I’ve always been a fan of director Chuck Russell. He doesn’t exactly have one you would call an outstanding film career behind the camera, but more often than not I end up liking his movies (“Eraser”, “The Scorpion King”). You would never really call them great, but they always end up being just good enough. His latest is “Prodigy”, a sci-fi actioner based on the novel of the same name by Dave Kalstein, who is also adapting the screenplay for the movie.
THR has more on the project:
Max Thieriot (pictured, above) has landed the title role in “Prodigy,” director Chuck Russell’s sci-fi action film from Intrepid Pictures and Kincine.
Thieriot will play William Cooley, a rebellious student at an elite boarding school producing world leaders with the help of pharmaceuticals. Three days before graduation, several of its alumni are murdered, and William is implicated. As the school valedictorian investigates William, the two eventually become reluctant allies and targets while uncovering a conspiracy behind the crimes.
Dave Kalstein adapted the screenplay from his 2006 novel. Intrepid principals Trevor Macy and Marc D. Evans will produce with Spain-based Kincine’s Jesus Martinez as well as Kevin Mann and Matt Perniciaro.
I’m not sure where the sci-fi aspect plays in there, probably in the whole “creating world leaders through pharmaceuticals” part. But this is Chuck Russell, so I’ll probably end up liking it, though not loving it. Then again, who knows, maybe one of these days Russell will break out and actually make a GREAT movie…
