It's a fate worse than death for many movies -- development hell.
Be it scheduling issues, script problems or financial difficulties, they're caught in celluloid purgatory -- and even if they get out, the results can be mixed.
Some, like, "American Gangster," break free to big box office and critical acclaim. Others, like "State of Play," emerge to commercial indifference. (See slideshow: "10 Movies That Should Have Stayed in Development Hell.")
Most recent escapees, and prepped for summer release, are "Knight & Day" and "Salt," both of which endured multiple iterations before filming commenced with Tom Cruise and Angelina Jolie respectively.
What's still trapped? Here are some of the most notorious victims -- and their chances of survival.
COMING SOON TO A THEATER NEAR YOU
The Tourist: Thanks the combined star wattage of Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, this remake of a 1997 French film will finally see release next year. The spy thriller has stalled for several years, thanks to a revolving door of stars such as Tom Cruise, Charlize Theron and Sam Worthington and directors like Alfonso Cuaron and Lasse Hallstrom entering and exiting the project.
Moneyball: Two years ago, cameras were about to roll on this adaptation of Michael Lewis' ode to Oakland A's manager Billy Beane. Stars Brad Pitt and Demetri Martin and director Steven Soderbergh were attached, but Columbia got cold feet over script concerns and shut down production three days before shooting was supposed to start. But it's been resurrected, Pitt is still on board, Martin has been replaced by Jonah Hill, and "Capote" director Bennett Miller has stepped in for Soderbergh. It's reportedly eyeing a June start date.
Stretch Armstrong: Taylor Lautner will star as the bendable superhero, rescuing the movie version of the Hasbro toy from the development scrapheap. Prior to signing the teen idol, the action comedy had been rumored to be a vehicle for the likes of Jackie Chan, Tim Allen and even Danny Devito. Universal is planning a summer 2012 release for what is now a big budget tentpole.
SHOWING SIGNS OF LIFE
On the Road: Jack Kerouac's Beat masterpiece has inspired generations of young actors and directors over the years, many of whom have pledged to bring the tale of nomadic Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty to the screen. Joel Schumacher, Colin Farrell, Johnny Depp and Francis Ford Coppola have been attached over the years -- with Coppola, in fact, bought the rights to the book in 1968. Now it's back on track, with Walter Salles, who took on another difficult to film travelogue "The Motorcycle Diaries," directing and Garrett Hedlund ("Tron:Legacy") reportedly circling the lead role.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: Everyone from Steven Spielberg to Tom Cruise to Jim Carrey has set their sights on remaking this 1947 Danny Kaye film about a book editor with an overactive imagination.
