Corona | Coming Attractions

Director Danny Boyle has picked his next movie to make. After his Slumdog Millionaire took home eight Oscars this year (including statues for Best Picture and Best Director), the 28 Days Later/The Beach/Trainspotting maestro will make 127 Hours for Fox Searchlight, the same studio he pacted on Millionaire with.

The movie is based on the real-life account of mountain climber Aron Ralston and the incredible act of survival he undertook when trapped alone in the wilderness back in 2003. Ralston had been attempting to climb a canyon in Utah by himself when a boulder came free and pinned his right forearm under it. For five days he awaited rescue and sipped the little supply of water he had. Realizing that no one knew where he was, Ralston carved his name, birthdate and presumed date of death into the rock face and then videotaped a final message to his family. With no other option remaining he started to amputate his arm off using a common utility knife. Once freed he then had to rappel down a wall and hike out of the canyon. Eventually he encountered a family who provided him much needed liquid, food and sent for rescue.

The movie will almost certainly be written by Simon Beaufoy, the same screenwriter that worked on Slumdog. Boyle has already written a treatment that Beaufoy will expand upon. The director plans to shoot in the first half of 2010 and have the movie out in theaters for late in the year. Now comes casting of the lead role.