Director changes plot for Malaysian plane movie so as not to offend; film to be a thriller

NEW YORK, N.Y. – A filmmaker who sparked anger earlier this year with plans for a love triangle-themed movie about the Malaysian Airlines plane disappearance says he’s changing the plot to a thriller so he won’t offend the families of the missing.

Director Rupesh Paul unveiled a teaser trailer for “The Vanishing Act” at the Cannes Film Festival, based on the March disappearance of a Malaysian Airlines jet with 239 people onboard; the plane, which was on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, has yet to be found.

The trailer included an image of a gun and two crew members kissing as a third looks on in anger. That sparked anger, leading Paul to apologize to the families of the missing MH370 passengers. Now, in a statement to The Associated Press this week, Paul said he’s shooting a new trailer and the movie will be a psychological thriller.

“We respect the sentiments of all those who experienced loss due to the tragedy, and the intention was never to benefit out of it,” the Indian director said. “I am a filmmaker, and I would like to loosely base the film on one of the most baffling mysteries which has remained unanswered.”

The movie was to be out by fall, but assistant director Sritama Dutta said the change in the plotline led to a delay. Casting is expected to be completed by the end of this month with filming set in January. Filmmakers hope to show it at the Cannes festival next year.