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Director Timur Bekmambetov is hard at work putting the finishing touches on his upcoming Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter feature, but that hasn’t stopped the Russian filmmaker from lining up his next project. and the subject matter may shock you.
Variety reports that Bekmambetov’s Bazalevs banner has secured the rights to Current War – one of the hottest spec scripts making the rounds in Hollywood in 2011.
Screenwriter Michael Mitnick’s script focuses on the race between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse to create the first sustainable electric current. That’s a pretty big departure from Abraham Lincoln, but perhaps Bekmambetov is looking for a change of pace…
With Bekmambetov now onboard to direct, the search for a cast can get underway in earnest. Sacha Baron Cohen has reportedly expressed a desire to play Edison, but no offers were to be extended until the project had a helmer. Now that it does, it remains unclear as to whether or not Bekmambetov is interested in considering Cohen for the role – or if the actor is even available.
That being said, at least the film is moving forward – which has to be great news for Mitnick, given that this is his first produced project. We’ll bring you more details – including the latest casting rumors – as Current War makes its way through the Hollywood production circuit.