After a 2003 adaptation of Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s graphic novel failed to launch a hoped-for franchise — and a 2013 TV series never made it past the pilot stage — 20th Century Fox is once again tackling The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
Shane West and Sean Connery starred as Tom Sawyer and Allan Quatermain in 2003’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen adaptation. (Image: YouTube)
Perhaps this version will learn from the mistakes of that earlier big-screen effort, which starred Sean Connery in his final role (arguably putting him off making movies forever). At the very least, it could hardly be worse than the first film, which added American agent Tom Sawyer, as US audiences couldn’t be trusted to know or care about such British literary characters as Captain Nemo, Mina Harker and Dr Jekyll. (“The listless movie adaptation of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen has the sweat stains of wasted energy; it’s dreary, yet frantic,” remarked the New York Times.)
John Davis on board to produce through his Davis Entertainment banner. Jayson Rothwell has been hired to write “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” Ira Napoliello and Matt Reilly are overseeing the remake, based on Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s graphic novel of the same name, centering on Victorian-era literary characters such as Captain Nemo, the Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde teaming to fight a common enemy.
No director or cast has yet been announced.