Top 25 Movies Stuck In Development Limbo We Want To See

Where's Dredd 2?

What is Development Limbo? Pretty much, it is when a film gets through scripting, casting, and even a few stages, but for whatever reason, a loss of funding, a production company backs out, a celebrity quits, or they are put on hold for simply existing.

Several entries on my previous lists have been made, but many still linger in this stage of production. Without further ado, here are my top twenty-five Movies Stuck In Development Limbo We Want To See:

Dredd 2– Dredd star Karl Urban has stated that poor marketing has led to the stalling of a possible sequel to the comic book movie. However, in 2017, it was announced that a television series was being developed, but then a film sequel was announced once again with Urban’s endorsement. It has been very confusing.

ArchAngels: The Fall- Based on the comic book series of the same name, it was a highly popular idea, and a trailer was even released. However, the latest news was that it had been canceled.

The Brazilian Job– This film is a sequel to The Italian Job, the revenge/heist film starring Charlize Theron and Mark Wahlberg. A sequel had been planned since 2004, but as of 2012, the project has not moved forward, despite Wahlberg saying it was being worked on in 2010.

Batgirl Year One- Based on the Batman DC Comic book miniseries that tells Barbara Gordon’s origin, this film was put on hold due to the negative reviews of the Wonder Woman animated film. With a new animated universe in play, it might be possible.

Breaker Boys- Based on the controversy surrounding the 1925 NFL championship, where the Pottsville Maroons had their title revoked after defeating the more popular football team Chicago Cardinals. David Fleming, the author of the book of the same name, has been shopping around a script for the film.

Felix the Cat- Based on the old cartoon series of the same name, there was supposed to be a whole franchise, but nothing has come of it since the initial announcements.

Johnny Quest- A live-action adaptation of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon would be a real throwback if done right, but it has labored in limbo since the 1990s. In November 2018, Chris McKay was announced as the director, but little more information has been forthcoming.

The Wind in the Willows remake- A darker version of the story was announced in 2012. However, due to no new news, it seems that the original animated one is still reigning supreme.

Rendezvous With Rama- One of the most talked-about films in limbo, this would be an adaptation of the Arthur C. Clarke novel of the same name. It has been highly anticipated with many names attached, but it never seems to go anywhere.

The King of Elves– This Philip K. Dick short story was supposed to have been a live-action film until Disney bought the rights to it. The director of Bolt was supposed to direct a Disney animated feature, but no news has come from the project.

The Jetsons– With the success of other animated franchises coming to life, you would think that a live-action version of this story of a futuristic family would be at the top of the list. At one point, Kanye West was rumored to be attached, but nothing has happened since 2012.

ThunderCats- Based on the epic 80s cartoon, a film that has been talked about since the 1980s. As of 2010, the film has been put on hold even though another animated series started in 2011.

Day of War- Based on the novel by Cliff Graham, it follows the story of King David from the Bible. It would be a 3-D epic in the vein of 2007’s Beowulf. However, the film’s production has been facing stalls since 2011. The last mention of it was in 2017, but has not been heard from since.

The White Company- Based on the novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (yes, the Sherlock Holmes creator), John Ford had wanted to make this film for some time. Since his death, no one else seems interested in his project.

This Present Darkness– This novel, written by bestselling author Frank Peretti, redefined Christian fiction and forged the way for other faith-based authors. A film was moved forward and concept art was even drawn, but creative differences caused the film to stall, and it has not been developed since then.

King Conan: Crown of Iron- A sequel to Conan the Destroyer, iconic film director John Milius (director of the first Conan film) has many screenplays that have not been touched, including a third Conan flick for Arnold Schwarzenegger. With the failure of the remake of Conan the Barbarian, there are rumors that they will return to the original film series, perhaps this one will see the light.

Metroid- A film about the video game armor-clad bounty hunter Samus Aran has been in talks since 2007. One seemed to be getting off pretty well with John Woo attached to direct, but it was shelved once again in favor of an animated movie from Illumination.

Return of Roger Rabbit– Who Framed Roger Rabbit was a breakout film that combined animated with live-action. A sequel and a prequel have all been planned, but it has never moved past the planning stages. Steven Spielberg has seemingly abandoned it.

Carmen Sandiego- At one point, Sandra Bullock was set to star in a Disney film in the 1990s. However, in 2012, Walden Media was set to make a film starring Jennifer Lopez. There have been several animated shows, but a live-action film has stalled.

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea remake– David Fincher has been trying to get a remake going, but Disney (who owns the rights to the story) is trying to make less expensive films after several flops. Fincher mentioned in 2014 that casting differences led to the breakdown of the project, and since then, no advancements have been made.

Blood Meridian– Cormac McCarthy’s “anti-Western” novel has been shopped around as a possible film with James Franco, Ridley Scott, and several other directors attached at one point or another. In May 2016, Franco’s version was moving forward, but almost immediately, it was canceled. Still, several directors hold up hope that it could be made.

Captain Planet– A film adaptation of the environmentalist Saturday morning cartoon has been discussed since 1996. The last update was in 2023, when potential Captain Planet actor Glen Powell said the rights are tied up at the moment.

The Keith Moon Story– The Who drummer had a planned biopic being developed by former bandmate Roger Daltrey. The movie has been stalled, but the singer hopes it will still be made.

The Muppet Man– Jim Henson and his life as a puppeteer has been in development by Disney since 2010, but no movement has been done since Michael Mitnick completed the script.

A Confederacy Of Dunces– One of the most notorious examples of a film stuck in development, this adaptation of the novel by John Kennedy Toole has labored for years. After several possible stars died, the film was considered “cursed” with many studios refusing to bring it to production.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, anime, or novel you would like me to review.