Paul Walker Could Star In Luc Besson’s ‘District 13’ Remake ‘Brick Mansions’
So, that Americanized version of Pierre Morel’s French thrillerDistrict 13we reported onback in 2009is still happening, and it may have just found one of its stars.Paul Walkerhas entered negotiations to join the cast of the remake, which will be titledBrick Mansionsand relocated to a city in the States (probably Chicago).
But the news isn’t all bad! Also on board isDavid Belle, who starred in the original and its sequel but will be playing a different character here. Plus, the script comes fromLuc Besson, who co-wrote the original, andRobert Mark Kamen, who collaborated with Besson onTaken. More details after the jump.
According toDeadline, several Hollywood actors were eyeing the part of Lino, but Besson ultimately turned them down because he did not want to make the film without Belle. The actor and stuntman is also the founder of parkour, a style of movement that emphasizes the use of agility and speed to get around urban obstacles. AsDeadlinehelpfully notes, “There is a lot of that in these films.” Besson also selected the director, who is said to be a protégé of his. However, Besson’s EuropaCorp has declined to reveal the identity of said helmer at this time.
Morel’s 2004 original (titledBanlieue 13in French) was a critical and commercial hit in its native country, and gained worldwide attention for its use of parkour. The sequel,District 13: Ultimatum(orBanlieue 13 Ultimatumin French) was released in 2009, with director Patrick Alessandrin.
If Walker finalizes his deal, he’ll do the part before heading to reprise his role as Brian O’Conner forFast Six. As the next two installments of theFast and the Furiousfranchise arelikely to shoot back to backthrough much of 2012,Brick Mansionswill presumably begin filming late this year or early next year. Walker alsorecently signed onfor the Hurricane Katrina thrillerHours, which is scheduled to start shooting in March.
