Dreams: Scaramouche

The first line of Rafael Sabatini's novel Scaramouche suggests it is perfect Gilliam material... "He was born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad." Cue lots of headlines about Gilliam "doing the Fandango..."

Follow the project's development on this page.  In backwards chronological order...

27 September 2002
Hotdog magazine (UK) reports that Scaramouche "looks set to take Gilliam's unique directorial eye back a couple of centuries with Johnny Depp's clown-disguised hero clashing swords with a moustache-twirlingly villainous Jeff Bridges."

17 August 2002
Jeff Kemper highlights to Dreams the following two articles:

Terry Gilliam is in talks to direct Warner Bros. Pictures' adaptation of Rafael Sabatini's literary classic SCARAMOUCHE. The story is set during the French Revolution and follows a swashbuckling man who seeks to avenge a death caused by an evil aristocrat. Richard Kurti and Bev Doyle adapted the project. The book has been made into a feature in 1923 and again in 1952. This version is not a remake, but will go back to the original source material. (from AICN's 'Weekly Recap' column)

Terry Gilliam is in discussions to direct Warner Bros. Pictures' big-screen adaptation of Rafael Sabatini's literary classic SCARAMOUCHE There is no start date on the project. Set during the French Revolution, SCARAMOUCHE follows a swashbuckling young man who seeks to avenge a death that was inflicted by an evil aristocrat. Richard Kurti and Bev Doyle adapted the project, which is being produced by U.K. producer David Heyman, the producer of the studio's Harry Potter franchise. The project was first brought to the big screen by MGM in the 1923 feature film of the same name directed by Rex Ingram. The studio remade the project in 1952 with George Sidney directing a cast that included Stewart Granger, Eleanor Parker and Janet Leigh. Warners' version will not be a remake; rather, the studio will go back to the original source material. Warners senior vp production Lionel Wigram is overseeing the project. Gilliam, repped by Endeavor, has directed such projects as TWELVE MONKEYS, THE FISHER KING and BRAZIL.
(from www.MoviePoopShoot.com, which gives thanks to the Hollywood Reporter)

6 August 2002
Variety reports... Warners eyes new take on Swashbuckler... Pic is romance set in French revolution... Terry Gilliam is in early talks to direct a new adaptation of Scaramouche for Warner Bros Pictures that will be produced by David Heyman.

The story is set during the French Revolution and focuses on a swashbuckler who disguises himself as Scaramouche the clown, while avenging his friend's death, reports Teletext.