Clive Barker's unrealized projects
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The following is a list of unproduced Clive Barker projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, British artist Clive Barker 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.
1990s
=''The Mummy'' remake=
In the early 1990’s, it was announced that Barker would write and direct a remake of The Mummy for Universal Pictures with Mick Garris set co-write the remake with Barker, but that iteration was canceled and eventually became the 1999 film with Brendan Fraser.{{cite news|first=John|last=Squires|title=George Romero and Clive Barker Almost Directed 'The Mummy' Remakes in the 90s|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3441008/george-romero-clive-barker-almost-directed-mummy-remakes-90s/|date=June 8, 2017|website=Bloody Disgusting|access-date=April 19, 2023}}
=''The Thief of Always'' film=
On February 13, 1994, Paramount Pictures and The Kennedy/Marshall Company were set to produce an animated film adaptation of Barker's The Thief of Always in a collaboration with Nelvana Communications.{{cite news|first=Michael|last=Fleming|title=Par fills 'Cupboard'|url=https://variety.com/1994/film/news/par-fills-cupboard-118295/|date=February 13, 1994|website=Variety|access-date=November 28, 2023}} On March 26, 1997, Universal Pictures was set to produce a live-action film adaptation with Bernard Rose attached to write and direct the movie adaptation.{{cite news|first=Dan|last=Cox|title=Barker, Rose team for U's kidpic 'Thief'|url=https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/barker-rose-team-for-u-s-kidpic-thief-1117342206/|date=March 26, 1997|website=Variety|access-date=December 11, 2023}} In the 2000's, Universal Pictures was set to produce a CGI-animated film adaptation.{{cite news|first=Bill|last=Higgens|title=Mouse catches Barker|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/mouse-catches-barker-1117780664/|date=April 17, 2000|website=Variety|access-date=November 28, 2023}} But on February 7, 2006, 20th Century Fox acquired the rights and Kelly Asbury was hired to write and direct the live-action film adaptation with Barker producing through his Seraphim Films,{{cite news|first=Scott|last=Weinberg|title="SHREK" HELMER CATCHES BARKER'S "THIEF"|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/shrek-helmer-catches-barkers-thief/|date=February 7, 2006|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=November 28, 2023}} until Barker confirmed that Oliver Parker would direct a live-action feature film adaptation with David Barron producing without a major studio.{{cite news|first=Christina|last=Radish|title='Books of Blood': Clive Barker & Director Brannon Braga on Bringing Horror to Hulu|url=https://collider.com/clive-barker-books-of-blood-interview-hulu/|date=October 14, 2020|website=Collider|access-date=November 28, 2023}}
In the years following these developments, there continued to be interest in bringing The Thief of Always to the screen in various forms. In 2010, there were discussions about creating a mini-series that would explore the story’s themes in greater depth, aiming for a more mature and comprehensive adaptation. A year later, several screenwriters pitched new takes on the story, envisioning a blend of live-action with innovative special effects to bring Barker's fantastical elements to life.
By 2015, the discussions reignited with a focus on streaming platforms looking to adapt literary works. The Thief of Always emerged as a prime candidate due to its rich narrativers, The Thief of Always continued to hold a special place in the hearts of both fans and filmmakers, ensuring that the story of Harvey Swick and his adventures would likely someday find a new life on screen.
