Jules Daly in Talks to Replace Ousted Joel Silver on Amazon’s ‘Play Dirty’ (Exclusive)

Shane Black’s latest thriller, Play Dirty, is getting a new producer.

Amazon, which is backing the feature, is in negotiations to tap Jules Daly to replace Joel Silver after the streaming giant parted ways with the veteran moviemaker over claims of verbal abuse.

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Silver was steering Play Dirty, a feature seen as a comeback vehicle for both him and longtime collaborator Black, who is writing and directing for Amazon. Simultaneously, he also was producing the Doug Liman-directed remake of Road House, this one starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Road House had completed shooting and is deep in post-production, with expectations of hitting sometime next year. Play Dirty is expected to begin shooting next year.

Amazon MGM Studios declined to comment. An insider said Silver had completed work on Road House and was no longer involved in Play Dirty. Variety first reported the news of Silver’s departure.

Silver’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: “As Amazon readily admits, Joel Silver completed all of his services on Road House and was not relieved of his duties, terminated or fired from his services on Road House. He finished the film and did an excellent job. With respect to Play Dirty, as agreed to by Amazon, Joel was in no way terminated with or for cause on that picture. None of this is in dispute. To say he was fired is irresponsible and defamatory.”

Play Dirty will star Mark Wahlberg as Parker, a professional thief who has previously been played onscreen by the likes of Jason Statham and Mel Gibson in the adaptations of Donald Westlake’s novels.

Robert Downey Jr. was circling the role, but opted not to star prior to the actors strike this summer, at which point Amazon turned to Wahlberg to fill his shoes. Downey remains on board as a producer via his Team Downey banner that he runs alongside his wife and partner, Susan Downey.

Daley is an established producer, with credits ranging from Amazon’s sci-fi action pic The Tomorrow War to the poetic Brad Pitt Western The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

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