James Gunn, now recognized for his leadership role in one of Hollywood’s major studios, almost ventured into a highly unconventional project: a Gilligan’s Island cannibal movie based on a screenplay by Charlie Kaufman. This unusual James Gunn cannibal movie project, conceived during the late 1990s and again after Gunn’s success with Guardians of the Galaxy, ultimately failed to materialize due to resistance from the original show’s creator and his estate.
A Partnership Rooted in Unusual Creativity
Before his superhero era, James Gunn built his career on eccentric and offbeat films, learning his craft at Troma before co-writing cult classics like Tromeo and Juliet, contributing scripts for Scooby-Doo, Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead remake, directing Slither, and creating the web series James Gunn’s PG Porn. At the same time, Charlie Kaufman developed a reputation for his unique and experimental screenwriting, earning Oscar nominations for Being John Malkovich and Adaptation, and winning for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
While Gunn’s career shifted towards mainstream success and Kaufman continued exploring his distinct narrative style, their paths nearly intersected in an unexpected collaboration: adapting Gilligan’s Island, the classic 1960s sitcom. Kaufman’s vision diverged sharply from the lighthearted tone of the original, imagining a desperate scenario where the stranded castaways resorted to cannibalism.
The Cannibal Horror Adaptation That Never Was
The original Gilligan’s Island entertained audiences for three seasons, following seven shipwreck survivors trying to adapt to life on an isolated island. The show maintained a cheerful and comedic approach, but Kaufman saw untapped potential in turning the survival theme into a far darker narrative, with the characters driven to extreme measures for survival.
“A true story: In the late ’90s, screenwriting GOAT Charlie Kaufman pitched a movie version of Gilligan’s Island where the islanders, starving and desperate, started killing and eating each other,”
James Gunn, Filmmaker, shared. He continued,
“Warner Bros wanted to do it, but Sherwood Schwartz, the creator, said, ‘No way.’”
Sherwood Schwartz, who also composed the show’s theme, refused to allow his creation to be transformed into such a graphic horror story, despite Kaufman’s involvement.
Persistent Efforts and Continued Roadblocks
After Schwartz’s death in 2011, Gunn made an effort to revive the James Gunn cannibal movie project, hoping his newfound influence and Kaufman’s continued interest could finally bring the adaptation to fruition. However, the Schwartz estate maintained the creator’s original decision, putting another halt to the production.
“After Guardians [of the Galaxy], I tried to resurrect the idea, and wanted to direct,”
James Gunn, Filmmaker, revealed. He added,
“It seemed Warners and Charlie were interested, but this time, the estate of the late Sherwood Schwartz nixed it. Anyway, if the Schwartz estate changes their mind, I’m here.”
Despite now holding significant power within the studio, Gunn’s hopes for the project remain tied to the approval of the Schwartz estate.
The Prospects of a Cannibalistic Island Remain Uncertain
The story of Gunn and Kaufman’s failed Gilligan’s Island adaptation underscores the challenges of reimagining classic television for a modern—and markedly different—audience. The original sitcom’s legacy, coupled with strong opposition from the creator’s estate, has stalled what could have been one of the most audacious adaptations in Hollywood history. Unless the Schwartz estate reverses its position, the prospect of this grim reinterpretation remains an intriguing “what if” in the careers of both James Gunn and Charlie Kaufman, highlighting ongoing debates about creative boundaries in the film industry.
