‘The Expendables 4’ director Helmer Scott Waugh is doing something extremely different for his next project

Director Helmer Scott Waugh helmed the upcoming aging superhero action bonanza The Expendables 4, but his next project is about as far from that vibe as a person can get. Waugh will direct the upcoming documentary Escape to Atlantis, which would actually make an excellent name for an action film.

The documentary centers around a physician from Seattle named Jason Rubin who used a variety of unorthodox methods to pinpoint exactly where the legendary island of Atlantis existed. Those methods? The writings of Plato, satellite solar imagery and good ol’ fashioned boots on the ground detective work.

Rubin is producing the documentary, per Variety. Other names attached include Jonathan Keasey from MindRiot Entertainment and Pituka Ortega-Heilbron, who runs Panama-based Hypatia Films, which associate produced the Cannes winner Stars at Noon. Of course, details are scarce considering the location is basically the crux of the whole film.

Keasy said that everyone had to sign NDAs about the project, but that he was happy to do so considering the prestige of the film.

“I’m beyond humbled that Jason [Rubin] entrusted me to not only write, produce and package his incredible story and expedition, especially after turning down far more seasoned producers who signed the same NDA and have seen what I have seen.” 

Waugh said the story was a classic tale and that he really wanted to be a part of it, considering the implications of the discovery.

“Every story, whether fact or fable, has a character we believe in and hope they prevail. Wouldn’t it be great to be part of a story where our protagonist wins and redefines the world’s truth? If Dr. Rubin has found Atlantis, not only does he continually save lives in the ER room, but he will have risen the dead of those lost in Plato’s fable and will redefine our history. That is a story I want to be a part of.”

The secrecy is part of the charm, something Ortega-Heilbron said was extremely important to the integrity of the documentary.

“To elaborate more on that magic would be to rob the world of an experience that must be seen to be believed. And that’s what this team intends to do.”

Rubin said he considers himself “a doctor and a scientist” and not a hero.

“[They] can think what they want, but as doctor and scientist who approaches saving lives with science, it is nice to finally have recognized that the same should be used in film. Major discoveries require major risks and my team of explorers get that. And Jonathan [Keasey] finally assembled a team of filmmakers who get that, too. I can’t wait to see what this team makes accessible to all.”

Filming for the movie begins this summer.