Oliver Megaton seeking 'Land of the Living'

Director Oliver Megaton has joined "Land of the Living," an abduction thriller based on the best-selling British novel.

The book was published in 2003.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Megaton, whose most recent project is the upcoming "Taken 2," will direct the film, which follows a young ad executive who is abducted off the streets, escapes and then hunts down her would-be killer.

The script is from Scott Gullette and is based on the book by Nicci French, the pen name of writing duo Nicci Gerard and Sean French.

The film will be produced by a slew of companies, including Emjag Productions, Stone Village, Battleplan Productions, Film 360 and Dro Entertainment.

Megaton directed last year's "Colombiana," the revenge thriller starring Zoe Saldana and produced by Luc Besson.

'Taken 2' to start production in October

The sequel to the 2009 action thriller hit "Taken" will start production in October.

"Taken" opened in January 2009.

Comingsoon.net spoke with writer/producer Luc Besson ("From Paris With Love," "The Professional") about "Columbiana," which opens Friday, and the conversation led to an update on the forthcoming sequel.

Taken starred Liam Neeson as Bryan Mills, whose daughter (Maggie Grace) is abducted in Paris by a human-trafficking ring. A former government operative, Bryan wages a bloody battle with his daughter's captors to return her home safe.

According to Comingsoon, "Columbiana" director Olivier Megaton ("Transporter 3") will helm the sequel, taking over for Pierre Morel, with a script from Besson and Robert Mark Kamen, who penned the original.

Megaton is scouting locations in Los Angeles, where at least some of the filming will take place, the report continued. Besson also said that "everyone" is back for the sequel.

"Taken" was a solid thriller and one of the first hits of 2009 following its Jan. 30 release, earning $145 million at the domestic box office and $226 million worldwide.