Sean Penn and Tye Sheridan are reportedly set to star in “Black Flies,” a new thriller directed by “A Prayer Before Dawn” director Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire.
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Deadline has the scoop on Sheridan and Penn joining the cast of “Black Flies,” an adaptation of the Shannon Burke of the same title. Open Road Films will release the film theatrically in the U.S., while FilmNation Entertainment is handling international sales for the film, which is written by Ryan King.
Warren Goz and Eric Gold are producing for Sculptor Media alongside Force Majeure, James Masciello’s creative producing arm, and Sean Penn via Projected Picture Works, in association with Wiip. Christopher Kopp, Lucan Toh, John Ira Palmer and John Wildermuth are also producing. Luke Rodgers, Josh Stern, Sheridan, James Masciello, Matthew Sidari, Tom Ortenberg and Ryan King are executive producing.
“Black Flies” is described as an “intense thriller about lifesaving paramedics and the toll the job takes on them.” Sheridan is set to play an idealistic young man prepping for medical school and presumably excited to get a street-side view of things when he gets a chance to drive an ambulance alongside Penn’s grizzled veteran who is considered the best of the best. “It is an immersive view of life on the streets and one medic’s struggle to continue to help despite his growing fear that nothing he can do will make a difference.”
“We have been working in earnest with Jean-Stephane for over a year to bring this story to life in a way that is enduring and that will capture Jean’s special story telling abilities,” Warren Goz said in a statement. “We think this story, which portrays the pressures first-responders face on the job is an especially important one to tell at this time.”
The project was first announced back in 2019 with Mel Gibson set to star as the grizzled paramedic, before Sean Penn stepped in to replace him. Deadline reports that production for “Black Flies” is expected to begin in New York City late this year.