Deep Blue Sea

Genre: Thriller/Science Fiction.

Studio: Warner Brothers.
Production Company: Unknown.

Project Phase: Greenlighted.

Who's In It: Samuel L. Jackson (Russell Franklin); Thomas Jane (Carter Blake); Michael Rapaport (Tom Scoggins); LL Cool J (Dudley); Stellan Skarsgσrd (Dr. Jim Whitlock); Saffron Burrows (Susan McAlester); Deborah Kara Unger (Janice Higgins); Wayne Knight.
Who's Making It: Renny Harlin (Director); Duncan Kennedy, Donna Powers, Wayne Powers (Screenwriters); Bruce Berman, Renny Harlin, Tony Ludwig, Alan Riche, Akiva Goldsman, Duncan Henderson (Producers); Steve Windon (Director of Photography).

Premise: In a search for a cure to degenerative brain diseases, mako sharks are genetically altered and their intelligence is raised to the level of a dolphin...proving you shouldn't mess with mother nature. When the underwater facility where the sharks are kept is flooded, the scientific research team finds themselves cut off from the surface. However, the team members know the facility was designed so the sharks could never escape.

Of course, no one told the sharks that.

Release Date: April 30, 1999.

Comments:

Twenty years after the huge success of Steven Spielberg's Jaws, bigger sharks are all the rage right now in Hollywood. Disney is developing its own ubershark project, Meg, and word from sources inside Universal is that there's been talk of a new Jaws project surfacing like the dreaded fin breaking the water's surface. Warner Brothers also wants to dive into the water and munch on some of that appetizing box office revenue.

The screenplay was originally purchased in July 1995 for a cool $500,000, and if the project gets successfully made the writers net another half-mil. Harlin's looking for an action hit after his last two disappointing outings, Cutthroat Island and The Long Kiss Goodnight.

Rumors: Unknown.

Scoop Feedback:

[Page drafted and submitted by 'Deadpool'.]

February 12, 1998... Word is heard that Renny Harlin will begin shooting Deep Blue Sea in Mexico any day now. We're told Simon Crane (Titanic) is the picture's stunt coordinator. [Thanks to 'riot'.]

March 29, 1998... Bad news for those anticipating this film. An anonymous scooper mailed to us the following email this weekend. The scooper doesn't paint a pretty picture of the pre-production status...let's see if things eventually \ work out.

(To letcha any WB suits in on a little secret: CA gets a regular amount of email from enthusiasts of the Jaws movie who've been telling us they're looking forward to any shark movie coming out soon, whether it be Jaws 5, Meg or this project.)

"After several versions of the script (including one reportedly written by WB brass) the latest is: scientists biogenetically engineer sharks to get chemicals out of their brains that will cure all of human demential. Problem is...the sharks become really large (25 Feet), really intelligent and really aggressive. They herd and eat the humans one by one as they destroy the research facility to the end of getting free into the ocean.

"[The project] is on the verge of being cancelled because the script and the WB money are way out of sync.

"They are scheduled to begin shooting on July 6, 1998 in Rosarita beach (Titantic studio). No sets have been built yet. But - they have hired Walt Conti to build a number of sharks (25 feet long, 13 feet long and smaller) for many millions of dollars.

"They pushed the start of shooting back to July from April due to script problems... like it sucked. Its anybodys guess if they are really going to make it.

"Harlin left for Brazil (formula one race car pic research?) after a large WB Top Brass meeting last week. Duncan Kennedy cancelled all staff meetings. The Prod. Designer, Joseph Bennett is suicidal. The EFX guy, Jeff Okun is being tortured by the studio to produce a budget that they can afford to do. And R. Rondell, the stunt coordinator is MIA." [Submitted anonymously.]

We haven't read the script so we have no idea how well/badly the premise is executed. But one item stands out from the scooper's message: the February 12th scoop named Simon Crane as the stunt coordinator, not R. Rondell.

April 12, 1998... Production has been pushed back again, this time to August '98. [Anonymous.]

