Fleder Takes Handoff For Uni's 'express'

Gary Fleder has signed on to direct "The Express," the true story of football great Ernie Davis, for Universal Pictures.

Davis broke college football records and racial barriers in the early 1960s, becoming the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy. The running back was drafted into the NFL, but his career was cut short when he was diagnosed with leukemia.

Jeffrey Lieber adapted the screenplay from Robert Gallagher's book, "Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express."

John Davis, whose credits include "Flight of the Phoenix" and "I, Robot," is producing.

Damien Saccani, Universal vp production, and creative executive Drew Crevello will oversee the project for the studio.

Fleder is best known for directing such thrillers as "Runaway Jury," "Don't Say a Word" and "Kiss the Girls." He is repped by WMA and Colden, McKuin & Frankel.