Zhang Yimou to Direct Legendary's 'Great Wall'

You may recall a couple years back when Edward Zwick (The Last Samurai) was set to helm The Great Wall for Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, telling the story of two traveling British soldiers (Henry Cavill & Benjamin Walker) in 15th century China who witness the construction of what will be known as the Great Wall, only to learn its purpose is not to keep out humans, but terrifying creatures.

Long story short, the project fell apart.

Now though, Legendary Pictures (no longer working under Warners) wants to put the project back together and have hired one of China's own greatest living directors:  Zhang Yimou.

Not known to many here in the States, this man has directed such notable films as Hero, House of Flying Daggers, Flowers of War (starring Christian Bale), as well as the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

He's long looked to make his transition to American film, and this certainly seems to be a perfect fit for him.

The project will undergo a rewrite - being overseen by Legendary CEO Thomas Tull who conceived the film's premise with World War Z writer Max Brooks - and it's not known if the 'supernatural' element will remain, but the premise will stay the same:  the mystery and secret origin behind the Great Wall.

More on this project as it becomes available.

Source:  Heat Vision