Denzel Washington to star in Robert Zemeckis' FLIGHT

In April we reported that Robert Zemeckis was circling his first live-action feature film in over a decade called Flight at Paramount Pictures. News has just broke that Denzel Washington is set to take the lead in the film written by John Gatins (Coach Carter, Real Steel). Zemeckis is currently producing Steel, which stars Hugh Jackman.

The story follows "a commercial airline pilot named Whip Whitaker. When his plane malfunctions and a crash seems imminent, he saves the day with some heroic flying and manages to land the plane with minimal casualties. He's instantly hailed as a hero, but as an investigation into the cause of the crash unfolds, it becomes clear that he was flying under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The film is the pilot's journey as he is encouraged to wear a hero label he thinks he doesn't deserve, while the pilot's union and airline try to keep the facts under cover because of the high stakes involved."

The film is expected to begin filming this Fall for a 2012 release. I love Washington, and am happy to see him in a role that shows off his amazing range a bit more. Zemeckis is a great director and I am excited to see him focus on a live-action film again finally. What are your thoughts on this news?