David Fincher will no longer direct the upcoming Steve Jobs film.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sony Pictures is looking for a new director to replace Fincher because he is seeking $10 million in up front fees. The director was also reportedly seeking control over the movie's marketing.
On the last film Sony and Fincher worked on together, 2011's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," Sony allowed Fincher to contribute to overseeing the film's marketing; Fincher came up with the movie's tagline: "The feel bad movie of Christmas."
According to various sources, Fincher also had the studio create metal, razor-blade-shaped one-sheet materials for the film that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to produce but were not suitable for display in theaters. The movie, however, did not become the box office success that Sony was hoping for and, as a result, this could have led to disputes over the upcoming "Jobs" movie.
The studio and Fincher's reps have yet to comment.
However, the Hollywod Reporter reports that a source with ties to the studio says Fincher could potentially re-enter negotiations, but that the fee he is seeking is "ridiculous."
"You're not doing 'Transformers' here," said the inside source. "You're not doing 'Captain America.' This is quality - it's not screaming commerciality. He should be rewarded in success but not up front."
The "Jobs" film is looking to be a presitigious awards film similar to "The Social Network," which Fincher also directed.
The "Jobs" movie, based on Walter Isaacson's acclaimed best-selling biography "Steve Jobs," would have reunited the director with writer Aaron Sorkinn as well as producer Scott Rudin. All three worked on "The Social Network," which grossed $225 million worldwide in 2010 and went one to win three Oscars including Best Adapted Screenplay.
Earlier, it was reported that Fincher would only direct the movie if Christian Bale joined the project. However, that rumor was never confirmed and Bale's reps never commented.
Sony is currently trying to keep a lower budget on the "Jobs" film; the studio recorded lackluster box office numbers in 2013 with it's films "After Earth" and "White House Down." Sony is now depending "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" to be a huge success, especially since the studio is lacking big franchises. Sony will also release "22 Jump Street," "Equalizer," Sex Tape" and "Fury" in 2014, and will also be in charge of distributing the remake to "Annie" and an untitled Cameron Crowe film starring Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone and Rachel McAdams.
Meanwhile, Fincher is gearing up for the release of his latest film, "Gone Girl." The movie is slated for release in October, but a trailer and poster have already been unveiled. The film is attracting attention, especially because many pundits believe it could be a big Oscar player come awards season. "Gone Girl" stars Ben Affleck, Neil Patrick Harris and Rosamund Pike.