The Ranger's Apprentice series was set to be adapted into a film, written and directed by Paul Haggis. There were hopes that, should the films prove successful, there would be potential for a long-running franchise.[1] However, in 2020, John Flanagan confirmed that plans had changed and it is now planned to be a streamed series.
History[]
In 2008, United Artists offered Flanagan a seven-figure deal for the film rights to Ranger's Apprentice. The deal stipulated that Flanagan would have no creative control over the movies, but his relationship with Paul Haggis, the writer and director, meant he would still be involved.[2]
However, later that same year, MGM, which markets and releases UA films, passed on the Ranger's Apprentice project. The film company allegedly "didn’t think the children’s fantasy story justified a $100-million-plus budget."[3]
By 2010, the project was said to be in "limbo" due to MGM’s financial struggles.[4] This was confirmed in a 2013 interview, where Flanagan explained that although the movie had been "very close" to being completed, the finances had dried up, and that the producers were still working on securing funds.[5]
Flanagan later stated in a 2014 Facebook Q&A that the funds for the film had been acquired and that auditions would be held in the summer of 2015, in either Ireland or England.[6]
The screenplay for Ranger's Apprentice was written by Paul Haggis and Alissa Haggis, and completed in 2015, with the project remaining at United Artists.[7]
It's unclear exactly what happened next, but in 2016, it was announced that Dick Cook Studios (DCS) would adapt the film as its first film after a deal with a Chinese company, Film Carnival, for at least $500 million in financing.[8] However, the lack of further news led many to speculate that the funding had been pulled, with some even claiming Film Carnival had gone under. This speculation seemed to be confirmed when DCS later stopped claiming it was supported by Film Carnival, instead stating that it is now funded by a "variety of investors".[9]
In 2019, it was announced that DCS and Warner Bros. would be filming Ranger's Apprentice at Docklands Studios Melbourne, an Australian film and television production complex. The film was expected to begin production in July 2020,[9] but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In September 2020, Flanagan stated in a Polish interview that filming was still planned, and was going to be shot in Victoria once that pandemic was over. However, he added that the plans had changed--the producers didn't think cinema was going to recover quickly, and so decided to instead film a streamed series, which would cover the first two books.[10]
The release date was set to October 22nd, 2021, but that date has now come and gone, with no updates or news as to the progress of this new series. It is now completely undetermined as to if this show will ever be released. Due to previous setbacks, it is possible it will never be completed.
According to the newest information published on January 5th, 2024, plans for the movie were recently revived by Skydance Media. Ted Melfi and his team have been given the task of adapting, directing and producing the movie. Flanagan himself will be the executive producer, but as for now, no further details are known.
Trivia[]
- Paul Haggis said he became interested in the book after picking it up while visiting his elderly father, later reading the story to his nine-year-old son over the summer.[11]
- Following this, Haggis approached United Artists to discuss turning the book into a film.[11]
- Paul Haggis is Canadian.
- Michael Nozik, business partner to Paul Haggis, is said to have been helping produce Ranger's Apprentice.
- The casting director is Elaine Grainger, who also did Criminal and The Hitman's Bodyguard. She also helped cast Inception and Batman Begins.
References[]
- ↑ Former Disney chief to make big-budget fantasy films in Australia at The Sydney Morning Herald
- ↑ Hollywood exceeds an author's fantasy at The Sydney Morning Herald
- ↑ Wagner resigns as chief of UA at The Los Angeles Times
- ↑ Russell Crowe, Paul Haggis eyeing ‘Equalizer’ gig at Hollywood News
- ↑ John Flanagan Q&A: How are plans for the Ranger's Apprentice film coming along? at Youtube
- ↑ Timeline Photos - Ranger's Apprentice at Facebook
- ↑ Alissa Sullivan Haggis at LinkedIn
- ↑ ‘Ranger’s Apprentice’ to Be Adapted as Film, Financed by Chinese Firm at The New York Times
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Former Disney chief to make big-budget fantasy films in Australia at The Sydney Morning Herald
- ↑ Rozmowa z Johnem Flanaganem at Youtube
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Haggis to ink deal with Tom Cruise's company at The Globe and Mail