Mike Fleming

EXCLUSIVE: Nicolas Cage and John Cusack are in talks to star in The Frozen Ground, a drama to shoot this fall in Anchorage, Alaska. It will mark the feature directing debut of Scott Walker, who wrote the script. Pic is based on true events surrounding Alaska’s most notorious serial predator, Robert Hansen. Cusack is in talks to play a respected family man who for over 12 years abducted more than 24 women and flew them into the Alaskan wilderness to be hunted. Cage is in talks to play a principled and dedicated Alaskan State Trooper who finds Hansen’s only surviving teen victim alive on the street. The trooper and the young girl finally bring Hansen to justice.

The pic’s produced by Emmett Furla Films’ Randall Emmett and George Furla and Amber Entertainment’s Jane Fleming and Mark Ordesky. Pic will be exec produced by Envision Entertainment’s Stephan Martirosyan and Remington William Chase, and Curtis Jackson. Financing is by Emmett Furla and Voltage will handle international sales. Emmett Furla just finished Fire With Fire and the Stephen Frears-directed Lay the Favorite and is gearing up for production on Broken City and the David Ayer-directed End of Watch with Jake Gyllenhaal.

Cage most recently wrapped Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance and Cusack wrapped The Raven and is shooting the Lee Daniels-directed The Paperboy. CAA reps Cage and Cusack. Walker’s deal was made by attorney Lev Ginsburg. He doesn’t have a manager or agent, but that will probably change soon.