Chad Stahelski Sets Action Thriller Classified at New Line Cinema

While still awaiting the start of production on the fourth installment of his Keanu Reeves-led franchise, John Wick director Chad Stahelski has set another future project in his slate as New Line Cinema has won the auction for his action thriller pitch Classified, according to Deadline.

The film, which is based on a story from Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension duo Andrew Deutschman and Jason Pagan, is described as a high-octane thriller mixing the tones of Die Hard and Indiana Jones and is set in a secret government bunker, akin to the iconic warehouse from the latter franchise, containing relics secretly recovered during World War II that are more powerful and dangerous than ever imagined.

In addition to sitting in the director’s chair, Stahelski is set to produce the film via his 87Eleven Entertainment production banner alongside the label’s Jason Spitz and Alex Young and Underground’s Trevor Engelson, while sources note that deals with other producers are currently being finalized.

After two decades of working in the stunt world for major Hollywood blockbusters, most notably as a stunt double for Keanu Reeves and Martial Arts Stunt Coordinator in the original Matrix trilogy, Stahelski made his directorial debut alongside longtime collaborator David Leitch on the 2014 hit actioner John Wick. As Leitch went on to helm installments in other blockbuster franchises, namely Deadpool 2 and Hobbs and Shaw, Stahelski has stuck with the Reeves-fronted series and directed both sequels and is also producing the spin-off film Ballerina and series The Continental.

Aside from the Wick series, Stahelski has a full dance card as he has been attached to a reboot of the cult classic Highlander for four years as well as being set to helm Lionsgate’s urban fantasy drama Arcana and comic book pic Analog and produce the American remake of The Man From Nowhere.

(Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)