Andrew Haigh has his next movie after “All Of Us Strangers” lined up, and it’ll be a reunion with Colin Farrell. Deadline reports that Farrell will co-star with Ben Stiller in “Belly Of The Beast,” a true-crime thriller based on the problematic friendship between novelist Norman Mailer and convict Jack Henry Abbott. Stiller will play Mailer in the film, with Farrell as Abbott.
Based on Jerome Loving‘s book “Jack And Norman,” Haigh’s film follows how Mailer and Abbott connected in 1977 while Abott was still in prison. After meeting, Mailer helped the convicted bank robber, forger, and murderer write his memoirs, eventually lobbying for his release from jail. But their relationship soured by Abbott was paroled and quickly gained popularity with the literary elite in Mailer’s circle. A jealous Mailer turned his back on Abbott who, already struggling with life outside of prison, then spiraled into violence just weeks after his release.
Village Roadshow Pictures developed “Belly Of The Beast,” and also produces the film. The banner will also distribute the film in the UK and Ireland, with mk2 handling negotiations for other markets; the US market still needs a distributor. Farrell also produces the project with his wife Claudine via their Chapel Films. Other producers include Alison Rosenzweig and Michael Gaeta. Jillian Apfelbaum, Tristen Tuckfield, and Nic Gordon serve as executive producers for VRP, with Film4 also executive producing and co-financing the pic.
“Belly of the Beast” is a powerful true crime story that is both tense and unsettling,” said Marie-Claire Benson, EVP & Head Of Motion Picture Group at Lionsgate UK. Under Andrew Haigh’s masterful direction, we can be assured of incredible performances from Ben Stiller and Colin Farrell, which we look forward to bringing to cinema audiences in the UK and Ireland.”
Farrell and Haigh last worked together on the BBC2 miniseries “The North Water,” with the actor playing the villainous Henry Drax. For Haigh’s sake, let’s hope “Belly Of The Beast” finds a wider stateside audience, as critics love “The North Water” but it remains criminally underseen.
As for a release date for “Belly Of The Beast”? Look for it to reach audiences in 2026.
