15 Movies Stuck in Development Hell for Years

15. Shrek 5

After years of rumors, Shrek 5 is finally moving ahead with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz confirmed to return, and Zendaya joining as their teenage daughter, Felicia – but it took so long that the film had to be pushed from summer to a summer 2027 release. | © Universal Pictures

14. The Man Who Killed Don Quixote

Terry Gilliam began working on The Man Who Killed Don Quixote in 1989, but decades of delays and a disastrous early shoot left the project seemingly cursed. After nearly 30 years in limbo, it finally returned to production in 2017 and premiered at Cannes in 2018. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

13. Dune

After Paramount abandoned Dune in 2010, Legendary acquired the rights the following year, but progress stalled for several more. Denis Villeneuve joined the project in 2017, and after completing Blade Runner 2049, he devoted himself to it, leading to its long-awaited 2021 release. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

12. The Cruel Prince

Universal snapped up the film rights in 2017 with Michael De Luca producing, but eight years later, it’s still stuck in development, with no word on casting, writers, or filming. As much as fans might hope, there’s been zero movement, so for now, it’s just another adaptation that hasn’t budged. | © Universal Pictures

11. Deadpool

The Deadpool movie was stuck for years despite Ryan Reynolds being attached since 2004, with a failed debut in X-Men Origins: Wolverine nearly killing the idea. A leaked test reel in 2014 reignited fan demand, leading to its 2016 release. | © Marvel Studios

10. A Devil In The White City

Stuck in development since Leonardo DiCaprio bought the rights in 2010, the project shifted from a stalled TV adaptation at Hulu into limbo – until early 2025, when 20th Century revived it as a film with DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese nearing deals to star and direct. | © 20th Century Studios

9. Mad Max: Fury Road

George Miller began planning Mad Max: Fury Road in 1999, but budget troubles and delays stalled the project for over a decade. Filming finally started in 2012, and the 2015 release went on to win six Oscars from ten nominations. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

8. Crazy Rich Asians 2

Seven years after the first film, the sequel, China Rich Girlfriend, remains in limbo with Amy Wang on script duties, but no start date is in sight. A Crazy Rich Asians TV series is moving ahead instead, leaving the movie’s future uncertain. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

7. Frozen

Disney first planned a Snow Queen adaptation in 1940, but the project was shelved for decades and revived only to be canceled again in the 90s, 2002, and 2010. It finally became Frozen in 2013, going on to become one of the most successful animated films ever made. | © Walt Disney Studios

6. National Treasure 3

More than 15 years after Book of Secrets teased the mysterious “page 47,” the third film is still crawling through development. Disney says it’s moving forward, but there’s no set date or word on Nicolas Cage’s return. | © Walt Disney Pictures

5. Gangs of New York

Martin Scorsese first discovered Gangs of New York in 1970 and spent decades trying to bring it to the screen. After countless changes and delays, the film finally premiered in 2002, earning 10 Oscar nominations. | © Miramax Films

4. The Legend of Zelda

Nintendo announced a live-action Zelda movie with Sony in 2023, but it’s still in the early stages with no filming start in sight. Wes Ball is attached to direct, yet the long-awaited adaptation remains far from becoming a reality. | © Nintendo

3. Spider-Man

Spider-Man spent nearly two decades stuck in rights disputes and failed attempts, including a scrapped James Cameron version. Sony finally secured the rights in 1999, hiring Sam Raimi to deliver the 2002 hit that redefined superhero movies. | © Sony Pictures Releasing

2. Blade

Announced in 2019 with Mahershala Ali, Blade has lost directors, faced multiple rewrites, and been pulled from Marvel’s schedule. It’s still in development with a new modern-day setting, but no director or release date. | © Marvel Studios

1. The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride spent years bouncing between studios, with multiple directors attached before deals collapsed. It finally came to life when Rob Reiner, a fan of the book, teamed up with author William Goldman to adapt the beloved story into a lasting classic. | © 20th Century Studios