EXCLUSIVE: Fresh off the success of his action pic The Beekeeper, David Ayer is continuing to stay busy as the director has signed on to helm Paramount Pictures’ Heart of the Beast. Damien Chazelle and Olivia Hamilton are producing under their Wild Chickens Productions banner as part of their first-look deal with the studio. Ayer and Chris Long will produce alongside under their Cedar Park Entertainment banner.
Cameron Alexander, who penned the script, will executive produce.Richard Raymond is co-producing.
The story follows a former Navy SEAL and his retired combat dog who attempt to return to civilization after a catastrophic accident deep in the Alaskan wilderness.
Ayer is not shy of showing his appreciation of the military whether by some of the films he has directed like World War II pic Fury or his social media, which is filled with posts that properly honor those who have served and this project marks opportunity to honor those who have served. As for Chazelle, the film will be one of the first films where the Oscar-winner is serving as a full on producer after signing his deal with the studio.
Ayer is coming off his Amazon MGM Studios pic The Beekeeper, starring Jason Statham. The film overachieved at the box office bringing in $152 million at the global box office. Ayer recently came on to direct Levon’s Trade, which reunites him with Statham, who will star.
Cedar Park Entertainment and David Ayer are represented by WME. Ayer is represented by attorney David Weber and Tom Collier.