Following writing-not-directing trend set by Gambit, Unbroken, Bridge of Spies, and George Clooney’s upcoming Suburbicon, Joel and Ethan Coen have signed with Fox and Chernin Entertainment for Dark Web, an entry into everyone’s favorite genre: the cyber thriller! While something about the Coen brothers’ films and public temperament makes it difficult for me to even picture them using a computer, let alone scripting something about any specific technological culture, they have a precedent in a two–part Wired article that details Ross William Ulbricht, known in some circles as Dread Pirate Roberts, a young man whose Amazon-like venue for illegal items blossomed — and who, of course, was eventually taken down, but not before (possibly) having a lot of people killed. [THR]
Dennis Lehane had penned a draft for the project, which was originally set up in 2013. There’s no indication that, unlike some previous assignments, Dark Web will be a rewrite — nor is there an explicit statement that they won’t direct the material, as had been clear in previous outings. Whatever comes of the project, though, this combination of mordant wit and, ultimately, horrifying subject — a combination that’s been compared to Fargo in years past — promises something that’s at least “of interest.” None of the screenplays they’ve contributed for others (even the otherwise terrific Bridge of Spies) have been quite up to snuff with their helming efforts, but let’s give them some time to keep moving along, yes?