Sierra / Affinity announced today that they will commence sales efforts in Berlin on the remake of the 1987 feature film Heat with Jason Statham set to star and Brian De Palma directing the action film from a script adapted by two-time Oscar winner William Goldman. Goldman also wrote the original screenplay of the 1987 version of the film which starred Burt Reynolds. Both the modern take as well as the film from the '80s are based on Goldman's novel of the same title. Steven Chasman will produce alongside Statham. Heat will start principal photography in France in late 2012 or early 2013.

This tightly-wound action-thriller tells the story of a tough recovering gambling addict (Statham) who makes his living providing protection in the rough edges of the gambling world. Statham's character refuses to resort to gunplay, strictly using hand and edged weapon combat. When a dear friend is brutally beaten by a high-rolling mobster, he helps her get her revenge and he ends up in more trouble than he ever imagined.

Sierra’s Nick Meyer says: "We are pleased to once again be working with Jason and Steve on another project which in this case is based on great source material from a rare combination of an acclaimed novelist who is also at the top of his game as a screenwriter. We look forward to bringing this elevated action-thriller from Brian De Palma to distributors around the world. We feel this project has it all-a first rate piece of material, a legendary director and a global action star."

Later this year Statham will be seen in Sierra / Affinity and Incentive Filmed Entertainment's Parker, which comes to theaters on October 12, 2012.