Will this iteration of the Afterburn adaptation be the one that achieves lift-off?
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.
During its initial development nearly 14 years ago, Gerald Butler was attached to star while Antoine Fuqua was being eyed to direct.
In 2018, Korean filmmaker Jung Byung-gil (The Villainess) was approached to direct, replacing Fuqua.
Now, a new director is at the helm, as two A-list Hollywood actors officially sign up for the project.
Like Byung-gil, 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 lead role in the film follows a treasure hunter in the distant future, who returns to Earth to retrieve objects of artistic value after a solar flare burns half of the planet and wipes out technology across the globe.
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.
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.