Petersen to direct sci-fi thriller 'Uprising'

Frank Rollitz/Rex Features

Wolfgang Petersen has been confirmed as the director of sci-fi thriller Uprising.

The Columbia Pictures movie centres around a group of citizens who fight back when Earth is invaded by aliens.

Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher are producing via their Red Wagon production company, with Charles Leavitt (Blood Diamond) attached to write the script.

Variety quotes Columbia president Doug Belgrad as saying: "[Wolfgang] is just the right director to handle Uprising's mix of action, suspense and drama."

Petersen's previous credits include Das Boot, In The Line Of Fire and Troy.