Timur Bekmambetov To Helm ‘The Current War,’ Sacha Baron Cohen Interested In Thomas Edison Role

Looks like "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" director Timur Bekmambetov is going from fake history to real history, lining up the decidedly non-action-y "The Current War."

Variety reports the "Wanted" helmer has attached himself to the project, which boasts a Black List-approved script by Michael Mitnick that tells the tale of Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse's battle to produce the first stable electric current, when they decide to team up and take on a legion on vampires. Oops, sorry we got carried away for a second. On paper it doesn't sound like the most cinematic idea at all, but clearly Mitnick has cracked the nut on how to make it a compelling tale, and the flick is already drawing some intriguing interest from a big name.

Sacha Baron Cohen is apparently interested in playing Thomas Edison, but basically no offers were being made until a director was locked down. Well, now one has, but no word yet if Cohen will still be pursued, if the filmmakers will try some other talent, or if Cohen is still charged up (GET IT?) to do this. But all around, this is an intriguing project, one that sees Bekmambetov making a very marked shift in direction, from special effects extravaganzas to a movie where two dudes are just trying to get a lightbulb to turn on. Maybe there's another angle here we're missing? Maybe not. The project also has Steve Zaillian behind it, who is producing through his Film Rites shingle, with Bekmambetov producing via his Bazelevs banner.