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CASCA - THE MOVIE

News up to early 2002

The Casca movie has been mooted for many months - and has been sent to various film companies to write a script. Initially Interscope Communications had the job but after two attempts at producing a script - which where described as 'terrible' - the task passed to Gramercy. Gramercy then were taken over by USAfilms who from late 2001 undertook the task of getting the project up off the ground. Below is part of a report written a little while ago in the US press regarding the tasks facing USAfilms as they try to make a name for themselves in the film industry.

In addition the company remains committed to talent deals with Douglas, LaBute, London, Tucci (who recently renewed his deal), the Paite Brothers, Broadway producer Areil Tepper, Sean Penn, Jonathan Demme, Forest Whitaker and Steve Golin. The Golin connection is an important one, given Golin's current golden boy stauts due to "Malkovitch" as well as his talent relationships dating back to co-founding Propaganda, the launching pad for helmers such as Fincher, Simon West, Spike Jonze and Michael Bay. Upcoming possibilities include a pic with "Topsy-Turvy" director Mike Leigh and one with "Three Seasons" Tony Bui.

In addition, USA will team with Interscope (which had a pact with Polygram prior to the buyout) on several productions including "Casca", "R.V.", "Truck 44", "Earl Watt" and "Door Men". Under a similar arrangement, certain Propaganda projects are also in development at USA.

News late 2002

Following a few emails to Matt Wall, I received a reply detailing another press release as shown in the Daily Variety. I received this on June 12, 2002.

Radar Pictures and Focus, Universal's new speciality arm, are teaming to develop a movie based on Barry Sadler's "Casca" novels, about a Roman legionary who killed Christ and is cursed to live forever.

Radar's Scott Kroopf and Tom Engelman will produce "Casca", with Focus fully financing the pic. The two companies have optioned all 22 books in the series as the source material for a possible franchise. John Turman ("Iron Fist", "Silver Surfer") will write the screenplay to the first movie, which takes place in the present day. Roman soldier Casca Longinus has been wandering the earth since the death of Christ, fighting a constant battle against evil. Now he comes up against his greatest adversary.

Project was brought into Focus by co-president David Linde and production prexy Glenn Williamson. Matt Wall, senior VP of production and development, will supervise. Linde comments, "with the formation of Focus, I'm particularly pleased to be expanding my working relationship with Scott and Tom so quickly. They are proven and active filmmakers with a strong affinity for the 'Casca' lore.
Published in the U.S. by Berkeley Books, the "Casca" series has sold over 3 million copies.

Since then Matt Wall left the project and no new name was put forward, so things were put on hold..

News Update, February 2004

Following an enquiry to Ken Hatley & Associates, the people who received the deal with Interscope, I was informed by Ken himself that after getting the deal with Interscope, Gary Sizemore took it over and now following his passing, it is with the Casca owners.

News July 2006

The new Casca owners, Eastaboga Entertainment Inc, are trying to revive the movie, using the 2002 script as a foundation to gain interest in Hollywood. The script has been sent to one particular well known actor to gauge interest.

Breaking news August 2007 from the Casca Franchise owners.

Eastaboga Entertainment's Executive Producer Russ Atkinson says the film version of Casca: The Eternal Mercenary is well on its way. Mike France, screenwriter for The Hulk, Fantastic Four, The Punisher, Goldeneye, The World Is Not Enough and Cliffhanger is currently working on a script which should be ready for presentation to the studios in September.

Daniel Craig, Gerard Butler and Eric Bana are being looked at for Casca. Though details are scarce the tale will take place in the present. After many years of uncertainty about the future of Casca in film, it appears that finally we will have a script worthy of the character and a production team of Atkinson and France can make this happen! Stay tuned.