"Torso" In Trouble

Despite it having David Fincher at the helm and the likes of Matt Damon, Casey Affleck and Rachel McAdams attached, Paramount has opted to let the film rights of the graphic novel Torso expire.

The project, which has since been re-titled Ness, has been in development at the studio since early 2006 and Fincher (coming off the success of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) has been keen to get rolling on the production.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount is considering re-obtaining the rights from the graphic novel's creators.

Considering that money is tight for everyone right now and Fincher's last two productions (2007's under-rated Zodiac and Button) were insanely-expensive endeavors, I can certainly sympathize with the studio on this decision.

Mind you, I'm also disappointed by this development because this was actually a project I was looking forward to.

Of course, there is also the chance that another studio could opt to pick up the film-rights if negotiations between Paramount and Brian Michael Bendis & Mark Andreyko (the creators of said graphic novel) go sour.

Update on Fri, January 23, 2009 by Rob Hunter

Like Jamie I find this news disappointing but understand the rising costs and subsequent low returns of Fincher's latest works. However this is his genre and combined with the star power of Damon and the fact Ness is an American icon, I am sure another big studio will take the project on.

Which studio is most likely though ? I am not connected nor an expert but WB seems a good fit to me, they are really getting behind ambitious projects, like the big bankrolls and creative freedoms they gave movies such as TDK, Blood Diamond and Terminator Salvation. Fincher budgeted 'Ness' at North of $100M but I think he can make it pay off for both the studio and film fans.