Universal Studios has made a seven figure deal to adapt Adrian McKinty’s best selling novel, The Chain. The film adaptation was initially set to be in production with Paramount until Universal manage to receive the rights to the novel and are teaming up with Working Title films to create the upcoming film. Not only that, but Universal and Working Title decided to have a fan favorite director be attached to the project. Popular cult movie director of Baby Driver, Edgar Wright, will be attached to direct the film adaptation of The Chain. 

Wright will be set to direct the film with Kingsman: The Golden Circle writer Jane Goldman set to pen the screenplay. Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan from Working Title will also produce the project alongside Nira Park, Shane Salerno and Edgar Wright.

The story centers around a mother named Rachel who is finds out that her 11 year old daughter has been kidnapped. She knows how to get her child back from the kidnapper, but it will involve her being a part of a chain letter scheme known as The Chain. In the scheme, every time a child is kidnapped, the parents of that child have to steal another child from different parents. Therefore, if Rachel does not steal another child or the parents of the child she kidnaps breaks the kidnapping chain, then Rachel’s daughter will be murdered in what is a very thrilling and suspenseful tale.

Author of the book, Adrian McKinty, is very excited for the prospects of his novel becoming a film. The Chain helped brought McKinty’s career to life and when discussing the book he stated, “It’s a story about writers helping fellow writers. I hope it inspires other writers who may be thinking about quitting, to never give up.”

Wright is also a good choice to direct now that he is leaning towards films that aren’t as comedic as his original films. Last Night In Soho will be Wright’s next film and given that it is a psychological thriller in the vein of The Chain, it is just as fitting that Wright follows it up with another thriller such as this one.

No release date has yet been set for The Chain.