Genre:
Comic Book Adaptation/Action.
Studio:
Columbia Pictures.
Production Company:
Unknown.
Project Phase:
Development Hell.
Who's In It:
Unknown.
Who's Making It:
John Singleton (Director); Ben Ramsey (Screenwriter); Neal Moritz, Avi Arad (Producers); based on the character owned by Marvel Comics.
Premise:
Framed for a crime he didn't commit, Luke Cage undergoes an experiment while in prison that gives him superhuman strength. He escapes and becomes a mercenary, literally a "hero for hire."
Release Date:
Unknown.
Comments:
None.
Scoop Feedback:
August 7, 2000... This one has been kicking around for at least three years. Originally John Singleton was interested in helming over at Pressman Films. J.D. Zeik was in charge of scribing the flick for them and the project was to land at Universal. Ving Rhames had been rumored to be taking on the role at one point, and another rumor had Singleton directing himself in the role (!). At one point, the character of Cage was rumored to make a cameo in the BLADE movie, which was later debunked. At another point, during the Marvel legal/financial fiascos, the whole
project was stuck in limbo.
Now in a report on Weed Road productions printed last month in Variety, the magazine mentioned in passing that this project now sits at New Line Cinema. Currently, rap star turned actor LL Cool J (DEEP BLUE SEA, the upcoming ROLLERBALL remake) is attached to play the title character. [Info taken from Comics2Film, Variety, BlackSuperhero.com.]
August 31, 2000... Comics2Film did some digging to get a status on this project, which they learned was in the early stages of development. They could not get comment on LL Cool J's involvement, nor rumored director Hype Williams's. But they were told that more info would be available later in the year. Okay, we're waiting.
[Originally appeared in Comics2Film.]
June 27, 2001... Comics2Film wanted to get to the bottom of word that John Singleton was going to sit in the driver's seat for this project. They discovered that New Line apparently isn't doing the flick anymore, and that Marvel and Singleton seem to like each other very much. Other than that, no clue. For more, click here. [Originally appeared at Comics2Film.]
June 5, 2003... Luke Cage has found a home.
Marvel Comics' hero for hire (well, one-half of the team if you also count his sometimes partner Iron Fist) has been optioned by Columbia Pictures, the same studio behind SPIDER-MAN. The project is being developed by Neal Moritz (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS and his Original Films company. Writer Ben Ramsey (LOVE AND A BULLET, THE BIG HIT) will pen the screenplay.
The character of Luke Cage has super-strength and invulnerability, received as a result of a medical experiment while he was incarcerated in prison. Considered one of Marvel's most popular black superheroes, Cage eventually escaped from prison and turned his life around, becoming a hero for his old neighborhood. It's unknown how much of the movie's screenplay will mirror the character's comic book origins.
One interesting factoid: this is the same comic book character where star Nicolas Cage borrowed his surname for his professional name. The star of THE ROCK and WINDTALKERS is a huge comic book fan. [The Hollywood Reporter.]
March 3, 2004... After revving his engine directing 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS, John Singleton is now in discussions to turn Marvel's LUKE CAGE into a movie for Columbia Pictures. Helping Singleton make up his mind are the film's producers, Marvel Studios CEO Avi Arad and Original Films' Neal Moritz. The script is by Ben Ramsey.
LUKE CAGE is about a gang tough who, after being convicted of a crime, volunteers to undergo an experimental procedure to get his sentenced reduced. The experiment leaves Cage with bulletproof skin and superhuman strength and stamina. Using his new abilities, Cage breaks out from prison and goes after the criminals that set him up. The character then went on to become a so-called "Hero For Hire", often teaming up with Iron Fist during adventures in the 1970s.
[The Hollywood Reporter.]
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