A few months ago it was reported that one of the many possibilities for Robert Zemeckis’s return to the live action arena was a movie called Flight. That’s now becomes a little more solid, as the LA Times reports that Flight should indeed be Zemeckis next film, and could start shooting as early as this autumn.
The story about Zemeckis sniffing around the project a while back also suggested Denzel Washington was circling the film. Apparently he hasn’t officially signed on yet, but a deal is expected to be completed shortly.
The film is about an alcoholic and drug-addicted pilot. When his plane’s engine malfunctions, the pilot manages to rescue the aircraft and its passengers, becoming a hero in the process. When the FAA investigates and finds evidence of drug abuse, it tries to sweep it to the side to help preserve the image of the captain, who is trying to change the course of his life.
Flight is just one of many films Zemeckis has been thinking about, such as the time-travel adventure Replay, but it appears Flight is taking precedence, perhaps because he wants to show that after years of mo-cap, he can be a serious director and remind people he’s a Best Director Oscar winner (for Forrest Gump).