Imagine the story of an Air Force veteran-turned-reckless airshow re-enactment pilot who gets pulled into an underground world of illegal, real-life aerial combat. Now imagine that writer/director Michael Chait (who just sold this story of TMU Pictures, according to THR) is a little more David Fincher than he is Rob Cohen, delivering a movie that is less Fast and Furious and more Fight Club (with planes).

That, my friends, is a sweet deal if I’ve ever heard one.

War Birds is currently in the final scripting stages, with hopes of getting real airplanes and real aerial sequences on camera sometime in the summer, including the use of authentic P-51 Mustangs, P-38 Lightnings, F4U Corsairs and a B-17 Flying Fortress as well as modern military helicopters and jets.

Shooting will take place in Michigan. Forgive me if I’m more than a little excited about this concept, as it really does smell like a winner. Execution will tell the story, of course, as will the casting of the film, but on concept alone this feels like a lot of fun. Titanic cinematographer Russell Carpenter has already signed on as a visual consultant.

“I love big, exciting, action-adventure movies, especially when they are shot live, in camera,” Chait said. “Growing up the son of an artist and a pilot, I’ve always worked the drama and production value of aviation into my movies. That’s still the best way to truly immerse an an audience in the experience.”

Sounds good to us, Mr. Chait.