‘Game of Thrones’ director to tackle ‘Jar City’ remake

EXCLUSIVE: Hard-core fans of HBO sensation “Game of Thrones� will know the name Brian Kirk -- he directed several key episodes in the first season, including the well-regarded “The Wolf and the Lion.� Now he’ll get a crack at a different beloved genre piece.

Kirk is coming aboard to direct the American remake of Icelandic crime drama “Jar City,� according to a person familiar with the production who was not authorized to speak about it publicly.

Based on an Icelandic bestseller, the 2006 film was an art house and festival-circuit hit. Kirk is now attached to direct the film and negotiations are underway to hammer out the legalities, the person said.

The original “Jar City� was a strongly reviewed crime thriller in which a detective investigates a new murder he believes is linked to an unsolved rape 30 years before. The film has echoes of another cold-case-in-a-cold-place tale, “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,� of course also an art-house darling that received a big Hollywood redo.

Like many foreign remakes, “Jar City� has followed a twisty path. The project was set up at Overture Films about four years ago, back when the John Malone-owned label was still in existence. But it has some momentum now: The film is being developed by Universal executive-turned-producer David Linde, with original director Baltasar Kormakur on board to produce as well.

The Irish-born Kirk has had some heat himself lately. Though he’d directed only one feature, an indie set in his native country six years ago, he’d been reported last year as a surprise candidate to helm “Thor 2� (a job that eventually went to fellow “GoT� helmer Alan Taylor).

Kirk would bring some chops to “Jar City.� He has also directed episodes of “The Riches� and “Boardwalk Empire� as well as other prestige gritty television. And “Jar City� merits the prestige grit, with the film featuring an ennui-laden cop and serious atmospherics. Kirk would also follow in the steps of other “GoT� veterans with film chops: The show’s directorial ranks include established film vets such as Taylor and Neill Marshall.

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