The story begins in 1999, in Beverly Hills where the local city department has installed remote sensor cameras at strategic locations. If a driver goes through a RED LIGHT, the sensor is tripped and the camera snaps a series of photographs recording the identity of the driver and his vehicle.

QUESTION: Who has access to these pictures?

QUESTION: What if the person with access utilised the pictures and other intelligence which he has gathered to use as leverage to push small time criminals to perform greater crimes?

The main protagonist, Madsen’s character, intends to find out. Madsen is highly skilled in analysing the pictures of the “red light runners” and is able to identify potential criminals, sometimes as result of blatant actions but often by using his intuition. Each of Madsen’s targets are placed under surveillance and their lesser crimes become Madsen’s ammunition to successfully bring together a group of small time criminals. Once these petty criminals become entangled in Madsen’s scheme, each of the principal characters is persuaded to perform a “test crime” that introduces the audience to that character’s particular criminal talents. When melded together, the audience discovers subtlety how, when grouped together, the ensemble is perfectly equipped to embark upon the ultimate heist.

The script is available to all potential investors by download or direct print via the Company’s web site: www.redlightrunners.co.uk.

A minority of the external scenes shall be shot in Los Angeles, the remainder will be shot entirely at studio and external locations in England.

• Z Review: Interviews, news, etc.

• [April 22] Due to his hectic work schedule, Eddie is not taking part in the film "Red Light Runners".
  
  
• [April 12] Red Light is in pre-production as of May 5, 2003. Production starts July 15th 2003 with a release date of Winter 2004
  
  
• [December 13] After much behind the scenes wrangling, it seems that Red Light Runners is back on. Z review gets the scoop again.
  
  

• [September 13] Z Review announces Red Light may still go ahead with new backers: "Here's an update, and there will be more to follow. Red Light Runners will still be going ahead. The producers are in the process of negotiating a new deal with new backers. The film's shoot has indeed been put back to January 2nd 2003, instead of November, due to financing. But Clark assures me that things are still very much on and that there is some new exciting news to follow. " You can read the full report here.

• [September 5] Red Light Runners faces financial greenlight hurdle Adam Minns in London 05 September 2002 04:05 Red Light Runners, the UK heist movie being set up by Reservoir Dogs star Michael Madsen, has hit another financing roadblock. A spokesperson for the film confirmed that Germany's Fierce Entertainment, which purportedly stepped in with a deal for 70% of the funding, was no longer part of the project. Madsen and fellow producer Clark Westerman announced that Fierce had stepped in as an alternative to raising $12 million through UK tax initiative the Enterprise Investment Scheme. The project, once billed as a "posterchild" for the EIS scheme, reportedly has Minnie Driver attached along with footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones, Martin Kemp and Madsen. Nick Egan, whose background is in music promos, is to direct. The producers originally scheduled shooting for November. (from screendaily.com | thanks Spoot)

• [September 2] Tricky and Fine Young Cannibals' Roland Gift joins cast. More info in Z Review

• [August 30] Interview with Madsen & Egan with Z Review

• [August 29] Madsen's 'Red Light' Heist Pic Sees Green
  
  By Adam Dawtrey LONDON (Variety) - "Reservoir Dogs" actor Michael Madsen has abandoned his attempt to raise $12 million through a British tax scheme to finance his U.K. heist movie "Red Light Runners."
  Germany's Fierce Entertainment has instead stepped in with a deal that secures 70% of the picture's funding and guarantees shooting will start on schedule in November.
  Minnie Driver has joined the cast alongside Madsen, Vinnie Jones and Martin Kemp. Harvey Keitel, Mickey Rourke and Gavin Rossdale of rock band Bush also have expressed their intention of being involved. Director is music video veteran Nick Egan.
  Madsen and his fellow producer Clark Westerman were trying to raise the entire production budget through a U.K. enterprise investment scheme. But by the first closing date of Aug. 15, they had come up with only about half of the necessary cash, all of which has been returned to the investors. (thanks Peggy)

• [August 15] Minnie Driver joins cast

• [July 31] Gee, I guess one does have to upgrade to Flash 6 to view the official site. Eddie is confirmed on the site to play a character named "Plutarch 'PLUTO' Faccetti" [excerpt from script]

• [July 29] Interview with producer/writer Clark Westerman...he said additional cast will be announced July 31st

• [July 22] From Dark Horizons: The Z Review scored details of this new Michael Madsen produced crime movie which made headlines last week when it was revealed soccer star David Beckham had scored a role. Now further details of the cast have been announced and wow - alongside Madsen will be Martin Kemp, Eddie Izzard, Vinnie Jones, Sara Cox, Mickey Rourke, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, and hopefully Dennis Hopper and Harvey Keitel (both are still in negotiations). Writer Clark Westerman also indicates there's four other major roles: "We are targeting: Minnie Driver for a lead, Christopher Plummer, Thandie Newton, Ray Winstone and the speeded out gent from Trainspotting to round out our ensemble". Pics from a recent press conference are now online, and Westerman indicates "a dearly missed, deeply talented celeb" will be inserted into a background of a scene via digital FX.

