Spielberg Ditches Harvey

It has been announced Steven Spielberg’s proposed Harvey remake has been called off. At least by him. He’s no longer attached to the project. Variety report the director could not get the script together after spending half the year trying to persuade Robert Downey Jr. to take on the role of Elwood P. Dowd. Spielberg’s initial choice – Tom Hanks – refused the role on grounds of sacrilege.

Harvey (1950) was to become one of James Stewart’s most well-loved roles. The film centres on a lonely alcoholic’s imaginary friendship with a six foot rabbit named Harvey. Nobody could see the entity other than Dowd. Whether Dowd was a total nutter or sad act was played deftly by Stewart.

It is tempting to think Spielberg would have nailed the tones of sentimentality and darkness and Hanks would have been perfect to step into Jimmy Stewart’s shoes. Now that it is definitely not happening (at least with Spielberg), it will remain in development hell. 20th Century Fox were attached to co-produce with Dreamworks.

So what next for one of cinema’s greats? He’s finished Tintin and handed it over to the computer geeks to render. One bet is his long cherished bio-pic of “Honest” Abe Lincoln with Liam Neeson as the iconic president.

Tags: 20th century fox, Harvey, remake, Robert Downey Jr., steven spielberg, tom hanks