‘Deadpool 2’ Director David Leitch Set to Direct Sony Pictures ‘Bullet Train’

David Leitch, who has directed action packed “Deadpool 2,” “Hobbs & Shaw” and “Atomic Blonde,” is heading back to the big screen with Sony Pictures action thriller “Bullet Train”.

Leitch and Kelly McCormick will produce “Bullet Train” through their company 87North, along with Antoine Fuqua and Kat Samick. Brittany Morrissey is the executive overseeing the project for Sony Pictures.

In addition to directing, Leitch will also oversee the script, which will be penned by Zak Olkewicz for the film.

The film is based on the Japanese NOVEL titled “Maria Beetle” by mystery fiction author Kotaro Isaka. Ryosuke Saegusa and Yuma Terada of CTB Inc., who represent Isaka and the IP, are Executive Producers on the project.

Harvill Secker has separately announced to publish the novel “Bullet Train” in English next year.

Sony recently announced the studio is developing “One Punch Man,” based on a popular Japanese manga, that they hope has franchise potential.

David Leitch was handpicked by Ryan Reynolds to direct “Deadpool 2,” which went on to gross more then $700 million worldwide. He followed that up with “Fast and Furious” spin-off “Hobbs & Shaw.” He made his directorial debut on the 2014 action film John Wick with Chad Stahelski, though only Stahelski was credited.

Leitch is repped by WME and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman. Olkewitz is repped by 3 Arts Management and Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson.