In a quick update on a film we’ve been hearing about for a few months, Paramount has officially announced Flight, the new film from Robert Zemeckis that will star Denzel Washington. The director signed on to the project a couple of weeks ago, marking his return to live-action after several years.

Written by John Gatins, it’s centered on a pilot named Whip Whitaker, as he struggles with a hero image that he feels he doesn’t deserve. The drama is expected to begin filming this fall in Atlanta, so a 2012 release seems pretty likely. I get the feeling that Paramount will be positioning this for a few awards at the end of next year, with Washington and (possibly) Zemeckis being the main contenders.

You can read the full press release below (via Collider):

HOLLYWOOD, CA (September 9, 2011) – Paramount Pictures announced today that Academy Award ® winner Denzel Washington will star, and Academy Award ® winning director Robert Zemeckis will helm, FLIGHT for the studio. Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald will produce under the Parkes/MacDonald production banner along with Zemeckis, Steve Starkey, and Jack Rapke under their ImageMovers banner. The movie is set to begin shooting this October in Atlanta, GA.

Written by John Gatins (“Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story,” “Real Steel”), FLIGHT tells the redemption story of “Whip” (Washington), a commercial airline pilot who pulls off a heroic feat of flying in a damaged plane, saving 98 lives on a flight carrying 106 people. While the world begs to embrace him as a true American Hero, the everyman struggles with this label as he is forced to hold up to the scrutiny of an investigation that brings into question his behavior the night before the doomed flight.

The project marks first ever teaming of Washington and Zemeckis, while also marking a return to live-action for the director, who previously helmed such hits as “Castaway,” “Forest Gump,” “Back To The Future,” and the live-action & animated classic “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”.

Zemeckis is repped by CAA, Washington is repped by WME and Gatins is repped by UTA.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands.  The company’s labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies.  PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group and Paramount Television & Digital Distribution.

Are you happy to see Zemeckis get back to directing? Is Flight a drama you’re anticipating?