With “Avatar” raking in a kajillion dollars, it’s no wonder that studios want to replicate that magic, and it looks like the spec script “Ion” that is making its way around town is being eyed as the next big 3D, high-concept movie that everyone will have to see.
Curiously, the film didn’t garner much interest when it made the rounds last year, however, with “Avatar” proving that audiences love spoonfed spectacle, interest is now piqued in the project again. Ridley and Tony Scott have developed Will Dunn’s screenplay a bit further, attached Channing Tatum to star and now the buzz-worthy project is gaining fresh attention.
The film, which is being compared to “Avatar” but sounds more like “The Fountain,” “revolves around a man who travels to different Earths and dimensions in order to find his reincarnated lover.” We’re sure there’s more to this, such as a conflict with those on the other Earths or in other dimensions to warrant the “Avatar” comparisons, but our initial thoughts on this? Meh.
It will be interesting to see if this gets picked up. We suspect that whether or not it gets made will depend on if the film can get a high profile director behind the camera. Tatum isn’t yet at the stage where he can topline his own film, and really, Sam Worthington still isn’t there, but “Avatar” had the benefit of James Cameron in the director’s chair. And for what sounds like an expensive project, someone of his stature will need to be guiding this one.
As for Tatum, this is another project on the ambitious actor’s slate that also includes the romantic drama “The Vow” with Rachel McAdams and heroin addiction drama “What’s Left Of Us.” He’s also got Steven Soderbergh’s “Haywire,” Dito Montiel’s “Son Of No One” and Kevin MacDonald’s “The Eagle Of The Ninth in the can and waiting release, and he’s currently filming “Cheaters” with Ron Howard.