Heat director to helm racing drama Go Like Hell

Filmmaker Michael Mann (Heat, Miami Vice) is circling a deal with Fox to direct Go Like Hell, the true story of the furious competition between Ford and Ferrari in 1966, when an American car won Le Mans for the first time. This according to a report by Variety.

Go Like Hell is based on the book by A.J. Baime, with a script by Jason Keller. The story centers on Henry Ford II, young automotive wiz Lee Iacocca, and racing icon Carroll Shelby, as they set about reinventing the Ford Motor Company by entering the high-stakes world of European car racing. In a few short years, they developed the Ford GT40, one of the most celebrated cars in automotive history, that became the first American car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and went on to win four years straight.

According to the report, Fox is eyeing Brad Pitt – who has expressed interest – for a lead role, but no casting decisions have yet been made.

Mann – known for action-crime thrillers such as Heat, Collateral and Public Enemies – also directed the 2007 faux film trailer Lucky Star for Mercedes-Benz U.K. that starred Benicio Del Toro.

In addition to Go Like Hell, Mann is also scheduled to helm the projects Waiting for Robert Capa and Big Tuna, as well as producing and directing the pilot for the HBO horse-racing series Luck.