Plans for a contemporary Papillon remake are moving forward today as Deadline reports that Rami Malek, star of USA Network‘s Mr. Robot, has entered talks to star opposite the previously attached Charlie Hunnam (Pacific Rim). Hunnam is playing a variation of the role originated by Steve McQueen in the 1973 original while Malek will play an updated version of the character played by Dustin Hoffman.
The title, the french word for butterfly, refers to Charrière’s own tattoo, which earned him the nickname.
Set up at Red Granite Pictures, the Papillon remake will offer a contemporary take on Charrière’s tale with an adapted screenplay by Prisoners‘ Aaron Guzikowski. Danish filmmaker Michael Noer (R, Northwest) is set to helm with Riz Aziz, Ram Bergman, Roger Corbi, David Koplan and Joey McFarland producing. Executive producers on the Papillon remake include Terrence Chang, Danny Dimbort, Martin Hellstern, Joshua D. Mauer, Christian Mercuri, Yan-Fischer-Romanovsky and Kevan Van Thompson.
The Papillon remake has plans to shoot in Belgrade, Serbia, Montenegro and Thailand. Check back for updates on the project as they become available.
