A year ago, trades announced that Oscar-nominee Austin Butler (“Dune: Part Two“) would be leading a feature film adaptation of the famous Don Winslow crime saga novel “City On Fire” (No, not the similarly-titled Chow Yun-Fat movie that inspired Quentin Tarantino‘s “Reservoir Dogs“). A potential franchise starter for Sony, the crimed dra awould explore two criminal empires, Irish and Italian syndicates, that control New England and has been compared to the scope of something on the level of “The Godfather.” It’s been a long minute since we’ve heard an update, but Deadline reports the project has landed an impressive screenwriter to tackle the script.
Bringing his talent and experience to the project, the outlet revealed playwright/screenwiter Justin Kuritzkes has been entrusted with writing duties on “City On Fire.” His previous work on the Luca Guadagnino film “Challengers,” starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist, showcased his ability to explore unique settings, such as the world of professional tennis. Kuritzkes also wrote Guadagnino’s upcoming adaptation of William S. Burroughs‘ “Queer” starring Daniel Craig.
READ MORE: ‘Caught Stealing’: Austin Butler To Star In Darren Aronofsky’s ’90s NYC Crime Pic At Sony
The novel’s official synopsis via Amazon reads as follows:
“Two criminal empires together control all of New England. Until a beautiful woman comes between the Irish and the Italians, launching a war that will see them kill each other, destroy an alliance, and set a city on fire. Danny Ryan yearns for a more “legit” life and a place in the sun. But as the bloody conflict stacks body on body and brother turns against brother, Danny has to rise above himself. To save the friends he loves, like family and the family he has sworn to protect, he becomes a leader, a ruthless strategist, and a master of a treacherous game in which the winners live and the losers die. From the gritty streets of Providence to the glittering screens of Hollywood to the golden casinos of Las Vegas, two rival crime families ignite a war that will leave only one standing. The winner will forge a dynasty.”
Ever since his Oscar nomination for the Baz Lurman-directed biopic “Elvis,” Butler has adding many exciting projects to his creative docked. Some of those include Ari Aster’s “Eddington,” and starring in Darren Aronofsky‘s next film, “Caught Stealing” a 1990s-set NYC crime flick, (also set up at Sony).
Hiring a writer a year after your star has been attached sounds like the studio is taking its time with the developpment. And this may be why no director has been hired yet, but Butler’s participation, plus Kuritzkes penning the script is an attractive package that will likely lure many filmmakers into the mix.