Columbia Pictures-based Black and Blu Entertainment's Todd Black has been hired to produce its upcoming actioner, "A Knight's Tale," set to begin lensing this April.
Pic is being scripted and helmed by Brian Helgeland, who'll receive a $5 million payday for his efforts.
In addition to Black, pic will be produced with Helgeland and producing partner Tim Van Rellim, who is also exec producing Fine Line's Cameron Diaz starrer, "Invisible Circus."
Medieval pic has Heath Ledger ("10 Things I Hate About You," "The Patriot") toplining as a peasant squire whose master croaks prematurely. Indulging his yen for jousting, the wannabe knight enlists his pal Chaucer -- fallen on hard times, as it's prior to his penning "The Canterbury Tales" -- who's supporting himself by forging noblemen's genealogy papers. Armed with the needed scrolls, the squire is able to become a magnificent jouster -- and finds love.
Project is being supervised by Col's exec veepee of production, Matt Tolmach and by Andrea Giannetti.
Helgeland shared the Oscar with Curtis Hanson for their 1997 adaptation of James Ellroy's novel "L.A. Confidential." He also scripted "Conspiracy Theory" and directed the Mel Gibson vehicle "Payback."
Helgeland is repped by CAA and is managed by Missy Malkin of Malkin Management and attorney Alan Wertheimer at Armstrong, Hirsch, Jackoway, Tyerman & Wertheimer.
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