When movie lovers think of the most intense thrillers set in the sea, the best movies about sharks, like Steven Spielberg's Jaws or the horror movie based on real events, open water – might come to mind. However, admirers of classic literature may have a softer spot for stories in which a human protagonist comes into conflict with an even grander beast: the whale. You may have heard of the biblical story of Jonah or author Herman Melville's epic and influential 1851 book, Moby Dickbut are you familiar with a more recent novel called whale fall?
If not, you surely will soon, because the 2023 book has been optioned for a movie currently in the works at Disney's 20th Century Studios. So exactly what kind of conflict does the human protagonist of this story face when he encounters the large mammal, and who brings this story to life for the big screen? We'll reveal that and other important details in our next guide to everything we know so far about the upcoming movie. whale fall.
What is the release date for Whalefall?
At the moment, there has been no confirmed release date for whale fall still. The film has just begun development, as reported in an exclusive article published by Deadline in March 2024.
So it could be a considerably long wait, but hopefully not a whale-sized wait, even before we get an announcement of when the movie will hit theaters. However, anyone familiar with the story behind this upcoming film should have no problem keeping their anticipation afloat.
Based on a best-selling thriller novel by Daniel Kraus
Inspired by the aforementioned book of the same name, whale fall (according Simon and Schuster's official description) tells the story of Jay Gardiner, a diver on a personal mission to recover the remains of his father, who took his own life just a year earlier, in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately, the search for him is cut short when he encounters a fight between a giant squid and a sperm whale and, in the commotion, he finds himself trapped inside the stomach of the 80-foot, sixty-ton whale. Gardiner, running out of oxygen, fights to escape his gigantic captor and defeat his own inner demons before it is too late.
Published by MTV Books (a division of Simon & Schuster), the acclaimed bestseller, which Girl is gone Author Gillian Flynn called it “surprisingly cool” – it comes from the mind of author Daniel Kraus. He debuted as a writer in 2009 with Monster Variations – the first of more coming-of-age horror stories, like frown – and would eventually venture into writing comics of a terrifying variety, such as the apocalyptic Year zero and a special Christmas-themed one shot inspired by the classic horror anthology film, A horror show2023. Kraus also has his name on some literary series, including the two-part The death and life of Zebulon Finch and The stuffed animal saga.
Brian Duffield directs Whalefall
In command of whale fall is someone who has experience telling stories about lonely young men fighting with fearsome creatures and their own dark pasts. Brian Duffield: the brain behind one of Hulu's best horror movies, 2023 no one will save you – personally announced that he was directing the film with a post on his instagram account.
Before writing and directing the masterfully unique alien invasion film, Duffield made his directorial debut with another comparatively lighter novel adaptation: the coming-of-age fantasy romantic comedy, Spontaneous2020. Before, he was mainly known as a writer for other horror comedy films such as The babysitter either Love and monsters and even more serious thrillers like those of 2020 Submarine and the Western directed by Natalie Portman, Jane has a gun since 2015. He is also the developer of the Netflix animated series. king kong derived series, skull island.
Duffield and Kraus are writing the film together
Daniel Kraus also took advantage instagram share that he is involved in the development of the adaptation of his own novel as he collaborates with Duffield on the script for whale fall. This is the first time the author has been so involved in a film adaptation of his own work, but it is not his first collaboration with a prominent horror filmmaker.
He was also an associate producer on the Best Picture Oscar-winning film, The shape of water, for which he collaborated on the novelization with Guillermo del Toro. He and Academy Award winner later co-authored the book. troll hunters, which was made into a Netflix original animated series. Kraus also had the honor of completing The living Dead – a novel started by the inventor of modern zombie movies, George A. Romero, before his passing.
Ron Howard and Brian Grazer produce
At the moment, the most recognizable names associated with whale fall are actually the producers: Oscar-winning duo Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. According to a report by DeadlineThe longtime producing partners' company, Imagine Entertainment, had previously purchased the rights to adapt Kraus' novel before 20th Century Studios won the bid for theatrical distribution rights.
Interestingly, this won't be the first time Howard and Grazer have worked on a movie about a whale as Howard directed in 2015. In the heart of the seawhich was based on the real event that inspired Moby Dick. Furthermore, it is not the first time they have collaborated on an intense survival story, since one of Ron Howard's best films (which Grazer also produced) is the 1995 space film classic. Apollo 13.
With the talent involved in whale fallthis thriller could end up being a whale at one blow. Be sure to check back for more updates on the development of this next adventure.