2000s
=''The Books of Abarat'' film=
On April 15, 2000, The Walt Disney Company acquired the rights to adapt Barker's The Books of Abarat,{{cite news|first=Ryan|last=Scott|title=Disney to Pay $8 Million for Fantasy Series|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-15-fi-19742-story.html|date=April 15, 2000|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 24, 2023}}{{cite news|first=Bill|last=Higgens|title=Mouse catches Barker|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/mouse-catches-barker-1117780664/|date=April 17, 2000|website=Variety|access-date=November 28, 2023}} but in 2006, Barker revealed that the film adaptation failed at Disney.{{cite news|author1=Phil Stokes|author2=Sarah Stokes|title=Sowing The Seeds Of The Story Tree|url=https://www.clivebarker.info/intsrevel14.html|website=CliveBarker.info|access-date=October 24, 2023}}
=''The Damnation Game'' film=
{{Main|The Damnation Game (novel)#Film adaptation}}
=''Myths Over Miami'' film=
The rights to the 1997 article Myths Over Miami, written by Lynda Edwards, were bought by Disney in 2000. Clive Barker was the producer and the one behind the deal.[https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/how-a-1997-new-times-feature-on-homeless-kids-folklore-exploded-the-internet-6551125 How a 1997 New Times Feature on Homeless Kids' Folklore Exploded the Internet]
=''Ectokid''=
{{Main|Ectokid#Other_media}}
=''Halloween vs. Hellraiser'' film=
In 2002, Doug Bradley revealed on a Your Move Magazine interview that Barker would write the screenplay for Halloween vs. Hellraiser, with John Carpenter set to direct, but producer Moustapha Akkad vehemently opposed to the idea.{{cite news|first=Ryan|last=Scott|title=Halloween Vs. Hellraiser Movie Almost Happened with John Carpenter|url=https://movieweb.com/halloween-vs-hellraiser-crossover-why-it-didnt-happen/|date=November 9, 2016|website=MovieWeb|access-date=October 24, 2023}}{{cite news|first=Jack|last=Beresford|title=Michael Myers vs Pinhead: The Hellraiser/Halloween Crossover That Never Was|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/michael-myers-vs-pinhead-the-hellraiser-halloween-crossover-that-never-was/|date=October 22, 2020|website=Den of Geek|access-date=October 24, 2023}}{{cite news|author=JoBlo Horror Originals|title=Hellraiser vs Halloween: Why It Went Unmade|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_H_kUQ_8Hs&list=PLyvkHUyUk0s21gKjngiTBsJ-d8i6JxXhs&index=6|date=April 24, 2013|website=YouTube|access-date=October 24, 2023}}
=''Demonik'' video game/film=
On May 19, 2005, it was announced that Barker would write the video game Demonik, a horror-action video game for Majesco Entertainment and Terminal Reality, as well as write and direct the feature film adaptation.{{cite news|first=Tor|last=Thorsen|title=Clive Barker and John Woo get Demonik|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/clive-barker-and-john-woo-get-demonik/1100-6123865/|date=May 19, 2005|website=GameSpot|access-date=April 19, 2023}} But the game was rejected by Majesco.{{cite news|first=Tor|last=Thorsen|title=5 Cancelled Horror Games We Wish Were Made|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3410790/5-cancelled-horror-games-wish-made/|date=May 19, 2016|website=Bloody Disgusting|access-date=April 19, 2023}} On April 24, 2013, the trailer to the video game was uploaded onto the YouTube channel Player’s Mind and on GameSpot in 2019.{{cite news|author=Player’s Mind|title=Cancelled Video Game: Clive Barker's Demonik (Trailer)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWG6sNRJSxU|date=April 24, 2013|website=YouTube|access-date=April 19, 2023}}{{cite news|author=GameSpot Staff|title=Demonik Official Trailer 1|url=https://www.gamespot.com/videos/demonik-official-trailer-1/2300-6123857/|date=May 5, 2019|website=GameSpot|access-date=April 19, 2023}}
=''Edgar Allan Poe'' ghost YA film=
On November 30, 2006, it was announced that Barker would write a YA movie centered around the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe, and produce it along with Seraphim Films Anthony DiBlasi and Joseph Daley and Walden Media.{{cite news|first=Nicole|last=Sperling|title=Barker pairs with Walden for Poe thrills|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/barker-pairs-walden-poe-thrills-144691/|date=November 30, 2006|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=April 19, 2023}}
