Aussie filmworld luminaries producer Elizabeth Howatt-Jackman (“Hating Alison Ashley”, “Prey”) and filmmaker and cinematographer (actually saw him DPing on “Kath & Kim : The Filum” last week in Melbourne) David Parker (“Malcolm”, “Matching Jack”) have snagged big-time Hollywood director Simon West (“Con-Air”, “The Expendables 2″) for “Dust and Glory”, says THR. The film unites the Aussie duo, the big-time director and Blue Star Entertainment partners William Sherak and Jason Shuman.

The film, based on the Evan Green novel of the same name, is the story of the 1950s Redex off road trials, covering 10,000 miles around Australia and focused on the rivalry between an American hotshot and an Australian legend. The film is written by Robert Galinsky (“Prey”) and was being pitched to investors as “Mad Max meets Jewel of the Nile”.

Here’s the film’s synopsis :

“Dust and Glory” is the story of a car race… the longest, roughest, toughest craziest car race in the world … a 10,000 mile event, right around Australia. It is set at a time when roads around the coast were outback tracks of appalling roughness and a journey like this was more a pioneering adventure than a motor sport. The RedEx Trials of the 1950s captured the imagination of post war Australia like no other event. Through regular radio updates the entire country followed the fortunes of the competitors during the race, and huge crowds turned out along the routes to cheer cars and drivers. Competitors were feted at every stop like movie stars. DUST AND GLORY combines the best of the actual real life characters, events of the three actual RedEx Trials, along with harrowing and dynamic fictional character amalgamations which weaves a tapestry of hilarious and gripping adventure that might have happened – had there been a fourth race! As in the actual trials, DUST AND GLORY depicts the zaniest collection of contestants ever to get behind a wheel – showbiz celebs, wealthy amateurs, criminals, raving lunatics, and even a few bona fide professional drivers!

And here’s the sales poster :

“Dust and Glory” is expected to begin production next Summer downunder with casting expected to be locked in shortly.