A few months back, A24 quietly secured the rights to Jeremy Saulnier’s next film—currently going under Untitled Halloween Project. The indie powerhouse had to fend off some serious competition to get it. We’re talking Neon, 20th Century Studios, and Netflix all in the mix.
Netflix, of course, made a strong play. They’ve been home to Saulnier’s last two features (“Hold the Dark,” “Rebel Ridge”), but here’s the kicker: no theatrical release in their proposal. That turned out to be a dealbreaker. Saulnier reportedly wanted his next film in theaters, not just dropped into the algorithm void.
Regardless, Saulnier is telling IndieWire that he plans to shoot his next film “hopefully” this year. No casting has yet to be attached to the project, and as much as I’d love to witness a re-team with “Rebel Ridge” lead Aaron Pierre, the actor has piled up numerous projects since then, and is probably too busy to take part.
Word is Saulnier’s new film is a gritty, propulsive chase thriller with shades of “The Fugitive,” but shot through with the visceral, grounded intensity that defines Saulnier’s best work. Plot details are still being kept under wraps, but the script has been described as having the same energy and punk rock bite that made Saulnier’s “Green Room” so propulsive.