Universal has optioned James Sallis's novel 'Drive', with both Seed and Marc Platt Productions companies helming, and Hugh Jackman is to star. This story is set in the seamy underside of S.California and Arizona and centers on a stuntman who moonlights as a wheelman during robberies, who discovers that a contract has been put out on him. John Palermo told Daily Variety, "We see it as a great Steve McQueen-type role for Hugh,". 'Drive' was first penned as a short story in 'Measure of Poison' Anthology and was later written to novella length, then sold to Poisoned Pen Press and was published last September. Platt's execs Adam Siegel and Jared LeBoff brought 'Drive' to Universal which U prexy of production Jon Gordon and VP Jeff Kirschenbaum will oversee for the studio. Hugh Jackman, John Palermo and Marc Platt will also be producing this feature. Thanks Variety

Universal Pictures has optioned James Sallis's novel 'Drive' as a starring vehicle for Hugh Jackman in which he'll also be producing. Sallis had originally written 'Drive' as a short story for 'Measures of Poison' anthology but was later expanded to novella length and published last September. Jackman will next be seen in 'Xmen 3' plus these upcoming features this year 'Flushed Away', 'Happy Feet', Woody Allen's 'Scoop, Darren Aranofsky's 'The Fountain' and Christopher Nolan's 'The Prestige. He's also attached to a number of different projects as well, 'Wolverine, 'Fed X', 'If You Could See Me Now' and 'Rebound Guy'. Thanks Empire Movies

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Craig McDonald from This Weeks News.com had a sit down chat with James Sallis at his home in Scotsdale Arizona. Sallis who talks about his books, the history behind creating them and his upcoming new novel, 'Cripple Creek' which continues Turner's story from it's predecessor book Drive which has been optioned for a film to star Hugh Jackman and will soon be re-released in paperback. Even though the article is a bit short, there's some very interesting information on how Sallis writes his novels through personal and work experiences. Check out the link, it is an interesting read. Thanks This Weeks News.com

New Line has hired Hossein Amini ('The Wings of the Dove') to pen 'The Subtle Knife'. New Line is still in the midst of 'The Golden Compass' production but has plans to shoot the second and third stories from Phillip Pullman's trilogy. While Amini has been courted by New Line to develop the script, he's currently working on 'Drive' which Marc Platt is producing and Hugh Jackman is attached to star in. Thanks Variety

New Line has hired Amini to pen 'The Subtle Knife', for Phillip Pullman's second novel of his "His Dark Materials", also mentioned are other projects he's working on. There was a quick mention in this article about the upcoming film 'Drive', here's the excerpt. Thanks Comingsoon.net

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Amini is currently penning Drive for Universal with Hugh Jackman attached to star and Marc Platt producing.

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Universal has signed Neil Marshall on to helm 'Drive', an adaption of James Sallis Novel which was scribed by Hossein Amini. Set to star in this film is Hugh Jackman and the story revolves around a Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a getaway car driver in heists. 'Drive' will be Marshall's first big studio job for a non-genre picture. Universal is hoping to make this film this summer and scheduling will determine if Jackman will be getting behind the wheel on this action thriller. This deal marks the second recent pack for Marshall with Universal, he'll also be writing and directing 'Sacrilege', a horror story set in the Old West for Rogue Pictures and along with the recently released 'Doomsday'. "This is something I haven't done before, and I've wanted to bring a British sensibility to an L.A. shoot and a scorched classic film noir concept," Marshall told Variety. He goes onto say, "Hoss is a fantastic writer, and he's written three amazing car chases in the film. He's turned them into dramatic scenes as opposed to the usual crash, bang, wallop. I would like to be shooting it this summer." Mark Platt and Jackman, John Palmero and Seed Productions are producing this film. Thanks Variety

Neil Marshall's next project was just announced, Universal's adaption of James Sallis novel, Drive. Hugh Jackman is still attached to this film and the story revolves around a Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a getaway car driver in heists. Marshall hit the horror scene with a bang with features like 'Dog Soldiers', 'The Descent' and with his current feature, which is still in theatres, 'DoomDay'. "This is something I haven't done before, and I've wanted to bring a British sensibility to an L.A. shoot and a scorched classic film noir concept," Marshall said when speaking to Variety. "Hoss is a fantastic writer, and he's written three amazing car chases in the film. He's turned them into dramatic scenes as opposed to the usual crash, bang, wallop. I would like to be shooting this summer." Marshall has also signed on to helm Universal's 'Sacrilege, another horror film that is set in the old west. Thanks Movies Online

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