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D.J. Caruso Next Directing Jack the Giant Killer

by Alex Billington
January 6, 2009

Remember that classic Jack and the Beanstalk fairytale? Now take that story, make it more "adult," and let Hollywood add some exposition -- that's what Jack the Giant Killer is. As described: "When a princess is kidnapped, a long-standing peace between men and giants becomes threatened, and a young farmer is given an opportunity to lead a dangerous expedition to the giant kingdom to rescue her." Really? This is actually becoming a movie? New Line has hired D.J. Caruso, of Disturbia and Eagle Eye most recently, to direct. The script was written by Mark Bomback, of Deception and the upcoming Race to Witch Mountain.

All this time we were crossing our fingers and hoping that Caruso would be directing Y: The Last Man next. Variety doesn't say whether Jack the Giant Killer is actually his next project or something "in the works" for the future, but I'm guessing this means that Y: The Last Man is not going to be next. We reported a week ago that the comic book adaptation was struggling with its script. While it just seemed like Caruso needed to take a break and find the energy again to finish it, I'm worried Y: The Last Man has been put on the backburner in exchange for Jack the Giant Killer. What do you think about this wacky concept?

Explore tags: Movie News, Opinions

dan

hey! this could be good. i like the more adult fantasy/fairy tale aspect of it. really depends on the script and if they get any serious acting talent. just throwing this out........orlando bloom or j depp as the farmer? i'm interested.
nelson

what is shia gonna be the farmer lol
Vegavega Balrog

Yeah Ray Harryhausen's work deserves a second generation. Next stop: The Valley of Gwangi!!
http://movies.iconocritic.com/ peloquin

Shia's obviously going to play Jack
Jones

Why does this sound so ridiculous to you Alex?
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

I don't know, it just seems so contrived Jones... Why does this sound so entertaining to you?
thefriedone

i read the script and it is great but DJ is not the one to direct it.
http://theojo.com Anthony

Can anyone tell me what the guy in the picture about has up to his eye? Thanks.
midnightlight

I tell you what, this sounds like an excellent idea. Yet, I don't see it as an action flick persay such as a die hard with giants but something dramatized in LOTR type way interwoven with the action sequences. Orlando Bloom would be an excellent pick to be the lead btw. Please, get away from Shia haha
BahHumbug

As long a DJ Caruso stays away from BKV's Y: The Last Man.
Da Man

I think it could be pretty good as long as they focus on Jack being a badass character who kills giants and not make the special effects the entire focal point of the film. We need more badass action heroes, man.
zubzwank

#3, The early 60's Jack the Giant Killer was not done by Ray Harryhausen, although it was openly intended to be an imitation of 7th Voyage, right down to hiring the same guys to play the hero and villain. While it wasn't up to Harryhausen's standards, it is still a nice piece of folklore fantasy, with evil wizards in castles in faraway lands and strange (stop-motion) monsters. There is a horror element, too. Pretty watchable even today. Some remakes work out. Some don't. We'll see.
Terry_b

Jack the Giant Killer was one of my favorite movie when I was a kid. Same kind of movie than Sinbad, Jason and the Argonauts, etc... Even though the original movie would look way to cheesy for today's peeps, I hope they won't screw this up.
hugh

its about time these 60s fantasy classics were remade with todays technology cmon a new sinbad movie next