Deadline reports that Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham are teaming up for a remake of the 2004 French action-thriller Le Convoyeur from Miramax. The two previously worked together in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.
Le Convoyeur follows “H, a cold and mysterious character working at a cash truck company responsible for moving hundreds of millions of dollars around Los Angeles each week. Weaving through a suspenseful and carefully constructed narrative, the film shifts across timelines and between various characters’ perspectives for a thrilling and mind-bending experience.”
On the reunion with Statham, Ritchie joked:
“I’m looking forward to bringing this story to life and working with Jason while he still has the use of his knees.”
It’s nice to see Ritchie and Statham returning to their roots. Ritchie also has The Gentlemen, starring Matthew McConaughey, coming out next year which also looks right at home with Ritchie’s earlier bodies of work.
Deadline also reports that Pierre Morel, the man responsible for blessing this world with Taken, is set to direct a new action-thriller called The Blacksmith. It is an adaptation of a graphic novel by Malik Evans and Richard Sparkman. Ben Ripley will write the screenplay.
The Blacksmith follows Wes Loomis, “a go-to weapons expert or the intelligence community. When his clandestine lab is destroyed and his colleagues murdered, Wes must go on the run with only his unique set of technological skills to keep him alive, in a journey that takes him to the heart of his own dark profession.”
Executive producer Stuart Ford had this to say in a statement:
“Ben Ripley’s terrific script introduces us to a highly original, new breed of tech savvy action hero in Wes Loomis, and Pierre is the perfect director to bring this franchise to life”.
Producer Jon Shestack added:
“Our hero is thrown out into the world with no allies and none of his usual tools. His race to survive is one thrilling improvisation after another, and I can’t wait to see Morel bring that to life.”
This sort of just sounds like a millennial, tech-savvy version of MacGyver, but heck I’m all for more action-thrillers. Why not make this a double reunion post and get Liam Neeson to play the lead. You know you want to do it Morel.
We’ll be sure to bring you more information on these films when they become available. Which film would you rather see?
