Jeannie Ready to Grant Wishes

• Jun 12, 2008 04:13 PM ET
• by movienews

After being stuck in her bottle for several years, the film adaptation of I Dream of Jeannie looks ready to emerge and grant audiences' wishes.

Director Sid Ganis has hired Rita Hsiao to rewrite the script for the movie based on the iconic 1960s sitcom.

"[Hsiao] has a terrific, bright, fresh approach to Jeannie's story, with a twist and turn along the way," Ganis tells THR.com.

At least five other scripts have been written, but were rejected by either Ganis or Columbia Pictures for being too dark or not adhering to the orignal sitcom storyline.

"This is such a beloved and iconic character that it has to be told the right way," Ganis said. "Sometimes it takes time to get there."

Jessica Alba and Steve Carell are rumored to be in line to portray leads Jeannie and Major Nelson, though no casting announcements have been made. What's your take? How would you cast this film? - J.R. Whalen