Mike Fleming

David Slade Villain MovieBREAKING: Wayfare Entertainment has set David Slade to direct Villain, a psychological thriller scripted by Josh Zetumer, who wrote the Robocop remake that Jose Padilha is directing at MGM with Joel Kinnaman. Wayfare is producing and financing the film, with shooting scheduled to take place in Alaska. The thriller follows two brothers as they confront their dark past in an unforgiving wilderness. Casting is underway for the brothers. Wayfare Entertainment’s Ben Browning, Sarah Shepard and Jeremy Kipp Walker will produce. Wayfare’s Michael Maher will executive produce with Zetumer. Said Browning: “David is a brilliant director with an eye for gritty, dark thrillers. He’s the perfect match for Josh’s phenomenal script and we are confident that we will draw top-tier talent to the project in the coming weeks.”

Deal comes after Wayfare closed a deal to produce an adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s best-selling fantasy novel The Graveyard Book at Disney with Henry Selick attached to direct. Wayfare is currently in post-production on Sebastian Cordero’s The Europa Report starring Sharlto Copley, with Sierra/Affinity handling international sales. The Gotham-based Wayfare, formed in 2008, is a holding of the investment management company Observer Capital.

Slade, who helmed Twilight Saga: Eclipse, 30 Days Of Night and Hard Candy, is repped by WME and Anonymous Content, Zetumer by UTA and Management 360.