After The Jungle Book and the Boston marathon comes ... Uber. Hollywood is notorious for “duelling” projects, films on virtually identical themes that arise seemingly spontaneously in different studios, and the comedic potential of the internet-based cab service is suddenly the film industry’s latest obsession.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Uber-related projects were picked up by two studios within 24 hours of each other in mid-April. Universal have taken an untitled project starring and produced by Will Ferrell. With a script due to be written by Brendan O’Brien (Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates), the film will feature Ferrell as “an Uber driver stuck with a deranged escaped-convict passenger”. The Big Short director Adam McKay is also involved in production duties, but there is no word on who will direct.
The rival project is called Stuber, and was acquired by Fox from scriptwriter Tripper Clancy; it is decribed by the Reporter as taking place “over one harrowing night in the life of an Uber driver who picks up a grizzled cop working the most dangerous case of his career”. No actors are yet attached, but Horrible Bosses producers Jonathan M Goldstein and John Francis Daley are on board.
As has often proved the case, who gets out first will be crucial. According the Reporter, Stuber has one advantage – its script is completed. On the other hand, the Ferrell project already has a major name attached.
