Josh Brolin in Talks to Star Alongside Austin Abrams in ‘Whalefall’ Adaptation

Austin Abrams was previously confirmed to lead 20th Century’s feature adaptation of Daniel Kraus’ novel Whalefall. Deadline reports today that Dune actor Josh Brolin is in talks to co-star. Brian Duffield (No One Will Save You, Spontaneous) is directing the project, described as The Martian meets 127 Hours, with Duffield and Kraus co-writing the script. The storyline follows “a scuba […] The post Josh Brolin in Talks to Star Alongside Austin Abrams in ‘Whalefall’ Adaptation appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Mar 27, 2025 - 19:35

Josh Brolin in Talks to Star Alongside Austin Abrams in ‘Whalefall’ Adaptation

Austin Abrams was previously confirmed to lead 20th Century’s feature adaptation of Daniel Kraus’ novel Whalefall. Deadline reports today that Dune actor Josh Brolin is in talks to co-star.

Brian Duffield (No One Will Save You, Spontaneous) is directing the project, described as The Martian meets 127 Hours, with Duffield and Kraus co-writing the script.

The storyline follows “a scuba diver in search of his deceased father’s remains who gets swallowed by an 80-foot, 60-ton sperm whale and has only one hour to escape before his oxygen runs out. It’s a tale about a young man who has given up on life — only to find a reason to live in the most dangerous and unlikely of places.”

While the potential casting news doesn’t disclose any details about the role that Brolin would be filling, it’s likely that he’ll play Mitt Gardiner, the father of lead protagonist Jay Gardiner. While Kraus’ intense novel takes place primarily within the belly of a whale, the survival thriller is intercut with flashbacks that examines the relationship between father and son.

What’s interesting about this casting news is that it’ll mark a reunion between Abrams and Brolin; both are starring in Zach Cregger’s upcoming horror movie Weapons. Brolin is also slated to star in Edgar Wright’s The Running Man reboot as the central antagonist behind the violent reality show.

I wrote of the must-read novel, “Kraus’ brisk-paced novel toggles between survival horror and an internal journey through grief in the most propulsive way possible. Jay’s keen survival instincts and the insanely disturbing obstacles that comes from being swallowed alive gets grounded by the melancholy process of forgiveness. It’s the most pulse-pounding read of the year.”

Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and Allan Mandelbaum produce for Imagine Entertainment. Duffield is also producing. Richard Abate and Will Rowbotham of 3 Arts Entertainment will executive produce.

The post Josh Brolin in Talks to Star Alongside Austin Abrams in ‘Whalefall’ Adaptation appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.