|  The
reason the details haven’t appeared here on this web
site or elsewhere is that the studio and producers have the
prerogative of announcing the deal before anyone else, and
so far they haven’t chosen to do so, although the rumors
of the option have appeared in print in various places.”
This artwork is by François Baranger,
whose other works can be seen at www.francois-baranger.com
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ILIUM-OLYMPOS
movie deal signed with Digital Domain
The following news item appeared in the January 9, 2004,
issue of VARIETY
'Ilium,' 'Olympos' optioned for epic
Bain, Domain plan film on Simmons sci-fi saga
By MARC GRASER, JONATHAN BING
Visual effects facility Digital Domain and Barnet Bain Films
("What Dreams May Come") have optioned author Dan
Simmons' sci-fi novel "Ilium" and its sequel, "Olympos,"
to adapt into a feature film.
Simmons, who will also pen the screenplay, is an award-winning
sci-fi writer. His "Hyperion" saga is a multi-volume
space opera widely compared to the "Dune"
series.
"Ilium," published in July by the Eos imprint of
HarperCollins, is another epic sci-fi tale that spans 5,000
years and sweeps across the entire solar system, including
themes and characters from Homer's "The Iliad" and
Shakespeare's "The Tempest."
"Olympos" will be released in 2005, providing "Ilium's"
producers with a potential franchise.
Producer Barnet Bain brought "Ilium" to Digital
Domain topper Scott Ross. The two will produce the pic,
while Simmons will serve as an executive producer.
Duo next plan to approach directors and create a visual
representation of the book to showcase the cinematic
elements of the novel as a way to land distribution
and attract a cast for the film.
"We're thrilled about working with Dan and Barnet
on this compelling property," Ross said. "'Ilium'
affords us a great opportunity to develop this film
and find a visionary filmmaker capable of handling this
bold landscape."
"Ilium" joins several other films Digital Domain
is developing in-house, shepherded by development exec Kevin
Cooper. Facility, currently busy creating effects shots for
Fox's "Day After Tomorrow" and "I, Robot,"
has been looking to boost revenues and expand its efforts
beyond solely serving as a work-for-hire effects shop. It
most recently completed sequences for "Peter Pan,"
from Universal, Revolution and Sony. "Secondhand Lions,"
distribbed by New Line last September, was its first production,
generating $42 million at the domestic B.O.
Bain produced "What Dreams May Come," for which
Digital Domain created the majority of the visual effects
sequences and won an Oscar for its work. His other credits
include the television movie "Homeless to Harvard."
Simmons is repped by Richard Curtis Associates and The Firm.
Molly Hansen negotiated the deal Posted: Thurs., Jan. 8, 2004,
10:00pm PM
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