BLITZ, BRUEN and Statham (as seen on CRIMESPREE CINEMA)

CRIMESPREE CINEMA

Jason Statham and Paddy Considine are heading the cast of new thriller Blitz, currently shooting on location in London.

The crime film, adapted for the big screen from Ken Bruen's hit novel, also stars David Morrissey and Aidan Gillen - star of Queer As Folk and The Wire.

Jason plays tough, uncompromising and un-PC detective Brant who is teamed with unlikely partner Sgt Porter Nash, played by Paddy, as they try to track down a cop-hating serial killer who targets the officers of a South East London police station.

The film is to be directed by Elliott Lester and is Lionsgate's first British production following its commitment last year to expand into the UK production arena.

Blitz is due out in cinemas in 2010.

LONDON -- Jason Statham is in final negotiations to star in "Blitz," a London-set thriller about a serial killer targeting police officers.

Lionsgate U.K. is fully financing the project, which is an adaptation of Ken Bruen's bestseller of the same name. Mandate Intl. will handle international sales.

"Blitz" will be Lionsgate U.K.'s first British project since it announced its plans to beef up its local production last year. It will also mark the first collaboration between Statham and Lionsgate U.K. since last year's "The Bank Job," which was a hit at the Blighty box office.

Statham will play a tough, uncompromising cop assigned the task of tracking down the killer. Paddy Considine will play his partner.

Nathan Parker wrote the script; Elliott Lester is directing.

Lionsgate U.K. topper Zygi Kamasa, Steve Chasman, Brad Wyman and Donald Kushner are producing.

Project begins lensing Aug. 10 in London.

"Jason and I are excited about the opportunity to be working here again as we are keen to continue supporting British films," Chasman said.

Here is the synopsis: The South East London police squad are down and out. Detective Sergeant Brant is in hot water for assaulting a police shrink, Chief Inspector Roberts' wife has died in a horrific car accident, and WPC Falls is still figuring out how to navigate her job as a black female investigator in the notorious unit. When a serial killer takes his show on the road, things get worse for all three. Nicknamed "The Blitz" by the rabid London media, the killer is aiming for tabloid immortality by killing cops in different beats around the city.

Blitz will be released in 2010. About the casting choice, author Bruen stated, "I think Jason Statham will really step up to the plate for Brant. He's been looking for a part to make his own and I think this is it." Filming starts this august.

Bruen is slated to play a Priest in BLITZ.