Austin Butler is set to star in Edward Berger's new film, The Barrier. The film is based on a short story written by MacMillan Hedges. While plot details are under wraps, the story reportedly involves time travel and has been pitched as an Interstellar meetsTop Gun project. Buzz around this new project is expected to generate some competitive bidding as both Butler and Berger are currently big draws in Hollywood.
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Berger is set to helm the film, according to an exclusive report from Deadline. The German-born director has been in demand since his 2022 Netflix film, All Quiet on the Western Front. Starring Felix Kammerer and Stanislaus Katczinsky, the adaptation earned a 90% critics' and audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film won four Oscars, including Best International Feature Film.
Writer, Director, Actor, A Hollywood Triple Threat Close
Most recently, Berger's latest film, Conclave, is competing in the awards season. Based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris, the thriller stars Ralph Fiennes and centers around the papal and political intrigue of the mysterious and secretive Pope's selection process. Berger will direct The Barrier, and produce alongside Hedges. Butler will also executive produce the film.
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Writer MacMillan Hedges is an up-and-coming screenwriter. A couple of years ago, Fast & Furious franchise producer, Niel H. Moritz, acquired his spec script Relay through Paramount after a competitive round of bidding. That script was also reportedly a high-concept science fiction adventure. According to his IMDB page, Hedges has two other projects in development, titled Cosmic Sunday and The Searchers, both of which made The BlackList.
Butler received critical acclaim for his chilling performance as Feyd-Rutha in Dennis Villenuve's science fiction epic Dune: Part Two. Fans will be thrilled to see the actor return for another high-concept project as lead. While audiences look forward to his next sci-fi project, Butler fans will be happy to know he has upcoming work in the historical genre too.
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Butler has featured in a few period dramas following his Oscar nomination for Baz Luhrman's Elvis biopic. Most recently, he portrayed Major Gale 'Buck' Cleven in Steven Speilberg's new AppleTV+ miniseries, Masters of the Air. The show is based on the true story of 100th Bomb Group of World War II. The series has been praised by historians for its depiction. The series also stars Callum Turner and Anthony Boyle. Butler also starred in 2023's Bikeriders as Benny, a member of a mid-western motorcyclist club in the 1960s. Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy also starred in the film. Butler will also soon team up with Tom Holland in American Speed, a race car and drug smuggling film based on the true story of the Whittington brothers.
Berger is represented by CAA, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates in the UK, and Range Media Partners. Butler is represented by WME, Anonymous Content, and Sloane Offer Weber & Dern. Hedges is also represented by WME Management, Entertainment 360, and Granderson/Des Roches.
✕ Remove Ads All Quiet on the Western Front rWarDramaHistory Release Date September 29, 2022 Director Edward Berger Cast Felix Kammerer , Albrecht Schuch , Daniel Brühl Runtime 143 Minutes Writers Edward Berger YouTube Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grapXipP3fM Budget $20 million Studio(s) Netflix Distributor(s) Netflix Producers Carl Laemmle Jr. Character(s) Paul Bäumer , Stanislas 'Kat' Katczinsky , Himmelstoss , Kantorek , Franz Kemmerich , Leer , Peter , Behn , Albert Kropp , Mueller , Westhus , Detering , Tjaden , Bertinck , Paul's Mother , Herr Meyer , 2nd Medic Orderly (uncredited) , Anna Bäumer (uncredited) , French Girl (uncredited) , Assistant Cook (uncredited) , Frau Kemmerick (uncredited) , Young Soldier (uncredited) , Joseph Hammacher (uncredited) , Suzanne (uncredited) Expand