Sony Pictures just locked down a seriously interesting film project, and it sounds like the kind of high-concept thriller that could will keep audiences entertained and one the edge of their seats.
The studio has landed 71 Minutes, an original supernatural-leaning spec script from writer Ian Shorr, after a competitive fight involving more than 20 production companies and several studios all circling the same prize.
That kind of attention usually means there’s something special here.
The film will be produced by Jason Reitman through his Ghost Corp banner alongside Erica Mills. While Reitman isn’t set to direct at this point, his involvement gives the project a strong creative backbone.
He’s coming off Saturday Night, a film that dramatized the chaotic lead-up to the very first episode of Saturday Night Live, and interestingly, that movie also played with a ticking-clock structure. Clearly, that kind of storytelling rhythm is something he knows how to handle.
As for 71 Minutes, the story centers on a man being hunted, forced to stay one step ahead of his pursuers in real time. The twist is the clock. He has exactly 71 minutes to survive until sunrise. That setup alone suggests a tense, relentless pace, with very little room to breathe.
Shorr, who wrote the script on spec, is having a strong run right now. He previously penned Infinite, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Mark Wahlberg and Chiwetel Ejiofor, and he’s currently got another major project in motion at Warner Bros. That untitled film stars Keanu Reeves with Tim Miller directing, which puts Shorr in a pretty exciting position as a writer to watch.
The buzz around 71 Minutes came fast. Once the script hit the market, it sparked immediate interest across Hollywood, leading to a full-on bidding situation before Sony ultimately came out ahead. That kind of response doesn’t happen unless the concept hits hard and the execution backs it up.
Reitman, meanwhile, has been balancing original projects with expanding the Ghostbusters universe, continuing to build on the legacy of the franchise while also developing new material through Ghost Corp.
Adding a contained, real-time supernatural thriller like this to his slate shows he’s still drawn to stories that play with structure and tension in interesting ways. 71 Minutes feels like the kind of project that could deliver a sharp, nerve-wracking ride if it lands the right team.
Source: THR
