‘Warrior’ Director Gavin O’Connor to Direct ‘The Samurai’

Gavin O’Connor will move from fisticuffs to swordplay with a spec script acquisition by Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. has signed "The Warrior" director Gavin O'Connor  to direct the screenplay he co-wrote with Michael J. Wilson (of "Ice Age" and "Shark Tale"), TheWrap has confirmed.

The project is described as a modern-day action film about  killer-for-hire gone rogue Townes Joyce, a jail escapee who's the target of an international manhunt.

O'Connor is also teed up to direct a stage play adaptation of "The Hustler," a co-writing effort with his "Warrior" writing partner Anthony Tambackis.

Also read: 'Warrior' Packs a Punch But Doesn't Quite Go the Distance

Although the well-reviewed "Warrior" underperformed expectations at $15 million in box office with a $25 million cost, many felt that Lionsgate's marketing campaign was long on the mixed martial arts aspects and short on the touching story underneath. In any event, O'Connor, who is a CAA client and also directed "Pride and Glory," "Miracle" and "Tumbleweeds," is said to be planning a sequel.

Deadline first reported the news.

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