Mark Romanek Leaves Wolfman
January 30, 2008

Mark Romanek, the director of One Hour Photo, has left the $100 million-budget Wolfman, leaving the huge project in limbo, looking for another director. Romanek has departed Wolfman mere weeks before it was supposed to go in front of the camera, dealing a major blow to Universal, who was really hoping to get the project going without a rewrite, something that you can't get during the writer's strike. Unless another filmmaker comes on-board without one, Wolfman could be indefinitely delayed. In fact, Romanek's departure could possibly be related to the strike. Both parties are citing creative differences, which could mean that a rewrite was needed and Universal wanted to move forward without one. Now, that's pure speculation. But it's possible.

Wolfman was to be a remake of the classic Universal monster movie with Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins to star. If a new helmer isn't found soon, both stars could move on to other projects.

Universal had a similar problem recently when Brad Pitt and Edward Norton ditched State of Play mere weeks before it was to start shooting. That project found two replacements - Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck - and is looking for another director. Can they pull the same miracle with Wolfman? We'll know soon enough.

Mark Romanek has been a major music video director for years, also helming One Hour Photo with Robin Williams.

(Source: Reuters.)

For more film news, check out stories about The Hobbit, GI Joe, Armored.