A package of buzzy action movies is set to be produced at Netflix, sources tell Variety, and has been roughly 33 years in the making.
“Reacher” and “War Machine” star Alan Ritchson is in talks to topline “Maelstrom,” a spec he first sold to Warner Bros. in 1993 when prolific producer Jeff Robinoff was his agent. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, director of Netflix’s top-rated original film Carry On.
The film is about a federal marshal protecting the fiancée of an arms dealer who seeks witness protection. Events unfold one night as a hurricane strikes, cutting off communication with the outside world and preventing reinforcements from arriving. They must fight together to survive the onslaught of arms dealers and the escalating elements of the natural disaster raging outside.
Screenwriter Mark Bianculli (How to Rob a Bank) was tapped to revamp the script and modernize the characters from the first draft by the late author Gregory Fitzpatrick. The project will be Robinoff’s first major production in his deal with Netflix, and he will produce alongside Tabitha Thicke and Talking Pictures. The former head of Warner Bros. Pictures has directed multibillion-dollar franchises including the “Dark Knight” trilogy and the “Hangover” films.
At Netflix, “Maelstrom” found its way back to screens with the success of “Carry-On.” Jason Bateman’s title sat dormant for 11 years until Netflix’s Oli Marmur dusted it off and brought in some great talent, including director Collet-Serra. And it made it the third most-watched movie of all time on the streamer. Maamer and his team then approached top producers for the best unproduced projects with high-concept hooks and brought Maelstrom back to life with Netflix head of development Kira Cousineau.
Representatives for Ritchson and Collet-Serra had no immediate comment on the matter. A representative for Netflix declined to comment.
Ritchson’s popularity has exploded since her appearance on Prime Video’s hit series Reacher. In the series, the big-bodied actor plays a retired military police officer on the run for a murder he didn’t commit. He is repped by WME, Rich Cook of Range Media Partners, Shelter Public Relations and Hansen Jacobson Teller. Collet-Serra is represented by Scott Greenberg of LBI.
