Imagenation Abu Dhabi and Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald of Parkes/MacDonald Productions are developing an international action thriller with the writing team of Neal Purvis and Robert Wade from Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace.

The script will be based on an original concept by Michael Lieber and Parkes, who will both produce with MacDonald.

Parkes/MacDonald Productions executive Marc Resteghini is overseeing the story about an American anthropologist who returns to the Sahara to help a former research subject accused of a terrorist attack.

The story will take place among the Taureg tribes of the Sahara West Africa, a nomadic people whose uranium-rich land has become a focal point for energy companies and terrorist states.

Parkes, who partnered with Imagenation in October 2009 to form Parkes MacDonald / Imagenation, said the story’s setting was “morally complex, alluring and completely real.”

“We are very excited about the potential for this story,” Imagenation Abu Dhabi CEO Edward Borgerding said. “With Purvis and Wade, we now have two of the best storytellers in the world to bring it to life. It’s a great combination.”

Parkes MacDonald/Imagenation provides financing for the development of feature projects with an initial $10m revolving fund. The company invests in future Parkes/MacDonald projects developed under their first-look deal with DreamWorks Studios, as well as directly with Imagenation Abu Dhabi or with other major studios.

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