Is this the version of an Afterburn adaptation that will be the one to successfully launch?
Producers Neal Moritz and Toby Jaffe have been trying to get an adaptation of Paul Ens and Scott Chitwood's sci-fi comic book off the ground since 2010.
Gerald Butler was considered to star, and Antoine Fuqua was being considered to direct, when the film was first being developed about 14 years ago.
In 2018, Korean filmmaker Jung Byung-gil (The Villainess) was approached to direct, replacing Fuqua.
Deadline is reporting that Butler is also no longer attached to the project, as Guardians of the Galaxy and Dune actor Dave Bautista has signed on to headline the pic.
The main character of the movie is a treasure hunter operating in a far-off future who travels back to Earth to recover works of art. The kicker is that he recovers these priceless artifacts after a solar flare destroys half of the planet and wipes out all technology, making Earth a very dangerous place.
Per Deadline, "Bautista will play ex-soldier Jake, who works as a treasure hunter recovering valuable objects from the old world for powerful clients. His latest mission is to team with freedom fighter Drea to recover the Mona Lisa before an unhinged warlord gets there first."
Secret Invasion's Samuel L. Jackson will appear in a supporting role, as a freedom fighter named Valentine.
J.J. Perry (Day Shift), who previously worked with Bautista on the upcoming film The Killer’s Game, will direct, replacing Byung-gil.
In a press release, Jaffe stated ”Afterburn is a terrific action story, combining the fun of Indiana Jones with the near future world building of Children of Men.”
He added, “J.J. is going to bring this to life in a thrilling way, using real practical stunt work to create authentic, visceral set pieces. Dave is one of the leading action stars in the world today, as well as being an actor with real soul and versatility. So excited to be making Afterburn with them both.”
Film distributor Black Bear Pictures is handling international sales of the film.
Black Bear president John Friedberg also added, "The combination of Dave Bautista and Sam Jackson in an epic adventure is a sure-fire proposition for the international marketplace. With an action master like J.J. at the helm, and incredible producers in Steve, Neal and Toby, this is going to be a spectacular cinematic event."
Are you intrigued by the concept and the pairing of Bautista and Jackson? Let us know in the comment section below.