• [July 19] From BBC: BECKS TURNS DOWN FILM ROLE
  Footballer David Beckham has turned down a role in a British heist movie called Red Light Runners, despite newspaper reports.
  
  According to The Sun on Friday, the England captain and Manchester United midfielder was set to play a hitman in the film. But, although Beckham was asked to take part in the film - co-produced by and starring Reservoir Dogs actor Michael Madsen - he declined the offer. A spokeswoman for the film's backers told BBC News Online that Beckham's role would have been very small, but he turned it down regardless. "It was not something he wanted to do at this time," she added. David Beckham not interested in film work
  
  At a launch for the film in London earlier this week, the offer made to the footballer was mentioned for "legal reasons", said the spokeswoman. Despite failing to sign Beckham, Madsen - who played Mr Blonde in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs - has signed up former Wimbledon and Leeds player Vinnie Jones to co-star. Since hanging up his boots, Jones has forged a career for himself as an actor, playing mainly hard men in gangster films, including Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.
  
  Targets Also confirmed for Red Light Runners are former EastEnders bad guy Martin Kemp and actor and comedian Eddie Izzard. BBC Radio 1's breakfast presenter Sara Cox will also have a small role.
  
  Red Light Runners follows Madsen's criminal mastermind character as he recruits a crack team of baddies to help him pull off the perfect heist. Vinnie Jones has been in gangster movies such as Snatch The crime thriller is likely to be filmed at studios and on location in London and the South East. Madsen is in the UK raising money to fund the movie. By Tuesday, he had reached his first £2m target. The full amount needed, £8m, must be reached by 15 August before filming on Red Light Runners can start. If this is not met, investors will get their money back. Madsen is raising money from private investors through the UK Enterprise Investment Scheme. The scheme's structure allows for income and capital gains tax relief.

• [July 17] From Dark Horizons: "The Diary reports that UK soccer star David Beckham is set to play a 'bad ass' assassin in the Hollywood heist flick. A deal is expected within the next few days with Harvey Keitel and Dennis Hopper playing the lead roles, whilst DJ Sara Cox & EastEnder Martin Kemp will also make cameos. Producer Clark Westerman says "If you remember the character of Marcellus Wallace in Pulp Fiction - the big, burly, black guy - well, that's the sort of part we want him to take. Marcellus was built up from the start as this tough bad ass, but it wasn't until much later that you got to see him. We want David to play a similar cameo as an assassin with a bad eye, so much that's he's almost sightless. You'll never see him kill because we don't want to upset his younger fans but he'll make a brief appearance towards the end where you see he has this power over the bullets. He'll be able to bend them". The soundtrack will include retro punk covers of hardcore tunes whilst Beckham's wife Victoria (Posh Spice) may do one of the tracks."

• [July 10] From Chortle.co.uk: "Izzard in Harvey Keitel heist flick Eddie Izzard has landed a role in a new heist movie alongside Harvey Keitel, Dennis Hopper and Mickey Rourke. The comic secured his place in Red Light Runners after working with its producer, Reservoir Dogs star Michael Madsen, on a Western. Details of Izzard's role are still uncertain, but the film - now seeking finance in the UK - will be shot in London. Radio One DJ Sara Cox and former EastEnder Martin Kemp also feature in the film. After signing Izzard, movie co-producer Clark Westerman said: "We have deliberately sought recognised stars from both the UK and US to broaden our box-office appeal." However the producers have set themselves a target of raising £2million by 17 July, with a further £6 million in total by 15 August, if the film is to go ahead. It is trying to attract finance under the Government's Enterprise Investment Scheme, which allows tax breaks on money invested. Westerman said: "This is not a minority art film. It is aimed at the UK and US mass markets and it has the benefit of a list of well-known, highly respected actors. The UK has a reputation as a great place to make films and also to raise finance." Izzard has been involved in a slew of films over the past months, most of which have yet to be released in Britain. He has played Charlie Chaplin in Peter Bogdanovich's The Cat's Meow, a transvestite soldier opposite Friends star Matt LeBlanc in All The Queen's Men and has a role in Alex Cox's A Revenger's Tragedy - not to mention Blueberry, the Western which also starred Masden. " (thanks Madfish!)

• [July 8] "Eddie Izzard has landed a role in a new heist movie alongside Harvey Keitel, Dennis Hopper and Mickey Rourke. The comic secured his place in "Red Light Runners" after working with its producer Michael Madsen on the forthcoming Western, Blueberry. Details of Izzard's role are still uncertain. The film - now seeking finance in the UK - will be shot in London. Radio One DJ Sara Cox and former EastEnder Martin Kemp also feature in the film." (thanks JT)

• More info on the film. Just a note, Ananova.com tends to get their info wrong so I'm still looking for independent confirmation...