Tony Scott Commits To 'Man On Fire'

[Wednesday, July 24th, 2002]
Tony Scott has committed to direct as his next film "Man on Fire," reports Variety

Brian Helgeland-scripted adaptation of the A.J. Quinnell novel that has been Scott's unrequited love for nearly two decades.

Based on a true story, "Man on Fire" concerns an embittered former marine who moves to Italy and becomes a bodyguard for an Italian family. After the couple's 10-year old daughter is kidnapped and killed, he devotes himself to avenging her death.

"I expected to make this film 18 years ago with Arnon Milchan, right after my first movie, 'The Hunger,'" Scott said. "It stumbled along because I had only directed an esoteric vampire movie and hadn't proven my worth and I had a bird in the hand with 'Top Gun.' "

Regency Enterprises and Fox 2000 will begin production early next year in Italy.

Scott said he'll do this film and then follow with either the William Nicholson-scripted "American Caesar" at Universal or the Intermedia-based "Pancho Villa," which is being written by Steve Zaillian. "These are going to occupy the next five years of my life and I love all three of them."

More On 'Man on Fire'...

E-Mail This Article » Share your comments on 'Man on Fire'