NBC closed a deal for a TV series based on the 1989 movie Say Anything starring John Cusack and Ione Skye. But after director Cameron Crowe strongly objected to the series (Cusack did too), Twentieth Century Fox TV shelved the project. The studio could have legally proceeded without Crowe’s consent but – get this – the studio executive “did not want to do it without his [Crowe’s] blessing as their intention all along had been to have his consent.” The TV series was to be set in present day. Ten years after Lloyd Dobler (Cusack) has been dumped by valedictorian Diane Court (Skye), Diane reappears in town and Lloyd is inspired to ‘”dare to be great” once again.
The incident has precedent. When NBC recently planned a remake of Murder, She Wrote, its indelible star Angela Lansbury spoke out against the idea. While some say her comments didn’t have a direct impact on NBC’s decision – the project didn’t go forward.
