Photo Credit: Getty Images
Brad Pitt is set to headline the upcoming film adaptation of Tim Winton's acclaimed novel "The Riders," with "Conclave" director Edward Berger at the helm. A24 has committed to both finance and distribute this ambitious project, according to industry reports released today.
The film centers on a man who, after relocating to Ireland with his family, embarks on a desperate search across Europe when his wife mysteriously disappears. This emotionally charged premise earned Winton's original novel a Booker Prize nomination in 1995.
Production is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with filming planned across multiple European locations to capture the novel's sweeping geographical scope. Screenwriter David Kajganich, known for his work on "A Bigger Splash" and "Bones and All," is adapting the screenplay.
The project brings together an impressive coalition of producers, including Ridley Scott's Scott Free Productions, Berger's Nine Hours banner, and Pitt's own Plan B Entertainment. This marks a reunion for Berger, Kajganich, and Scott Free, who previously collaborated on the AMC series "The Terror."
"The combination of Winton's powerful source material and Berger's visual storytelling promises something extraordinary," noted one industry insider familiar with the project.
Pitt's involvement comes amid a busy period for the veteran actor. He recently starred opposite George Clooney in the action comedy "Wolfs" and will next appear in Joseph Kosinski's racing drama "F1" for Apple. He's also developing "The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth," a spinoff from Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," with David Fincher directing for Netflix.
Berger has emerged as one of Hollywood's most sought-after directors following his Oscar-nominated work on "All Quiet on the Western Front" and the recent Vatican drama "Conclave." He recently completed production on the Netflix mystery "The Ballad of a Small Player."
For A24, "The Riders" joins an eclectic upcoming slate that includes Celine Song's "Materialists" starring Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal, Dwayne Johnson's "Smashing Machine," and Josh Safdie's "Marty Supreme" featuring Timothée Chalamet.
Industry analysts will be watching closely to see if this high-profile collaboration can deliver both artistic merit and commercial success in an increasingly challenging theatrical landscape.
