Jamie Bellwill make his screenwriting debut alongside palMax Minghellaon an adaptation ofRuth Ware’s haunted house thrillerThe Turn of the Key.
Deadlinebroke the news, reporting that Working Title has optioned the rights to the book, which hails from the author ofIn a Dark, Dark Wood,The Woman in Cabin 10, andThe Lying Game, all of which have previously been optioned for the screen.
The Turn of the Keyis Ware’s fifth novel, and the story follows a young woman who takes a lucrative job as a live-in nanny at a high-tech “smart” house in the Scottish Highlands, where it soon becomes clear that all is not what it seems among this picture-perfect family. The premisedoesfeel a little familiar, and Lord knows we don’t need any more haunted house movies, but the writing team of Bell and Minghella intrigues me and has me a little more interested in this project than I might’ve been otherwise – especially if there’s a chance Bell takes a role in this film.
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Tim BevanandEric Fellnerwill produceThe Turn of the Keyfor Working Title, whose executivesAmelia GrangerandAlexandra Loewywill oversee development for the company. Working Title has a promising upcoming slate that includesEdgar Wright’sLast Night in SohostarringAnya Taylor-Joy,Joe Wright’sCyranostarringPeter Dinklage, andLena Dunham’sCatherine, Called Birdy, which co-starsAndrew ScottofFleabagfame.
Bell recently starred oppositeMichael B. JordaninWithout Remorse, and alongsideTaron EgertoninRocketman. TheBilly Elliotstar is currently filming Apple’s serial killer seriesThe Shining GirlswithElisabeth Moss. ThoughThe Turn of the Keywill be Bell’s first screenplay, he has recently begun branching out from acting, as he executive produced Minghella’s own directorial debutTeen Spirit, and he’s also co-producingAmazon’sFred & Gingermovie, in which he’ll stars asFred AstairealongsideMargaret QualleyasGinger Rogers.
Minghella is an executive producer on that project, having made his own screenwriting debut several years ago onAlexandre Aja’s thrillerThe 9th Life of Louis DraxstarringJamie DornanandAaron Paul. Though I must admit that I never saw that Miramax film, IreallylikedTeen Spirit, and if Working Title is pleased with theTurn of the Keyscript, I wouldn’t mind seeing Minghella direct the film as well. The star ofSpiralandThe Handmaid’s Talewas also recently cast inDamien Chazelle’s Hollywood dramaBabylon, though his role is being kept under wraps.
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