David Leitch's unrealized projects
The following is a list of unproduced David Leitch projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American filmmaker David Leitch has worked on several projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell in development hell, were officially canceled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.
2010s
[edit]Rain TV series
[edit]On August 18, 2014, Leitch was set to executive produce Rain, the television series adaptation of Barry Eisler’s John Rain action thriller book series, with Eisler, Chad Stahelski, and Keanu Reeves executive producing with Slingshot Global Media, and Reeves set to lead the series.[1]
Cowboy Ninja Viking film
[edit]On January 29, 2015, Leitch and Chad Stahelski were set to co-direct the feature film adaptation of A.J. Lieberman and Riley Rossmo’s graphic novel Cowboy Ninja Viking with Chris Pratt set to lead the film, Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese co-writing the screenplay and producing with Mark Gordon, Guymon Casady and Ben Forkner, and Universal Pictures distributing the film.[2] But on January 31, 2018, the duo were ultimately replaced by Michelle MacLaren as the director.[3]
Medieval
[edit]On February 20, 2015, Leitch and Chad Stahelski were set to co-direct the action film Medieval, with Michael Finch and Alex Litvak writing the script and Neal H. Moritz producing the film for Columbia Pictures,[4] after Rob Cohen's attempt to make the movie failed at 20th Century Fox & New Regency.[5]
Bloodshot film
[edit]On April 21, 2015, Leitch was set to co-direct with Chad Stahelski the superhero film Bloodshot with Jeff Wadlow and Eric Heisserer writing the script and Neal H. Moritz, Valiant Comics COO Dinesh Shamdasani & DMG Media producing the film for Columbia Pictures.[6] But on March 5, 2017, David S. F. Wilson was hired to direct the movie.[7][8]
Enter the Dragon remake/sequel
[edit]On July 23, 2018, Leitch was in talks to direct the remake of Robert Clouse’s martial arts film Enter the Dragon with Warner Bros. handling distribution,[9] but on April 22, 2019, it was reported to be a sequel to the martial arts classic, rather than a remake/reiteration of the Bruce Lee classic.[10]
Undying Love film
[edit]Friday Black film
[edit]On February 20, 2019, Leitch was set to produce the feature film adaptation of Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s Friday Black short story collection with Adjei-Brenyah writing the screenplay & executive producing in collaboration with 87North & Universal Pictures handling distribution.[11]
Versus
[edit]On August 1, 2019, Leitch was set to produce the action thriller Versus, with Michael Finch and Alex Litvak writing the script and Kelly McCormick producing the film with Litvak & Finch for Universal Pictures,[12] and in October that same year, Jeremy Rush was confirmed to direct the film.[13]
2020s
[edit]Kung Fu film
[edit]On January 21, 2020, Leitch was set to direct and executive produce the feature film adaptation of Ed Spielman’s martial arts television series Kung Fu with Spielman executive producing with 87North’s Kelly McCormick, Solipsist Films’ Stephen L’Hereaux & Universal Pictures handling distribution.[14] but on January 31, 2024, it was reported that Donnie Yen is starring as the lead, Stephin Chin was hired to write the screenplay and Guy Danella joined the producers.[15]
My Victory at Dakar
[edit]On April 20, 2020, Leitch was set to produce My Victory at Dakar, the sports biopic of motorcyclist Jutta Kleinschmidt, with Greta Heinemann writing the screenplay, and David Kaufmann’s Devonsheer Media producing in collaboration with 87North & Amblin Partners.[16]
My Friend Pedro TV series
[edit]On July 2, 2020, Leitch was set to executive produce the half-hour dramady television series adaptation of Victor Agren’s video game My Friend Pedro, with Derek Kolstad writing and executive producing the series with 87North’s Kelly McCormick, Dmitri M. Johnson’s DJ2 Entertainment, Legendary Television, Stephan Bugaj, Howard Bliss; and Devolver Digital’s Michael S. Wilson.[17]
Hot Air TV miniseries
[edit]On July 15, 2022, Leitch was set to direct & executive produce Hot Air, the television miniseries adaptation of Martyn Gregory’s biography Dirty Trick, with Jon Croker writing the miniseries and Andrew Garfield set to portray Branson & executive producing the miniseries with Croker, 87North’s Kelly McCormick & Daniel Seligmann, Babak Anvari and Lucan Toh’s Two&Two, & StoryFirst’s Michael Grade, Peter Gerwe, & Ivan Dunleavy, and Universal International Studios.[18]
Bang! film
