Simon West has signed on to direct the upcoming Heat, a remake of the 1987 Bury Reynolds vehicle. Jason Statham is attached to play the lead and has worked with West before on films like The Mechanic and The Expendables 2.

The action-thriller, tells the story of Nick Escalante (Statham) whose compulsive gambling has led him to the streets of Vegas, where he takes odd jobs providing “security” to support his addiction. His professional and personal lives collide when his friend is brutally beaten forcing him to take on the mob.

Cory Yuen, who directed The Transporter, reunites with Statham as the action director/fight choreographer and William Goldman provides a modernized version of the screenplay, based on his own original novel.

Steven Chasman will produce for SJ Pictures alongside Statham. Quad Films, whose credits include The Intouchables and Heart Breaker, are a co-producer on the film. Sierra/Affinity is handling international sales, which commenced earlier this year during the Berlin International Film Festival.

Heat is planning to begin production in February of 2013.

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