Jeff Robinov‘s development slate at Studio 8 is starting to come together, as the company is exploring a trio of projects, two of which come with directors attached, an individual with knowledge of its plans told TheWrap.
Studio 8 is in negotiations to acquire Eric Jager’s book “The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal and Trial by Combat in Medieval France.” Francis Lawrence is attached to direct the period drama, which doesn’t have a writer yet but would be produced by Erwin Stoff.
Story finds King Charles VI ordering two men to a public duel that will leave only one of them standing and could result in the additional death of one of their wives.
Robinov is also considering an untitled period project from “Book of Eli” co-director Albert Hughes and producer Chuck Roven that follows a young caveman and his wolf-dog. The script was written by Dan Weidenhaupt, who works for Roven as a creative executive at Atlas Entertainment.
Robinov has been eager to reunite with familiar faces and he has a long relationship with Hughes, having served as his agent in the ’90s.
Finally, Robinov is preparing to develop an English-language remake of the Chinese crime thriller “Overheard,” which was written by “Infernal Affairs” scribes Alan Mak and Felix Chong.
“Infernal Affairs” served as the basis for “The Departed,” which won the Best Picture Oscar under Robinov’s watch. Like that film, “Overheard” is a cop movie with intricate plotting that features plenty of twists and turns.
There are also widespread rumors that Robinov will once again work with his “Dark Knight” collaborator Christopher Nolan, who attended a Studio 8 function on the Sony lot in late September.
Thus far, Studio 8 is preparing to develop a diverse slate of films, but none of the aforementioned projects are expected to be the first out of the gate for the company, as Robinov surely has more secrets up his suit sleeves.
The Hollywood Reporter broke the news.