The Wolverine director James Mangold is reportedly in talks to direct a film adaptation of The Deep Blue Good-by by John D. MacDonald. The project was all set to have a major star with Leonardo DiCaprio, but his packed schedule will prevent him from making it.
The novel was published in 21964 and introduced the character Travis McGee. According to Deadline, which first reported today’s developments, Fox has been hoping that this would launch another franchise fronted by a strong male lead. The character is a beach bum who finds his way into trouble by taking on mysterious cases.
DiCaprio was set to star, but he has left. The Wolf of Wall Street star’s Appian Way is still producing, though, with Amy Robinson and Chernin Entertainment. Dana Stevens and Kario Salem had worked on drafts of the script. The most recent version was penned by Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone), notes TheWrap.
Mangold is best known for directing the 3:10 To Yuma remake and made The Wolverine for Fox last year. He’s currently developing another film starring the X-Men character, played by Hugh Jackman.
As for DiCaprio, he’s currently getting over his latest Oscar loss. Among his next projects is a Richard Jewell biopic, which would pair him with Jonah Hill again.
image courtesy of ABC/Rick Rowell