Petersen leads Columbia's 'Uprising'

Leavitt writing sci-fi thriller for Red Wagon

By TATIANA SIEGEL

Petersen

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Wolfgang Petersen has signed on to direct the sci-fi thriller "Uprising" for Columbia Pictures.

Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher ("Gladiator") are producing through their Sony-based Red Wagon shingle.

Story revolves around the resistance efforts of some citizens after Earth has been occupied by a powerful alien race. Charles Leavitt ("Blood Diamond") is writing the screenplay.

Petersen previously teamed with the studio on "Das Boot," "In the Line of Fire" and "Air Force One."

Columbia president Doug Belgrad said Wolfgang Petersen is "just the right director to handle 'Uprising's' mix of action, suspense and drama."

Red Wagon's recent films for Sony include "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "RV."

Petersen also directed "Poseidon," "Troy" and "The Perfect Storm."

Leavitt's credits include "K-Pax" and "The Mighty" as well as "The Express," which is set for release Oct. 3.