Sony Pictures has emerged victorious in a fiercely competitive landscape, securing the rights to '71 Minutes,' an original screenplay penned by Ian Shorr. Jason Reitman, through his Ghost Corp banner, will serve as a producer alongside Erica Mills from the company, though he is not currently attached to direct.
Details of the project remain under wraps, but it's described as a pulse-pounding thriller that unfolds in real-time, centering on a man who must evade his pursuers within a ticking clock scenario, with just 71 minutes before the sun rises to do so.
Shorr, known for his sci-fi prowess, recently penned 'Infinite,' a Paramount+ feature directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Mark Wahlberg and Chiwetel Ejiofor. This sale comes amidst a corona moment for the screenwriter as his other script, currently untitled, is in production at Warner Bros., starring Keanu Reeves and helmed by Tim Miller.
'71 Minutes' was written on spec by Shorr, and the script immediately captured widespread interest, with over 20 production companies and some studios vying for the project before Sony emerged as the victor.
Reitman, who last directed 'Saturday Night,' which recounted the making of the inaugural 'Saturday Night Live' episode (also a ticking clock story), has been actively involved in producing and developing the 'Ghostbusters' universe.
Shorr is represented by WME, Bellevue Productions, and Hansen Jacobson.
