Kenneth Branagh's unrealized projects

The following is a list of unproduced Kenneth Branagh projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, British filmmaker Kenneth Branagh has worked on several projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell in development hell, were officially canceled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.

1990s

The Betty Schimmel Story biopic

On December 21, 1998, Branagh was set to star in and direct The Betty Schimmel Story, a biopic about Robert Schimmel’s parents survival during the Holocaust, with Ivan Fila and Greg Poirier writing the screenplay, Wendy Finerman and Agi Orsi producing the film, and DreamWorks Pictures set to distribute the movie, but never materalized.

Flicker film

In the 1990’s, Branagh considered directing the film adaptation of Theodore Roszak’s novel Flicker.

2010s

The Boys in the Boat film

On March 3, 2011, Branagh was set to direct the feature film adaptation of Daniel James Brown’s biographical novel The Boys in the Boat, with Donna Gigliotti producing and Jody Hofflund executive producing the film for The Weinstein Company. George Clooney would ultimately direct the project instead for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society film

On August 4, 2011, Branagh was set to direct the feature film adaptation of Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer’s novel The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society for Fox 2000, with Dan Roos writing the screenplay and Paula Mazur and Mitchell Kaplan producing the film. The film was ultimately directed by Mike Newell for Netflix.

Italian Shoes film

On October 19, 2011, Branagh was set to direct the feature film adaptation of Henning Mankell’s novel Italian Shoes, with Richard Cottan writing the screenplay, Yellow Bird and Left Bank Pictures producing the film, and on November 27, 2011, Anthony Hopkins and Judi Dench were cast in the film, with production expected to start in late 2012 or early 2013. On May 21, 2022, the film adaptation was revived with Julie Bertuccelli set to direct for Roger Frappier's Max Films.

Keeper of the Diary

On May 12, 2017, Branagh was in talks to direct Sam Franco and Evan Kilgore’s screenplay Keeper of the Diary, as well as star as Anne Frank’s father Otto Frank and produce with Judy Hofflund, for Searchlight Pictures to distribute.

A Gentleman in Moscow TV series

On April 3, 2018, Branagh was set to star in and produce the television series adaptation of Amor Towles’ novel A Gentleman in Moscow, which became the miniseries of the same name by Paramount+ with Showtime.

2020s

Bee Gees biopic

On March 10, 2021, Branagh was set to direct a biopic about the Bee Gees for Paramount Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, with Ben Elton writing the screenplay and Barry Gibb serving as executive producer. On March 30, 2022, it was announced that Branagh had departed the project due to scheduling conflicts with the awards campaign for Belfast, and that John Carney was now set to direct with John Logan writing the screenplay; on December 8, it was announced that Carney had also departed the project due to scheduling conflicts, with Lorene Scafaria set to take over as director. On February 15, 2024, it was announced that Ridley Scott was now in talks to direct the project.

Offers

Harry Potter sequels

On July 22, 2002, Branagh was offered to direct Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, as well as the sequels, for Warner Bros. Pictures, but turned it down; Branagh had previously portrayed Professor Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Thor 2

On September 22, 2011, Branagh was offered to direct Thor 2 for Marvel Studios, but turned it down; the film would eventually be directed by Alan Taylor.

External links

Kenneth Branagh's unrealized projects at IMDb