20th Century Studios acquires Kevin McMullin‘s ‘BOMB‘ short story—an action thriller with franchise potential and a standout role for a young actor. Ridley Scott is set to direct, with his Scott Free producing, and McMullin will pen the script, as confirmed by Deadline. The action-thriller film is said to have “franchise potential” with a “killer role for a young actor.” Described to be in the vein of “Dog Day Afternoon” and “Speed.”
What is the Plot of ‘BOMB’?
Frankie Ippolito, a hostage negotiator, finds himself on duty the night before his wedding in London. A man stationed in a Piccadilly Circus construction site stands on a newly uncovered, unexploded WWII bomb. Insisting on speaking only with Frankie, triggers a series of events that pull Frankie into an overnight battle to thwart the bomber, with whom he shares a complicated past.
Produced by Scott and Scott Free’s Michael Pruss, brought to the company by Scott Free’s Sam Roston and Rebecca Feuer, with oversight from Colin Greten and Catherine Hughes at the studio. Negotiations handled by Justin Brown on behalf of Scott Free.
The cast for ‘BOMB’ has not been announced by the studios yet.
Facing tough competition from 10 bidders, including Apple, Netflix, Sony, and Warner Bros., 20th Century Studios secured the deal for the short story and writing rights at a low-seven figure amount. The key factors were Scott’s directorial attachment and the strong relationship between Scott Free and McMullin.
Scott’s latest film, ‘Napoleon,’ starring Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby, was released in theaters on November 22, 2023. His next project, ‘Gladiator 2,’ starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and Pedro Pascal, is scheduled for theatrical release on November 22, 2024. Meanwhile, ‘BOMB’ is in the early stages of development, with scripting and production in the works.
