Note: Because Charlie Kaufman is no longer attached to this film, I will probably not be updating this page unless something REALLY interesting happens, or Charlie does become involved after all.

I Give It: (anticipation factor - even though Charlie's no longer involved, it still sounds pretty interesting... unless they go with an all-CG affair as rumoured, in which case it gets )
Release Date: Unknown
Official Site: None yet.
The Pitch: This is an adaptation of the novel by Phillip K. Dick (Bladerunner). It's about an undercover narc cop whose constant lying and own drug use start blurring his realities. He develops a split-personality (cop vs. addict) and, as a cop, begins surveilling his drug-dealer identity. But of course.
The Buzz: None, really. It's been fairly quiet.
Cast: Unknown
Crew: Section 8 (George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh's company) have optioned the film for $200 000. Richard Linklater is said to be in talks to write and direct the film. Charlie Kaufman's draft of the script has been passed over. Previously, Jersey Films (Danny DeVito's company) were to produce the film for Universal, and Emma-Kate Croghan (Love & Other Catastrophes) was attached to direct.

Articles/Reviews: Richard Linklater to direct? - AICN
Kaufman and Philip K. Dick's A SCANNER DARKLY - AICN

I Say: Though Charlie did write a draft of the script, word now is that he's been scrapped in favour of Rick Linklater, who will write and direct the piece. Oh, the humanity! So any enthusiasm I had for this project is rapidly evaporating. I still might end up seeking out a copy of Charlie's script, but chances are I won't be keeping pace with the latest on this project unless it turns out Charlie is somehow still attached.

Latest: 14/4/02 - In an interview with Reel.com to promote Human Nature, Charlie says "I wrote a script that was based on a Philip K. Dick book, Scanner Darkly, which I don't think is getting made. At least if it is getting made, it's not with my script. I heard that someone's doing it now."

14/3/02 - Okay, it's official. Charlie's draft of the script is out. As in gone. As in he's no longer attached to the movie. According to AICN, Charlie's work has been ditched. Instead, Rick (Waking Life) Linklater has been offered the job of writing and directing the movie. Word is it may be an all-CG affair, oh joy. Depending on later news, I probably won't be updating this page too frequently if Charlie doesn't get the gig. Charlie is supposedly one of the hottest writers in Hollywood right now, yet his work keeps getting screwed - first by Spike "Pace? Lighting? What?" Jonze, then by Clooney (he re-wrote the ending of Confessions), and now this. Why get excited about working with Charlie if you're just going to completely change or scrap his stuff anyway? Pffft. Attention Charlie: start directing your own movies.

18/2/02 - Screenwriter's Utopia says that Section 8, the production company owned by Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney, has optioned Dick's novel for two hundred thousand dollars. The article implies that Charlie isn't quite as attached to this project as I'd thought. They say Kaufman wrote a draft of the script, which I take to mean that Kaufman's draft isn't necessarily the one they'll go with. Click here for more info.

- Not really the latest, just a brief snippet from IGN.com:

Charlie Kaufman brought us inside John Malkovich, then he created (and killed) his own fake brother Donald and made him the subject of his adaptation of The Orchid Thief. Now Charlie is going into the most twisted territory of them all: a Phillip K. Dick story.

You may only know PKD's work from the films Hollywood has twisted out: Bladerunner (which had the tone, if not the story, of the novel) and Total Recall (which was an Arnie movie, through and through). Now Ain't It Cool News has a rumor that Charlie is tackling A Scanner Darkly for Universal, with director Emma-Kate Croghan (Love and Other Catastrophes) attached. Scanner is about an undercover narc cop whose constant lying and drug use starts blurring his realities. Both Charlie Kaufman and Phillip K. Dick are experts at differing realities, so expect the best. But kids, don't try this at home.    (Source)