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Paramount Picks Up New Hunchback of Notre Dame Concept

by Alex Billington
July 12, 2010
Source: RiskyBiz

Maybe Alice in Wonderland was too much of a success, as this is what we get in return, more of these classic Disney fairtales "reimagined" as dark, epic thrillers. Yes, I know it's based on a Victor Hugo's original novel, but I have yet to be impressed with one of these pitches. RiskyBiz reports that Paramount picked up a pitch from rookie screenwriters Willie Block and Jake Emanuel that is a high concept action-adventure pitch which mixes original ideas with the framework of the traditional The Hunchback of Notre Dame story. Obviously Pirates of the Caribbean comparisons are being made, but the actual plot is being kept a secret.

Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, best known for producing Transformers and G.I. Joe, is developing the project at Paramount. Screenwriters Block and Emanuel first gained recognition in town with an action comedy spec titled Fuck You I Win which has been floating around town, but hasn't made too much progress yet. Victor Hugo's original Hunchback of Notre Dame was published in 1831, although most may remember Disney's animated version of the classic gothic tale, which hit in 1996. This at least sounds like it could be interesting, but I'll have to wait to see who they get to direct and star in this first. We'll keep you updated on the project.

The photo seen above is of Lon Cheney from the silent live-action Hunchback of Notre Dame, produced by Universal Pictures, directed by Wallace Worsley, and released in 1923. Anyone think this could be cool?

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Xerxex

Pirates comparsions? where? Never know...this could surprise us.
http://movies.iconocritic.com peloquin

I'm wondering where you get your information that a script is "floating around town". Do you have some contacts out in Lala Land that are agents or writers? ...it's impressive how well informed you are about projects that I've never even heard of which is why I'm such a loyal fan of the site.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

^ Peloquin... That was actually from the RiskyBiz article. It said: "Block and Emanuel first got career traction off their action-comedy spec Fuck You I Win, which had been circulating around town." If they're selling big scripts to big studios for big money all based on a script that hasn't even been produced, I'm certain that first script is "floating around town" and getting them these jobs.
Eli

if people are in the habit of throwing around ideas in hollywood that aren't even fully produced scripts then I should be there right now. Yeah, I only recently started to admire Tim Burton's handywork. He and Depp are quite a pair. AIW didn't blow me away, and neither did CATCF. I mentioned them because you mentioned about disney flicks being remade and all. Hunchback is something I honestly thought was dead, but I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. In great hopes that no one up there reads this, I wonder what would happen if the Mad Hatter and Willy Wonka met. That'd be a whole lot of bongs passin around. And the influence it would have on Charlie and Alice.
Xerxex

Peloquin: 0 Alex: 1 joking, I agree with you peloquin, its not easy to find a film website that is actually well informed, hell I was only using IMDb.com for my film seeking, until luckily I stumbled upon FS.net. All because I wanted to see the "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay" redband.