'Fast Five' star Paul Walker will count the 'Hours' in New Orleans-set thriller

'The Thing' screenwriter Eric Heisserer making directorial debut with film

By HitFix Staff Wednesday, Oct 5, 2011 6:49 PM

Paul Walker

Credit: AP Photo

"Fast Five" star Paul Walker is set to star in the thriller "Hours," which will mark the directorial debut of "The Thing" screenwriter Eric Heisserer.

"Hours" centers on a young father (Walker) struggling to keep his newborn baby alive in the days following Hurricane Katrina. He shacks up in an abandoned hospital, hoping to wait out the natural disaster's chaotic aftermath.

In addition to the upcoming remake/prequel "The Thing," Heisserer also wrote this year's "Final Destination 5" and co-wrote 2010 remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street." So, it'll be nice to get him away from sequels and remakes for a change.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Peter Safran ("Buried") is producing the film, which is aiming to begin production in New Orleans in March, 2012.

For Walker, last seen reprising his role as Brian O'Conner opposite Vin Diesel in "Fast Five," will next appear in the indie thriller "Vehicle 19."