HANCOCK (FILM)

'''Hancock''', formerly known as '''John Hancock''' and '''Tonight, He Comes''', is an upcoming superhero film directed by Peter Berg and starring Will Smith, Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron. The story was originally written by Vincent Ngo in 1996 and had languished in Hollywood for some time. The project has had various directors attached, including Tony Scott, Michael Mann, Jonathan Mostow, and Gabriele Muccino. ''Hancock'' was originally intended to be filmed before another Smith starrer, ''I Am Legend''. Under Berg, the film is currently filming in Los Angeles. ''Hancock'' is planned to be released on July 2 2008.

Contents

Premise

Cast

Production

References

External links

Premise

Will Smith portrays an alcoholic superhero despised by everyone. A publicist (Jason Bateman) helps rehabilitate him, and the superhero eventually begins an affair with the publicist's wife (Charlize Theron).^[1]

Cast

★ Will Smith as a down-and-out superhero.⁹

★ Jason Bateman as a corporate public relations consultant.⁹

★ Charlize Theron as the consultant's wife.⁹

Production

Screenwriter Vincent Ngo wrote the spec script ''Tonight, He Comes'' in 1996. The draft, about a troubled 12-year-old and a fallen superhero, was initially picked up by director Tony Scott as a potential project.^[2] Producer Akiva Goldsman came across the script, which he had considered a favorite,^[3] and encouraged Richard Saperstein, then president of development and production at Artisan Entertainment, to acquire it.² Director Michael Mann was initially attached to direct ''Tonight, He Comes'', but he instead opted to direct ''Miami Vice'' (2006).³ Eventually, Artisan placed the project in turnaround and was acquired by Goldsman. Screenwriter Vince Gilligan performed a rewrite of Ngo's script, and Jonathan Mostow was attached to direct the film. Under Mostow's supervision, a 10-page take was written to be pitched to actor Will Smith to portray the lead role in the film, since both had worked together on ''Hitch'' (2005). Both Mostow and Smith were not yet committed to make the project an active priority at the time. Several studios pursued the opportunity to finance the film, and Columbia Pictures succeeded in acquiring the prospect in February 2005. A second draft was scripted by Gilligan following the finalization of the deal with Columbia. The film was initially slated for a holiday 2006 release.^[4]
In November 2005, Mostow and Smith committed to ''Tonight, He Comes'', with production slated to begin in Los Angeles in summer 2006.³ Smith had set up a pay or play contract to film ''I Am Legend'' (2007) under Warner Bros. after completion of ''Tonight, He Comes''.^[5] Mostow eventually departed from the project due to creative differences.^[6] Director Gabriele Muccino filled Mostow's vacancy in May 2006. Since Muccino was busy editing the Smith starrer ''The Pursuit of Happyness'', which Muccino had directed, for its December 2006 release, Smith switched projects to film ''I Am Legend'' first, and then film ''Tonight, He Comes'' afterward.^[7] Later in the month, Muccino left the project due to an incompatibility with filming the story. Since Muccino was preparing ''The Pursuit of Happyness'', the studio had delayed the production start for ''Tonight, He Comes'' to summer 2007, enabling Warner Bros. to begin production of ''I Am Legend'' with Smith.⁶
In October 2006, Peter Berg was attached to direct ''Tonight, He Comes'' with production slated to begin in May 2007 in Los Angeles, the story's setting.^[8] Before filming began, ''Tonight, He Comes'' was retitled ''John Hancock''.^[9] Filming began on ''John Hancock'' at the end of June 2007.^[10] The film title was eventually shortened to ''Hancock''.^[11]

References

1. Will Smith Extra
2. Artisan 'Comes' to deal with Goldsman
3. Col has plans for 'Tonight'
4. Col, Smith get hitched to hero pic
5. 'Legend' reborn again at Warners
6. 'Tonight' helmer ankles
7. Inside Move: 'Legend' of Smith an early tale for WB
8. 'Tonight' he shoots
9. Tonight, He Gets Retitled
10. Hollywood tackles Middle East turmoil
11. Will Smith hits new heights for ‘Hancock’

External links

★

★ Script review by Cinematical