[edit]On August 3, 2022, Leitch was set to direct and executive produce the feature film adaptation of Matt Kindt and Wilfredo Torres’ thriller comic book Bang!, with Kindt & Zak Olkewicz writing the screenplay, Idris Elba attached to star in and produce the movie with Dark Horse Entertainment’s Mike Richardson, Keith Goldberg, and Kelly McCormick through 87North and Netflix will handle distribution.[19]
Red Shirt
[edit]On November 17, 2022, Leitch was set to direct and executive produce Simon Kinberg’s spy thriller pitch Red Shirt, with Channing Tatum attached to star in and produce the movie with Kinberg, Leitch, and Kelly McCormick,[20] and eleven days later, Red Shirt was acquired by Amazon MGM Studios.[21]
Jurassic World: Rebirth
[edit]Button Man TV series
[edit]On May 3, 2024, Leitch was set to executive produce and maybe direct the television series adaptation of John Wagner & Arthur Ranson’s Button Man graphic novel, with Kelly McCormick and Dan Seligmann executive producing through 87North in collaboration with Fifth Season, along with Alex Jackson, Roger Kass, Wagner & Ranson.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ Noonan, Kevin (August 18, 2014). "Keanu Reeves to Star in Action TV Series 'Rain' From Slingshot Global Media". Variety. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (January 29, 2015). "Universal Eyes 'John Wick' Directors for 'Cowboy Ninja Viking' With Chris Pratt (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (January 31, 2018). "Chris Pratt's 'Cowboy Ninja Viking' Taps 'Game of Thrones' Director Michelle MacLaren". Variety. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (February 20, 2015). "Sony, Neal Moritz Going 'Medieval'". Deadline Hollywood. Yahoo!. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (June 9, 2009). "Cohen gets 'Medieval' for New Regency". Variety. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Kit, Borys (April 21, 2015). "'Bloodshot' & 'Harbinger' Ramp Up In 5-Pic Plan Including Crossover 'Harbinger Wars'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Comicon Staff (March 5, 2017). "Reporting Live From Valiant's Road To Harbinger Wars 2 At ECCC! (UPDATED with art)". Comicon.com. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Johnston, Rich (March 5, 2017). "Dave Wilson Is The Director Of The Bloodshot Movie For Sony And Valiant Entertainment (UPDATE – Examples Of Previous Work)". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 23, 2018). "Remake Of Bruce Lee's 'Enter The Dragon' Has 'Deadpool 2's David Leitch In Talks". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 22, 2019). "'Hobbs And Shaw' Director David Leitch & Kelly McCormick Ink First Look Deal With Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 20, 2019). "Universal Takes Rights To Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah's 'Friday Black'; 'Hobbs & Shaw's David Leitch To Produce". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (August 1, 2019). "Universal Lands Action Spec 'Versus' By Alex Litvak & Michael Finch; 'Hobbs & Shaw' Helmer David Leitch & Kelly McCormick Producing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (October 17, 2019). "'Wheelman' Director to Helm 'Versus' From David Leitch, Kelly McCormick (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (January 21, 2020). "'Kung Fu' Movie Remake Set At Universal For 'Hobbs & Shaw' Director David Leitch". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (January 31, 2024). "Donnie Yen To Star In 'Kung Fu' Film Adaptation For Universal Pictures & 87North". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (April 20, 2020). "Amblin, David Leitch and Kelly McCormick Team on Jutta Kleinschmidt Biopic (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Beresford, Trilby (July 2, 2020). "Action Video Game 'My Friend Pedro' Getting TV Adaptation". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 15, 2022). "Andrew Garfield To Star As Richard Branson In 'Hot Air' Limited Series; David Leitch To Direct For Universal Int'l Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (August 3, 2022). "Idris Elba-David Leitch Pic 'Bang!' In Works as Netflix and Dark Horse Entertainment Extend Partnership". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (November 17, 2022). "Hot Package: Channing Tatum Teams With Simon Kinberg And David Leitch On 'Red Shirt'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (November 28, 2022). "Amazon Studios Lands Hot Package 'Red Shirt' From Channing Tatum, David Leitch And Simon Kinberg". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Noonan, Kevin (May 3, 2014). "Fifth Season Sets 'Button Man'; 'The Fall Guy's David Leitch & Kelly McCormick In Talks To Turn Famed John Wagner Graphic Novel Into TV Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2025.