‘The Dirty Dozen’ Remake: David Ayer in Talks to Write and Direct

“Suicide Squad” director David Ayer is in talks to write and direct a remake of “The Dirty Dozen” for Warner Bros., an individual with knowledge of the project tells The Wrap.

Simon Kinberg is producing. Inspired by a real-life, rule-breaking demolition unit and E.M. Nathanson’s novel, Robert Aldrich’s 1967 “The Dirty Dozen” centered on grizzled criminals earning a chance at redemption and ragtag teams embarking on deadly black ops missions.

Ayer’s version will be set in a contemporary setting instead of World War II, according to The Hollywood Reporter which first reported the news.

The original “The Dirty Dozen’ starred Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charlies Bronson, Telly Savalas, Robert Ryan, Donald Sutherland, Robert Webber, Jim Brown, and John Cassavetes. Ironically, “Suicide Squad,” which Ayer last directed for the studio, borrows the plot of “Dirty Dozen” almost wholesale, but with DC supervillains instead of normal prisoners. Ayer has even repeatedly described it as “Dirty Dozen with supervillains.”

Also Read: Mel Gibson to Direct 'Wild Bunch' Remake for Warner Bros.

“The Dirty Dozen” is not the only classic getting a remake at WarnerMedia as Mel Gibson has signed on to direct, executive produce, and co-write a remake of Sam Peckinpah’s classic Western “Wild Bunch,” a person with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap.

Ayer is repped by WME.

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