Danny Boylesure does love playing with the concept of time. The man went from28 Days Laterto127 HourstoYesterday, and now the Oscar-winning filmmaker has signed on to direct theMichael B. JordanmovieMethuselahfor Warner Bros.
The project has been in development for several years and was initially envisioned as a starring vehicle forTom Cruise, who would’ve played the Biblical figure who supposedly lived to be 969 years old thanks to survival skills that have kept him a step ahead of everyone else. Variety reports that the concept has changed, however, and the creative team is taking a new approach, as the studio hopesMethuselahwill spark a new franchise with its popularCreedstar Jordan.
Boyle is expected to bring in his frequent collaboratorSimon Beaufoy, the Oscar-winning writer ofSlumdog Millionaire, to rewrite the script and tailor the material to Boyle and Jordan’s shared vision. After all, Jordan is also producingMethuselah via his Outlier Society banner along withAlana Mayo, as well as Boyle and Heyday’sDavid HeymanandJeffrey Clifford.
Jon Wattswas in talks to directMethuselaha year ago, but he has his hands full withTom Holland’s thirdSpider-Manmovie, which Sony is eager to begin filming once production is able to begin.Tony Gilroywrote the latest draft of the screenplay, which was based on a treatment byJames Watkins.
It’s unclear when Jordan will fit Methuselah into his busy schedule, as he’s set to star inDavid O. Russell’s next film withChristian BaleandMargot Robbie, as well asDenzel Washington’s dramaJournal for Jordan. TheBlack Pantherstar has already wrappedWithout Remorse, which is slated to hit theaters on Oct. 2.
Boyle is coming off the surprise success of Universal’s musical dramaYesterday, which grossed $153 million worldwide on a $26 million budget. He nearly directed the upcoming James Bond movieNo Time to Die, but exited the project due to creative differences with the producers. In my opinion, Boyle is a fantastic director, and love to revisit his work, fromTrainspottingto28 Days LatertoSlumdog Millionaire. In fact, I rewatched his little-seen first film,Shallow Grave, earlier this week, and it still holds up, so track that one down if you’ve never seen it.Varietybroke the news of his hiring onMethuselah, though if itdoesbecome a franchise, it’ll be at odds with Boyle’s recent statements about turning his back on franchises forever following the Bond debacle.Click herefor the director’s complicated thoughts on the matter.
