Variety reports that GK Films and Infinitum Nihil (Johnny Depp‘s production company, for those not “in the know”) have banded together to acquire Desperate Hours, a Western screenplay written by E. Nicholas Mariani. The script, said to have similarities to the genre classic High Noon, follows a widowed rancher who, along with his neighbors, takes on big bad mobsters from the East looking to take down their little town and pick up a mysterious girl.
This isn’t GK and Infinitum’s first time teaming together; the latter has a first look deal with the former and the two previously joined together to produce Martin Scorcese‘s Oscar-nominated Hugo, as well as the upcoming Tim Burton movie Dark Shadows, which stars Depp. GK and Infinitum also have a host of projects in development at Warner Bros., with titles such as The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters and Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates. I swear I did not make those up; they apparently exist in some form or another.
GK Films has a few movies of its own in development, including an adaptation of the Broadway musical Jersey Boys, as well as the untitled Freddie Mercury biopic starring Sacha Baron Cohen. GK is also looking to do something with Hugo star Asa Butterfield, having signed him to a two year deal for God knows what at this point. Having not seen Hugo yet but hearing good things (I know, I’m a terrible person), I assume that this is a smart move.
Personally I’m always down for another Western; more often than not they end up being of decent quality and, at the very least, entertaining. I like the premise for Desperate Hours a lot, especially the whole “Industrialized East Meets Untamed West” angle. If past entries of this sort are any indication, it could lead to some interesting exchanges and moments (and shootouts, obviously).
What do you think of Desperate Hours? Sound worthy of your time?