The Hollywood Reporter brings word that one of the greatest living directors is eying The Surrogate for 20th Century Fox’s adaptation of the 2004 novel by Kathryn Mackel about a couple desperate to have a child who find themselves in an unbearable position when they find out the surrogate they hired to carry their baby is insane. Never one to shy away from perversity or disturbing material, this could be a perfect fit for the Dutch director.
The rights to the story were originally picked up by Fox Atomic but moved to Fox proper when Atomic was closed down. According to THR, Debbie Liebling, who ran Atomic, is overseeing The Surrogate.
It’s also reported that Verhoeven is developing The Winter Queen, the story of a global terrorist conspiracy in late Nineteenth Century Russia, with Milla Jovovich attached to star. Great to have you back, Paul. Please stay a while!
– MattFini