South Africa police: No foul play in Ellis death

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African police say no foul play is suspected in the death of David R. Ellis, an American movie director whose body was found in a hotel bathroom in Johannesburg.

The South African Press Association cites police as saying Tuesday that the hotel manager discovered Ellis' body at around 1 p.m. Monday. Police say 60-year-old Ellis, who directed the movie "Snakes on a Plane," was last seen Saturday in a restaurant by a friend.

According to the news agency, police Lt. Col. Lungelo Dlamini said nothing was missing from Ellis's hotel room and no foul play is suspected "at this stage."

Ellis was in Johannesburg working on "Kite," a remake of the 1998 Japanese anime film that was to have starred "Snakes on a Plane" actor Samuel L. Jackson.