Another Chance for Giant Shark Movie

source: latimes.com
The megalodon was a giant shark that lived in prehistoric times, between about 18 million to 1.5 million years ago and was the apex predator of its time. It is the largest carnivorous fish known to have existed. (Wikipedia).

Megalodon VS Great White VS Human

It's a scary creature and one that has been ripe some time for a fitting Hollywood story to support it. Apparently some scientists actually believe that it could still be around today in incredibly deep waters, but this isn't a popular theory.

As a beach fanatic, who still hears the iconic Jaws tune every time I get to about waist-height water at the beach, I share the same terrifying fascination of sharks as many people out there. The idea that there are even a fraction of scientists who firmly believe a 20m shark could still be swimming around chewing on whales gives me the shivers.

Recreating the krill experience

Which is why I have been eagerly waiting for years for the worthy big screen adaptation of Meg. It's been in development hell since New Line bought the film rights of the bestselling 1997 sci-fi novel "Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror" by Steve Alten.

Since then New Line and Disney have both passed over his story of an 80 foot man-eater, but just recently a new financier has stepped up to the plate. Knowing full well that the people want to see Jaws on steroids, the new team (that has been behind upcoming big movies Hellboy II and The Watchmen) are looking to add Meg to their stable of blockbusters.

It all seems like an improvement on previous bidders. New Line invested millions in the project and even had director Jan De Bont (Speed) on board to helm the picture. They eventually jumped ship because they believed that the risks outweighed the benefits.

Safe and sound

Disney took things in a radically different (bad) direction when they had the rights, with author Alten recalling that they wanted to have the shark growling like a pit bull and complete with... well... wings.

So finally it is looking like this project is getting another chance to hit our screens. There have been plenty of near-misses and failed "sure-things" with Meg, but it's good to see that this potential blockbuster isn't quite dead in the water just yet. Steve Alten's website lists an estimated 2009 release.

No matter what happens, it has to be better than Shark Attack 3: Megalodon...