The title makes it sound like the working title to a Patriot Games sequel, but the premise makes it sound like a sequel to Air Force One. However, while both may have starred Harrison Ford, this Ian Stone penned thriller wants Tom Hanks for the lead.
Patriot Down was picked up by Paramount in 2010 and hasn’t had much movement. However, in a Variety profile on Kevin Walsh, who is co-producing with Brad Weston, there was mention that an offer was out to Tom Hanks to play the lead role. The thriller centers on a U.S. president on board Air Force One when it gets shot down over Afghanistan who, naturally, has to go on the run to avoid being captured or killed.
Like I said, it sounds a lot like Air Force One. However, with Hanks’ involvement it could be across between Air Force One and Cast Away. It’s been a while since Hanks has been in hero mode, but the crowd is likely to buy him more in this than his last effort, Larry Crowne. Granted, Hanks is always developing and being offered numerous projects, so this may or may not happen. But if Hanks were to sign you can bet that a high-profile director is likely to follow.