Big-screen adaptations of Robert A. Heinlein's books haven't had a great history. The two most notable entries — "Starship Troopers" and "The Puppet Masters" — deviated heavily from the source material (as fun as the former movie was) leaving fans wanting for a more faithful big screen incarnation of his work. And well, they are getting another shot.
After a rough year which saw "Paradise Lost" fall apart and "Dracula Year Zero" get set up at another studio with a new director, Alex Proyas ("Dark City") is dusting himself off and tackling "The Unpleasant Profession Of Jonathan Hoag." We haven't read this one, but it sounds like a mix between "Total Recall" and "Memento" (go ahead marketing department, use that one) with the story following the title character, who is struck one evening with the realization that he has no memory of what he does during the day. Distraught over his predicament, and particularly concerned that he might be engaged in some nefarious activities, he contacts a husband and wife detective agency and asks them to surreptitiously follow him. The truth takes a dark and ultimately earth-shattering turn, as their investigation leads to a series of frightening revelations, beginning with a group of shadowy figures who gravely warn of dire consequences unless the pair immediately cease their inquiry into the nature of Hoag’s identity.
Okay, that sounds pretty good. Proyas adapated the tale himself and will direct. Production company Red Granite Pictures financing the pic, with a fall shoot in Australia being eyed. Let's just hope no calamities befall this endeavor and Proyas gets a new film in the can soon. [Deadline]
