What’s next for director Doug Liman? No, it’s not “Road House 2” (as if anyone expected him and Amazon MGM Studios to patch things up after their fallout over the 2024 film’s lack of theatrical release). Instead, Variety reports that Liman will helm “Killing Satoshi,” a conspiracy thriller about the creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto.
Liman reunites with “The Instigators” co-star Casey Affleck on the picture, with Pete Davidson also on board to star. Who will this pair play? That remains under wraps, but the plot of “Killing Satoshi” will deal with the secret identity of Nakamoto and a shadowy group of elites who want to keep his identity a secret. “The Mule‘ scribe Nick Schenk pens the script, with Relativity Media chief Ryan Kavanaugh on board to finance and produce. It’s Kavanaugh’s first major Hollywood production since his studio filed for bankruptcy in 2015. Since then, yup, Kavanaugh got into cryptocurrency, which may explain this project’s existence; he’ll finance via his new production company, Proxima. Other producers on “Killing Satoshi” include Lawrence Grey and Shane Valdez, with Jared Underwood executive producing via Aperture Media.
But why a film about Bitcoin and its creator? Well, for one thing, the introduction of the cryptocurrency in 2009 shifted the global economy forever. But there’s also the mystery of Nakamoto himself. Blockchain analysts estimate Nakamoto mined about one million Bitcoin shortly after it hit the market, with an estimated net worth now of $64 billion. That would make Nakamoto one of the 20 richest people alive, but it’s unclear if he is, or even he’s even real. Fifteen years on, Nakamoto’s massive fortune remains untouched, leading many to speculate about his existence and whereabouts.
That sounds like a perfect set-up for a conspiracy thriller, and Liman sounds excited about helming “Killing Satoshi.” Here’s the director’s official press statement announcing the film: “I love David and Goliath stories. “Killing Satoshi” follows unlikely antiheroes taking on the most powerful people on the planet in an epic battle that strikes at the core of what is money and who controls it. I’m so excited to be collaborating with Casey Affleck again opposite the incredible Pete Davidson.”
And here’s Kavanaugh’s press statement: “This is not just a movie about Bitcoin and its elusive and mysterious origins but really about what it stands for. We look at this film much the same way as we did with “The Social Network” and its examination of Facebook. This should equally be a look into the world of what Bitcoin really is.”
Making a movie about Bitcoin similar to David Fincher‘s 2010 masterwork is quite ambitious. Are Liman and Kavanaugh up to the challenge? General audiences will find out late next year, when “Killing Satoshi” likely hits theaters. Production on the film starts this Fall in London.
