Universal issues Jose Padilha a New ‘Protocol’

Universal have been keen on making this potential moneymaker for some time now. Grabbing the rights as early as 05′, they eventually had Venezuelan filmmaker Jonathan Jakubowicz on board after his international success of Secuestro express. The title would see practically no theater play domestically, but caught the eye of the Universal folks because it should the promise of a director who could direct a thriller. Fast-forward a couple of year later, and now Uni is in final negotiations with a Brazilian filmmaker in Jose Padilha.

Padilha had a bit more luck with his Berlin International Film Festival winning Elite Squad — Hollywood came rushing in fairly quickly —  WB threw A Willing Patriot at him and Plan B wants him on board for a project titled Marching Powder. If Padilha chooses to go with a Robert Ludlum book to film project first, he almost assures himself a fair chance at a bright future. 

THR also reports that Universal has brought in several screenwriters onto the project, but they will be going with Iron Man and Punisher: War Zone scribes Matt Holloway and Art Marcum. Ludlum’s project centers on an American economist who becomes the target of professional assassins. When a U. S. intelligence agent investigating his case finds herself discredited, the two end up on the run and uncover a vast multinational conspiracy manipulating the global economy and world events.

I wonder who is on the shortlist for the duel opposite sex roles?