And here's a mini-review from someone who's had a chance to read the latest draft:

"It's actually pretty stunning. If they do it properly, it'll easily be the second best shark film ever made. Some GREAT dialogue, some truly stunning action sequences (when the facility sinks, a cook hides in his own gas oven...until the shark bashing against the door accidentally turns on the gas. How he gets out is GREAT fun.) The only criticism is that it takes half an hour to get anything going...a bit like Jurassic Park." [Sent in by 'Mr. Clark'.]

June 10, 1998... We've just been told casting is being conducted in Los Angeles by one Christine Sheaks. Auditioning actors are given this synopsis of the film's storyline: "When a series of accidents plague an anonymous underwater laboratory, a giant experiemental shark is set free to prey on the hapless lab workers." [Anonymous.]

June 23, 1998... Lots to report about this puppy now.

Last month at Cannes a special 'teaser' poster was seen for this film. This poster was made to whet the interest of film buyers and not for the general public. The poster was of...a fin poking out of the water -- oooo. Filming is scheduled to take place in Rosarito, CA. [Thanks to Liam for doin' the French thingy for us.]

Then, out of the blue a new scooper told us that Wayne Knight (Jurassic Park, Seinfeld) has landed a role in this one. ['Lunar Ecliptomaniac'.]

An interesting rumor was told anonymously to us. Someone wrote to us that the script features just 8 main characters only and no secondary parts. Each of the eight characters start to get killed off one by one by the revved-up sharks. [Anonymous.]

We tried digging but we encounted a high amount of secrecy being put into the pre-production of this film. It's been hard obtaining information about what sets are being constructed right now, who's starring in it, and who the other crew members are.

Then this past Sunday our first big break arrived:

"Latest script has been written by all new writers under the guidence of R.Harlin and A. Goldsman. Its marginally better but more re-writes are going on.

"The start of filming is set at Aug. 3rd. 'No matter what.'

"Casting is going on. No green light is in sight, but what does that matter.

"The core group (Director, DP, etc.) are screening all kinds of films to see whats been done and get tips on looks etc. They just watched Jaws and are pretty excited by what they did/didn't do, and the effect it had on the audience.

"R.A.Rondell is the stunt guy. David Ellis is 2nd unit director. Steve Windon is DP (Postman).

"Producers are: Bruce Berman (Village Roadshow), R.Harlin, Tony Ludwig & Alan Riche, Akiva Goldsman & Duncan Henderson.

"Sharks are being built by Walt Conti (25 foot and 13 1/2 foot sharks). Sets are being built even though who knows which ones are really in the film. Prod. Designer J.Bennett has left the show after 'Creative Differences' and a new guy is all ready on board.

"Don't look for huge visual effects on this one as the budgets is continually shrinking - now less than 3% of the films budget I hear. Centropolis has offered to do them for cost - whatever that means?

"It could be a good film and it could be a real bomb - its all in the details."

We're running with that scooper's information until something else that differs from it comes along. [Anonymous.]

Another source came through for us and reported that Christine Sheaks is casting for the film. [Anonymous.]

July 26, 1998... LL Cool J has had to cut short his tour so he can star in Deep Blue Sea. The rapper (known to his family and friends as Todd, not LL) returned to L.A., took a week to prepare for the role with an acting coach, and then flew down to Mexico. He's expected to be on-set for 14 weeks. [Sent in by 'Nickytosh'.]

July 28, 1998... We've just been told the producers are thinking about dropping the film's present title in favor of something else. [Our 'Big Man From Big B.A.' would make a good diving instructor, we're sure.]

And while plugging his new flick Halloween: H20 on Monday's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, LL Cool J spoke briefly about Deep Blue Sea. The rapper described the picture for Leno's audience. "You remember that part in Titanic where all the water's rushing down the hallway. Yeah, well, picture that with sharks..." He also mentioned that his character was a chef. [Must See TV 'dAWsoN'.]

