‘Uncharted’ Loses Neil Burger, Gains ‘National Treasure’ Writing Duo
Ever since Neil Burger became attached to helm Uncharted well over a year ago there hasn’t been much movement on bringing the game to the big screen. With that lack of development, it comes to no surprise that, according to Variety, Burger has left the project. The reason for Burger’s departure is unclear, although it was reported hours before this news the Limitless director may adapt Divergent for Summit. Unfortunately, Burger isn’t the only loss the project has faced today, as screenwriting duo Cormac and Marianne Wibberley have signed on to handle scripting duties.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Wibberley’s writings, they worked on The Shaggy Dog, I Spy, The 6th Day, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, and, of course, Disney’s hamster epic, G-Force. There’s not a whole lot of impressive adventure in those films to prove they can handle Uncharted, but the duo was most likely hired because of their work on the National Treasure series. They’re about as safe as a pick can get.
What’s most disheartening about this news is the downgrade from David O. Russell, an Oscar nominee, to the writers behind bland, middle-of-the-road action films. Russell’s script was considered “epic” and “ambitious,” something that apparently frightened Sony. With work-for-hires like the Wibberleys, they most likely won’t have to worry about that.
