Then there is this bit about Christopher McQuarrie. I saw a couple of panels with him this weekend here in Austin at the Screenwriters Conference, and to illustrate that the "norms" are not necessarily the "norms" in regards to the scripting process he sited his next project. First off, he wouldn't say what it was, even when I talked to him about stuff after his panel. He avoided the project's name like the black hand of death itself. In his panel discussion he said that his next project is to DIRECT. Who is McQuarrie? Oh.... just that guy who wrote that cool as hell movie... THE USUAL SUSPECTS. The script for his first directing job is not his. That's right, his first project is the product of a first time screenwriter. The first draft that he turned into the studio was something like 260 pages. Yes, I said 260 pages. As Chris said, there is alot of descriptions and entire paragraphs that describe a second of film. So the typical rule of a minute per page is thrown out. The current draft of this "mystery project" is aroung 220 pages. The initial draft was budgeted at $160 million dollars. EGADS!!! That isn't what it is now. Chris seemed giddy about the project, and his enthusiasm got me salivating. What sort of project would Chris be given the reigns to, from a first time writer, that was budgeted so high? I made some inquiries at some agencies I know of that I have spies placed in. Guess what. I got an answer. ALEXANDER THE GREAT!!!!
Now if that project doesn't completely make you go COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL, then go read a history book on him NOW!!!! There is so much rich material here that can be used. I use to fantasize films about him in Western Civilization classes. Richard Burton's portrayl was lacking quite a bit in my opinion. This is a big forward step for Chris, and demonstrates how down the earth he is. Most first time directors, that got their start as writers, demand to write and direct, case in point: Hensleigh on Universal's THE HULK. Here we have a writer which obviously has his ego in check. Hey Hensleigh & Universal: Give Michael France's Script for THE HULK a reread, it's fantastic. By the way, as you have probably guessed, I'm dying to read this, especially the really long version. Hint Hint.
