Sony’s attempting to sink its teeth into new survival thriller In The Deep, the dramatic and harrowing stand-off between a twenty-something surfer and a great white shark, and the production company has its eye on Louis Leterrier (The Transporter, Now You See Me) to direct the tale.
The upcoming thriller, written by Anthony Jaswinski, was classified as a black listed screenplay until September 2014, when a bidding war began and Sony won the rights to the material. The plot is straightforward enough: a young woman, coping with the recent death of her mother, goes surfing and winds up stranded off-shore on a buoy for 34 hours; the only thing between her and land is a massive great white shark.
Described as a hybrid mixture of 127 Hours, Jaws, and pinch of Gravity, it seems that In The Deep aims to surpass the silly reputation shark flicks have come to achieve as of late (see: Sharknado) and establish a legitimate emotional intimacy with its protagonist, plot, and action.
Producers Lynn Harris and Matt Leshem agree that Leterrier will bring a fresh and exciting perspective on the already-firghtening story, with Leshem quoting;
Louis’ take knocked us out and our intention is to elevate this above the genre, making terrifying but psychologically deep. It has the makings of incredible survival story, but it also goes to the very core of fear on every level.
Director Leterrier is most well-known for his work on the Transporter series, as well as Clash of the Titans (2010). Most recently he agreed to sign on to Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedy Grimsby starring Mark Strong, Rebel Wilson, and Penélope Cruz, due in theaters February 2016.
Although Sony is set on Leterrier as In The Deep’s director, they have not announced a potential cast for the film as of yet.
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