The likes of Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler and Taylor Kitsch have all been linked as potential stars for Fox’s unfortunately still alive remake of 80’s romantic adventure comedy classic “Romancing the Stone” according to a scooper at Moviehole.
Previously “Eagle Eye” scribe Daniel McDermott was set to pen the script while Robert Luketic was briefly attached to direct the project, the latter getting Heigl reportedly interested in the project.
The original followed lovelorn romance novelist Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) who heads to Colombia to rescue her kidnapped sister. Becoming lost in the jungle, she’s saved by soldier of fortune Jack Colton (Michael Douglas) and the pair set out to reach Cartagena while avoiding the private army of the country’s murderous secret police chief. Mudslides, treacherous ravines, crashed planes, drug lords, alligators, the kidnapper’s inept brother (Danny DeVito), and a giant emerald are all thrown into the mix.
Though initially seen as a “Raiders of the Lost Ark” clone, the film became a smash hit and has grown in appreciation over the years thanks to its solid comedic moments, location shooting, and the excellent chemistry and performances that launched Turner’s career and repositioned Michael Douglas as a romantic lead.
Heigl is said to still be under consideration for the Wilder role, while both Kitsch and Butler are on an “early wish list” for the Colton role. The studio and producer Emma Watts are also reportedly “on the hunt for a director with a fresh, exciting take”.
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