It's been floating around the past week or so but not been mentioned here as far as I can tell.
Doc Savage: Man of Bronze is being developed over at Columbia Picture with Shane Black set to direct. Who is Shane Black? He is the writer behind the Lethal Weapon series and also wrote Last Action Hero and Long Kiss Goodnight. He also directed Kiss Kiss Bang Bang which had Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer.
http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2010/02/columbia-pictures-picks-up-doc.html (http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2010/02/columbia-pictures-picks-up-doc.html)
http://gordonandthewhale.com/shane-black-to-direct-doc-savage/ (http://gordonandthewhale.com/shane-black-to-direct-doc-savage/)
http://www.cinemaspy.com/article.php?id=4078 (http://www.cinemaspy.com/article.php?id=4078)
Black is co-writing the screenplay with Anthony Bagarozzi and Chuck Mondry. Neal Moritz will produce through his Sony-based Original Film.
No word on if the piece will be "updating" the character or the time period or not.
I really can't see the character in modern times, not without being goofy. That being said, I have hopes here. If they try messing with it to make it a serious modern character I'm gone, but if they give me pulpy goodness for modern audiences, I'm in.
I tend to agree - modernizing the character wouldn't really bring anything worthwhile to the character. But a good period piece in the style of the Rocketeer could be a lot of fun.
Definitely a period film is the way to go. I have confidence in Shane Black here though. Very hyped. I'm a huge huge Doc fan.
They've got a competent action flick director, so that's a good sign. I'm excited about this, but like most of you, I hope they keep it a period piece!