- Seems that one of the big pop culture in-jokes from Jay & Bob Strike Back got someone at Universal thinking…Either that or it’s just a VERY odd coincidence! Seems that Will Ferrll will star in a big screen version of the cult series “Land of the Lost”. His character, Marshall Willenholly, was based on the opening lines of the theme song from said show:
Will Ferrell is attached to star in the comedy feature “Land of the Lost,” based on the classic television series of the same name.
Universal acquired the feature rights from Sid and Marty Krofft, executive producers of the original television series, who will produce the feature for the studio. Jimmy Miller and Julie Wixson-Darmody also will produce via the Mosaic Media Group banner.
Adam McKay is attached to direct, with Chris Henchy and Dennis McNicholas signing on to adapt the screenplay. Universal president of production Donna Langley will oversee the project for the studio.
The original “Land of the Lost” series revolved around forest ranger Rick Marshall and his children, Will and Holly, who are caught in a time vortex while exploring the Colorado River on a raft and transported to a mysterious world. The feature film will be an update of the series, which ran from 1973-1977 on NBC and is due out on DVD this month.
Ferrell next can be seen in Universal’s comedy “Kicking & Screaming” and this summer in “Bewitched.” He is filming “The Producers” for producer Mel Brooks, to be released domestically by Universal on Dec. 21.
The Kroffts are behind such projects as “Lidsville, “The Bay City Rollers Show,” “The Brady Bunch Hour,” “Donny and Marie,” “Barbara Mandrell and The Mandrell Sisters” and “H.R. Pufnstuf,” which Universal also made into a feature film.
Henchy has written for numerous television series, including “Spin City” and “Entourage,” and was the creator and executive produce of “Battery Park” and “I’m With Her.” McNicholas formerly was a head writer on “Saturday Night Live” and is writing the feature film “The Party,” with Jay Roach attached to direct.
McKay’s recent credits include “Anchorman,” which he also co-wrote, and a rewrite on “Bewitched.” He is working on the comedy feature “Talladega Nights,” which he will produce, direct and co-write with Ferrell.
Ferrell is repped by UTA, manager Mosaic Media Group and attorney Deborah Klein. Henchy is repped by UTA. McNicholas and McKay are repped by Endeavor and manager Mosaic Media Group. The Kroffts are repped by WMA and attorney Bob Wyman.
Thanks to the Hollywood Reporter and Yahoo News.
Adams said the script for the new movie “is based on my family members, but the actual story is not true.” She described it as a coming-of-age tale in which the main character is 35 years old. The movie will depict Southerners who are “intelligent, creative, soulful, spiritual, warm, complicated people,” she said.
“Come Early Morning” will star Ashley Judd and will be shot entirely in central Arkansas. Adams said some locations are still being scouted, but decisions have already been made to shoot at an undisclosed apartment complex in North Little Rock and at the Perry Hotel in Lonoke.
Zach Braff, an alumnus of Northwestern University’s radio-television-film department, came to speak to us today. One of his closing remarks was how when he was an undergrad Kevin Smith came to speak at NU and he went, and one of the things Smith mentioned was not liking and not ever wanting to take the “a film by” credit, because he felt the film was made by lots of people and not just the director. Braff has vowed to be the same way and encouraged us to follow.