Julius Avery to direct Crush, the real-time survival thriller about a woman trapped by a giant python

Julius Avery (Overlord, The Pope’s Exorcist) has signed on to direct Crush, the snake-themed survival thriller that 20th Century Studios acquired after an intense bidding war last year.

The project generated a lot buzz when it was revealed that the screenplay had been written by John Fischer, Executive Vice President of Development and Production at Temple Hill Entertainment. Fischer originally wrote the script under the pseudonym J.W. Archer, posting it anonymously to the Black List before the screenplay attracted attention from representatives and multiple studios.

What is Crush about?

According to Deadline, Crush follows:

A woman hiking alone in the Everglades who wakes to find herself trapped inside the crushing coils of a massive python, fighting to stay alive as every breath brings her closer to death.

The thriller is said to be inspired by true events and unfolds primarily in real time.

While the specifics are under wraps, the premise is straightforward:

• A lone woman becomes trapped inside the coils of a gigantic python.
• The story takes place in the Florida Everglades.
• Every passing minute makes breathing more difficult.
• The film unfolds primarily in real time.
• The screenplay is inspired by true events.

The survival-focused setup is expected to place nearly all of its emphasis on a single protagonist battling impossible odds.

Julius Avery adds more thrills to his filmography

Avery first gained attention with the crime thriller Son of a Gun before directing the World War II action-horror film Overlord for Paramount and Bad Robot. Since then, he has directed Samaritan, starring Sylvester Stallone, and Sony’s supernatural horror hit The Pope’s Exorcist, starring Russell Crowe.

His focus on suspense, action, and horror makes him a natural choice for a project like Crush, which appears to rely on sustained tension rather than large-scale spectacle.

The screenplay sparked a Hollywood bidding war

When Fischer posted the screenplay anonymously on the Black List, he reportedly wasn’t sure anyone would ever read it. Instead, the script quickly attracted attention from agents and producers before becoming the subject of a competitive bidding war among multiple studios.

20th Century Studios ultimately landed the project in a deal reportedly worth the mid-to-high six figures, with Temple Hill Entertainment producing alongside Scott Glassgold’s 12:01 Films.

The studio has already been moving the film quickly toward production, and Avery’s hiring marks the biggest creative step forward since the screenplay was acquired.

Everything we know about Crush

Director

• Julius Avery

Writer

• John Fischer (writing as J.W. Archer)

Studio

• 20th Century Studios

Producers

• Temple Hill Entertainment
• 12:01 Films

Genre

• Survival thriller
• Creature thriller

Setting

• Florida Everglades

Status

• In development

Casting has not yet been announced.

What do you think?

Does Crush sound like the kind of survival thriller you’d want to see? Are you glad to hear that Julius Avery will be directing? Let us know in the comments.