being made, albeit slowly. Between personal commitments and various setbacks, it kept being pushed back. The unfortunate passing of Mini-Mi actor Verne Troyer became another factor as well, with Roach implying that it couldn’t be made without him. If “Austin Powers 4” ever sees the light of day, it could serve as a tribute to him– which is just another reason people are still waiting for it to be confirmed.
#3: “Legally Blonde 3”
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The original was the definition of not judging a book by its cover, with its subversive plot carefully wrapped in a bright pink bow. It became a piece of feminist media that has aged well over the years. Reese Witherspoon started negotiations for a third in 2018, with hopes of producing it herself and taking on the starring role once more. Things seemed to be going well, with a release date being set for May 8, 2020. However, that day came and went. It was announced instead that Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor would rewrite the script … but updates just stopped. Amazon revealed in 2023 that a third film is coming though - along with a TV series. Hopefully, they’ll be worth the wait.
#2: Guillermo del Toro’s “At the Mountains of Madness”
There’s no doubt that Guillermo del Toro is an accomplished and incredibly talented auteur, but his list of unfinished projects is almost as long as his actual filmography! One of the most exciting, an adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s classic novella “At the Mountains of Madness”, has been in development hell for decades. He and Universal were at odds over the budget and potential R-rating. It seemed it would die without ever being given a chance– until Netflix stepped in. Del Toro pitched it to the streaming service in 2020. He’s even said that he plans to rework it and make it even weirder— which has only made his supporters even more hopeful.
#1: “Sherlock Holmes 3”
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Robert Downey Jr.’s version of the iconic detective proved to be successful in the box office and with fans. Work began on the threequel shortly after the second was released. The story was finished and the main cast was reconfirmed by 2015, and it seemed that the trailer would drop any day. That day still has yet to come. Rewrites and directorial replacements pushed back the release date, with the last one being in late 2021, before things went dark. The pandemic and other works, such as “Oppenheimer”, ended up taking center stage. Downey Jr. has still expressed his interest in making it– and now that his successful Oscars campaign has ended, “Sherlock Holmes 3” might finally get its moment in the sun.
Which film are you hoping will finally be released from production Hell? Let us know in the comments below.
