First filmed in 1974, the John Godey novel concerns the hijacking of a New York City subway train.  Writing this latest version is David Koepp of Spider-Man and Spider-Man 4 fame, and the scribe of the thrillers Carlito’s Way, Panic Room, and Apartment Zero—as well as the latest Indiana Jones movie.

The writing is critical on a project like this since the director is Tony Scott.  With a strong plot-driven story as in Spy Game, Tony Scott can do terrific work; in more freewheeling action-thrillers such as Man on Fire and Domino, there’s the everpresent danger of style triumphing over substance.

Meanwhile, almost without being noticed, Washington has established himself as the marquee thriller actor of his time à la Alain Delon or Humphrey Bogart.  In addition to the forthcoming American Gangster and his Oscar-winning turn in Training Day, Washington has starred in far more crime/mystery/horror thrillers than he has in any other genre.  Among his many titles are The Manchurian Candidate, Devil in a Blue Dress, Virtuosity, The Bone Collector, Ricochet, Out of Time, Inside Man, and Fallen.