Edgar Wright will direct a feature film adaptation of the 2019 best selling novel The Chain. Following the critical and box office success of Baby Driver in 2017, Wright is once again one of the most sought after directors in Hollywood. His next film Last Night in Soho has been delayed until 2021, but he’s already been eyeing what his next movie will be. Wright signed on to direct Set My Heart to Five in early 2020, and now he’s found another book adaptation to tackle.
As reported by Deadline, Wright is attached to direct The Chain for Universal Pictures. His involvement comes after a seven-figure deal by the studio to acquire the rights to Adrian McKinty’s horror/thriller novel of the same name. Wright will produce The Chain in addition to directing, while the screenplay will be written by Jane Goldman (X-Men: First Class, Kingsman: The Golden Circle). The Chain follows a mom whose child is kidnapped and the only way to guarantee her safety is to kidnap someone else’s child in exchange. It was not announced when The Chain would begin production or be released.
The combination of Wright and Goldman is an exciting duo to lead The Chain to the big screen, and the source material should continue Wright’s exploration of darker material. After doing more comedic work at the beginning of his career, Last Night in Soho is described as a psychological thriller from Wright, and The Chain could be more of the same. McKinty’s novel was also highly praised upon its release in 2019, with novelist legends Stephen King and Don Winslow voicing support for it. It should make for an exciting movie.
