Iconic Chinese filmmaker John Woo has signed on to direct Joel Kinnaman in the upcoming action movie, Silent Night. The news garnered attention at this week’s American Film Market, as the project won’t feature any dialogue, Deadline is reporting. The drama also marks the helmer’s return to U.S. cinema after an 18-year absence from Hollywood.
Silent Night will feature a basic story, as it will follow Kinnaman’s character, a father, as he heads into the underworld to avenge his young son’s death. The Saturn Award-nominated actor’s casting comes after he starred in such projects as the Suicide Squad movies, Safe House and the 2014 Robocop remake. He’s currently the only performer who’s attached to star in Silent Night, but casting for its supporting actors is now underway.
The film is in negotiations to be financed by Capstone. John Wick‘s Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Christian Mercuri and Lori Tilkin will serve as producers on Silent Night. Capstone’s Ruzanna Kegeyan is overseeing the movie with Joe Gatta. There’s no word yet on when the drama will be released.
Before signing on to direct Silent Night, Woo made his mark in Hollywood by helming such Hollywood action films as Broken Arrow, Face/Off and Mission: Impossible II. The last movie he directed in America was the 2003 sci-fi-action drama, Paycheck, which starred Ben Affleck.
Woo then returned to making movies in China, including the Red Cliff and The Crossing series. The filmmaker’s last project was the 2017 action thriller, Manhunt.