George Clooney is in talks to star in Disney’s extraterrestrial tentpole 1952, directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles) from a script by Damon Lindelof (Lost).
Variety is reporting that Clooney is in talks to star in the film, described as a Close Encounters of a Third Kind-esque film, the exact details of which are being kept under lock and key by all involved, although as the comparison suggests, it follows a man making contact with aliens on Earth.
Bird recently made his transition away from Pixar to live-action filmmaking for Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol; this would presumably be his follow-up. Lindelof will also produce the film.
As The Playlist reminds us, Lindelof came up with the title after a visit to Disney last year to pitch the film. He was allowed access to Disney’s archives, and apparently found a WED Enterprises box, Walt Disney’s personal development lab. The box had the original name “That Darn Cat!” scratched out, replaced by “1952” and was filled with early ideas for an extraterrestrial movie. It’s unclear whether the connection goes on from there, or even if Lindelof used any of the materials from the box.
Variety notes that the project still has yet to be greenlit, although with the talent involved that shouldn’t really be an issue. The report says the project plans to begin production in 2013, presumably after Clooney finishes The Monuments Men, which he is writing, directing, and starring in. The film gets underway March 1 in Europe, so expect a start date for 1952 sometime later in the year.