Timur Bekmambetov To Direct Michael Bay Produced Airplane Pirates Movie 'Heatseekers'

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by Kevin Jagernauth
January 15, 2013 4:23 PM
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Things have been quiet for director Timur Bekmambetov following last summer's "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter." In the run up to the movie there was talk of a few projects including "The Current War" about Thomas Edison with Sacha Baron Cohen considering the project as well as his take on Hermann Melville's "Moby Dick" which got a fresh rewrite. But not so much since. However, the helmer is kicking off 2013 by pairing up with a filmmaker who knows a thing or two about explosions.

Bekmambetov will direct the action flick "Heatseekers," with none other than Michael Bay sitting in producer's chair, with the project set up under his Platinum Dunes banner, while Chris Morgan of "Fast & Furious" fame is also producing. Based on a spec script by George Mahaffey snapped up by Paramount in 2010, there are no deep details yet, but the story is said to center on "an ex-military pilot who takes on a group of aerial pirates." Scott Frazer will take a pass on the script, as it the continues to develop.

No word yet on when it might shoot and certainly nothing on casting yet, but an airplane pirates movie? Under the guidance of Bay and Bekmambetov? Let's just say we'll wait to see how that plays out. But if you're wondering why Bekmambetov is getting another gig following the (preceived) flop of 'Vampire Hunter.' Well, it's because that movie did great business overseas, helping to push the worldwide haul to $116 million. And with that market getting more important by the day, guys like Bemambetov will never be lacking work. [THR]

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