It looks like Joel Edgerton has another drama in the vein of “The Boys In The Boat” and “Thirteen Lives” up next. The actor will co-star with Felicity Jones in “Train Dreams,” Black Bear‘s adaptation of Denis Johnson‘s 2011 novella. It’ll be the third adaptation of Johnson’s literary work for the big screen, after 1999’s “Jesus’ Son” and Claire Denis‘ recent outing, “The Stars At Noon.”
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Clint Bentley will direct “Train Dreams” from an adapted script he co-writes with his “Sing Sing” co-writer Greg Kwedar. Johnson’s novella, nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, tells the story of Robert Granier, a logger working on the growing American railway system as he struggles to provide for his family and find his place in a rapidly changing country. Edgerton stars as Granier in the film, while Jones plays his wife Gladys. Damien Ober penned a former draft of the script.
Bentley and Kwedar are fresh off of “Sing Sing,” a prison drama starring Colman Domingo and Paul Raci about inmates who set out to stage an original production while incarcerated. Kwedar directed that film. “Train Dreams” will be the second feature in a row that the pair team up with Black Beaar. Will Janowitz, Teddy Schwarzman and Michael Heimler co-produce through the banner, with Marissa McMahon and Ashley Schalifer also co-producing through Kamala Films. Executive producers include Black Bear’s John Friedberg, as well as Kwedar, Casey Affleck, and Scott Hinckley. Black Bear fully finances “Train Dreas” and will have the project ready for international buyers at the EFM next week. WME Independent handles the film’s US sales.
“Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar are two of the most exciting American filmmakers working today,” Black Bear’s Schwarzman said in a statement. “After a tremendous collaboration on “Sing Sing,” we’re thrilled to back their next project in “Train Dreams,” one of the most beautiful scripts we’ve ever read. Our friends at Kamala Films have developed an epic, and we cannot wait for Joel and Felicity to bring to life these incredible characters.”
Production starts shooting in April in Washington State, so expect it to get a 2025 theatrical release.