'Knights Templar' fight for Universal

Bekmambetov to produce Middle Ages feature

By MARC GRASER

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Universal Pictures is assembling "The Knights Templar," picking up a spec script from Adam Torchia and Justin Stanley for Marc Platt and "Wanted" helmer Timur Bekmambetov to produce.

Plot puts a horror spin on the famed organization of fighters from the Middle Ages, with the Knights Templar, fresh from the Crusades, forced to fend off an invading vampire army set on destroying the Holy Grail.

Torchia works as an assistant story editor in Universal's story department, where he's spent the past 10 years. He sold the script "Strange Magic" to Alcon Entertainment last year.

Platt will produce "Knights Templar" through his Marc Platt Prods banner, while Bekmambetov will shepherd the project through his Bazelevs Prods, with Jim Lemley.

Platt recently produced "The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising" at Fox and U's "The Perfect Man."

Bekmambetov helmed the Russian hits "Night Watch" and "Day Watch," as well as U's upcoming actioner "Wanted," which bows June 27. Lemley is also a producer on that project.