Sam Mendes' unrealized projects

The following is a list of unproduced Sam Mendes projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, British film director Sam Mendes has worked on many projects that never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell into development hell, were officially cancelled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.

The Lookout
Mendes became attached to direct Scott Frank's screenplay The Lookout before the release of American Beauty, but departed the project to direct Road to Perdition; Frank ultimately directed the film himself.

The Kite Runner
Mendes was attached to direct the film adaptation of the 2003 novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, but in April 2004 the project was pushed back after Mendes signed on to direct Jarhead. In 2005, Marc Forster took over the project as director, with Mendes becoming an executive producer; the film was eventually released on December 14, 2007.

American Prometheus
In 2005, following its publication, Mendes optioned the rights to adapt the J. Robert Oppenheimer biography American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. In 2007, it was reported that Jeffrey Hatcher was writing the film for Mendes, with the project set up at DreamWorks Pictures. However, Mendes ultimately did not move forward with the project. The book would eventually be adapted as the film Oppenheimer, written and directed by Christopher Nolan and released in theatres on July 21, 2023 by Universal Pictures.

Middlemarch
In April 2007, it was reported Mendes would direct a film adaptation of the George Eliot novel Middlemarch, to be adapted by Andrew Davies, who had previously written the 1994 miniseries adaptation of the novel; production was expected to begin in 2008. In June 2009, it was announced that the project had been acquired by Focus Features, as part of a two-year first-look deal between Focus and Mendes' Neal Street Productions.

Preacher
In October 2008, it was announced that Mendes would direct a film adaptation of the supernatural comic book series Preacher, created by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, for Columbia Pictures, with Neal H. Moritz and Jason Netter producing. In January 2009, it was announced that John August would write the screenplay for the project. In April 2010, Moritz revealed that Mendes had departed the project to direct the James Bond film Skyfall.

Butcher's Crossing
In June 2009, it was reported that Mendes would produce a film adaptation of the 1960 western novel Butcher's Crossing by John Edward Williams for Focus Features, with Mendes eyeing the project as a potential directing vehicle. In December, it was announced that Joe Penhall would write the screenplay. The project did not move forward. The adaptation would eventually be directed and co-written by Gabe Polsky and released in theatres by Saban Films on October 20, 2023, without the involvement of Mendes or Penhall.

Netherland adaptation
In August 2009, it was announced that Mendes' Neal Street Productions would collaborate with Harpo Films to produce a film adaptation of Joseph O'Neill's novel Netherland (2008), with Mendes eyeing the project as a potential directing vehicle and Christopher Hampton writing the screenplay. By September, it was reported that Focus Features had come aboard the project.

On Chesil Beach
In June 2010, it was announced that Mendes would direct a film adaptation of Ian McEwan's 2007 novella On Chesil Beach for Focus Features, with McEwan adapting his own work and Carey Mulligan to star as the female lead; Mendes would also set to produce the project through Neal Street Productions. In November 2011, it was reported that Mike Newell would be replacing Mendes as director, with Mendes now only producing the project, and production expected to begin in the summer of 2012. The film would ultimately be directed by Dominic Cooke and star Saoirse Ronan, with Mendes no longer involved, and premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2017.

The Voyeur's Motel
In April 2016, it was announced that DreamWorks Pictures had acquired the film rights to the Gay Talese novel and article The Voyeur's Motel, with Mendes directing and producing. In November, the project was scrapped despite a draft being produced by Krysty Wilson-Cairns, after Mendes became aware of the documentary Voyeur and watched a cut with Wilson-Cairns.

James and the Giant Peach
In August 2016, it was announced that Mendes had entered talks to direct a live-action adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel James and the Giant Peach for Walt Disney Pictures, with Nick Hornby in talks to write the screenplay. The film marked Disney's second film adaptation of the novel after the 1996 animated film adaptation directed by Henry Selick. In May 2017, it was announced that Mendes was no longer involved with the project, choosing instead to direct Disney's live-action Pinocchio instead.

Beautiful Ruins
In September 2016, it was announced that Mendes would produce and potentially direct a film adaptation of Jess Walter's 2012 novel Beautiful Ruins for Fox 2000 Pictures, with Noah Harpster and Micah Fitzerman-Blue writing the screenplay. By April 2018, Mendes had stepped down as director and would instead serve as producer, with David Frankel entering talks to direct the project. By June 2020, the project had moved to Amblin Partners with Niki Caro now directing the adaptation, Mark Hammer and Chiara Atik writing, and Mendes remaining involved as a producer.

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters
In April 2017, it was announced that Mendes was in talks to produce and possibly direct the film adaptation of the Emil Ferris graphic novel My Favorite Thing Is Monsters for Sony Pictures.

Pinocchio remake
In May 2017, it was announced that after out of directing James and the Giant Peach, Mendes had entered talks to direct a live-action remake of the 1940 animated film Pinocchio for Walt Disney Pictures, with Chris Weitz writing the screenplay. Mendes exited the project in November. The film was eventually directed by Robert Zemeckis and released on Disney+ on September 8, 2022.

Oz the Great and Powerful
In April 2010, it was reported that Mendes was being courted to direct Oz the Great and Powerful for Walt Disney Pictures, with Robert Downey Jr. also considering taking on the lead role at the time. However, in June Sam Raimi entered talks to direct the project instead, and was committed to the film by October; the film was ultimately released on March 8, 2013, with James Franco playing the Wizard instead.

The Hunger Games
In September 2010, Deadline Hollywood reported that Mendes was one of the three initial favorites to direct the film adaptation of The Hunger Games for Lionsgate, alongside David Slade and Gary Ross. Ross was ultimately selected to direct the film, which was released in theatres on March 23, 2012.