DEADPOOL 2 director David Leitch's dance card is looking mighty full, these days, as word has just come in that the ATOMIC BLONDE helmer will be taking over as director on Ubisoft's THE DIVISION movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Chastain. Based on the Tom Clancy property of the same name, THE DIVISION is an online-only action role-playing game developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft, with assistance from Red Storm Entertainment and Ubisoft Annecy. The story of the game centers around the outbreak of a smallpox pandemic that strikes at the heart of New York City's Manhattan on Black Friday, 2015. On that fateful day, a terrorist group distributes a deadly virus via banknotes, which are then placed into circulation on one of the biggest sales days of the year. The disease, known as "Green Poison" or "The Dollar Flu," quickly spreads throughout the area, resulting in that part of the city being placed under strict quarantine. As a member of a rebellious group of civilians, players make their way through the city by collecting loot and taking out enemy factions who wish to see the virus spread all across the world.
As per the shift, Leitch will be replacing Stephan Gaghan on the video game-to-screen project. The upcoming film also has quite the production team behind it, starting with Leitch’s producing partner, Kelly McCormick, who is set to produce alongside Leitch through their 8711 banner. Additionally, Jake Gyllenhaal and Riva Marker will also produce courtesy of their Nine Stories banner, with Chastain and Kelly Carmichael of Freckle Films also producing with Ubisoft Motion Pictures
Word of Leitch's new gig comes hot off the heels of the JOHN WICK producer being named as the director of the Fast and Furious spinoff, HOBBS AND SHAW. The film starring Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, which has already been the cause of a fair bit of drama among members of the Fast family, is scheduled to move into production this fall. Up next for the in-demand director is DEADPOOL 2 starring Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Zazie Beetz, and Josh Brolin is currently on-track to do some real damage at the box office, after testing incredibly well with pre-release audiences. It's being said that Leitch will begin work on THE DIVISION after HOBBS AND SHAW crosses the finish line. Meanwhile, DEADPOOL 2 will slice and dice its way into theaters on May 18th.