Well, this is certainly fun news. After years of struggling to make it to the big screen, it sounds likeMegis finally moving forward with one of the few men who can actually fist fight a giant shark. Yes, action iconJason Stathamis in negotiations to take on the lead in this long-gestating thriller.
Meghas been lingering indevelopment Hellfor decades. But it sounds like Warner Bros. is finally ready tomove on the project, withJon Turteltaubin the director’s seat. He takes over forEli Roth, who bailed on the movie earlier this year after being attached for only a very short time. According toDeadline, Warner Bros. is producing the movie in conduction with China-based company Gravity, along withLorenzo di Bonaventura,Belle AveryandColin Wilson.
Megis based on the best-selling book bySteve Alten.Dean Georgarisis writing the script. The story follows one team’s attempts to kill a prehistorickiller sharkwho has been eating swimmers off the China coast. The hunters soon discover that the shark is actually aMegaladon, long thought to be extinct. The shark is one of the largest and most powerful predators in history. It weights more than any other animal on the planet, and is 60 feet in length. Though surelyJason Stathamwon’t have a problem tussling with this behemoth.
Megwill markJason Statham’s first lead role in a big studio film in quite a few years. More recently, he has taken a co-starring role in Universal’sFurious 7. And he will return inFast 8, which is scheduled to shoot soon. He also appeared in a support role oppositeMelissa McCarthyin last summer’s hit comedySpy. He is globally known as an action star, and should bring International eyes to what is being consideredJawsin China.
It was in early March that horror directorEli Rothdropped out of the project for reasons unknown. Warner Bros. was quick to assign the project toJon TurtelTaub, who is perhaps best known for theNational Treasuremovies starringNicolas Cage. Disney first attempted to turnMeginto a movie way back in 1997. Many different parties have tried to mount the adaptation since that time, all failing to succeed. Many believed thatEli Rothwould finally be the force that cracked the code. But that obviously didn’t happen. Warner Bros. and Gravity are hoping to ride the wave of success experienced byJurassic Worldthis past summer in finally bringingMegto the big screen.
