Back in October, A24 received a $50 million line of credit to expand its operations and fulfill its mission of bringing compelling adult dramas and otherwise non-mainstream fare to wider audiences. Now the studio has set Cary Fukunaga (“True Detective“) as the director of its first in-house production after spending the last few years solely on the distribution end of the cinematic supply chain.
The father-son drama doesn’t yet have a title, nor does it have an expected release date, but Fukunaga is on board to develop, produce and direct from a script by Larry McMurty and Diana Ossana, the duo who won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for bringing Brokeback Mountain to the big screen.
The film is based on the true story of Joe Bell and his son Jadin, a fifteen-year-old openly gay high school student who took his own life after being bullied at school and struggling to gain acceptance from those closest to him. In the wake of his son’s suicide, Joe is overcome with remorse and regret, and out of his grief he sets out on a walk across America to promote awareness about the consequences of bullying and prejudice. In a statement to the press, the studio added:
“Joe and Jadin Bell’s story is a poignant reminder of how precious life is, and a life-affirming example of love transcending the prejudice and victimization familiar to many. Cary is a truly exceptional filmmaker. We are honored to help bring his vision of this incredible true story to screen. With the legendary talents of Larry and Diana writing the script, we have no doubt this will be a profoundly emotional and unforgettable film.”
To say the A24-Fukunaga pairing is one I’m excited about would be an understatement. Last year A24 brought Enemy, Locke and A Most Violent Year to the silver screen, and its latest film Ex Machina opened to terrific reviews and has raked in $16.2 million worldwide thus far in its theatrical run, making it the third highest-grossing release for the upstart studio. Like many, I was a huge fan of Fukunaga’s work on the first season of “True Detective“, so I’m looking forward to seeing what happens here.
The original story was reported by The Wrap.
