"Gangster Squad" helmer Ruben Fleischer is set to direct Lionsgate's "Jekyll," with "Captain America" star Chris Evans attached to star. The upcoming movie is the studio's new take on the "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."
According to Deadline, Evans came attached in July, to play the lead role of Tom Jackman in "Jekyll." This sets up a couple of potential competitive situations, one of them involving the rival project at Universal that is being built around Russell Crowe.
"Jekyll" is based on the Steven Moffatt-scripted six-episode BBC One Television mini-series from 2007, Variety reported. It followed a modern-day descendant of Jekyll who begins to exhibit the trademark split personality. The father and husband abandons his family, without explaining why, and lives in a fortified basement with a psychiatric nurse as his ally.
In the plot of "Jekyll," when they strap the doctor to a metal chair, the psychiatric nurse watches Jackman transform into an alter ego who rages, shows heightened strength and speed, and can also be a charming, flirtatious scoundrel as well. The two personalities try to coexist, even though one does not remember what the other does while in control of the body.
As the story of "Jekyll" progresses, a microcassette is used to leave messages for each other. Unable to stay away from the family he left behind for their own safety, Jackman visits his wife, Hyde assumes control and learns about them, and things grow very complicated.
Marc Platt is producing "Jekyll" with Ellen DeGeneres and Jeff Kleeman, through their A Very Good Production banner. Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry have written a script. They teamed on the Shane Black-directed "The Nice Guys" and "Doc Savage," as well as the remake of "Death Note."
Fleischer is repped by CAA, Management 360, and attorney Warren Dern. He is currently a producer on Brie Larson's directorial debut "Unicorn Store." He is also developing a sequel to the cult classic hit "Zombieland" for Sony which starred Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, and Woody Harrelson.
As for "Jekyll," Fleischer will work with the scribes. Some of the timing here depends on Evans' duties as Captain America in the back to back sequels to "The Avengers" which Joe and Anthony Russo are directing.
Watch the video about "Zombieland" director to helm Chris Evans' "Jekyll":
