Sylvester Stallone’s “Escape Plan 2” Secures Director Steven C. Miller (Exclusive)

Summit Entertainment

After working with Emmett/Furla/Oasis on three films, Steven C. Miller has been hired to direct the company’s Sylvester Stallone-starring sequel ESCAPE PLAN 2, the Tracking Board has exclusively learned.

Miller takes over the reins from Mikael Håfström, whose 2013 action-thriller grossed $137 million worldwide, with much of that haul coming from international audiences.

Miles Chapman wrote the first film and has returned to write the sequel, which will see Stallone reprise his role as security expert Ray Breslin.

Escape Plan 2 will be a Chinese co-production that will be distributed in China by Leomus Pictures. The company also released the first film in China, where it grossed nearly $41 million.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is rumored to be returning in some capacity, and though he does not have a deal yet, a representative for Beijing-based Leomus told the Hollywood Reporter on Feb. 1 that “Schwarzenegger’s return is still under discussion.” Leomus also added that Escape Plan 2 is expected to feature some Chinese story elements to deepen its local resonance.

EFO founders Randall Emmett and George Furla will return to produce alongside Mark Canton, Zack Schiller, Robbie Brenner and Leomus CEO Jie Qiu. Ted Fox, Mark Stewart, Barry Brooker and Stan Wertlieb will serve as executive producers along with The Fyzz Facility’s Wayne Marc Godfrey and Robert Jones.

Miller previously directed three Bruce Willis movies for EFO — Extraction, Marauders and the upcoming First Kill. With his most recent film, the Nicolas Cage-John Cusack thriller Arsenal, the prolific young filmmaker continues to churn out genre films featuring high production values on a low budget and a tight schedule. He’s represented by UTA, Aperture Entertainment and attorney Wayne Alexander.

EFO’s upcoming slate includes Amityville: The Awakening on June 30, Kevin Connolly’s The Life and Death of John Gotti starring John Travolta, and the Nicolas Cage movie Inconceivable.

 Jeff Sneider | Editor in Chief