=''Born''=
In 2007, it was announced that Barker would be an executive producer of Born, a live action and stop-motion film with Daniel Simpson attached to direct from a script by Barker and Paul Kaye, as well as Guillermo del Toro, Lawrence Gordon and Lloyd Levin involved as producers, Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany were set to star as husband and pregnant wife move, whose lives are shattered when the husband's Claymation cartoons start to come to life and reenact his nightmares, and The Chiodo Brothers, known for Killer Klowns from Outer Space, were set to create the animation.{{cite news|first=Marc|last=Graser|title=Connelly, Bettany to star in 'Born'|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/connelly-bettany-to-star-in-born-2-1117966723/|date=June 11, 2007|website=Variety|access-date=April 19, 2023}}
=''Jericho'' video game sequel=
{{main article|Clive_Barker%27s_Jericho#Cancelled_sequel}}
=''Down, Satan!''=
In 2008 it was reported that Barker's four page short-story Down, Satan! from The Books of Blood was being adapted into a movie. The script was written by Christopher Monfette for Barker's production company, Seraphim.[https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/03/barkers-satan-down-with-ign Barker's Satan Down With IGN]
=''Hotel'' TV series=
On August 13, 2009, it was announced that Barker would be an executive producer of the television series Hotel from writing duo Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton, and McG's company Wonderland Sound and Vision producing the series with Warner Bros. Television.{{cite news|first=Brian|last=Warmoth|title=Clive Barker Teaming With 'Saw' Writers For 'Hotel'|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/lslaiq/clive-barker-teaming-with-saw-writers-for-hotel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220053915/https://www.mtv.com/news/lslaiq/clive-barker-teaming-with-saw-writers-for-hotel|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 20, 2024|date=August 13, 2009|website=MTV News|access-date=September 22, 2023}}
2010s
=''Zombies vs. Gladiators''=
On June 5, 2012, Barker rewrote the screenplay for the zombie film “Zombies vs. Gladiators” for Prime Video.{{Cite web|first=Gregg|last=Kilday|title=Clive Barker to Take on 'Zombies vs. Gladiators' for Amazon Studios|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zombies-gladiators-clive-barker-amazon-333066|date=June 5, 2012|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=April 19, 2023}}
=''Hellraiser'' remake=
On October 25, 2013, Barker confirmed that he wrote the screenplay for a darker remake of Hellraiser that he would direct and Doug Bradley would star as Pinhead,{{Cite web|first=Drew|last=Taylor|title=Clive Barker Writing 'Hellraiser' Reboot For Dimension|url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/clive-barker-writing-hellraiser-reboot-for-dimension-248942/|date=October 25, 2013|website=IndieWire|access-date=February 20, 2024}} but on April 10, 2020, David Bruckner was set to direct the remake with Jamie Clayton playing Pinhead.{{Cite web|first=Borys|last=Kit|title=Spyglass' 'Hellraiser' Reboot Finds Its Writing/Directing Team (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hellraiser-reboot-finds-writer-director-1289662/|date=April 10, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=February 20, 2024}}
=''Jacqueline Ess'' film=
On January 29, 2014, Barker was set to produce the film adaptation of his short story “Jacqueline Ess” as coproduction with Raven Banner.{{Cite web|first=Etan|last=Vlessing|title=Canada's Raven Banner Options Clive Barker Short Story 'Jacqueline Ess'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/canadas-raven-banner-options-clive-675249/|date=January 29, 2014|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=March 22, 2024}}
=''Nightbreed'' TV series=
{{main article|Nightbreed#TV_series}}
=''Hellraiser'' TV series=
{{main article|Hellraiser_(franchise)#Television}}
Offers
=''End of Days''=
Barker was offered to direct End of Days before Peter Hyams was hired.
=''Alien 3''=
He was offered to write and direct Alien 3, but was not interested.[https://books.google.com/books?id=O0SAEAAAQBAJ&dq=Clive+Barker+Alien+3&pg=PT22 1000 Amazing Horror Movie Facts]
References
{{Reflist}}