Genre: Science Fiction.
Studio:
Unknown.
Production Company:
Lightstorm.
Project Phase: Development Hell.
Who's In It:
Unknown.
Who's Making It:
John Sayles (Screenwriter); based upon the Patricia Anthony novel Brother Termite.
Premise: An alien race co-exists with man on Earth, influencing human society.
Release Date: Unknown.
Comments: See Scoop Feedback.
Rumors: Unknown.
Scoop Feedback:
April 1, 1996... James Cameron bought the film rights to Anthony's novel, which concerns aliens stranded on a hostile Earth. Sayles was selected by Cameron because of his previous work on 'fish-out-of-water' alien screenplays, such as The Brother From Another Planet. [Scoop information submitted by 'Shape'; originally reported by Variety.]
July 7, 1998... More than two years have gone by, like sands running through the hourglass that is the days of our liv- er, whatever. What the hell's going on with this project, besides 'no' and 'thing'??
Well, not too much it seems -- but in the May issue of the newsletter Plug there's an interview with Brother Termite author Patricia Anthony. Inbetween talking about how the author believes both herself and James Cameron to be both "obsessive", Anthony revealed the latest rumors about who's shaping the movie right now. Based on the gossip the novelist has heard, she's heard Cameron will exec produce, Sayles will get the screenplay credit and director David Cronenberg (currently finishing up his work on eXistenZ) will direct. Anthony also revealed that the film's producers are not using the title Brother Termite for the screenplay.
Commenting on the speculated crew lineup, our scooper had this to say: "That's a dream team, James Cameron, John Sayles and David Cronenberg." Yup. [Our 'Home Skully' donated the magic words.]
August 11, 1998... Novelist Patricia Anthony tells the Dallas Observer the latest news about the project:
Lightstorm's second option for the film ends in September where either the company will re-option the material again or let it pass. Signs are good Cameron will pick it up again: Lightstorm initially optioned Anthony's novel for 18-months and then picked it up again for another six months. (Also mentioned was the fact Lightstorm payed $30,000 for the rights when the average book option goes for around $5 K.)
John Sayles turned in his final draft back in February and from the earlier draft of Sayles that Anthony read, she was surprised to find out the screenwriter kept her novel's original ending. The author also repeats the Internet rumor about hearing about David Cronenberg possibly directing the film ""But we haven't heard a peep from Lightstorm about that. I can't confirm it," she says. ['Home Skully' has been watching the skies.]
August 18, 1998... Thanks to the efforts of the kind-hearted Dallas Observer online editor we've got a URL so you can read the full Observer piece our August 11th scooper dished to us. The original Anthony piece written by Observer journalist Jimmy Fowler can be accessed at www.dallasobserver.com/1998/061198/feature1-1.html. G'wan. Check it out for yourself 'cuz it's got other neat Anthony tidbits concerning the author's next novel and her connection to the Observer. [Thanks to Scott Kelton Jones at the Observer for the additional information!]
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