CBS Films has picked up the domestic distribution rights for the Jason Statham starring remake of the classic Charles Bronson film The Mechanic. The studio reports that they hope to release the film in the Spring of 2011.
The flick, based on the 1972 original, sees Statham as a hitman teaching the trade to an apprentice, played by Ben Foster, who has a connection to one of Statham’s victims.
Read the full press release from CBS after the jump.
CBS Films today announced the acquisition from Millennium Films (The Expendables, Trespass) of The Mechanic, by director Simon West (Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider). The Company has acquired the US distribution rights for the film—which is produced by Irwin Winkler, Robert Chartoff (Oscar©-winners for Rocky, Goodfellas), David Winkler and William Chartoff—for a planned Spring 2011 release. The film stars Jason Statham (The Expendables, The Bank Job), Ben Foster (3:10 To Yuma) and Donald Sutherland (The Italian Job), Richard Wenk and Lewis John Carlino wrote the screenplay.
A remake of the 1972 action thriller starring Charles Bronson, The Mechanic follows an elite hit man (Statham) as he teaches his trade to an apprentice (Foster) who has a connection to one of his previous victims. “We look forward to working with the CBS Films team on releasing this movie,” stated Winkler and Chartoff who also produced the original film. “CBS Films possesses a refreshing, constructive energy and we are excited with their game plan to bring this exhilarating film to audiences.”
“We are very proud of The Mechanic and could not be more pleased to be working with CBS Films on this release,” stated Millennium Films’ Avi Lerner.
CBS Films President and Chief Executive Office Amy Baer commented, “The right acquisitions have always been a part of our plan and in The Mechanic we have a strong intelligent action thriller.”
