Donaldson set to direct 'Honor'

Pic about runaway slave in Australia

By MARK SCHILLING

TOKYO -- Roger Donaldson ("The Bank Job," "The World's Fastest Indian") has signed to helm and produce the period drama "Honor Among Men," according to a source close to the production.

The pic, which is being scripted by fellow Aussie Max Mannix ("Tokyo Sonata," "Rain Fall"), is about a runaway slave from New York who makes his way to the Australian gold fields in 1854 and finds himself entangled in a rebellion by the gold miners against the British army. Based on a true story, "Honor Among Men" is being backed by Screen Australia, an Oz government body whose offer of a 40% producer rebate has been luring foreign productions to Australia.

Release is skedded for 2011, with a budget estimated at $25 million.

Donaldson will start production next week on "The Hungry Rabbit Jumps," a revenge drama starring Nicolas Cage.