Julius Avery takes the reins on 20th Century python thriller Crush
Deadline reports the Overlord and The Pope’s Exorcist filmmaker will direct the survival thriller, which began as a spec script by Temple Hill executive John Fischer.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
Julius Avery is heading into the Everglades for a survival thriller with a very tight squeeze.
The Australian filmmaker, whose credits include Overlord and The Pope’s Exorcist, is set to direct Crush for 20th Century Studios, Deadline reported.
The project centers on a snake-themed survival story. According to Deadline, the official logline is being kept quiet, but sources described the film as following a woman hiking alone in the Everglades who wakes up caught in the coils of a massive python. The story is said to track her fight to survive as each breath becomes more dangerous.
Deadline reported that the film is said to be inspired by true events and told mainly in real time.
A spec script that got Hollywood moving
Crush comes from writer John Fischer, who is executive vice president of development and production at Temple Hill Entertainment. Deadline previously reported that 20th Century Studios bought the script last fall after a multi-studio bidding contest.
Fischer wrote the screenplay on spec during his free time, according to Deadline, while unsure whether he would ever take it out. He later posted it on the Black List under the pen name J.W. Archer.
That move quickly drew interest from representatives looking to sign him and bring the project to market, Deadline reported.
Fischer told Deadline he was initially self-conscious about telling his Temple Hill bosses that he had written the script and that it was gaining attention. The company has since backed him as he continues his executive work there, with Temple Hill also joining the project as a producer.
Who is making Crush
Scott Glassgold will produce through 12:01 Films alongside Temple Hill, according to Deadline. Glassgold’s company is also behind the recently sold horror packages Siren Head and Cartoon Cat, which went to Warner Bros. and Sony, respectively, Deadline reported.
Glassgold is also heading into production on Drew Hancock’s horror film Seasons for Amazon MGM Studios, according to Deadline.
J.R. Young is overseeing Crush for 20th Century Studios.
Avery’s genre run continues
Avery made his feature debut with Son of a Gun, a crime thriller starring Ewan McGregor that Deadline noted was among A24’s early titles.
He later directed Overlord, an alternate-history D-Day action-horror film for Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot. His other credits include the Sylvester Stallone superhero film Samaritan for Amazon and United Artists, and Sony Screen Gems’ supernatural horror title The Pope’s Exorcist, starring Russell Crowe.
Avery is represented by WME, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Deadline reported.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.