Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington to Reunite for New Netflix Thriller

Netflix has acquired yet another star-studded novel adaptation. The streaming service secured the rights to Leave the World Behind. An upcoming feature film that will star Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington. It will be directed and adapted by Sam Esmail, the creator of Mr. Robot and Homecoming.

The Cast Reunites

The actors, who starred together in the 1993 John Grisham novel adaptation, The Pelican Brief, will be reunited in the upcoming novel adaptation by Rumaan Alam. Leave the World Behind will also reunite Roberts and Esmail, who previously worked together on the first season of Amazon’s Homecoming.

The Bidding War

According to reports, there were 10 offers on the project, and it came down to Netflix, Apple, and MGM, before Netflix secured the deal. Financial terms are not disclosed as of now. However, it has been reported that the book portion of the deal was in the seven-figure range.

‘Suspenseful’ and ‘Provocative’

Alam’s novel, which is to be slated for an October 6 release, will be published by Ecco. According to the official synopsis, the novel narrates a “magnetic story about two families. Strangers to each other, who are forced together on a long weekend gone terribly wrong.” Described as “suspenseful and provocative,” the book explores the complexities of parenthood, race, and class. As well as “how our closest bonds are reshaped and how unexpected new ones are forged in moments of crisis.”

Roberts will serve as a producer via her Red Om Films company. While Washington, Esmail, and Chad Hamilton will produce via Esmail Corp. Alam will serve as executive producer, along with additional producers, Lisa Gillan and Marisa Yeres Gill.

Netflix’s latest deals

Netflix’s newest deal comes just as the platform signed up its most financially ambitious movie to date.

The Russo Brothers are set to direct Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans in an adaptation of the Mark Greaney novel, The Gray Man. The main idea is to launch a blockbuster espionage franchise with a budget upwards of $200 million.

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