Col favors Favreau

Helmer offered Koepp-crafted script 'Zathura'

By NICOLE LAPORTE

Favreau

Negotiations have begun for Jon Favreau to direct "Zathura," the follow-up to "Jumanji," at Columbia Pictures.

The sequel to the 1995 blockbuster has had a long history at Col. Studio went through numerous directors and spent many millions to develop script drafts that were eventually scrapped.

Final script was ultimately crafted by David Koepp, the scribe behind another Col blockbuster, "Spider-Man," and the studio's upcoming "Secret Window."

With a director aboard, Sony will finally be on track to launch its long-sought-after sequel.

In the original "Jumanji," a board game set in the jungle became terrifyingly real. "Zathura," based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg, will be set within the confines of an intergalactic board game.

Col first optioned "Zathura" three years ago from Van Allsburg, his producing partner Bill Teitler and Radar Pictures (Daily Variety, Nov. 15, 2001).

Radar founder Ted Field and Radar exec VP Joe Rosenberg will oversee the project for Radar. Field will exec produce and Teitler will serve as producer.

Col co-prexy of production Matt Tolmach and exec VP of production Amy Baer will oversee the pic at the studio.

Multihyphenate Favreau (actor, writer, producer) directed and starred in the Christmas hit "Elf." He also starred in Col's "Something's Gotta Give" and just wrapped "Wimbledon" with Kirsten Dunst at Universal.