August 4, 1998... While speaking to Cindy Pearlman of the Chicago Sun-Times, Samuel L. Jackson may have made a blunder or spilled a secret; either way we'll tell you what it was he said. Jackson confirmed DBS's storyline was about genetically enhanced sharks with dolphin-like intelligence...and are the size of whales. As our scooper said to CA "The first part of the story we all know but the admission of the sharks' size really surprised me." Ditto for us. Either it's a mistake or else...? [Again thanks must be given to CA's Dive Instructor, 'The Big Man From The Big B.A.', who advises 'He who carries a big spear gun lives to swim another day.']

September 20, 1998... Finnish tabloid "Ilta-Sanomat" published a story on September 19th a large feature of the shooting of Renny Harlin's Deep Blue Sea at Rosarito, with the reporter visiting the set and doing interviews with Harlin. Some more details were revealed:

• The plot conserns scientists who are trying to find a cure for Alzheimer's by using samples from the brain matter of genetically engineered sharks. The sharks are given hormones to increase the size of their brains, but the sharks get too smart and try to break out of their underwater laboratory. Glass windows break and people run for cover...
• At one point there is a scene (6 minutes long) in an oceanic lab called "Aquatica" where they try to extract a sample from a shark's brain; the large shark, frustrated by his small pool, doesn't much care for this and things go haywire.
• They spent 8 months building three 1000 horse power, 4000 kilos heavy and 7 meters long mechanical sharks, which can be controlled with computers and joysticks. Harlin says the technology has been working great with no real problems.
• The movie is scary but not that bloody. Guns are used only once in the flick and there are no chases or killing of people, but there are storms, plane crashes and plenty of other Harlin-style elements.
• The project is ahead of schedule and slightly under budget. The movie crew employs 400 people.
• Harlin has been involved in the project for a year now, and also has been participating in the construction process of the sharks. Set building commenced in Jan. '98 and shooting started in August, due to finish in November. After that it's to the cutting room and to compose the music (Harlin will work together with the composer), and the movie is set to be completed in May '99.
• Harlin's native country Finland is again present in his movie, in the form of the Finnish national flag, Finlandia vodka and Finnish-made compass gear.
• Harlin has no qualms of people comparing his film with Jaws, instead he says that he'd be pleased if DBS did as well as Spielberg's classic and that every story has already been told. Harlin also laughs that the dollars spent on Titanic still smell on the set... [Scoop provided by 'pasi.ilola' and 'shrine'.]

"I just caught the teaser trailer for Deep Blue Sea. Since I have been closely following the production of this film since it first gained a page on your website, I have been eagerly anticipating its release. I am a huge fan of shark movies, and can not wait until this movie, along with Disney's Megalodon comes out. Maybe it will successfully convince Universal to make the 5th JAWS. Anyway, here is a description of the teaser:

• The song Amazing Grace is playing as a helicopter flies over the ocean into what a large compound alone in the middle of the ocean.

• Close up of the compound, with a guard patrolling and fences all around. Narrow walkways (docks) with water everywhere else.

• Shot of a man in full scuba gear diving through the open floor in a control room into the water

• 'BLACK SCREEN: From the director of Cliffhanger and Die Hard 2'

• Shot of Samuel L Jackson looking into something where the camera is placed

• Shot of Deborah Unger looking wet and terrified

• Music gets darker and eerier and a man in scuba gear is in the water that has a Danger sign

• Shot of man, worrily looking forward

• Shot of LL Cool J turning around and looking worried, then scared

• Music changes to action music from Alien Resurrection trailer, also used in Aliens
• Deborah Kara Unger Screaming 'NO' and clutching her face

• Shot of a shark, underwater in shadow

• LL is swimming away from the shark. Samuel L Jackson screams 'Come on' as LL keeps swimming

• Shot of the sharks mouth and teeth (frightening) behind LL

• Cut to Deborah Unger turning around as a SHARK JUMPS OUT OF THE WATER

• Cut to someone jumping out of the water screaming

• Cut to a metal door, bursting open with water and people spewing out

• Cut to dock with people around and water overflowing as the people run away

• Cut to woman slaming a hand down on a device and a building blowing up

• Shot of man taking a rifle and pointing down as a SHARK COMES OUT OF THE WATER WITH JAWS OPEN AND TEETH ALL OVER (Very COOL SHOT, you can almost hear the shark growl

• Water splashes...screen fades to black

"Oh yeah, the teaser says Summer 99 at the end, but other sites list it as sometime in April...cool. Hope you post this...love the site."

