Edward Berger is suddenly one of the hottest directors around, and it’s easy to see why. His WWI drama All Quiet On the Western Front won four Academy Awards, and his new papal thriller Conclave has him in the conversation for even more. Berger is striking while the iron is hot and shopping around a sci-fi project, The Barrier, that will pair him with another sought-after talent, Austin Butler.
According to Deadline, Berger and Butler (sounds like a folk music duo) are shopping around The Barrier, a time travel movie that is certain to launch a studio bidding war. The film will be based on a short story by MacMillan Hedges that is being described as Interstellar meets Top Gun. Sounds kinda awesome already. Hedges will write the screenplay for Berger to direct.
Berger is moving quickly while his star is at its brightest. He recently wrapped on Netflix’s The Ballad of a Small Player with Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton. There have also been rumors swirling about him possibly directing the next James Bond movie, while plans for him to take over the Jason Bourne franchise seem to have stalled.
Butler’s year has been packed with standout performances in Dune: Part Two, Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders, and Apple’s Masters of the Air series. Coming up for him is Ari Aster’s new film Eddington with Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix, and Pedro Pascal. He also recently signed on to star with Tom Holland in American Speed.
