After Nicolas Winding Refn made a huge splash with his American debut with Drive, the director reunited with Drive star Ryan Gosling for Only God Forgives. So as soon as he is done with his newest directorial effort, Refn will apparently explore the world of violence and crime once more with an adaptation of the Button Man graphic novel.

According to Deadline, Refn is in talks with DreamWorks to adapt the John Wagner and Arthur Ranson graphic novel of the same name, which centers on an ex-mercenary named Harry Exton. Exton’s line of work has him pitted against other killers or “Button Man” in a dangerous and deadly underground sport. All the players work for a mysterious rich man only identified as Voice.

The name of the game is to kill your opponent, or capture him and take his marker – the first two joints of a finger. Button Men who lose three fingers are shot anyway. But when Exton decides to quit, he discovers that you can’t get out of the game so easily.

Button Man is definitely in Refn’s wheelhouse. The director has an excellent grasp on graphic violence and weaving in a grounded crime story into it. While there have been no names being added to the cast, one name that immediately comes to mind is Gosling. The two are already collaborating with each other on Only God Forgives, so why not go for a third go around.

Negotiations are still in the very early stages, but if Refn is confirmed to direct, I can’t wait to see how he brings this graphic novel to life.

[Source: Deadline]