Studio:
20th Century Fox.
Production Company:
1492 Productions.
Project Phase: Development Hell.
Who's In It:
Unknown.
Who's Making It:
J.M. DeMatteis (Screenwriter); Chris Columbus, Ben Myron (Producers); based on the Marvel Comic character created by
Stan Lee and Bill Everett.
Premise: Fate deals young orphan Matt Murdock a strange hand when he is doused with radioactive waste. The accident leaves Matt blind but also gives him a heightened "radar sense" that allows him to "see" far better than any man. Years later Murdock has grown into a man and becomes a respected criminal attorney. But after he's done his "day job" Matt takes on a secret identity as "The Man Without Fear," -- Daredevil, the masked avenger that patrols the neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen and New York City to combat the injustice that he cannot tackle in the courtroom.
Release Date: Unknown.
Comments: The popularity of the Daredevil comic hit the roof when noted artist/writer Frank Miller came on-board the title in the early 80's, giving the character a new, grittier focus. Since Miller's re-invention of the Daredevil mythos, rights for the comic book have floated around Hollywood but each and every time plans for the movie adaptation never came through.
However, Daredevil fans remain ever vigilant. The character still remains popular and interest in seeing a big budget feature hasn't waned one iota.
Rumors: Unknown.
Scoop Feedback:
[Page draft submitted by 'Widgett'.]
November 3, 1997... The project has had director Carlo Carlei attached to it for months now. The storyline may feature Elektra (probably depending on whether or not she can get her own project off the ground with Oliver Stone's production company.) There's been no confirmed word as to who is actually writing the screenplay -- Chris Columbus' name turns up more than any other, but comic scribe J.M. DeMatteis has been mentioned as well. [Radioactive scoop provided by 'Widgett'.]
November 11, 1997... Marvel Vision magazine lists DeMatteis as the project's current screenwriter, so it has to be true! [Scoop sent in by 'Eric-Man', Wendy C. and anonymously. Additional help by Sydney, Stephen Davidson, 'mbe1300n', Jeb and anonymously.]
January 12, 1998... We're going to post this because it appears a bad rumor has been making the rounds lately: Kevin Smith is not writing the Daredevil movie. The treatment for the latest effort is indeed by J.M. DeMatties, and it features Elektra and Kingpin in it. More than that we don't know, because although it's been sitting around the office, we haven't had time to read it yet! [Alert issued by 'Narcolepsy'.]
April 14, 1998... Still a project held-up due to ongoing complications concerning the property's legal rights, the recent Marvel Comics financial woes haven't helped a studio commit to the pic just yet. Warner Bros. have a first-look deal with the duo who own the property, Tony Ludwig and Alan Riche (who also produced Mousehunt and the developing Deep Blue Sea feature, and who are also developing features based on the 70s' TV series The Man From Atlantis and Starsky and Hutch.) Our last deep cover transmission from 'Mr. Clark' revealed that the J.M. DeMatteis treatment was being considered (Elektra and Kingpin are in this version.) 'Clark' also scored some inside scuttlebutt: Warners considers Daredevil a priority project -- while a development exec at Radiant Pictures (director Wolfgang Peterson's company) said he would dearly love for Peterson to be involved. [Transmission sent by 'Mr. Clark'.]
April 16, 1998... "Just a thought ... why would Marvel let Warner Brothers (owners of their rival DC comics) do a picture based on a Marvel comic character?" [Anonymous.]
May 2, 1998... An anonymous scooper told us they heard Kevin Smith's name could be connected to this project in the near future along with Robert Rodriguez. The scooper could not reach Smith for confirmation and so forwards this information as only a rumor for the time being. Smith is working on Dogma right now and will take over the Marvel Comics' Daredevil writing chores this fall for six issues. [Anonymous.]
May 12, 1998... Rumor has it that this project could be in the setting-up stages over at Disney, and we've been told by our man-in-the-know that someone named Matt really, really wants to play the Matt in the film. Which Matt are we talking about? Here's a hint: think 'Oscar-winning screenplay for 1998' and you'll be smoking hot. [Scooped by our buddies over at ZENtertainment.]
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