What’s next for “Conclave” director Edward Berger? Well, he’s in post-production on his Netflix gambling drama “The Ballad Of A Small Player” with Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton. But after that? Apparently, it’s his first blockbuster, with A-lister Austin Butler as the lead.
Deadline reports that Berger and Butler will team up for “The Barrier,” a big-budget time-travel movie that has Hollywood studios in a bidding frenzy. The outlet describes the project as “Interstellar” meets “Top Gun,” with Butler in line to star and executive produce. Plot details for the film are under wraps, but it’s based on a short story by MacMillian Hedges.
But with “Conclave” receiving Oscar buzz and Butler being, well, Austin Butler, every studio wants to get their hands on “The Barrier.” The package hit the market earlier this week, and since then, execs all over LA are scrambling to lock the title down before Thanksgiving. So which lucky studio will get an early Christmas present? The highest bidder, of course, but it’s too early to predict a frontrunner.
“The Barrier” is another bid-budget behemoth for Austin Butler after the likes of “Elvis” and “Dune: Part Two.” Other recent work for the actor includes Jeff Nichols” “The Bikeriders” and the Apple TV+ series “Masters Of The Air.” Up next for Butler? He stars in Ari Aster‘s “Eddington,” in theaters next year, with Darren Aronofsky‘s “Caught Stealing” shooting in NYC now.
As for Berger, he’s swiftly becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought-after directors after the success of his Netflix film “All Quiet On The Western Front.” Awards chatter for “Conclave,” which premiered at Telluride back in September and is in theaters now, only further cements that. And if “The Ballad Of A Small Player” is a hit for Netflix next year, watch out: German film vet Berger could become a household name by the time the 2020s conclude.
Stay tuned to see which studio wins the bidding war for “The Barrier.” As for a release date for this project? Don’t expect it in theaters for another couple of years.
