A Sampler of Script Deals

From the archives of a few months of screenplay deals reported on Done Deal Pro, here is a very partial list of films that may be gracing the screens of your local multiplexes over the next few years.

This is just a skim of some of the more groan-worthy or weird ones. Take it as good news or not, but the great majority of recent script deals are for original stories (and aren't reported here). Of course, a lot of these are mind-swap stories and "meet cute" RomComs, so that's original in a conditional sense. (Still, I'm looking forward to the film version of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.)

Also, bear in mind that even though all these are studio-ordered script sales, the chances of them being greenlit are slender, but not nearly as slender as original or spec script sales. So here we go, in rough categories:

The 80s Are Back!

The Monster Squad Logline: A group of kids, who worship the classic horror monsters, discover that Dracula is in town and Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Gill Man and The Mummy are with him. The kids must stop the creatures' efforts to find an amulet that will give them control of the world. The 1987 original was co-written by Shane Black.

Pet Sematary Logline: A family trades the city life for the country life in Maine, then discovers that they have moved near a pet cemetery that rests on an ancient burial ground. Based on 1983 movie.

Midnight Run 2 Logline: Centers on bounty hunter Jack Walsh and a younger comedic foil. Based on 1988 original, features Robert DeNiro.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Logline: A town sheriff and madame team up to stop a crusading TV personality from shutting down the local whorehouse.

Tron Legacy 2 Logline: No details given. Either gotta give Disney credit for chutzpah here, or they are betting very deep these days. Written by "Lost" showrunners Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz.

The Toxic Avenger Logline: A health club mop boy's trusting ways make him easy prey for gym thugs and eventually gets him immersed in a vat of toxic waste. Based on 1984 original, in the remake Toxie is supposed to be a eco-friendly "green" warrior. Sigh.

Let's Revive the Franchise: I'm sure SOMEBODY remembers it...

Godzilla Logline: Centers on a giant monster roused from the ocean depths. Ya think?

Buck Rogers Logline: A present day pilot is awakened in the 25th century after having been flung into space centuries earlier. Director: Paul W. S. Anderson. 3D!

Laverne & Shirley Logline: Centers on two female friends who grew up on the streets during difficult times. Laverne is a very tough girl with a big 'L' tattooed on her arm. The talk is that Jennifer Garner and Jessica Biel will essay the leading roles.

Popeye Logline: Centers on the adventures of Popeye, Olive Oyl, Bluto and Swee'Pea. Animated, 3D!

The Addams Family Logline: An eccentric, wealthy family, who delight in the macabre, are unaware that people find them bizarre or frightening. Animated, 3D!

77 Sunset Strip Logline: Two rugged detectives, both former government secret agents, work out of stylish offices located at 77 Sunset Strip. Honestly, does anyone remember this show?

Speedy Gonzales Logline: Speedy Gonzales, a misunderstood boy who is also the fastest mouse in all of Mexico, comes from a family that works in a very meticulous setting, and he's a little too fast for what they do. He makes a mess of everything, so he has to go out in the world to find what he's good at. Speedy's path in life becomes clearer once he befriends a gun-shy race-car driver. I really, really hope this gets greenlit, because A) Speedy Gonzales is a patently racist cartoon character, and B) the logline makes no sense whatsoever.

Daniel's Remake Formula Specials:

Doc Savage Logline: Trained since birth to be nearly superhuman in every way, Doc Savage, or the Man of Bronze, uses his skills and powers to fight evil all over the world. The 1975 George Pal/Ron Ely version was a bomb.

Daredevil Logline: Living in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of New York City, Matt Murdock is blinded by a radioactive substance that falls from an oncoming vehicle. This is a reboot of a 2003 Ben Affleck movie, so it will likely follow The Hulk/The Incredible Hulk meta-sytoryline.

American Pie 4 Logline: Centers on the original characters. It's the Fast and Furious treatment!

And finally, the Inchon-style international epic-- in 3D!

Untitled Battle of Chosin Reservoir Project Logline: During the brutal 17-day battle of Chosin Reservoir, United Nations forces including 12,000 U.S. Marines and soldiers are encircled by a vastly superior Chinese force. 3D!