It appears that Danny Boyle is ready to venture back into the world of big-budget filmmaking, after dropping out of James Bond and tackling the feel-good, “Yesterday.” And he’s joining Michael B. Jordan to help tell the tale.
According to Variety, Boyle is set to direct “Methuselah” for Warner Bros, with Michael B. Jordan set to star. The film originated at WB as a more direct story about the Biblical character, Methuselah, who is said to have lived 969 years. However, the report claims that the studio is now reworking the idea, with the help of writer Simon Beaufoy, who worked with Boyle and “Slumdog Millionaire” and “127 Hours.” The hope is that “Methuselah” will spawn a new franchise.
Jordan has been attached to the film for a while now, with Jon Watts rumored to be in line to direct at one point. Apparently, an earlier version of the film that was in development would have starred Tom Cruise in the lead role. Tony Gilroy is also mentioned as one of the people responsible for a draft of the script. But, as mentioned, the concept is expected to change fairly dramatically in the new rewrite.
Michael B. Jordan is an actor that is desperately looking to become the biggest action star on the planet, developing potential franchises left and right. He’s already starred in two “Creed” films, with a third on the way, as well as the Marvel Studios blockbuster, “Black Panther.” Upcoming, he is starring in the action film “Without Remorse,” which is based on a series of novels by Tom Clancy, and is expected to kickstart a new franchise for the actor.
READ MORE: Danny Boyle Says He’s “Not Cut Out” For Franchise Filmmaking After ‘Bond 25’ Experience
As mentioned, Boyle recently helmed “Yesterday,” which is the Beatles-inspired musical film that he made after he left the production of the newest James Bond film. At that point, and in subsequent interviews, it seemed as if Boyle was ready to turn his back on big studio films. Well, apparently that’s not totally the case.
WB is expected to get “Methuselah up and going as soon as possible, as the potential franchise is deemed a high-priority.