Jean-Jaques Annaud, who directed Enemy At The Gates and Two Brothers, is close to a deal to direct bounty-hunter thriller Kashmir.
The film has been set up by Relativity Media, based on a script by DB Weiss, who has just agreed to write the I Am Legend prequel for Will Smith, reports Variety .
Kashmir follows three former mercenaries who discover information about the location of a wanted terrorist. But though the job of capturing him will take them into dangerous territory between India and Pakistan, the $30 million bounty is too good to give up.
Location Shooting
Having originated with Weiss and producers David Benioff and Gunyon Casady at Warners, the film was shoved into turnaround but has been rescued by Relativity.
If Annaud locks down his deal, the film will kick off shooting next spring, with the helmer preferring to film in authentic locations. The production's scouting the likes of Mexico, India and Argentina as likely destinations.
"I just received an email from him referring to his and my upcoming trip to Pakistan, which he said is necessary to feel the fear that comes with being a Westerner and knowing that any of these unfriendly eyes might want to do something to you," Weiss says.
Rumours that Annaud will be wearing a backpack bearing the message "Get him first, he's American" are, sadly, unfounded.
