Russian filmmaker Sergei Bodrov, whose big-budget fantasy film "The Seventh Son" hits theaters in October, is attached to direct the 2011 Black List script "Blood Mountain" for Derby Street Films and Lawrence Bender Productions, TheWrap has learned.
Written on spec by Jonathan W. Stokes, "Blood Mountain" is described as an Afghan-based thriller that follows a young army ranger whose team is ambushed and killed in Pakistan, forcing him to personally escort the world's most wanted terrorist over dangerous terrain in order to bring him to justice. While being hunted by both of their enemies, they must find a way to work together in order to survive.
Lawrence Bender is producing with Shaun Redick and Ray Mansfield of Movie Package Co. and James Gibb of Cutting Edge. Nicola Horlick, who runs London-based Derby Street Films, is exec producing with Rachel Durkin, Brooklyn Weaver of Energy Entertainment and Stokes.
Derby Street acquired the spec back in February 2012, and the company's website lists Bodrov as the director of "Blood Mountain," which TheWrap has confirmed with individuals close to the project.
According to Derby Street, the script is currently being rewritten to take account of the director's notes before casting begins. Production is tentatively scheduled to start this fall in India.
Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore star in "The Seventh Son," which Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures will release on October 18. Bodrov previously directed "Mongol," which was Oscar nominated for Best Foreign Language Film in 2008.
Bodrov is represented by UTA and Richard Arlook of The Arlook Group.
