Just because Steven Soderbergh isn't able to push on with "Moneyball," it doesn't mean that the "Che" director won't look towards sports for his next feature film -- in fact, he's got his eye on the world of mixed martial arts.
According to Variety, Soderbergh will direct MMA fighter Gina Carano in "Knockout," a spy thriller fully financed by Relativity Media with a script from "The Limey" screenwriter Lem Dobbs. The movie marks Carano's on-screen debut as a leading lady, but the plot won't focus on the fighter-turned-actress's day job -- as it turns out, "Knockout" has a lot more in common with Jason Bourne than Chuck Liddell.
"Knockout" tells the story of a young girl on the wrong side of the tracks (Carano) who is "given a second chance to use her skills for constructive purposes." The film is expected to be a flat out action flick that will shoot across the globe in locations such as Ireland, Turkey and the United States.
Soderbergh isn't exactly known for his work in the action genre, though the flashiness of the "Ocean's" heist films can't be denied. Still, leaping from "Moneyball" to a James Bond-esque adventure movie is quite a jump for the director, not to mention going from a potential Brad Pitt star vehicle to a debut feature for Carano.
Then again, Carano's own fighting prowess could carry the film entirely without Soderbergh's directorial guidance. Nicknamed "Conviction," the Muay Thai-trained fighter is considered "the face of the fledgling women's mixed martial arts fighting circuit," says Variety, and footage from her fights provide proof of that statement.
Carano's acting ability has yet to be proven, but with her skills and Soderbergh's own unique vision, "Knockout" is sure to be a visual treat if nothing else.
What do you think about Carano and Soderbergh teaming up? Let us know what you're expecting from the film in the comments section!
** FOLLOW MTV MOVIES BLOG ON TWITTER! **