The frequently discussed sequel to Timur Bekmambetov's 2008 film Wanted has seemingly sprung to live, with The Wrap reporting Universal Pictures has hired original screenwriters Michael Brandt and Derek Haas to have another go.

Very loosely based on the comic-book miniseries by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones, Wanted starred James McAvoy as Wesley Gibson, a frustrated accountant who discovers he's the son of a professional assassin and decides to join the thousand-year-old secret society for which his father worked.

The film, which grossed about $340 million worldwide on a $75 million budget, also starred Angelina Jolie as Fox, who becomes Wesley's mentor, and Morgan Freeman as Sloan, leader of the organization.

Haas, who confessed he doesn't know who will direct the sequel -- Bekmambetov is "a busy guy" -- tells The Wrap the story will "take off after the events of what just happened. Pick up Wesley a few years later and go back in for another round."

It will also have to pick up without Jolie, whose character died in the first film. Although there had been plans to resurrect Fox, the actress reportedly pulled out of the sequel last year.