William Friedkin's unrealized projects

The following is a list of unproduced William Friedkin projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American film director William Friedkin had worked on a number of projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these productions fell in development hell or were cancelled.

The Devil's Triangle
Following the success of The Exorcist (1973), Friedkin developed a UFO-related film project titled The Devil's Triangle. The film was to have starred Marlon Brando, Charlton Heston and Steve McQueen and be set in the Bermuda Triangle. The project was delayed by the lengthy filming of Sorcerer (1977) and Friedkin dropped the idea after Steven Spielberg started making Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977).

A Safe Darkness
In 1974, Friedkin filmed an incomplete documentary titled A Safe Darkness, which was to have been about the history of horror cinema. There, he filmed interviews with Roman Polanski and Fritz Lang.

Blood and Money
In 1978, Friedkin attempted to make a film adaptation of Thomas Thompson's book Blood and Money, which is based on the murders of Joan Robinson Hill and her husband John Hill. Friedkin abandoned that project in favor of directing Cruising (1980).

Desperadoes
In 1979, it was reported that Friedkin was to have directed and produced a film adaptation of Ron Hansen's novel Desperadoes after he completed the post-production of Cruising.

Brain
In 1981, it was reported that Friedkin was to have directed a film adaptation of Robin Cook's novel Brain.

That Championship Season
Jason Miller, who worked with Friedkin in The Exorcist, tapped him to direct a film adaptation of his Pulitzer Prize winning play That Championship Season. Friedkin offered the role of Coach Delaney to William Holden, but Holden died before he could accept. Friedkin then left the project thus Miller directed the film with Robert Mitchum as Delaney.

The Executioner
In 1985, it was reported that Friedkin was to have directed Sylvester Stallone in a film adaptation of Don Pendleton's book series The Executioner.

The Gambler
In 1988, Friedkin attempted to direct Stallone in a film titled The Gambler, with the screenplay written by Edward Neumeier.

Leiber and Stoller biopic
In 1989, it was reported that Friedkin was to direct a biopic on Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, with Leiber and Friedkin writing the screenplay.

Desperate Hours
Friedkin and Christopher Cain were each attached to direct the film Desperate Hours (1990) prior to Michael Cimino's involvement. Friedkin instead chose to direct The Guardian (1990).

Elsewhere
In 1993, it was reported that after the completion of his 1994 film Blue Chips, Friedkin was to direct a film titled Elsewhere, with the screenplay written by William Peter Blatty.

The Diary of Jack the Ripper
In 1995, it was reported that Friedkin was set to direct a film titled The Diary of Jack the Ripper for New Line Cinema. The project was to have starred Anthony Hopkins as James Maybrick, who was accused of being Jack the Ripper. The screenplay by Christopher De Vore was to have been based on Maybrick's diaries. In 1997, it was then reported that Friedkin filed a lawsuit against New Line and Katja Motion Picture Corp. for allegedly blocking further development on the film.

Bag Men
It was reported in 1997 that Friedkin used his own money to option the film rights to John Flood's novel Bag Men. Michael Keaton was in talks to star in the project.

Battle Grease
In 1998, Friedkin attempted to make a film titled Battle Grease, which would have been about James and Florence Maybrick but from Florence's perspective.

Truth or Dare
Also in 1998, it was reported that Friedkin was attached to direct Truth or Dare for Regency Enterprises. The project, with the screenplay written by William Davies, was said to have been a remake of a 1996 BBC television film of the same name.

Night Train
Also in 1998, Friedkin was attached to direct a biopic about Sonny Liston for Paramount Pictures, with Ving Rhames portraying the boxer. The film was to have been titled Night Train.

O Jerusalem!
In 2000, it was reported that Friedkin was in talks to direct a film adaptation of Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre's book O Jerusalem!, with James Dearden serving as screenwriter.

Shooter
Also in 2000, it was reported that Friedkin was to direct Tommy Lee Jones in Shooter, which is based on Stephen Hunter's novel Point of Impact. A film adaptation, using the title Shooter, was made and released in 2007, but with Mark Wahlberg starring and Antoine Fuqua directing.

The Book of Skulls
In 2003, it was reported that Paramount Pictures tapped Friedkin to direct a film adaptation of Robert Silverberg's novel The Book of Skulls.

Coco & Igor
In 2007, it was reported that Friedkin was involved in making a film adaptation of Chris Greenhalgh's novel Coco and Igor.

Dimiter
William Peter Blatty reported in 2010 that Friedkin was "eager" to direct a film adaptation of his novel Dimiter.

Trapped
In 2012, it was reported that Friedkin was to have directed Demián Bichir in an unmade film titled Trapped.

I Am Wrath
Also in 2012, it was announced that Friedkin would direct Nicolas Cage in I Am Wrath. The film was released in 2016, with John Travolta and Chuck Russell taking Cage and Friedkin's places respectively.

The Winter of Frankie Machine
In August 2015, it was announced that Friedkin would direct a film adaptation of Don Winslow's 2006 novel The Winter of Frankie Machine, with Friedkin reportedly looking to make the project on a low budget of "under $15 million".