Los Angeles, California – Award-winning director Barry Jenkins has set his sights on his next project, a new sci-fi thriller featuring actor Glen Powell. The film, titled “The Natural Order,” is based on an unpublished manuscript by Matthew Aldrich (“Coco”) and explores the quest for eternal life.
Universal has acquired the rights to the original pitch, with Jenkins in discussions to helm the project. Jenkins and Aldrich are set to work on adapting the screenplay from Aldrich’s unpublished manuscript, marking Aldrich’s debut novel.
The collaboration between Jenkins and Powell brings together two of the industry’s rising stars. Jenkins recently directed Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which achieved great success at the box office, grossing over $700 million globally. Powell, on the other hand, has enjoyed success with recent projects such as Sony’s “Anyone but You” and Universal’s “Twisters,” earning accolades for his performance in Netflix’s “Hit Man.”
Furthermore, Universal and Powell have a successful history together, following the box office success of “Twisters.” “The Natural Order” will be the first project produced by Jenkins under his company Barnstorm Production’s first look deal with Universal, established just last month.
The film will be produced by Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak, and Jenkins under their banner Pastel. Additionally, Jewerl Keats Ross will be a producer on the project, with Senior EVP of production development Erik Baiers overseeing for the studio.
Powell is represented by CAA and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole, while Jenkins and Aldrich are represented by CAA, manager Jewerl Keats Ross, and lawyer Jamie Feldman.
This upcoming sci-fi thriller marks a new chapter in Jenkins’ career, as he delves into the world of eternal life and human desires. With Powell on board and Universal backing the project, “The Natural Order” is poised to be a captivating and thought-provoking cinematic experience for audiences.