SUBMITTED BY Typhon24

April 30, 2002 —

From the Hollywood Reporter:

Tim Burton will direct Columbia Pictures' adventure feature "Big Fish" for producers Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen. Richard D. Zanuck also has come aboard to produce the project, with production aimed to start in early fall. "Fish" had been in a holding pattern ever since helmer Steven Spielberg expressed interest in directing the project nearly two years ago (HR 8/10/00). At the same time, Spielberg also was attached to direct the studio's "Memoirs of a Geisha." But after completing 20th Century Fox's "Minority Report" and shortly after entering production on DreamWorks' "Catch Me If You Can," Spielberg opted out of both Columbia projects. The studio then began discussions with Spike Jonze for "Geisha" (HR 3/14) and turned to Burton for "Fish."