Production on the upcoming Fantastic Voyage movie may begin in earnest come January 2018. Following word that has celebrated genre auteur Guillermo del Toro in talks to direct, the road towards an updated version of the 1966 sci-fi classic for 21st century audiences is well on its way to becoming a thing of reality.
Begun as a passion project started by James Cameron - who subsequently abandoned work on the film in order to pursue work on finishing his Avatar sequels - numerous talents have been involved behind the scenes for several years thus far on the new Fantastic Voyage film. Bolstered by early drafts penned by David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight), things have been slow going behind the scenes of the 20th Century Fox production - though the latest word might mean the film will finally begin filming early next year.
According to Omega Underground, 20th Century Fox is aiming to being production on Fantastic Voyage next January and will film in Toronto, Ontario. This particular piece of information might mean that del Toro will be directing the new movie, as his last three films were also shot in Canada - namely Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, and the forthcoming Fox Searchlight production The Shape of Water.
Granted, nothing is set in stone as of yet, but with del Toro seperated from the Hellboy franchise - following the start of production on an all-new reboot - this could mean he would be willing to give Fantastic Voyage his complete and undivided attention. Cameron might have made something of the original property, but with del Toro tentatively sitting in the director's chair, 20th Century Fox may very well have a real hit in the making on their hands. The director's films are not typically box office titans, but he has a loyal following and seems poised for a breakout soon.
Considering the fact that several other major studio productions have lately seen fit to film in Canada - namely David Leitch's Deadpool 2, Shane Black's The Predator, and Simon Kinberg's X-Men: Dark Phoenix - Fantastic Voyage will feel right at home if it makes its way to the start of filming in the Great White North. On that note, here's to hoping for the very best as things continue to come together behind the scenes of Fantastic Voyage.
MORE: Watch the Trailer for Del Toro's The Shape of Water
Screen Rant will keep you updated with any information related to Fantastic Voyage.
Source: Omega Underground