Bauer Martinezchief Philippe Martinez has revealed that John McTiernan is preparing to shootthe action adventure Crash Bandits for the company with Hayden Christensen set to star.

Martinezconfirmed that production is set to begin on Feb 15 in Thailand on the story oftreasure seekers who target wrecked airplanes containing riches.

The title makesit market debut here and has sold everywhere except the UK and Japan.Christensen's Forest Park Films signed a first-look deal with Bauer Martinezlast May.

Howeveruncertainty hung over the issue last night as it emerged that McTiernan, whosecredits include Die Hard, Predatorand 2003's military thriller Basic, is also attached to directed the thriller Deadly Exchange for Film Bridge International.

McTiernan discussedthe project about a man who seeks to avenge the death of his murdered terroristparents in an interview with Screen earlier this week.

That project isfully funded and Film Bridge has reported massive buyer interest. McTiernan wasreportedly in talks with A-list stars over the weekend and a castingannouncement is expected this week.

Meanwhile BauerMartinez International president Karinne Behr has reported more than $16m insales in what she described as the company's biggest ever AFM.

The company isclose to pre-selling all major territories on Andrew Lau's market debut and FBIthriller The Flockstarring Richard Gere and Claire Danes, set to go into production in New Mexicoon Nov 14.

The romanticcomedy I Could Never Be Your Man starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Paul Rudd has also virtually soldout, with deals close on the UK and France.

The companyannounced this week that Splendid Medien management board chairman AndreasKlein has joined the board of directors of Bauer Martinez Distribution.