Jason Statham To Star in Remake of William Goldman’s Novel Adaptation ‘Heat’

(Written for BritScene)

British actor Jason Statham, soon to be seen in Boaz Yakin’s action thriller Safe, will star in a remake of the 1987 gambling film Heat, producer Sierra/Affinity revealed last week.

Adapted from the novel of the same name, written by Oscar-winner William Goldman who wrote the screenplay to the original film, this remake is set to be directed by Brian De Palma (Mission: Impossible).

The story centres on a recovering gambling addict who makes his living providing protection to other gamblers. Statham takes this lead, as a character who refuses to resort to gunplay, strictly using hand and edged weapon combat. When a friend is brutally beaten by a mobster, he decides to help her get revenge.

Originally directed by Dick Richards, Steven Chasman will produce the film alongside Statham, and will begin principal photography in France in late 2012/early 2013.