I’m currently writing something that’s a little more in the “Green Room” universe. Because with “Rebel Ridge,” I was exploring a new side. I was just tired of everything I do being oppressive. But I’ve kinda gone back. It has to do with music and Halloween and fun shit.
That’s what Rebel Ridge writer/director Jeremy Saulnier told ThePlaylist last year about his next film, which has sparked a bidding war among the major studios. And for good reason, as Rebel Ridge was a huge hit for Netflix, racking up 31 million views for the streamer in a few days. Not only that, but it turned actor Aaron Pierre into an instant star, who quickly snagged a lead role in the DC Universe series, Lanterns. The film was a hit despite the controversial exit of its original lead, John Boyega.
According to Jeff Sneider, Saulnier’s untitled film, a high-stakes chase movie similar to The Fugitive, has captured the attention of A24, Neon, 20th Century Studios, and Netflix. Given Saulnier released his last two movies with Netflix, the other being 2018’s Hold the Dark, one might think they have an advantage, but maybe not.
A lot of these same distributors passed on Rebel Ridge, and they probably don’t want to make the same mistake. Saulnier justifiably would like to see his next movie get a theatrical release, and that could knock Netflix out of the equation.
Saulnier has been a cult favorite filmmaker ever since 2014’s revenge tale Blue Ruin, and the neo-Nazi siege thriller Green Room two years later. He is a personal favorite of mine, I’ve moderated multiple Q&As with him, and have been waiting for him to break out into the mainstream. Rebel Ridge finally did that, and now I can’t wait to see what he does next.
