Not to be outdone by Netflix’s most recent titular accomplishment, Paramount Pictures is moving forward with China Film Group on a new 3D venture for Marco Polo, with a fantasy take on the story of the Venetian explorer. The film has been in the works for a few years now with scribe Stephanie Koff, and The Fast And The Furious and Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story helmer Rob Cohen directing as of last April and May, and now as of this week, the film is circling a lead.
There’s no hint at the plot, but the production is aiming at a take based on the Venetian adventurer’s exploits as chronicled in the 14th century book, The Travels Of Marco Polo (Livres des Merveilles du Monde), written in old French and varying in different forms based on several manuscripts, translations and notes, undercutting the existence of a single authoritative literary installation. There’s no word either on whether or not the chosen lead, Hayden Christensen, will be speaking French, but it appears he’s now tapped for the lead role, according to THR via City On Fire, and will likely bode well with audiences overseas given the history of source material in conjunction with the embrace of Chinese culture among Europeans.
The film will mark Christensen‘s return to studio filmmaking since his heydays as Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels, as well as films like the 2008 sci-fi actioner, Jumper and the 2010 heist pic, Takers. Christensen‘s latest film alongside star Nicholas Cage with veteran stuntman Nick Powell’s directorial debut, Outcast, which will finally head to DVD this March in North America.
Stay tuned for more info.