After taking some time away from movies to control the highly watchable TV series The Unit, David Mamet is back with an original project, Redbelt. Yes, we thought it might have been spelt as two words as well, but then what do we know about Jiu-Jitsu?
Because that's what it's all about – the world of West L.A.'s Jiu-Jitsu fighting, both by fair means and foul. The project is moving along nicely too, and the writer/director has already found his leading man in Chiwetel Ejiofor. He'll be playing a guy who has turned his back on the nasty world of prizefighting to set up a self-defence class, only to find himself conned and fitted up by a string of opportunist bastard movie stars and fight promoters, before yes, having to re-enter the ring to salvage his honour.
Sound like every martial arts movie from the '80s? Well, yes, but remember who you're dealing with – we're imagining an early Van Damme flick, only with someone who can act in the lead, and the dialogue of Glengarry Glen Ross. We're going to have to sit down for a bit…