To date, cult favorite director Ryuhei Kitamura has been the only director to make titling a film “Versus”, as cool as he did with his own 2000 hit thriller. Nowadays out of the handful that would dare to make such a move comes screenwriting duo Alex Litvak and Michael Finch whose original action spec script – itself titled Versus – has been reportedly acquired by Universal Pictures.
This particular iteration has Versus billed as a “high concept international thriller” crossing between iconic 80s action marquee hits Running Man and Bloodsport according to Deadline. David Leitch and Kelly McCormick are listed as producers on the new project via their 87North banner at Universal, while Litvak and Finch will reportedly settle in as executive producers.
Both screenwriters previously worked on 2010 sci-fi horror, Predators, and upcoming Medieval and are penning Masters Of The Universe. Leitch co-directed John Wick in 2014 for Lionsgate with Chad Stahelski before going solo with three directing gigs to date, including this weekend’s Fast And Furious Presents: Hobbs And Shaw.