‘The Karate Kid’ Director Harald Zwart To Helm Thriller ‘Betrayed’

EXCLUSIVE: Harald Zwart, director of 2010 reboot The Karate Kid, has been set to direct thriller Betrayed, which is in development for LA-based production banner Onphaya.

The film will chart the story of a Professor of Archeology who discovers some ancient biblical text fragments that shake the foundations of religious thought. Her personal safety and longtime beliefs are challenged as she fights to overcome evil factions that will go to any length to ensure the truth remains buried in history.

Pic is based on a script by Australian writer-director Antony J. Bowman (Paperback Hero), inspired by a story from Phillip Middleton and Bowman. Peta Johnson will executive-produce the project with Rick Selvage for Onphaya.

“It is important now to bring Betrayed to the screen with its timely yet sometime controversial themes. It is an action thriller for our times”, said Selvage, an executive producer on Amazon series The Wheel of Time.

“Antony Bowman’s screenplay bolsters my fascination of single individuals who challenge entrenched systems in their relentless quest for truth, undeterred by any obstacle in their path,” added Zwart.

Zwart’s credits include One Night at McCool’s, box office hit The Karate Kid, The Mortal Instruments and The 12th Man.