Rob Cohen, director of “The Fast and the Furious” and “XXX,” is working with Academy Award-winning producer Gene Kirkwood (“Rocky”) to develop a new action franchise based on the life of famed physicist Isaac Newton for BiteSize Entertainment.
Cohen will write the screenplay and guide the design of a graphic novel based on a lesser-known part of Newton’s life – his time as chief detective and head of the British Mint.
“Working with someone of Rob’s creative reach gives us the opportunity to go beyond the traditional concept of a movie franchise and develop a cross platform entertainment franchise from the ground up,” Kirkwood said in a statement. “We see this as a real opportunity to redefine the concept from day one, using multiple channels and outlets to more creatively develop and extend the characters and storyline, while generating huge excitement in advance of the theatrical release.”
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Kirkwood and producing partner Ross Eliot's Kirkwood-Eliot Production is the exclusive feature film production arm for Ron Bloom's BiteSize. The studio is currently working on “Mad Dogs and Englishmen,” a dramedy starring Colin Firth.
Cohen said he has wanted to work with Kirkwood since 1975, when he was at Motown. Kirkwood sought out Billy Dee Williams to play Apollo Creed in “Rocky,” but that never happened.
This project finally unites the two Hollywood veterans.
Cohen has a series of projects in development, including Lionsgate/Summit’s “Alex Cross” starring Tyler Perry and Ed Burns.