Robert Zemeckis is ‘Taking Flight’ for Fox

Director Robert Zemeckis will helm 'Taking Flight: The Hunt For a Young Outlaw' for Fox. The film was previously set to be directed by David Gordon Green, who has moved on to direct a remake of 'Suspiria,' which begins shooting next month.

THR reports that Robert Zemeckis ('Back to the Future,' 'Forrest Gump') has been hired by Fox to replace David Gordon Green on 'Taking Flight: The Hunt for a Young Outlaw.' Zemeckis will oversee the script, which is currently getting a polish from 'Milk' writer Dustin Lance Black.

The film is based on the true story of Colton Harris-Moore, an 18 year old Robin Hood-type who gained notoriety for baffling the police with a string of crimes that made him something of a cult hero who has tens of thousands of fans on Facebook. Harris-Moore became known as the "barefoot bandit," due to his inclination to commit his crimes sans shoes.

Zemeckis recently wrapped 'Flight' starring Denzel Washington for Paramount, which will be released November 2. The director took a family-friendly, motion capture animation detour in recent years with films like 'A Christmas Carol,' 'The Polar Express,' and 'Beowulf.' Prior to that his resume includes a wide variety of films from 'Back to the Future' to the underrated thriller 'What Lies Beneath.'