Len Wiseman will direct the science-fiction spy film “Black Chapter” for David Ellison‘s Skydance Productions, the company announced Tuesday. Skydance, which tends to make big-budget, action-heavy films, will produce and co-finance the film.
The story chronicles an FBI agent who joins a classified military program that trains its operatives to use paranormal abilities. Zack Penn wrote the script from a story he conceived with Wiseman.
“Len and Zak have created a truly original piece of science fiction that reimagines the spy genre set in the world of the supernatural,” Ellison said in a statement. “This is exactly the type of original story telling that we want to produce and I am thrilled to be in business with both of them.”
It remains unclear who will distribute this movie. Skydance has a co-financing deal with Paramount, with whom it has made “World War Z,” “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” and “Star Trek Into Darkness,” but Paramount is not on board this project. At least not yet.
Ellison and Skydance’s Dana Goldberg will produce the film, while Wiseman will produce through his Sketch Films banner. Paul Schwake and David Bernardi will executive produce for Skydance and Sketch, respectively.
Also read: David Ellison’s Skydance Promotes Dana Goldberg to Oversee Film, TV
Wiseman began his career working on a troika of movies for director Roland Emmerich (including “Independence Day” and “Godzilla”) before directing several music videos. His first feature was “Underworld,” which spawned a franchise and launched his career. His last movie was Sony’s remake of “Total Recall,” starring Colin Farrell and Jessica Biel.
Wiseman’s attorney is Howard Abramson of Behr & Abramso, while Penn works wiyth Jeff Frankel of McKuin Frankel Whitehead, LLP. CAA represents both of them.