Nicolas Cage to star in Simon West action thriller Medallion

Nicolas Cage will star in the Simon West action thriller Medallion, according to THR. Medallion had been in development for a some time, originally with Clive Owen as the lead. Jason Statham was also attached to the project at one point.

The story centers on a former master thief, who only has a few hours to find his daughter after she’s kidnapped and locked in the trunk of a New York medallion taxi cab.

David Guggenheim, who wrote Denzel Washington’s upcoming thriller Safe House, penned the script. Matthew Joynes, Jesse Kennedy and Terminator Salvation director McG are producing the film, along with James Holt (Men Who Stare at Goats).

Cage next stars in the period fantasy thriller Season of the Witch, which opens January 7, 2011.