Liam Neeson is back in action, as the actor is set to star as a world-class assassin in a crime thriller to be directed by “Casino Royale” filmmaker Martin Campbell, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
STX International will handle sales rights introducing the film to buyers at the European Film Market, and CAA Media Finance will handle North American distribution rights.
Neeson will star in “Memory” as an assassin who finds himself a target after he refuses to complete a job for a dangerous criminal organization. He has to go on the run to survive from both the other killers and the FBI that’s also on his tail.
“Memory” is adapted from a Dutch film called “The Memory of a Killer” from 2003, and Dario Scardapane wrote the script. Production is expected to begin this August.
Cathy Schulman (“Crash”) will produce through her Welle Entertainment banner alongside Rupert Maconick and Arthur Sarkissian. Black Bear Pictures’ Teddy Schwarzman, Michael Heimler and Ben Stillman will executive produce. Black Bear Pictures will fully finance. The deal is part of a partnership announced Wednesday between STX International, Black Bear Pictures and Elevation Pictures in which STX International will sell and distribute all Black Bear films internationally, and for Elevation Pictures, in which Black Bear is a major investor, to distribute all STX productions in Canada.
Neeson was just seen in the drama “Ordinary Love” alongside Lesley Manville. Campbell’s last film was “The Foreigner” with Jackie Chan, which also paired the director with STX International and producers Schulman and Sarkissian. He’s currently filming “The Asset” with Maggie Q and Samuel L. Jackson.