And This Idea Is From Uranus: ‘Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus’ Actually Hitting the Big Screen
Well, here’s one for the half-off pile. Deadline Westwood reports that Lionsgate Summit is hellbent on giving us yet another narrative feature film based on a self-help book. Joining the ranks of the decidedly “just okay” features He’s Just Not That Into You and What To Expect When You’re Expecting will soon be Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. If this film is not about two aliens falling in love, I’ll be (more) disappointed (than I already am). We’ve known about the possibility of this project since 2010, but that lessens no blows.
Based on John Gray’s book of the same title, the adaptation of the non-fiction guide to relationships will be helmed by commercial director (of course) Bryan Buckley, making this project his feature debut. The script has been adapted by Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont, and there is no word on exactly what sort of shape, aim, or tone it will take. Also, no reason for this project to even exist has been cited.
And it’s been touted as a vehicle for Reese Witherspoon, who appears to have forgotten that she once won an Oscar.
Fun fact about Buckley! Though this film will be his feature debut, he’s directed over forty commercials for Super Bowl spots alone. Memorable Buckley ads include the John Krasinkski- and Alec Baldwin-starring baseball rivalry spots and, amazingly enough, those terrible Siri ads for Apple (Siiiiirrrriiii…?). While that may just scream “commercial commercials!” (along with his decision to pick this type of film for his opener), he has also won 37 Cannes Lions and has received 6 Emmy nominations. And he also just completed a Narrative Short called Asad that includes a cast made up of only Somali refugees. I don’t know how to feel!
Fun fact about Gray’s book! It is apparently the best selling non-fiction hardcover book of all-time (except the Bible and Koran), which is both interesting and sad.
The film will start shooting in January of next year.
