According to a report from Deadline, the talented filmmaking duo behind Daybreakers, Jigsaw, and Winchester is set to bring a fresh perspective to the headless horseman mythology with their upcoming film Headless. The creative minds of Michael and Peter Spierig, popularly known as The Spierig Brothers, are reportedly drawing inspiration from iconic films such as Mad Max and The Terminator in this modern adaptation. Notably, the film’s production is scheduled to take place in Australia, the same location where the legendary Mad Max series was filmed, promising a unique and visually stunning cinematic experience.
The gripping synopsis reveals a thrilling narrative: “A rudderless hitchhiker and a determined woman seeking revenge for her family’s murder must confront a motorcycle-riding semi-immortal ghoul that thrives on the chaos it creates on desert highways by decapitating it and keeping its head far enough away, long enough, from its relentlessly pursuing living body.” The screenplay is crafted by Shane Armstrong (The Contents) and S.P. Krause (The Contents). Esteemed industry veteran Chris Brown (Daybreakers) will produce through his Picture in Paradise label, alongside Martin Metz (Mandy) from Rosewood Pictures and Diana Le Dean (Sting), all supported by Screen Queensland.
Altitude is set to manage the international sales of this exciting project and plans to showcase it to potential buyers on the Cannes Croisette later this week. Furthermore, Rialto has secured the distribution rights for the film in both Australia and New Zealand. The production is anticipated to commence in Australia later this year, promising a captivating visual journey for audiences.
The Spierig Brothers have also recently been announced as the directors for the highly anticipated sequel to Fall on Netflix. Christian Mercuri, the CEO of Capstone Studios, confirmed that Fall 2 will be helmed by the Spierig Brothers. They will collaborate with producers Mark Lane and James Harris from Tea Shop Productions, along with David Haring and Scott Mann through the Flawless banner. The Spierig Brothers expressed their enthusiasm, stating: “We’re extremely excited to helm the second installment of this franchise and bring to life another nail-biting, vertigo-inducing thrill ride.”
Scott Mann added: “I am so proud to hand over the reins to the Spierigs, two highly respected genre directors whose addition will undoubtedly make this follow-up even more of a must-see experience than we already knew it would be. I can’t wait for Flawless to work alongside them, and the rest of our fantastic filmmaking team, to take the Fall franchise to epic new heights.”
While specific plot details and character information remain under wraps, it has been confirmed that Fall 2 and Fall 3 will feature original characters from the first film, while also allowing opportunities for new characters to be introduced. The screenplay for Fall 2 has been penned by Mann, alongside Jonathan Frank, his co-writer from the first film, promising an engaging narrative continuity.
A recent press release highlights the impressive credentials of the Spierig Brothers: “Michael and Peter Spierig are best known for Lionsgate’s Winchester starring Helen Mirren and Sarah Snook, as well as Jigsaw, the eighth installment in the Saw franchise, renowned as one of the most successful horror series ever produced. Their additional credits include Daybreakers featuring Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe, Predestination starring Ethan Hawke and Sarah Snook, and the award-winning Undead, a zombie film that has garnered critical acclaim.”
