UPDATE: Deadline reports that Brendan Fraser has been attached to star.
We have learned that Darren Aronofsky is currently developing his next feature film, an adaption of Samuel D. Hunter’s The Whale for A24.
The film will be directed by Darren Aronofsky whose built quite the name for himself with films like Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler, Black Swan, and Noah. Samuel D. Hunter will adapt the play for a movie script.
His last feature film was mother! in 2017 starring Jennifer Lawrence. Audiences followed a couple’s relationship which is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. The film received wide amounts of controversy upon release for its biblical subtext, depictions of violence, and unorthodox direction.
The logline of THE WHALE follows the story of a reclusive English teacher suffering from severe obesity who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter for one last chance at redemption.
The Whale will be produced through American Empirical Pictures with Jeremy Dawson set to oversee the film on behalf of the company, their recent projects include Wes Anderson’s feature films: Isle of Dogs, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Fantastic Mr Fox, and the upcoming The French Dispatch.
The film is eyeing to begin filming in April, which means we could see this adaption as soon as 2022. Alongside the backing of A24, there is significant possibility that The Whale could become a massive awards contender depending on when it is released.
A24 has a stacked calendar with potential favorites for this awards season. These include On The Rocks, which is one of two films that Apple is pushing, First Cow, which has already picked up steam in smaller award contests, and their biggest contender of 2020, Minari, which is expected to pull in multiple nominations at this year’s Oscars.
Darren Aronofsky’s return to feature filmmaking is exciting to say the least, however, we can expect to see more of his expertise even sooner. He is currently executive producing Limitless for National Geographic and Disney+. The science series will be hosted by Chris Hemsworth and will navigate through possibilities of a “different way we can live better for longer.” Scenarios on regenerating damage, maximizing strength, building resilience, shocking the body, supercharging memory, and confronting mortality will all be explored. The series is coming soon to Disney+.
