‘Batso’: Walton Goggins & Lewis Pullman Join Jessica Biel In Period Yosemite-Set Mountain Climbing Drama

The Toronto International Film Festival is gearing up this month, and that means the TIFF Film Market is also underway, which has led to a casting update for “Batso” as Walton Goggins and Lewis Pullman have been tapped for roles in the drama taking place in 1970.

Set in Yosemite National Park, the true-story inspired pic led by Jessica Biel and directed by Kyle Marvin (“80 For Brady”), as mentioned by Deadline, focuses on a team of mountain climbers trying to summit El Capitan/The Wall of Early Morning Light. Those roles break down as Goggins as Warren “Batso” Harding, Pullman as Dean Caldwell, and Biel as Beryl Knauth, who was Batso’s romantic partner and a huge pillar in the climbing community.

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An official logline for the project, penned by Eamon O’Sullivan, as mentioned by the outlet:

“In 1970, the Wall of Early Morning Light was an unthinkable climb. For larger-than-life climbing legends Batso and Caldwell, it represented a near-impossible physical and mental challenge. For iconoclast Batso, it also offered one last chance to stick it to the naysayers who thought him too old, too out of touch, and too crazy. For novice Dean, it was a way to see beyond his 9-5 existence and unlock the awesome potential of the human spirit. What began as an almost farcical exercise became one of the great underdog stories in the history of the sport. The estimated 10-day climb stretched into a 28-day marathon of grit and determination, which sparked a media sensation.”

Over a year ago, Ethan Hawke and Daniel Radcliffe had been attached to lead the project, but are no longer involved, as casting has obviously evolved and pivoted to other names.

“A climb is only as successful as its preparation and its team members,” Marvin said in an official statement. “We have got a fantastic team assembled for this picture and are prepared to make a film that captures the spirit and world of 70s climbing in a way that hasn’t been seen before.”

We’ll see Goggins return as the gunslinging Ghoul in season two of “Fallout” as that debuts on Prime Video in December, and Pullman is currently shooting scenes as Bob/Sentry for Marvel‘s “Avengers: Doomsday” with expectations to return for Paramount‘s gestating “Top Gun 3.”

North.Five.Six. is overseeing international sales for “Batso”, with Michael Rothstein, Sam Hall, and Warren Goz serving as executive producers. CAA Media Finance and WME Independent are arranging financing for the film, also handling the North American rights for the period drama.