Merrick here...
Chris Morgan, who wrote FAST & FURIOUS and WANTED, is scripting 47 RONIN for Keanu Reeves.
Pic is a priority project for Universal, and it is unusual to see a first-timer entrusted to helm a film with a large budget and tentpole aspirations.
[EDIT]
Actioner "47 Ronin" tells the famous fact-based story of a band of samurai swordsmen who avenge the death of their master in 18th century Japan. The Chris Morgan ("Wanted") script was tailored so that the half-Asian Reeves can play one of the swordsmen. The picture mixes the fantastical elements of films like "The Lord of the Rings" with battle scenes of the sort found in "Gladiator" and "300."
...says Variety HERE.
Carl Rinsch, who was announced as director of the forthcoming ALIEN prequel before word came that Ridley Scott would likely take the reins, will direct RONIN. Rinsch comes to filmmaking from a commercial background, some of which can be seen here:
That Technosaurus thing in the top video is cooler than anything we saw in either TRANSFORMERS movie...
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