"Con Air" and "The Expendables 2" director Simon West will direct the upcoming remake of the 1986 film "Heat," Sierra/Affinity said Thursday.
The film stars "The Transporter" star Jason Statham as Nick Escalante, a role originally played by Burt Reynolds. A compulsive gambler whose addiction has led him to the streets of Vegas, Escalante takes odd jobs providing “security” to support his addiction. His professional and personal lives collide when his friend is brutally beaten forcing him to take on the mob.
"Heat" is based on "Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid" and "All the President's Men" screenwriter William Goldman's novel of the same name. Goldman also wrote the script for the original film.
The revamp reunites "Expendables 2" star Statham not only with West, but also with "The Transporter" director Cory Yuen, who will serve as the action director/fight choreographer for the film.
"Heat" begins principal photography in February.
