After years of working as a screenwriter, racking up credits such as “The Longest Day,” “X-Men: First Class,” and most notably “Up in the Air,” it looks like Sheldon Turner might finally get an opportunity to direct one of his projects. Relativity Media recently acquired the gritty action thriller “Borderland.” Turner will write the script, and has his eye towards directing the project as well.
Described as a modern day “Magnificent Seven“-esque western, “Borderland” centers on a newly elected mayor in a town overrun by cartel violence. The mayor decides to hire a band of former and current Special Forces operatives, training them to fight back. Soon the town turns into a battleground with the operatives finding themselves in over their heads. The film is an attempt to give an authentic look at post-war life for elite soldiers.
Turner has got a number of different projects on his plate aside from “Borderland.” There’s “Everest” which Turner adapted from the Jeffrey Archer novel “Paths of Glory,” and Doug Liman is attached to direct that one. He’s got “Two Minutes To Midnight” which he expects to be his directorial debut, that project’s currently in turnaround after having been setup at Fox. He’s also got “By Virtue Fall,” another project he plans on helming that Eric Bana and Armie Hammer are currently attached to. Hopefully, Turner will get his opportunity with either one of these projects, and we’ll be sure to keep tabs on the filmmaker. [Deadline]