Unique Features have some films in the works

Nearly one year after forming Unique Features with a three-year first-look deal at Warner Bros., Bob Shaye and longtime partner Michael Lynne have assembled a formidable slate of films.

Variety have the news that the projects in the works include their first animated film (with an original score by Paul McCartney); two Broadway-bound musical adaptations, of New Line films "Elf" and "Secondhand Lions"; and a Barry Levinson-directed screen version of the musical "City of Angels."

The films are:

7th Son - Justin Britt-Gibson is adapting a trio of graphic novels by J.C. Hutchins, the story follows seven strangers, assembled after the assassination of the U.S. president, who each realize they are the same man with the same memories.

Alt-Delete - A sci-fi comedy scripted by Tim Kelleher and Danny Zuker in which two guys working for a vidgame publishing company come to realize they are avatars in a larger game.
Bart Scott BiopicA sports feature based on the formative years of Bart Scott, the Baltimore Ravens linebacker who went from a rough upbringing in New York to just signing with the New York Jets at $48 million for six years.

The Birth Mother - A Jack Olsen-scripted thriller about a couple whose marriage is threatened when their surrogate falls in love with the husband and becomes obsessed with keeping the baby.

City of Angels - An adaptation of the musical, Larry Gelbart will turn his original book into a script and composer Marc Shaiman is attached to serve as music director. Barry Levinson ("Wag the Dog") will serve in some capacity.

Even - Based on Andrew Grant novel about an undercover Royal Navy intelligence operative who goes on the run after being framed for murder.

High in the Clouds - An animated feature based on the children's book by Paul McCartney, Geoff Dunbar and Philip Ardagh. Rob Minkoff will direct. The book, about a squirrel's quest to find an animal sanctuary, marks McCartney's largest involvement in an animated pic since the Beatles frontman was part of 1968's "Yellow Submarine." "Paul said he would commit to a score of original songs as part of it," Lynne said. "Bob and I had never focused on animation in our career, but that got our attention." They have not yet set the project at a studio.

The Mortal Instruments - Based on Cassandra Clare's bestselling young-adult fantasy trilogy about a young girl who inherited an ability to see and interact with a clan of supernatural spirits.

Thieves of Baghdad - Cole Haddon's script is a tenth century family adventure described as a new take on the classic "One Thousand and One Nights" folk tales. It is a film that weaves Sinbad, Ali Baba, flying carpets, sword fights and genies in urns.

Some of those sound really good. I love the concepts of 7th Son (sounds a bit like Agent Smith in the las Matrix film) and Alt-Delete (that has the whole 13th Floor vibe going on with it).

Do any of them grab you?

Discuss in the forum or leave a comment below.

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