‘Real Steel’/‘I Am Legend’ Author Richard Matheson Shopping 150 Stories, Plays, And Books For Possible Movie Adaptations
Richard Mathesonmay not be a name that rings a bell, but chances are you’re familiar with some of his works. Matheson is the author behind the source material for such films asI Am Legend(which has actually spawned three big-screen versions),What Dreams May Come,The Box, and this weekend’s robot boxing pictureReal Steel. Now the writer and his screenwriter son,R.C. Matheson, are looking to sell some 150 of the elder Matheson’s stories, books, plays, and scripts for potential film and TV adaptations. More details after the jump.
Although the pieces are being sold individually, the Mathesons say they are open to selling the entire lot to a single studio. Ironically, one of the problems the Mathesons have run into is that they simply have too much material. “They get overwhelmed,” R.C. Matheson toldVariety. Richard Matheson chimed in, “We’re trying to underwhelm them.”
Both Mathesons are quite familiar with Hollywood: R.C. Matheson’s screenwriting resume includes episodes ofThe A-Teamand Cinemax’sChemistry, while his father has written for the showsAmazing Stories,The Martian Chronicles, andThe Alfred Hitchcock Hour, as well as the script forJaws 3. Incidentally, Richard Matheson is also the father of Chris Matheson, who pennedBill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
In addition the the properties mentioned above, Richard Matheson’s works have also inspired the moviesThe Legend of Hell House,The Incredible Shrinking Man,A Stir of Echoes,Somewhere in Time, and episodes ofTwilight ZoneandNight Gallery. An adaptation of his ghost storyEastboundis currently in development at DreamWorks, whileReal SteeldirectorShawn Levyis in talks to get the film rights to Matheson’s story “Deus Ex Machina.” The plot revolves around a man who realizes he’s a machine when he begins bleeding oil.