[Underwater scoop sent in by a submerged 'Randum'.]

December 8, 1998... "This is not really a scoop...I just wanted to drop a quick note about the preview for Deep Blue Sea. I was amazed to see somebody getting excited about this flick after seeing the trailer. It look AWFUL! I was in a packed house watching Enemy of the State (a very entertaining movie) and the only noise I heard during this preview was groans. I'd bet a pretty penny that this movie is going to be a complete bomb. If anything, it's going to postpone the creation of any new shark movies. [Thought dropped by Joel Yanoivch.]

December 15, 1998... The film's Official web site has gone up at www.deepbluesea.net. WB will be unveiling the site in ten seperate waves (or installments, as the web site describes the process). Production storyboards, stills from the movie and interviews with the crew and cast members will be rotated over the coming months. Right now there's some storyboard sketches and an i-view with director Renny Harlin avaliable on the site. [Thanks to David for the shark bait recommendations.]

January 5, 1999... The official writing credits as determined by the Writer's Guild of America are now known. Duncan Kennedy, Donna Powers and Wayne Powers are the ones receiving full credit for DBS. As well, a heap of character names have been posted for the actors' roles. [Anonymous.]

An interview with Stellan Skarsgσrd in the Swedish magazine Cafe (#9/98), the piece supports some of the info already posted, but adds some new factoids. Cafe conducted the interview with Skarsgσrd on the set and the piece talks mostly about his Hollywood career (our reader says it's not a very common occurance for any Swedish actors to make it in Hollywood). What does comes out about the movie is the following:

Skarsgσrd plays scientist Jim Whitlock, called to the compound to aid his former student Dr. Susan McAlester (played by Safforn Burrows). She is trying to find the cure for cancer through genetic experiments on sharks, but something goes wrong (whoa, really?) The sharks mutate, gain the intelligence level of a dolphin and all hell breaks loose.

The slogan for DBS is in the press-info from WB, and quoted in the article: "Researches have been playing God, and now Judgement Day has arrived..." Hmmph. "The shark model is not 'whale-sized,'" our scooper adds, "unless you count killer-whales: 4 metric tonnes is given as info in the article." A SPOILER WARNING is given for the next sentence: swipe to reveal the part of the next sentence that reveals a kep plot point: "At the point of the interview, Skarsgσrd has just 'lost' an arm, and sighs that he hopes to be able to give some life to his character: 'So it doesn't give the impression of having been born 10 minutes before action starts.' However, he resigns to the fact that the main character is the shark." [Scoop sent in by 'RadioRoy'; info originally appeared in Cafe magazine.]

January 7, 1999... "There was a show on Swedish television tonight that featured a rather in depth interview with Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgσrd. There were some cool 'behind the scenes' shots in it. For example, one shot showed a sort of lab set with Skarsgσrd standing next to a huge animatronic shark lying on the lab floor. It looked like a rehearsal. However, the shark itself was sort of blurred out so you couldn't really see the details. I guess it's some Godzilla secrecy type thing.. anyway, you did see glimpses of it though and you saw how it moved. And that was cool! No more Bruce I say! No stiff 'robotic' movements, instead really fast and fluid. At first it just lay there moving the tail back and forth, then suddenly it made a quick bite in the air at Stellan. Oh man, you don't need to be a good actor to react to that.. I think the sharks will look cool. Sometimes animatronics seem to be better than CGI." [Shark bait left by 'newsoft'.]

Official Web Site: www.deepbluesea.net

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