Director signs on for ‘Cold Light of Day’

Thriller turns on kidnapping plot

By DAVE MCNARY

Mabrouk El Mechri (“JCVD”) will direct Summit Entertainment and Intrepid Pictures’ thriller “The Cold Light of Day.”

Richard Price is writing a production pass on the original script by Scott Wiper and John Petro. Story follows a young American whose family is kidnapped while on vacation to Spain, leaving him with only hours to find them and uncover a government conspiracy.

Steve Zaillian’s Film Rites has joined the project with Zaillian exec producing and Garrett Basch co-producing. Intrepid principals Trevor Macy and Marc D. Evans will produce, and Kevin Mann, Matthew Perniciaro and Wiper will serve in a producing capacity. Spanish producer Galavis Film will co-produce, and Galavis principal Jesus Martinez will exec produce. Summit will distribute domestically and sell internationally. Project’s expected to commence lensing on location in Spain in June.

El Mechri directed and co-wrote “JCVD,” starring former action star Jean-Claude Van Damme. Price’s credits include “Ransom, “Child 44″ and the TV series “the Wire.” Erik Feig, Summit’s president of production, and Michael Schaefer will oversee the project.

El Mechri and Zaillian are represented by WME. Price is repped by UTA.