Statham
CANNES -- Jason Statham will star in the $40 million action thriller "The Killer Elite."
Pic will be helmed by commercials director Gary McKendry. It's based on Ranulph Fiennes' bestseller "The Feathermen."
Based on real events, story follows a group of former British special forces members who are being hunted by assassins. Statham will play a former Navy Seal who is forced out of retirement to save his closest friend.
Producers include Joni Sighvatsson, Steve Chasman and Inferno's Bill Johnson and Jim Seibel.
Plan is to begin lensing in fall in London, Paris and Australia.
Deal closed in Cannes on Wednesday night, with Inferno fully financing and handling sales. Pic is packaged by CAA, which reps domestic rights.
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