It looks like Universal wants to get into…the Paul Walker business? Yes, really. Variety reports that the actor and his Lacuna Ridge Pictures shingle has just inked a two-year, first look production deal with the studio for some reason. Now, it doesn't seem Walker's shingle has produced anything that has made it to the big screen just yet, but we suppose Universal knows what they're doing in hitching their wagon to this guy.
Anyway, the first gig out of the gate will be "Skyscraper," a perfectly preposterous Walker-esque project. Based on a idea by Mike Sobel pitched and sold to Universal way back in 2008, the movie is essentially "The Towering Inferno" for our modern era, telling the story of an ambitious Donald Trump-esque developer who tries to build a mile-high building in Chicago, but when it starts to fall over, the crew has to save the city. Well, no one does blue collar better than Walker we guess. He'll take the lead and produce the picture as well, and it seems suited to be more of an ensemble piece than a Walker vehicle. Which is probably a smart play since outside the "Fast & Furious" franchise he can't really open anything on his own. Neil Moritz, naturally, will produce but we're mostly just bummed this isn't a remake of the Anna Nicole Smith movie.
Meanwhile, THR adds that Walker will lend his pipes by narrating the upcoming IMAX doc "Air Races." No it's not about birds. Instead, the pic will follow the Reno National Championship air races. Which actually sounds like a pretty sweet use of IMAX.
Walker will next be seen at a theater near you in "Fast Six," which gears up this spring and lands in theaters on May 24, 2013.
I hope author Robert Byrne sues them. This is no "original pitch". It's the same plot and title of his 1985 potboiler novel. I read it as a kid.
I sense Oscars for everyone involved!