David Yates' adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs's Tarzan won't be swinging into production this year because Warner Bros. has put the movie on hold, Deadline has learned. The movie is not officially dead, however.
According to sources, they may start the movie up again next year when the obstacles holding production back have been cleared.
What are those obstacles? More often than not, it has something to do with the movie's budget. No numbers were revealed, but it's probably way over the $100 million figure.
Another factor may be related to casting. Deadline has heard that the studio wanted Jamie Foxx for the movie's third lead, but he's already doing The Amazing Spider-Man 2. However, I doubt the studio would shut a movie down just for Foxx.
Getting the cost down will require a rewrite of the script. While sources say Yates is still attached, will he still be onboard with the modified script and revised budget?
The movie was to star Alexander Skarsgard as Tarzan, with Jessica Chastain eyeing the Jane role. Skarsgard is the only actor attached so far, but with this delay, he may have to move on to another project. Stay tuned.
