Collider reports that director Nicolas Winding Refn has ended talks with Sony Pictures to make The Equalizer which stars Denzel Washington. A reason isn't given but it's possible that his involvement with Logan's Run and The Button Man could have been a conflict. Either way, the production is still set to start in May. Refn's Only God Forgives which has the director re-teaming with his Drive star Ryan Gosling is set for a May 23rd. Another possible conflict with The Equalizer's production schedule.
Deadline has word that Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn is currently in talks with Dreamworks to direct their thriller Button Man: The Killing Game which is based on a graphic novel. The project has a script from screenwriter Hilary Seitz who wrote Christopher Nolan's serial killer thriller Insomnia. Giving the impression it could be ready to go into production this year. Nicolas just wrapped production on his next film Only God Forgives and seemingly won't be making Logan's Run anytime soon since plans for that production start haven't been made.
The action revolves around Harry Exton, a hired gun who’s offered a fortune to take part in a game organized by bored millionaires that sets trained killers against one another in a fight to the death. The fat cats bet on the proceedings, and when Exton gets disgusted and opts out, his only exit strategy might be to off the millionaires funding the competition.
ProductionWeekly had reported a rumor that Leonardo DiCaprio was in talks for Harry Exton. EW would later debunk the rumor and DiCaprio is not even involved. I wouldn't be shocked to see Ryan Gosling or Mads Mikkelsen step up to the plate here. Then again DiCaprio has been attracted to projects mainly because of the directors involved, so you never know if he'd turn down an offer if Nicolas was directing it.
