Ron Howard forgets about "The Alamo"
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Gaghan Drives to 'Alamo' Gig
Fri Jun 28, 5:07 AM ET
By Cathy Dunkley and Claude BrodesserHOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Remember the Alamo?
You probably don't, but Academy Award-winning "Traffic" screenwriter Stephen Gaghan wants to change all that. He has signed on to rewrite Ron Howard's upcoming period picture, "The Alamo," which was originally written by John Sayles.
The Disney picture, expected to be Howard's next, would reteam the Oscar-heavy team behind "A Beautiful Mind" -- Howard, his Imagine Entertainment producing partner Brian Grazer and Russell Crowe, who will be one of the ensemble cast of "Alamo." Though neither Grazer, Howard nor Crowe's deals are closed, all three parties are negotiating with Disney for a potential December start to shoot on location in Texas.
"Alamo" was at one time aiming for as early as a September start, though script delays and actor availability are understood to have played some role in the date change.
"Alamo" is expected to deal with many of the historical complexities -- including the Mexican point of view -- that were glossed over in John Wayne's 1960 film. Alamo heroes William Barret Travis' serial marital infidelities, Jim Bowie's slave trading and Davy Crockett's overall political incorrectness will also be addressed.
Gaghan recently made his directorial debut for Paramount Pictures on the Katie Holmes' starrer "Abandon," which will be released in September via Paramount.