We talked about it a few weeks ago, but it was confirmed by Variety last night that Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle is taking on the story of Aron Ralston, the mountain climber who had to amputate his own arm with a dull knife after a 2003 hiking accident. Ryan Gosling was rumored but it looks like they are still in search of a leading man. Boyle is teaming up with Fox Searchlight once again to start shooting next year with a late 2010 release. The film, titled 127 Hours is being written by Simon Beaufoy, who was behind Slumdog. Check out a full synopsis below.
Ralston’s right forearm got pinned for nearly five days under a boulder during a climb in Utah in May 2003. He used a dull knife to amputate the limb, then scaled a 65-foot sheer wall and hiked out before running into a family that gave him water and food. He was finally rescued by helicopter.
If Boyle finds the right actor this could lead to some serious Best Actor award potential, as he would be alone for most of the film. I have faith in Boyle but I almost wish he would do something a little more out of the box and original. Considering he has Oscar clout now, I have full faith in the production though. In Sunshine he proved he could portray true isolation, and I can only imagine it would be an integral theme to this upcoming project.
What do you think of Boyle’s next film? Would you have liked to see him do something a bit different?